13 – J.R. Smith, Cleveland Cavaliers – 6’6″ Guard
Coach Lue has nothing but praise for the kid from New Jersey. Lue said, “J.R. Smith has become the Cavaliers best defensive player this year.” Smith has proven his worth this season to the Cavs; he is the definition of a role player. While a starter, Smith knows what he is on the court to do – defend, apparently, and rain havoc from beyond the arc.
This postseason, he has done both – and at an exceptionally frequency. He stepped right up to the task of defending Kyle Korver, against the Hawks, and DeMar DeRozan, the Raptors best player, and hasn’t looked back. Smith also is averaging 11.5 PPG and 3.4 3 FG PG, exactly what he is there to do. When building around superstars like Kyrie Irving, LeBron James and Kevin Love, you need players who excite in the role that they are given and that is exactly what J.R. Smith has done.
Smith is entering the last year of his contract, which is a player option. He is set to make $5.0 million next year if he chooses to opt into his contract for the final year. If not, he will explore free agency and see if either he can get more money from the Cavaliers, or if someone else is willing to pay more for what he has produced in Cleveland.
Next: Ryan Anderson