On the heels of another blowout loss at the hands of the Golden State Warriors, this one a 132-113 drubbing in Game 2, the Cleveland Cavaliers are thinking about a starting lineup change.
According to ESPN.com’s Dave McMenamin, although Iman Shumpert needed intravenous fluids to address cramping in Game 2, the coaching staff is contemplating about inserting him into the starting five for J.R. Smith:
Shumpert had six points, four rebounds and three steals in 22 minutes off the bench, and despite shooting only 1-for-6 from the field, he was considered a bright spot in the loss because of his attack mentality and on-ball defense against Kevin Durant.
Even with the cramping, Shumpert’s play, coupled with JR Smith‘s disappearing act in the series thus far, has the Cavs considering a lineup change at shooting guard for Game 3, the source said.
Neither Smith nor Shumpert is contributing much on the offensive end. Smith hit the first three of the NBA Finals in Game 1, less than three minutes in, and hasn’t scored since. He’s now 1-of-6 from the floor for the series. Shumpert has been more aggressive on offense but isn’t shooting much better; he’s at 3-of-12 following Game 2.
The switch, as McMenamin notes, comes back to the defensive end. If Smith isn’t going to give you even streaky outside shooting, the Cavaliers might as well bring in someone who can be stashed on Kevin Durant for stretches at a time.
Shumpert, to be clear, won’t really stop Durant. He’s aggressive, which is both good and bad. Even if he’s at his best, Durant is one of the best tough shot-makers in the league. But there is value in simply being able to put LeBron James on someone else. Sticking him on Klay Thompson or Draymond Green or anyone not named Stephen Curry permits him to play more of a free safety role, helping out wherever the Cavaliers need it.
This isn’t the type of tweak that will turn the series. The Cavaliers are at a disadvantage in so many areas. But they have to do what they can, and this is one of the few potential adjustments that might make a measurable difference.
