When the Cleveland Cavaliers acquired shooting guard J.R. Smith from the New York Knicks, he was thought to be a throw-in with the deal centered around bringing Iman Shumpert to town.
However, it's Smith - not Shumpert - that has stepped into the starting role for the Cavs and has played a major part in their 12-game winning streak. Smith was asked why he's had so much success right away with this new team:
"Just spacing the court," he explained. "I've had a lot of wide-open shots. We play a lot of transition basketball, so it's my kind of game. Everything else is just off of feel."
Head coach David Blatt told Bleacher Report that Smith has been a great addition to the team, and they haven't had to worry about any off the off-the-court issues that have followed Smith.
"J.R. has been absolutely, positively terrific, and I am not exaggerating. He came in here wanting to be a part of this team. He's been a great fit professionally. He's been great in the locker room. He's been great on the court. He's a joy to coach, pure and simple."
"They just expect me to be me," Smith said. "Don't second-guess anything. If you feel like you're open, shoot the ball. If you feel like you need to pass, make the pass. Don't overthink anything. Play your game. The biggest advice I got when I first got here, the first game I played, I was kind of tentative, because I don't know how the guys will respond to me if I shoot this shot, or what's going to go on. I talked to 'Bron and he was like, 'we got you because of who you are. Play your game. You don't have to fit in. You already fit. So don't try and fit in.' And after that, it was pretty much just go play and be me.
I think this is the best situation for me, 'cause there's nothing but basketball. There's nothing you expect but basketball. There's nothing, there's no going out, there's no late nights. There's video games, basketball and basketball. So it's a great thing."
Smith is averaging 13.9 points and 2.9 rebounds in 32.1 minutes a game with the Cavs so far this season.
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