2016 NBA Finals: The Ultimate X-Factors

May 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala (9) stands on the court prior to the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in game five of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

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May 23, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers forward J.R. Smith (5) takes a jump shot past the arm of Toronto Raptors forward Patrick Patterson (54) in game four of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

3. J.R. Smith, Cleveland Cavaliers

Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 30 (9/9/1985)
Postseason Slash Line: .455/.462/.583
Postseason Averages: 33.5 MPG, 12.0 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.1 SPG, 3.5 3PM

Quietly, but surely, J.R. Smith developed into an elite 3-point shooter during the 2015-16 NBA regular season. That may seem like an asinine statement, but based on the numbers, Smith entered the territory of the best 3-point marksmen in the Association.

If the Cleveland Cavaliers are to defeat the Golden State Warriors, Smith will need to continue shooting the lights out.

Smith finished the 2015-16 regular season with a franchise record 204 3-point field goals made. He did so while maintaining an efficient mark of 40.0 percent from beyond the arc.

Smith was one of just four players in 2015-16 who made 200 3-point field goals on 40.0 percent shooting or better from distance.

Allow the other players who qualify to put that into perspective: Stephen Curry, J.J. Redick, and Klay Thompson. In other words, as seemed laughable before, Smith was an elite 3-point shooter during the 2015-16 NBA regular season.

Smith is shooting 46.2 percent from 3-point range in the playoffs, and Cleveland will need him to continue shooting the lights out if it’s to stand a chance against the Warriors.

Next: Dominant Again?