One of the storylines within the first two games of this year’s NBA Finals has been the massive blunder J.R. Smith committed during the closing seconds of Game 1 and the backlash that has come with it.
With the game tied up, Smith corralled a rebound by the basket and instead of going up with it, he dribbled out to the perimeter and ran out the clock, sending it into overtime where the Cavs lost, tarnishing a 51 point performance from LeBron James in the process. During Game 2, Warriors fans showed their appreciation for Smith’s mess-up, cheering for him during introduction as well as showering him with MVP chants while at the free throw line.
JR Smith gets showered in cheers as he's introduced before game 2 ??? pic.twitter.com/bdrRMvWnU6
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) June 4, 2018
JR Smith got MVP chants at the free throw line ??? pic.twitter.com/wRJXNAvsWA
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) June 4, 2018
Following Cleveland’s Game 2 loss, the usually outspoken J.R. Smith was asked about the Warriors fans heckling him over the mistake he made in Game 1. Instead of the typically unorthodox response we may be accustomed to from Smith, he stated that he appreciated their taunts.
"I appreciate it." – JR Smith on Warriors fans heckling him #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/sJMBKQp8Tj
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 4, 2018
Hopefully for the sake of J.R. Smith and his Cavs, he can use those taunts to motivate himself to play better in Game 3 at home because it certainly didn’t work in the moment during Game 2. After a disappointing first game, Game 2 was much of the same for Smith as hr struggled to find his stroke all night.
He followed up a 3-10 shooting performance in Game 1 with 2-9 from the field in Game 2 with only five points in 31 minutes of playing time. Only time will tell whether Smith and the Cavs are able to get back on track for Game 3 at home on Wednesday at 9 PM.
