An Open Letter to Earl Joseph Smith, III
2015-03-27
Dear Earl,
I have two words for you… I’m sorry.
I don’t know if you’ve already heard this mea culpa sentiment from other former doubters, haters or pessimists, but I for one can say in all honesty that I completely misjudged what your impact on this team would be from the start.
Why you don’t respect me, EG?
Count me among those who flinched, groaned or rolled their eyes when it was announced that you’d be joining this Cleveland Cavalier team on January 5, 2015, in exchange for your younger self (our resident enigma Saint Weirdo). I believed you were the added baggage, the salary dump throw in, the potential locker room cancer and the poison pill the Cavs had to swallow to get their coveted perimeter defender in your Knicks running mate, Iman Shumpert.
On some level, it was tough to blame critics like me with regard to your past behavior. It’s not like you had been a model citizen amongst your NBA brethren. In fact, your pre-Cavalier career was checkered with well-documented incidents both on and off the court.
From the serious (a multitude of brushes with law enforcement over major vehicular accidents and infractions), to the silly (untying the shoelaces of several opposing players… including your now teammate Shawn Marion), you were guilty of some fairly unbecoming behavior. Not to mention the propensity for poor decisions within games with some often highly questionable shot selection.
Cause you did things like this, JR…
But it’s as if the move to the Cavs has fundamentally changed you. All of the old cliches have been applicable. You’ve “turned over a new leaf” gotten a “new lease on life” you’re feeling “like a new man” and so on…
And while it didn’t take long for you to show off your value, and get even your staunchest critics like me to start typing things like “JR SWISH!!!!” as you sank ridiculous deep threes in the Q, there was always the looming potential of the other shoe dropping (or in this case, being unlaced).
I’ll admit, there were moments early on following the trade where I kept thinking, “Okay, this is pretty good, but just wait until ‘Bad JR’ shows up…” In fact, it seemed inevitable that eventually you would pull something to make us all remember our trepidation at having your “head case waiting to happen” persona emerge once more.
But it’s now been several months of “Good JR” and it’s been a pleasure to watch. Whether it can be attributed to your close relationship with LBJ from your summers practicing together, the fact that you’re on a winning team with something to play for, or just (as you say) the lack of nightlife in the Cleveland area that is keeping you in line… whatever it is, it’s working.
Once upon a time, somewhere between Melo and Linsanity… you found a way to harness your considerable skills to capture the NBA’s 6th Man of the Year Award. You averaged a career high 18.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.7 apg, and 1.3 steals per game in 33.5 mpg during the 2012-2013 season.
But now, you’ve transcended sixth man status, fully cementing yourself as part of the starting five for a team with championship aspirations. You were supposed to be an instant offense, three ball gunner off the bench, leaving the starting spot for Iman and his awesome hair. But something changed. You showed Coach Blatt just how much a change of scenery affected your outlook on things. You proved you belonged in the starting unit as a true floor spacing guard who could fit the three and D mold without missing a beat. You’ve even become a willing passer when your hair-trigger shot isn’t available, and made some spectacularly sublime assists and alley-oops.
In the 38 games since you joined the Cavs (37 of which you’ve started), you’ve averaged 13 ppg on 43% shooting (40% from three), with 3.7 rpg, 2.6 apg and (a new career high) 1.6 steals per game in 32 mpg. And you just followed an offensive clinic against the Bucks (23 points on 11 shots, going 7-9 from distance with a shrug for the fans that seemed to say “I was open… what did you people expect?”), with a defensive clinic against the Grizzlies (clamping down on Courtney Lee, Vinsanity and Tony Allen on the wings, with a couple of terrific steals and a gigantic block on Marc Gasol). And speaking of that… you’ve surprisingly played some of the most active and effective defense of your 10 year career, using your 6’6″ frame and long arms to help lock down the perimeter most games.
Tell us about what pressure does to the pipes again, AC…
For a guy who once famously said that defense was “not my area of expertise,” you’ve certainly stepped your game up since arriving in Cleveland, fighting through screens with abandon, poking your hands into passing lanes and averaging a better DRPM than guys like Dwayne Wade, Eric Gordon, Victor Oladipo, and almost twice as good as the man you replaced in Dion. Even AC has been impressed lately, getting his vociferous props for your defensive prowess off his chest as only AC can.
Not that a less than stellar attention to defense was entirely your fault before. Your dad, Earl Jr., once said this about teaching you and your brother the game… “Defense was the last thing I taught them, because you can make it without defense” (which was taken from this terrific Grantland piece that I admit I should have read much sooner after the trade for a better understanding of all things JR).
Even though things didn’t start out all that well with your ominous comments before your first game with the Cavs against Houston, and despite losing the first four games you played here, there’s no denying you’ve been a key part of the team going 28-6 since that rocky beginning.
