Out of all the marquee players on the Cleveland Cavaliers, none is more outspoken than guard J.R. Smith. Smith has been known throughout his career for speaking his mind and the NBA Finals provide him with a perfect platform to do just that.
With the Cavs currently in the midst of their third straight meeting with the Golden State Warriors in the Finals, the animosity between these two clubs has only grown over time. Last year, we saw things escalate to another level physicality wise and Warriors forward Draymond Green even served a suspension in Game 5.
When Smith was asked about the Cavs physicality and how they succeed at ‘dirtying up the game’, the 13-year veteran flipped the narrative towards Golden State and took shots at Green and his groin-kicking antics. Following from KNBR on Twitter:
Reporter says CLE had success "dirtying up the game."
JR: "I don't know about that. They got one guy who keep kicking people in the nuts." pic.twitter.com/ac5bRVWrsY
— KNBR (@KNBR) June 3, 2017
These recent comments from J.R. Smith should only add more drama to the blossoming rivalry between the Cavs and the Warriors. Though Smith was asked about the Cavs physical play, him pointing out Draymond’s antics from last year was more than fair. While the Cavs haven’t really ever been under much heat for being a team that takes cheap shots, Green has earned the reputation as one of the dirtiest players across the association, fair or not.
While J.R. will certainly get attention for these comments, the Cavs need their starting shooting guard to provide more for them on the court. In a Game 1 loss, Smith only put up 3 points and took just four shot attempts the entire evening. Smith will have to be much more of a weapon offensively if the Cavs have any hopes of matching the juggernaut Golden State offense.
With Game 2 tomorrow, it’ll be interesting to see if Smith’s comments spark a skirmish or two as opposed to a generally smooth Game 1.
