Just over a week after a costly brain fade during Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Cavaliers guard JR Smith has arrived at the Oracle Arena in Oakland for Game 5, despite the series having already finished.
In Game 1, Smith grabbed a rebound with just under five seconds left and the scores tied, but instead of taking a shot or passing it to an open LeBron James, he waited for time to expire as he thought they were in front.
Arriving for this non-existent game only adds insult to injury for Smith, as he has been extensively ridiculed since Game 1’s brain fade.
After hearing the news of JR’s blunder, our reporters made their way to the arena to speak to him.
“I knew something was up when I was the only one on the plane,” he said.
“Then I was waiting at the hotel for ages because I thought Ty Lue was going to call a cab. What coach wouldn’t call a cab in that situation when there was one available?
“This all would’ve been avoided if George Hill answered his phone when I wasn’t sure if the game was actually on. He answers it like 80% of the time,” he said emotionally.
It’s a long way back to Cleveland now for Smith, but he says his mind is solely on the offseason and working on his game, in particular his situational awareness.