You’ve been a model teammate from all reports, you’ve been an extremely entertaining interview and, most importantly, you haven’t been a distraction to what this team is working hard to accomplish. You are no longer part of the problem… but part of the solution.
You’ve even offset your earlier comments with some even more entertaining ones like this exchange with a reporter in late January…
Keep shooting JR!
Q: How deep does your shooting range go?
A: “Whenever I step into the gym.”
Q: Seriously, how deep do you feel comfortable shooting the ball?
A: “I feel comfortable shooting at half court as a spot-up shot, so probably a little beyond that.”
That might sound absurd to most people, but of course, this comes from a guy whose nickname (rightfully so) is J.R. Swish… and you’ve lived up to it night in and night out with an impressive array of three point bombs.
While your on-the-court play has spoken for itself, you’ve even collected some attention for your off-the-court activity. But this time, it was for looking good (not bad) in winning the All-Star Weekend Fashion Show (which you apparently stayed up all night preparing for) in your swanky, fur fringed coat (that either Shaq or Charles probably absconded with afterwards)…
Looking good, JR! Feeling good, EG!
And just the other day, I came across this awesome Cavs sponsored contest that seems like it would be possibly one of the most entertaining nights out I could imagine…
How many times can I enter??
Apparently, this wasn’t the only “eat wings with JR” contest giveaway. After one lucky fan hit a Quaker Steak & Lube bullseye with a rubber chicken at the Q, he and his buddy also got to share some wings with you this past week… (link courtesy of commenter Arch Stanton).
So, I hope you’ll accept my humble apologies for jumping to my own knee jerk conclusions about you, Earl. I admit I was dead wrong… and I’m happy I was. Your play, attitude and effect on this team has been one of the more pleasant revelations in a Cavalier season for the ages.
Sincerely,
EvilGenius
P.S. — Please keep it up…
Well said, Evil. If a Cleveland team is ever going to win a championship, it’s going to have to catch some breaks. Right time, right place for JR might be one of those breaks.
It took me about a week to get on the JR bandwagon. Usually in sports it is wise to avoid “problem players”. It is easy to see in retrospect why this situation is different. A lot of traditional “headcases” are gifted athletes that are not too bright, so they do not have much margin for trouble of any kind. While JR has not been a model citizen, he is a bright guy, and his recent issues can be largely attributed to being on the Knicks. The NYK are set up for Carmelo to take all the shots, and they have… Read more »
The other thing that the JR turnaround proves is what everybody in NY with any basketball sense has known for years — Carmelo is a cancer.
I don’t think that’s true. He basically carried Syracuse to the title. He’s a very good player surrounded by crap. Much like Kyrie was a very good player surrounded by crap until this year.
Syracuse? Who cares about Syracuse? Greg down carried a college team to the finals. College success can be based on talent alone. The nba is a different animal and Carmelo has never been up to that challenge. He’s a larger version of monta Ellis. He knows how to play basketball. He has no idea how to lead a basketball team. Without a George Karl type coach, Carmelo has no concept of game management.
Not Greg down…Carmelo lol
Count me as a Dion fan that didn’t want to take on a potential problem.
EG said it. For many of JR’s years he could have been referred to as “The Problem.” But he has turned it around and in the process of redeeming himself has become a big part of “The Solution” for this Cavs team.
Yeah, The Solution. I enjoy watching this guy play as much as any Cav.
BPI gives the Warriors a 72% chance of beating the Cavs in the finals and a 10% chance of sweeping the Cavs.
Screw you, BPI.
For all the talk about how similar Dion and JR were after the trade — both gunslingers, both headcases — here’s the thing I think everyone missed: JR = super-smart, true confidence Dion = not very bright, false bravado For all Dion’s physical gifts and grit, I always felt that his ceiling was lower than most people suggested. He was always just too dim to be the next DWade. I wouldn’t be surprised if that great stretch of 10 games he had last year when Kyrie was out was as good as he’ll ever be. Sad to say because I… Read more »
Maybe so.
JR has advantages in his shot mechanics and height that payoff over time.
Neither one is a great finisher in heavy traffic. Dion has kind of a skills mismatch in that his speed, strength and aggressive approach get him into the lane, but then he’s in trouble.
I hold out some hope that Dion will follow a career arc like Chauncey Billups, and find a place in the league based on a good all-around game, defense, and clutch shot-making.
Dion is still young. If you look at where J.R. was his third year in, Dion is probably ahead of him maturity wise. And I disagree iwith yout about his smarts – Dion is smart and a good passer. He’ll eventually learn the game. The question for him, like a lot of talented young guys, is can they master the mental aspect of the game in time to make good use of they physical talents.
