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J.R. Smith embarrasses Leandro Barbosa (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 have a big game on Tuesday night, and he’s already punking defenders out of their shoes. 

When the Cleveland Cavaliers acquired J.R. Smith from the New York Knicks, they knew they were getting a spark plug player who loves to take shots no matter where they’re from. But inside of that rambunctious player is a stud sharpshooter, and we occasionally see that seep out of J.R. Smith at the right moments.

He had one of those moments in Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Tuesday night.

Smith was being guarded by Leandro Barbosa in the second quarter, but he quickly changed that when he punked Barbosa out of his shoes with a crossover.

Simply put, if the Warriors are allowing J.R. Smith to hit these shots, they don’t stand much of a chance in Game 3.

It’s plays like this that make us all appreciate J.R. Smith for what he does. There are plenty of times when the basketball world collectively rolls their eyes at Smith when he takes shots just for the hell of it — but there are also times like this where he looks like a wizard.

With the Cavaliers being down three of their key players, they’ll need more of this J.R. Smith and less of the one that heaves up horrible shots.

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