Fansided

J.R. Smith throws down nasty block on Dennis Schroder (Video)

By Josh Hill

May 20, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) reacts during the fourth quarter of game one of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
May 20, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) reacts during the fourth quarter of game one of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cleveland Cavaliers need J.R. Smith to continue having a great series against the Atlanta Hawks, and that’s something he is very much doing. 

When the Cleveland Cavaliers acquired J.R. Smith, they had no idea the type of player they’d be getting right now. Sure, J.R. Smith had the potential to be a real contributor to a title contender, but there’s something different about this version of J.R. Smith and he’s a force in the postseason.

In the course of one season, Smith went from clown prince of New York to key championship piece in Cleveland.

He continued to prove his value on Sunday night when he obliterated a Dennis Schroder shot before it had any hope of getting to the bucket.

J.R. Smith needs to continue playing this way through the NBA Finals, especially with the Cavaliers suffering the injuries that they’ve suffered. Kevin Love is not coming back, veterans like Shawn Marion and Mike Miller are a long for the ride and Kyrie Irving is banged up in bad enough way that he’s missed two straight games.

If the Cavaliers can continue to get this kind of play out of J.R. Smith though, they may not only be alright in the end but they could still win the NBA Finals against either Houston or Golden State next month.

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