It was the blunder to end all blunders, the ultimate Shaqtin’ a Fool moment, and one that could have cost the Cleveland Cavaliers an NBA Finals Game 1 win. With the game tied 107-107 and 4.7 seconds left, J.R. Smith made an impressive play to get the offensive rebound off a missed George Hill free throw, only to try to dribble out the clock like the Cavaliers had the lead. Smith, a player who hasn’t turned down a shot — good or bad — in his entire NBA career, picked that moment not to shoot. LeBron James on down the Cavaliers were confused.
JR Smith thought the Cavs were in the lead!! pic.twitter.com/5NkzVB5G80
— RealGM (@RealGM) June 1, 2018
Every corner of the NBA Twitterverse went nuts — and that includes NBA players.
He’s really tryna take that Shaqtin A fool MVP from me lmao
— Joel “Troel” Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) June 1, 2018
yo @SHAQ u up??
— Chandler Parsons (@ChandlerParsons) June 1, 2018
🤦🏿♂️
— DeMarcus Cousins (@boogiecousins) June 1, 2018
L M A O
— Spencer Dinwiddie (@SDinwiddie_25) June 1, 2018
Jr is on that henny lol pic.twitter.com/0GBhgXjVyt
— Joel “Troel” Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) June 1, 2018
LMAOOOOO “I thought we were up 2”
— Evan Fournier (@EvanFourmizz) June 1, 2018
Wow, JR Smith just went Derek Harper Mavs/Lakers #NBAFinals
— Greg Anthony (@GregAnthony50) June 1, 2018
The Cavaliers lost Game 1 to the Warriors in overtime.
And J.R. Smith’s play will live on in NBA lore forever.
