JR Smith

[shoes22]

From McMenamin:

CLEVELAND -- Cleveland Cavaliers guard JR Smith left Game 2 of the Cavs' first-round series against the Indiana Pacers at halftime Monday with a left hamstring injury and did not return.

After the game, a 117-111 Game 2 win, Smith said he did not require an MRI and said he hopes to play in Game 3.

"If they let me play, I'll play," Smith said. "My leg ain't broke."

Iman Shumpert, who did not play in the Cavs' 109-108 Game 1 win, started the second half in Smith's place.

Smith praised Shumpert for filling in, describing his second half play as "great."

"He did a hell of a job on the defensive end, came in and made a big shot for us," Smith said. "He did what he was supposed to do."

Smith finished with three points on 1-for-3 shooting and one turnover in 19 minutes, while Shumpert had five points in 20 minutes.

Smith said he wanted to go back into Monday's game, but the team held him out.

"I wanted to play, they didn't want me to play," Smith said as he walked out of the arena without a noticeable limp.

This is interesting, because from Lue's postgame comments he made it sound like Smith was the one suggesting not to take the risk in playing in the second half.

 

[wuck]

This is interesting, because from Lue's postgame comments he made it sound like Smith was the one suggesting not to take the risk in playing in the second half.

Just listened to that, and Lue said that "We sat (JR) out and he was kinda mad about it." Sounded like Lue was trying to downplay it a bit.

 

[wremy]

Honestly I think they were like PG is killing JR again let's try Shump .. Hope JR is healthy...Shump was big tonight though

 

[LeShaq]

Here's what Lue basically said (I watched his postgame):


JR wanted/tried to go in the 3Q, but our trainer told him it was not a good idea


Basically, the trainer went the route of caution. And it sounds like the trainer made the decision, and Lue went with it.

 

[LeShaq]

Pluto postgame. Not good if true.
http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/index.ssf/2017/04/cleveland_cavaliers_scribbles_47.html


13. J.R. Smith left the game at half with a hamstring injury. He'll be out for a while.

 

[CHIMOCHIS]

Oh that's just great

Good thing we have old dauntay instead of an young perimeter defender

 

[JMoneyYourHoney]

 

[dark2332]

Oh that's just great

Good thing we have old dauntay instead of an young perimeter defender

This is the series I would've considered starting Liggins, too, if Smith is out.

 

[fan0283]

Pulled hamstrings usually sees the player out 2 weeks. We'll see what the medical staff has to say

 

[buzzdog]

Shump will do fine as a replacement especially against JG. No way Liggins could have handled JG as well.

I'd try like hell to sit JR for the rest of this series. Pulled hamstrings only get worse and worse without proper down time.

 

[Benedict_Boozer]

^Agreed, sit his ass down. Not worth the risk. We don't need him to beat Indiana + Shumpert seems to be playing motivated by the benching. You could up Korver's minutes or play Derrick Williams also, plenty of options.

 

[Green Lantern]

Just listened to that, and Lue said that "We sat (JR) out and he was kinda mad about it." Sounded like Lue was trying to downplay it a bit.

Kinda mad...

 

[Jscc]

If he's out for abit, the timing could be worse. JR can't handle Paul George consistently and that's not a putdown of JR. Get him rested for the later rounds where he'll be much improved imo. He can handle the Beals, DeRozans, and Thompsons fine. None of them are PG level.

 

[InBoobieWeTrust]

Ehh, honestly, I don't think anyone should take what Pluto wrote there as news.

I think it was more of a precautionary thing that he was taken out of the game. If he misses time, it won't be "awhile".

It wasn't even severe enough to require an MRI.

Until one of Windy, McMenamin, Lloyd, Vardon, Haynes, Woj, Shams, etc...says different, I'd expect JR to play in game 3. Or at the very worst, not miss more than 1-2 games.

 

[buzzdog]

Ehh, honestly, I don't think anyone should take what Pluto wrote there as news.

I think it was more of a precautionary thing that he was taken out of the game. If he misses time, it won't be "awhile".

It wasn't even severe enough to require an MRI.

Until one of Windy, McMenamin, Lloyd, Vardon, Haynes, Woj, Shams, etc...says different, I'd expect JR to play in game 3. Or at the very worst, not miss more than 1-2 games.

Beware of hamstring injuries. If JR rushes himself back into the lineup it can become something that lingers with him all the way through the finals. More rest, sooner, before it gets any worse is the best decision for the overall good of the team. If he rushes back to play game 3 it is very likely he can aggravate it into a worse pull. Not to mention, are we really better off if JR is playing tentative trying to protect it?