Golden State fans aren’t letting J.R. Smith forget his massive blunder in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, running down the clock with the Cavaliers and Warriors tied at the end of regulation.
This video, via David Astramskas of Ballislife, makes the moment even more memorable.
Watching J.R. Smith dejected on the bench – with LeBron James not speaking to him – is car-crash level of can’t look away. Then, Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue tells LeBron the Cavs had a timeout remaining.
LeBron runs a gauntlet of emotions, clearly upset about a play that could cost him a legacy-altering championship but also trying to pull himself together for overtime. It is something.
I wonder how mad LeBron was at Smith, but also himself. LeBron could have called for a timeout in the moment. Instead, he appeared to direct Smith to hoist a desperation shot.
Of course, the Cavaliers never found their groove in overtime, losing by 10.