NBA Rumors: Iman Shumpert may start Game 3 for Cavaliers

Facing an 0-2 deficit and with J.R. Smith failing to step up, the Cavaliers may make a starter out of Iman Shumpert.

Through the first two games against the Golden State Warriors, J.R. Smith is 1-for-6 from the floor with three points. He was encouraged by the Cleveland Cavaliers coaching staff to be more aggressive after the Game 1 loss, then responded by going 0-2 from the floor with zero points and four fouls over 14 minutes on Sunday night. A shift toward Iman Shumpert started in Game 2, and according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin he may start Game 3 in Smith’s place.

After playing 22 minutes on Sunday night, Shumpert reportedly needed intravenous fluids for cramps. Having to come off the bench and guard Kevin Durant is obviously a difficult assignment, even for LeBron James when he is in the game. But Shumpert’s effort defensively stands to earn him more playing time even if he keeps coming off the bench.

If Smith is not scoring, or more narrowly is afraid to shoot for some reason, he adds almost nothing else and his value becomes nearly zero when he’s on the floor. Cleveland’s box scores are clearly filled with negative plus-minus numbers through two games against Golden State, but Smith’s minus-18 in Game 2 was tied for worst on the team with Tristan Thompson.

Shumpert started 31 regular season games this year. Compared to his season as a whole (7.5 points and 2.9 rebounds per game), he had slight upward ticks in his scoring (9.1 points per game) and rebounding (3.2 per game) averages in the role.

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With two fairly decisive losses to start the NBA Finals the Cleveland Cavaliers are looking for some, or any, answers. Coming back from a 3-1 deficit last year is a positive reference point, but the Cavaliers need more from their supporting players. Replacing Smith with Shumpert in the starting lineup looks like the only substantial move on the table for coach Tyronn Lue.