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Los Angeles Lakers: Avery Bradley is out for Orlando, J.R. Smith in?

By Ronald Agers

SHENZHEN, CHINA - OCTOBER 12: Avery Bradley #11 and Dwight Howard #39 of the Los Angeles Lakers in action during the match against the Brooklyn Nets during a preseason game as part of 2019 NBA Global Games China at Shenzhen Universiade Center on October 12, 2019 in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images)
SHENZHEN, CHINA - OCTOBER 12: Avery Bradley #11 and Dwight Howard #39 of the Los Angeles Lakers in action during the match against the Brooklyn Nets during a preseason game as part of 2019 NBA Global Games China at Shenzhen Universiade Center on October 12, 2019 in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images) /
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J.R. Smith has been to an NBA Finals series. How many Los Angeles Lakers players can say that?

Okay, let’s address the elephant in the room for the basketball casuals and LeBron James fanbase that talks about J.R. Smith. The usual statements. Here are a few.

  • J.R. Smith forgot the score in Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals.
  • It wasted a 51 point, 8 rebound and 8 assist performance by LeBron James.
  • It ended up getting the Cavs swept 4-0.
  • LeBron James didn’t get any help.

Okay. Need evidence? Okay, watch.

Now let’s get down to business. J.R. Smith’s ability to hit impossible shots will be needed at some time during the playoffs. Book it. If the decision is not popular, deal with it because it seems that moves are being made as of this writing. According to ESPN, Rich Paul and Rob Pelinka have already spoken about a possible signing.

Adrian Wojnarowski:

"Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka and Smith’s agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, were discussing a possible agreement Tuesday night and were expected to speak again Wednesday, sources said."

J.R. Smith averaged 6.7 points per game with the Cleveland Cavaliers last season. With stats like those, one would ask, Why J.R. Smith? Well, let’s Check out the list linking the coincidental evidence shall we?

  • His history with LeBron James (Skip the game 1 blunder in the 2018 Finals) and their success in 2016. LeBron even mentioned him on Instagram about his shot-making ability.
  • He’s another shooter the team could use alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis that is playoff-tested. By the way, he’s 13th all-time in 3 point shooting for his career.
  • For the Rich Paul conspirators, it will be noted that like Lakers players LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Talen Horton-Tucker, J.R. is represented by Rich Paul and Klutch Sports. 
  • Smith watched a Lakers game with from courtside seats earlier this year. Considering how crazy fans went when Darren Collison was at Staples Center… well?

People want to remember the Kyrie Irving shot over Stephen Curry to win the 2016 NBA Finals. People remember the block by LeBron. Those are superstars that made superstar plays, but if J.R. Smith doesn’t make timely contributions, these plays wouldn’t matter. J.R. was the only Cavs player not named LeBron James or Kyrie Irving to score in double figures in that pivotal Game 7.

Plus the man can shoot.

J.R. Smith shot 37.5% from the land of three for the Cleveland Cavaliers in their last NBA Finals trip back in 2017-18. Bottom line, he would be an upgrade at the shooting position coming off the bench. Whether he plays guard in the big lineup or wing in the small lineup, it doesn’t matter.

Smith has career NBA averages of 12.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists.

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