x
Breaking News
More () »

J.R. Smith: Current role with Cleveland Cavaliers 'most comfortable' of my career

Shooting guard J.R. Smith believes his current role with the Cleveland Cavaliers is the "most comfortable" of his career.
Credit: Reinhold Matay
Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) controls the ball against Orlando Magic guard C.J. Watson (32) during the second half of a game at Amway Center.

The 2017-2018 season has been an interesting one for Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard J.R. Smith.

From struggling to find a fit in the starting lineup to serving a one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team after an alleged soup-throwing incident and inconsistent performances, Smith has seen just about everything turn into challenges, but he has embraced a reserve role with the Cavaliers as of late.

And that role has allowed Smith to score in double figures on eight occasions since the beginning of Cleveland’s stretch run of the regular season in March, when they played every other day for the entire month.

“This is probably the most comfortable role I’ve fit in since my career started in the NBA,” Smith said after Monday’s 123-109 win over the New York Knicks, his former team, at Madison Square Garden. “The majority of my career, I’ve been a sixth man type of guy and coming off the bench.

“It’s easier to revert back than it is for some guys, so I like it. Just play pretty much my same game, but I’ll be more in tune on the offensive end, and then, just try to direct the younger guys where to go and try to get a good shot the majority of the time. But the best part is, we just get out and run. The first unit, they’re more of a try to slow it down, get ‘Bron and the other guys open, stuff like that, so it’s just fun.”

READ: Tristan Thompson accused of cheating on Khloe Kardashian

In five April outings, four of which were Cavaliers wins, including two against Eastern Conference playoff teams, Smith has averaged 9.4 points, shot 50 percent both from the field and three-point range, pulled down 16 rebounds, handed out eight assists and stolen three passes.

“I think he’s been really good defensively,” Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue said. “I think his energy is good defensively, and offensively, coming off the bench, we’re able to run more stuff for him.

“In the first unit, it’s hard when you have Kevin and ‘Bron and guys you have to get going, but I think coming off the bench and being able to run plays for him and get him going is good for us. He’s been good defensively. He’s been good offensively as well, making good passes, shooting the ball well, so we need him to continue to do that.”

Credit: David Richard
Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) celebrates his three-point basket in the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz at Quicken Loans Arena.

READ: Cleveland Cavaliers sign center Kendrick Perkins

With the Cavaliers set to start the 2018 NBA Playoffs at the end of the week, Smith is focused on the development of chemistry among the second unit so they can leave a positive mark on games that have more much more on the line.

“I just feel comfortable with what we’ve got right now,” Smith said. “The second unit with me, J.C., Larry, Double-T, and whether it’s Jeff or Cedi or ‘Bron comes in and plays with us, it’s just fun. We just get out and play. We just get up and down. Whoever gets the rebound pushes it, really with the exception of Double-T over here, and we just play.”

Stream live with fuboTV: 7-day trial

Before You Leave, Check This Out