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The tough tasks of Cleveland Cavaliers' stoppers Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith: Bill Livingston (photos)

CLEVELAND, Ohio - In basketball, the defender is always at risk.

Of being "posterized," such as in the huge newspaper photo a young LeBron James kept in his locker of his dunk over San Antonio's Tim Duncan in the season's first game in the 2006-07 season.

Of tumbling, as former Cleveland Cavalier Craig Ehlo did, broken by Michael Jordan's greatness, in a heap on the sideline on the last shot, "The Shot," of a 1989 first-round series.

Of being overshadowed, even when sound positional defense succeeds, by the neon plays of deterrence.

They are blocked shots, such as LeBron James' "chase down" of Andre Iguodala.