Tony Dejak / Associated Press
JR Smith hasn’t played an NBA game since November 2018, but with Avery Bradley choosing not to play in the NBA bubble, the Los Angeles Lakers are bringing in former LeBron teammate James to help.
After a long break from NBA basketball, can it be helpful?
Smith and James were teammates for three and a half seasons in Cleveland, so they are familiar with each other. Including the playoffs, they have logged over 8,000 minutes together. With four trips to the Finals, Smith has experience that many Lakers lack.
The Cavaliers had a net positive rating when James and Smith shared a flat in three of the four regular seasons, the highest being 13.6. In their championship season playoffs, the Cavs had a 12.6 plus with both playing.
|
James and Smith together |
Net Regular Season Rating |
Playoff Net Rating |
|
2014-15 |
13.6 |
4.0 4.0 |
|
2015-16 |
9.8 |
12.6 |
|
2016-17 |
7.5 |
11.8 |
|
2017-18 |
-1.5 |
0.0 |
(2 person training data stats at NBA.com/stats)
Smith’s ability to shoot helped create room for the Cavs and driving lanes for James to attack them. As James’ teammate, he shot 38.3 percent of three in 6.1 attempts per game and is a 37.3 percent shooter for his career. Lack of deep shot threats has been a challenge for the Lakers as they are 17 in the league as a three-point percentage. Smith will provide the Lakers with more strength from the center.
During their time together, James prepared Smith for 824 triplets, with him taking down 41.3 percent. This season Danny Green has received the most passes from James for three in 138, knocking down 37.7 percent of his subsequent attempts. Kyle Kuzma has the highest three-point percentage of James’ passes in 43.1 but averages only 1.2 attempts per game.
Smith’s ability to hit different types of threes gives the Lakers more choice in how they deploy it. As a catch-and-shoot player, he shot 40.9 percent of three in his time as James’ teammate. The Lakers as a filming team 37.7 percent in catch-and-shoot triples. Smith is always ready to let three fly if he has enough room.
In particular, with how dominant James has been in the job, Smith’s ability to relocate and make teams pay every time they try to duplicate James will be of great value to the Lakers. Smith shoots 39.1 percent from three with four feet or more of clearance, which is better than the Lakers’ 36.3 percent. Letting Smith double James is a risk that has hurt most of the time in the past.
Beyond the catch-and-shoot scenarios, the Cavs often used Smith to set up ball screens on the James defender to create mismatches. If the teams don’t handle coverage properly, Smith is a threat.
Adam Glanzman / Getty Images
However, there are some problems with Smith’s game. His defense has seen a progressive drop down. The Cavs had a defensive rating of 101.9 when Smith and James shared the court the season they traded for Smith. From there, it started working, finally reaching 113.7 in their last season together.
|
James and Smith together |
Regular season defensive rating |
Defensive playoff standings |
|
2014-15 |
101.9 |
102.6 |
|
2015-16 |
104.0 |
105.1 |
|
2016-17 |
108.6 |
111.4 |
|
2017-18 |
113.7 |
112.0 |
(2 person training data stats at NBA.com/stats)
Then of course there are times that show Smith’s lack of focus from time to time. For example, with 4.7 seconds remaining in Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals, Smith had a great offensive rebound with the game tied but dribbled midfield rather than attempting a shot. The Cavs would continue to lose in overtime.
For the Lakers, bringing Smith is a luxury. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Danny Green, and Alex Caruso should probably see more minutes. All three are better defenders than Smith and, with the exception of Caruso, better shooters as well. Smith will most likely compete with Dion Waiters, whom the Lakers signed just before the game’s suspension, during some of Bradley’s minutes.
But the only thing Smith has on all of these candidates is a proven record of success as a role player with the Playoff James.
If Smith takes the rust out of nearly two seasons, he could change a playoff game or even a series for the Lakers. But it could also cost them a game with a bonehead game.
Statistics through NBA.com unless otherwise noted.
Mo Dakhil spent six years with the Los Angeles Clippers and two years with the San Antonio Spurs as the video coordinator, as well as three years with the Australian men’s national team. Follow him on Twitter @MoDakhil_NBA
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