Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 adjustments for Game 3 of 2017 NBA Finals
5. Give Jefferson and Shumpert more run
Any time “Give 36-year-old Richard Jefferson more playing time” or “Give Iman Shumpert and his broke jump shot more opportunities” are legitimate NBA Finals adjustments, there’s a pretty good chance we’re approaching the end times. And yet, because of how terrible Cleveland’s wings have been and the need to spell LeBron from his defensive assignment on Kevin Durant, here we are.
In Game 1, Jefferson led the bench with nine points and four rebounds in 15 minutes, going 3-for-6 from the floor despite committing five quick fouls. In Game 2, he added seven points on 2-of-3 shooting and committed three fouls in his 13 minutes. He’s been relatively decent off the bench, on the offensive end at least.
Iman Shumpert, meanwhile, is the best option to spare LeBron the defensive burden of guarding KD, but he’s been horrendous on the other end, shooting a combined 3-for-12 from the field through the series’ first two games.
LeBron is able to roam when he doesn't have to defend Kevin Durant. #Cavs Iman Shumpert has been really, really important early.
— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) June 5, 2017
RJ’s inability to stay in front of Kevin Durant would be obvious even without all those fouls tacked on, but he’s really the only wing on the roster (other than LeBron and Shumpert) capable of logging minutes on KD. LeBron has been absolutely gassed through the first two games, and the Cavs may need to resort to desperation tactics to give him some rest on the defensive end.
If Shumpert can just make a shot or two, or if Jefferson can find a way to stay out of quick foul trouble, they need to be playing — and spending more time on KD — than they currently have.