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2015 NBA Finals: J.R. Smith Needs to Shine in Game 4

By Maxwell Ogden

Jun 9, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) and Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) react during the second quarter of game three of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 9, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) and Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) react during the second quarter of game three of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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The 2015 NBA Finals have played home to the formation of a legend’s new legacy. LeBron James has performed at an otherworldly level, averaging 41.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.7 steals, 1.0 block and 2.3 3-point field goals made through three games.

SEE ALSO: The NBA’s 50 Greatest Players of All-Time

In the process, he’s made history.

Unbelievable.

With a massive Game 4 looming and Cleveland owning an uncomfortable 2-1 series lead, something’s got to give. James is playing 47.3 minutes per game and can’t possibly do that for a full seven games—unless he really is a bionic man.

Knowing the risks of running James into the ground, the Cavaliers need to end this series as hastily as possible. Thus, holding home court and winning Game 4 is of the utmost importance.

J.R. Smith is the player who needs to step up and deliver.

Smith has struggled thus far, averaging 10.7 points on a slash line of .343/.350/.500 during the 2015 NBA Finals. He showed signs of life in Game 3, however, posting 10 points on 4-of-9 shooting from the field and 2-of-4 from 3-point range.

What Cleveland needs in Game 4 if the J.R. Smith who torched the Atlanta Hawks to a tune of 18.0 points per game on a slash line of .500/.471/.800 in the Eastern Conference Finals.

The question is, will he show up?

Consistency has always been an issue for Smith, but he seemed to turn a corner during the 2015 Playoffs. He averaged 12.8 points on 50.0 percent shooting from the field in the Eastern Conference Semifinals before going off against Atlanta a round later.

Thus far against the Golden State Warriors, he hasn’t been able to rediscover that form.

Smith opened the series with a 3-of-13 shooting performance, including a 3-of-10 mark from beyond the arc. He improved enough to score 13 points in Game 2, but shot 5-of-13 and posted a -13 +/- in 38 minutes.

For perspective, fellow reserve James Jones was a +22 in 23 minutes.

Smith’s improvement in Game 3 was a promising sign, but he needs to be more than a considerable option. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love are both out for the season, which has placed an incomparably large offensive burden on James.

Matthew Dellavedova has stepped up in a major way, scoring 20 points in Game 3 and continuing his excellent defense on reigning league MVP Stephen Curry. Unfortunately, he was just the latest key player to encounter bad health.

Dellavedova had to be hospitalized do to severe cramping.

Irving, Love, Dellavedova, Anderson Varejao—the list continues to grow. Really, it’s still growing.

Starting shooting guard Iman Shumpert suffered a shoulder injury in Game 3.

With three starters out—Irving, Love and Varejao—another battling a shoulder injury and a reserve-turned-starter hospitalized, Cleveland’s back is as far against the wall as it’s ever been.

James has proven that he will deliver, but it’s Smith who needs to come up big in Game 4.

A notoriously boom-or-bust scorer, Cleveland needs Smith to bring the boom. When he gets hot, he can light up the scoreboard with the best of them, draining unthinkable shots from all over the court.

Exhibit A:

That’s an important clip to watch.

During Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Cleveland was in a similar position, playing against the 60-win Hawks. Kyrie Irving was out with an injury and James dominated with 37 points, 18 rebounds and 13 assists.

A key reason for Cleveland picking up the 114-111 overtime win: Smith finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds on a reasonably efficient 6-of-14 shooting from the field.

While it may not seem realistic to request a star-caliber performance from Smith, it’s what Cleveland needs. James is performing at an all-time level and keeping Cleveland in every game, but just as Dellavedova did in Game 3, someone else needs to step up in Game 4.

Smith, the 2013 Sixth Man of the Year, need to be that player for Cleveland to take a 3-1 series lead.

Next: LeBron James is approaching Rick Barry and Bill Walton territory

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