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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 reasons to remove J.R. Smith from the rotation

By Robert Marvi

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 22: JR Smith #21 of the Los Angeles Lakers controls the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers in the first half in Game Three of the first round of the playoffs between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers at the AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 22, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 22: JR Smith #21 of the Los Angeles Lakers controls the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers in the first half in Game Three of the first round of the playoffs between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers at the AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 22, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

1. The Los Angeles Lakers have a better option

During the playoffs, and especially the championship series, you have to go with the guys who you know will get it done. This is no time to see if a guy towards the end of the bench may be able to help.

Three-point shooting will be a big key for the Los Angeles LakersLakers in the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat, as the Heat tend to force their opponents to live off the 3-ball. They’re pretty good at defending it, too, as they ranked sixth in 3-point shooting percentage allowed in the regular season.

Smith may not be able to throw a pea in the ocean at this point in his career, but you know who can? Quinn Cook.

Like Smith, Cook was originally signed to give the Lakers a little additional depth in the backcourt. Like Smith, Cook has barely played (he averaged 11.5 minutes a game in the regular season and just 5.3 in the playoffs).

But unlike Smith, Cook can still hit Js.

Despite being not being played consistently enough to develop a great shooting rhythm, the Duke University product made 36.5 percent of his 3-pointers during the regular season. He improved that to 50.0 percent in the playoffs so far.

In each of his previous three seasons, he shot over 40 percent from the land of plenty, which is why the Lakers signed him; he’s a proven 3-point sniper.

Yes, Cook probably couldn’t guard my 99-year-old grandma, but as we discussed a few minutes ago, neither could Smith.

Next. Why Anthony Davis will not sign an extension. dark

Cook has something else in common with Smith: He’s the proud owner of an NBA world championship ring. Cook earned it just two years ago with the Golden State Warriors, so you know he won’t go limp under the bright lights of the NBA Finals.

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