Carmelo Anthony Showing Support to J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert
By William Lee
Carmelo Anthony offering encouragement to J.R. and Shumpert during their run to Finals run #Knicks http://t.co/1MY9vTdJaV
— Marc Berman (@NYPost_Berman) June 1, 2015
Two former-Knicks, J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert are playing huge roles in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ run to the NBA Finals. Both were dealt in a three team trade mid-season but that does not mean that New York Knick’s star player Carmelo Anthony is not keeping in touch with them. According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, Smith said Anthony is “excited” for them.
"“I heard from him, he’s excited for us,’’ “He’s excited for us. I talked to him for a while. I can’t say everything he said, I’d probably get fined. It was a great conversation.’’“He wanted me to go out and have fun. It’s a stage I’ve been waiting for. He told me to go out there and thrive on it. He’s happy for me.’’"
Anthony has also kept in touch with Shumpert according to Berman.
"“Melo’s texted us throughout the playoffs,’’ “He’s always a supporter. I can always lean on him if I have any questions about the game. He’s a huge basketball guy, always watching, always trying to learn from us, and we’re always going to take advice from him.’’“he’s a huge basketball fan, always going to be cheering for our success unless he has to play against us. We definitely have a great friendship.’’"
Anthony probably did not cheer for this…when Shumpert and Smith connected in their return to Madison Square Garden as Cavaliers.
Shumpert would go on to elaborate his and Smith’s mindset immediately after getting traded.
"“I enjoy playing with him, maybe that’s what it is,’’ “We’ve played with each other so long, we know each other’s game. But it’s also a lot to do when we got traded here on the plane.“That whole plane ride to Cleveland from Memphis, it was me and J.R. talking to each other on what we had to bring to this team. How much we had watched Cleveland on own. They had a TV game, we sat up watching them or when preparing to play them when we were in New York. We just tried to figure out how to add to the team. Putting it in your mind and then going out and doing it is what’s made us successful so far.’’"
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Both Shumpert and Smith have succeeded under the leadership of LeBron James in Cleveland. A five man lineup consisting of Tristan Thompson, Matthew Dellavedova, Shumpert, Smith, and James is a +27.5 points per 100 possessions in the Playoffs. This is Cleveland’s second best five man lineup in the Playoffs. When the Cavaliers replace Smith with another former-Knick, Timofey Mozgov, Cleveland is a +29.2 points per 100 possessions in the Playoffs.
Although as we have seen in game one of the Eastern Conference Finals, Smith can single handily win the Cavaliers a game.
We at Daily Knicks want to know; as Knick fans, will you be supporting the former-Knicks wearing Cavalier jerseys or will you be hate watching them. Leave your comments in the section below.