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JR Smith hopes they double LeBron so he gets more shots

By FanSided Staff

May 22, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) shoots against Atlanta Hawks guard Kyle Korver (26) during the first quarter in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
May 22, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) shoots against Atlanta Hawks guard Kyle Korver (26) during the first quarter in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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JR Smith spoke out about the ability of the Warriors to guard LeBron and apparently he hopes they end up double teaming him so he will get more shots.

The trash talking between the two teams in the NBA finals has begun. JR Smith recently spoke out about the Warriors ability to guard LeBron and what that might mean for him in the upcoming series. Apparently he thinks that doubling him is their best chance at stopping James, but will be a fatal flaw if that means he gets some open shots.

It is true that it is extremely difficult to guard LeBron James. The dude is a one man wrecking machine out there. Doubling him is a pretty solid idea, especially considering Kevin Love is out which means less shooters on the floor at all times. Although JR Smith is hoping this will be the case because that means more open shots for himself.

It is true though, when JR Smith is hot he is deadly. It would be in the Warriors best interest to keep his heat checks at a minimum in the Finals. Although that would probably mean less focus on LeBron which causes all sorts of trouble down the stretch. So how do you defend the Cavs?

What you have to do is slow James down as much as you can. Throw different guys at him, give him different looks, or even force him to take jump shots. He is going to get his point no matter what you do. They key is containing the other four Cavaliers on the court as well. If LeBron scores 40, but Kyrie Irving and JR Smith both have bad shooting nights, the Warriors stand a fighting chance. On the other hand, if LeBron does mediocre because of these double teams, but JR makes 9 threes, they are probably going to lose.

So maybe JR’s comments speak some truth to how the Warriors should actually guard LeBron James. They shouldn’t double team him because that would create open looks down the stretch for the other guys out there. Just do your best to contain James and worry about the other guys a whole lot more.

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