How many times have you heard that one player did something to slow the ball down, put a stop on it, and then they won the game! In this article I will be talking about what it takes to win.
Coming with that bow lyrics is a song by American singer and songwriter Meghan Trainor. The song was released on June 30, 2016 as the lead single from her third studio album Thank You
JR Smith spent five seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he was a key member of the 2016 squad that won the franchise’s first and only NBA title. Despite all he achieved for the Cavs, he’ll be remembered for his bone-headed play at the end of regulation in Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals, which spoiled LeBron James’ historic 51-point effort.
Smith said in a recent interview that he is weary of being unjustly punished for the defeat, and that he deserves more credit for James’ memorable chase-down block of Andre Iguodala in 2016.
The chase-down block by LeBron James is perhaps his finest play of his career.
In Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals, LeBron James blocks a shot by Andre Iguodala | Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
Let’s go back to the year 2016.
The Golden State Warriors had just accomplished an NBA-record 73-9 regular season, and they were heavy favorites to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Finals. When Stephen Curry and the Warriors grabbed a dominating 3-1 lead in the series, Cleveland seemed to be without hope.
However, James bravely guided the Cavs to two consecutive victories to force a Game 7, when he delivered his NBA career-defining moment. Golden State embarked on a fast break with less than two minutes left in the game, which appeared destined to finish in an Iguodala slam dunk. James swooped in from behind and blocked the veteran’s layup attempt off the backboard as he went up for an apparent uncontested bucket.
The Cavaliers went on to win their first-ever NBA championship after an incredible comeback, and James’ superhuman block is still recognized as the game’s defining moment. Smith’s impact on that same play, on the other hand, has never been mentioned.
He’s now attempting to rectify the situation.
JR Smith wants to be given more credit for LeBron’s famous block.
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The Cavs faced the Warriors in the Finals for the second year in a row, two years after winning their first championship. However, the outcome of that battle was different, as Golden State won four consecutive games to win the title.
Due to LeBron’s 51-point effort, the Cavaliers had a fantastic opportunity to win Game 1, but Smith retrieved an offensive rebound with 4.7 seconds remaining and quickly dribbled back to halfcourt instead of attempting a game-winning jumper.
Smith has taken the most of the blame for the defeat ever since, but in a recent interview with former NFL wide receiver Brandon Marshall on the I Am Athlete podcast, he stated he deserves just as much credit for James’ block in 2016.
“That’s something Bron and I used to do all the time.” Someone switch, because if he gets the ball and you’re on the break, I’m coming for you. Give me a fraction of a second and I’ll get right on it. I didn’t even bother to glance behind me. Andre Iguodala scores, the game goes to overtime, Andre Iguodala blocks, the game is won, and the title is won.
“You don’t give me credit for that since he was the one who got the block.” However, when I rebounded the ball and dribbled it out, you gave me credit for the defeat. I’m also the one who had him slow the ball down… It’s a whole different story than what would be appropriate in this case. Are you going to call Batman the villain or the Joker the villain? What are you going to do now that they’ve been calling me the Joker for ten years?”
JR Smith
So, what are our options?
Is Smith correct in his assessment?
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Let’s get this party started. Smith’s gaffe in 2018 is still being condemned, which is a bit of an overreaction. The Cavaliers were significantly outmatched in the series, and even if they had won Game 1, they would have lost four consecutive games. It’s past time to let him off the hook on that.
In terms of Smith’s assertion that he was engaged in LeBron’s block, he is correct. When no one else did, Smith stood back on defense and forced Iguodala to modify his layup during his leap. If James isn’t there to play Superman and perform one of the most spectacular plays in NBA Finals history, the Warriors still get the bucket.
Fans should forgive Smith for his error in 2018, but crediting him with the best play of LeBron’s career is a stretch.
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RELATED: Why J.R. Smith Deserves More Credit During His Cavaliers Career
The “atlanta songs” is a song that was released in 2017. The song talks about the protagonist’s love interest who was always trying to slow the ball up.
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