Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard J.R. Smith had his best game of the season in Tuesday's loss to the Detroit Pistons, hitting three shots from three-point range for the first time this season. His slow start to the season has been blamed on hand and knee injuries, but Smith offered another opinion - he isn't getting the ball enough.
“It’s hard to just run up and down the court four or five times, then just get one spot shot, then come out of the game, then go back in the game. Getting in a rhythm early is the most important thing,” Smith said. “It’s not even so much to shoot, just to feel the ball, get the motion, get the ‘camaraderie’ within the system. I think that’s big, not only for me but for everybody. It’s not from a selfish aspect, but to feel the ball, feel the flow of the offense a little better.”
Smith has been dealing with swelling in his right hand from a broken thumb (since healed) that he never knew he had. A knee injury also forced him to miss three games.
The 11-year veteran declined his player option after last season but re-signed with the Cavs on a two-year, $10 million deal.
Smith is averaging 7.4 points - the lowest mark of his career - on 34.3 percent shooting from the field, including 30 percent from three-point range.
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