Dion cannot shoot or finish at the rim or draw fouls. In other words, he’s terrible at his job.
JR is pretty good at his and there’s no sign that Dion will ever be any good at basketball.
Holy crap, I agree with Cols! I AGREE with COLS!!!
Joey you are right. He is still young just about to finish his 3rd year. He needs more time to develop. Time the Cavs didn’t have anymore. I’m afraid though if he doesn’t get it at OKC, he won’t anywhere. The learning curve is closing
I was hugely against the trade at first because I’ve been a huge Dion supporter. What a relief that we pulled the trigger, though. I was clamoring that Dion would have a break out season this year, but at the end of the day, and now without the homer glasses, Dion just isn’t a player that will ever be All-Star quality. He doesn’t do anything above average other than get to the hoop. But he can’t finish very well at all, and doesn’t get to the line. He’s an average shooter at best, even spotting up. I thought he’d learn… Read more »
Oh, and Smith has been outstanding for us. Amazing trade, and great player for us.
Did anyone know that Blatt played for former CSU coach Kevin Mackey in Boston?
Where would that have been? I can’t find an overlap in the schools that Blatt attended (Framingham, Princeton) and Kevin Mackay.
Mackey is in Cleveland for the tournament. He’s a scout for the Pacers now. Apparently it was some sort of all-star team. He was on 92.3 about and hour ago. Here’s the link: http://cleveland.cbslocal.com/2015/03/27/kevin-mackey-kentuckys-unity-makes-them-unbeatable-blatt-right-coach-for-cavs/
Nice! Good times. Mouse McFadden forever!
GREAT JOB EVIL AND EVEN A GREATER JOB MR. J.R. SMITH
Some credit for JR’s success here should go to David Blatt. Blatt has consistently used him as a starter when everyone expected JR to come off the bench.
In many ways, JR is probably the best complement to LeBron on the team. He plays active, physical defense, cuts to the basket, and of course spots up beautifully.
He has been a revelation.
1st pic gotta go. I had my doubts with the trade at first too but I did think it was a “even Steven” kinda thing with with JR and Dion. At that specific time, their stats were practically identical. Sure, he had a bad rep to boot. The question is now: “AT WHAT POINT IN THE SEASON DID YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND?” I knew immediately this was a completely different , energized JR at this play https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9_QJblDyfQ. My mouth just dropped and KNEW right at that moment he was better than Dion. His presence was drastically changing this CAVS team… Read more »
I didn’t just have doubts… I hated the trade when it happened because I was really against JR on this team. I thought he would hurt the chemistry of a team that was already having bonding issues. Plus, I was still kinda hanging on to my affinity for Dion, so it was not so “even Steven” in my estimation, particularly since JR was six years older than Saint Weirdo. It’s hard to put my finger on exactly when I changed my mind about JR. I knew he’d be instant offense, but I didn’t expect his good efficiency and decision-making. That… Read more »
Check out the TS% difference:
Dion with the Thunder:
G MP PER TS% TRB% AST% STL% BLK% TOV% USG% WS/48 VORP
37 1063 9.9 .452 5.0 9.5 1.6 0.7 8.0 21.5 .025 -0.6
JR Smith with Cavs:
G MP PER TS% TRB% AST% STL% BLK% TOV% USG% WS/48 VORP
38 1211 15.3 .567 6.6 12.9 2.6 0.9 9.0 17.8 .134 1.6
Formatting got jumbled. JR smith TS of .567, Dion .452.
Oh I know. I was the biggest Dion supporter on here and afar. I do wish you would have shown the ppg, fg%, 3P% as well separately. I am stunned at these results. Dion shot better as a Cav with less mins than he is right now in OKC. . JR well… he’s playing out of his mind with higher level of productivity and efficiency than Dion. TS% can be deceiving with the formula that is in place considering how FT * .44 is calculated . Points / (2 * (FG Attempts + 0.44 * FT Attempts)) But that is… Read more »
JR averaging 42% overall and 40% from three… Dion averaging 40% overall and 30% from three…
Nice article EG. Smith has been great. I was talking with my brother a couple weeks about how this is the best basketball Smith has ever played. His play is probably a result of all the things you mentioned and the fact that he’s in a contract year. Hard work is contagious. If you want an idea of what your character is, look at the people around you. I can’t help but think that next years squad is going to be even better than this years team. Andy will be back giving the front court ridiculous depth and he’ll return… Read more »
One aspect about JRswish that is increasingly obvious is that he is intelligent. His smarts plus his enjoying where he is at makes him a really fascinating player to focus on while watching the Cavs on tv. He’s very active, has a lot of situational awareness, and, best of all, relishes being an annoying defensive force.