Here we are, back again with the Cleveland Cavaliers drama part 34563434 this season.
Today’s drama includes but not limited too, talks about friendship. Because, it’s LeBron so why not.
A new addition to the drama from earlier, today’s issues brings us LeBron James’ excitement level concerning some of the mid-season trades. Particularly the one that brought in J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert to the Cavaliers.
Following from Brian Windhorst on Bill Simmons’ ‘B.S. Report’ podcast.
“He is so excited about the talent on this team,” said Brian Windhorst. “He loves playing with Mozgov. He loves J.R. Smith. He was the guy who pushed for that trade. The Cavs were trying to get Shumpert; that’s what the conversations were and of course the Knicks were saying ‘we’ll give you Shumpert, but you have to take J.R.’ They went to LeBron and he said ‘No, you get J.R. and if you get Shumpert with him that’s great.’ He, I think, really loves their top-7.”
The trades for the trio of players were made at a pivotal point of the season. The Cavs were 19-20 and Windhorst said in the same podcast that LeBron got a smack to reality that this team, the way it was constructed at the time, would struggle. James knew it very early on.
Usually, news from the ‘LeBron whisperer’, Brian Windhorst, is usually true. So this isn’t exactly coming out of left field. It’s interesting as to why LeBron was excited about Smith more than Shumpert. I personally would want Shump, due to his younger age and defense. The 2 players have similar athletic ability and Smith might be the better shooter but, Shumpert seems to be the smarter player.
Smith has a .563 True Shooting Percentage since coming to the Cavaliers after posting a .487 mark with the New York Knicks so there has been a small improvement on J.R.’s end. Shumpert on the other hand has been relegated to a bench role, a sixth man role averaging less points but he is shooting about the same percentage.
Since the Cavs were 19-20, they are 14-1 against the Western Conference and have won 16 in a row at home. Either way you slice it LeBron still wins with this team and his ‘GM talents’ have worked out. One thing is for certain, it will be interesting to see what happens this summer.
