What the hell was J.R. Smith thinking with less than five seconds to go in regulation before the Cavs’ eventual overtime loss to the Warriors in Game 1? That’s the question everyone wants the answer to, but LeBron James has nothing for you.
LeBron James kept getting asked about J.R. Smith, so he just left his press conference
Smith made a huge error, and everyone was asked about it. James was asked multiple times. He clearly had enough.
James was pressed on the subject during his postgame press conference by ESPN reporter Mark Schwarz, and after Schwarz attempted different variations of the same questions, well, LeBron just got up and walked away.
Schwarz: There’s still confusion as to whether J.R. thought the game was tied or whether he thought you guys were ahead. From where you stood on the court and from talking to him after the play, what’s your version [of that play]?
James: “What do you mean, ‘What’s my version?’”
Schwarz: Well, did he think that the game was tied? Or did he think that you guys had [the game won]?
James: How do I know that?
Schwarz: Or did you discuss it at all with him at the end of the play?
James: No. They asked me if I talked to J.R. about it. I said no already. I knew it was a tie game. We were down 1. George Hill went up. We made the first one. We got the offensive rebound. You know, I thought we were all aware of what was going on. That’s my view.
I don’t know what J.R. was thinking. I don’t know what question you’re trying to ask.
Schwarz: I was just trying to see if you knew exactly what his state of mind was. Did he think that you guys had one or did he think he was trying to make a play?
James: [shakes head]
Schwarz: Not sure?
James: What do you mean I’m not sure? No, I don’t know his state of mind.
Schwarz: Did you know if he knew the score?
James: Gets up and walks away
There’s a reason for the intense line of questioning
If you didn’t see the play, here it is.
The scenario: George Hill at the free throw line with the game tied and one free throw left to shoot. There are 4.7 seconds left on the clock. Hill misses the second free throw.
In an ideal world: The Cavaliers secure the offensive rebound, call their final timeout, draw up a play and get a look at a game-winning shot to steal Game 1 on the road.
In an alternate, equally ideal world: The Cavaliers secure the offensive rebound and get the ball to LeBron James. Even if the ball does not get to LeBron James, someone gets a shot up.
In this world:
That play spelled doom. The Cavaliers went to OT and were blown out the water. The Warriors outscored them by 10. Party done. Game over. Pack it up and go home.
You can clearly see Smith saying he thought the Cavaliers were up on a different angle of the same play.
And Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue said the same thing after the game, but Smith said he knew the game was tied, and that he thought someone was going to call a timeout.
The only thing that’s for sure is that this was a wild ending to Game 1, and unfortunately, it’s one that cost LeBron James an historic 51-point night.
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