NBA Finals: J.R. Smith makes huge LeBron James claim ahead of Golden State clash
NBA FINALS returns tonight - and J.R. Smith has opened up on playing alongside LeBron James.
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The Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard has been slammed following his disastrous error in the final moments of Game 1 against the Golden State Warriors.
Smith thought the Cavaliers were ahead and didn’t take a shot, keeping hold of the ball instead.
However, the game was tied, with Golden State going on to win in overtime.
James was furiously screaming at Smith following the final buzzer after his dramatic error, which could cost Cleveland the series.
And Smith claims it’s a blessing and a curse to play alongside James, who finished with 51 points against the Warriors in Game 1 of the Finals.
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It’s a blessing and it’s a gift and a curse
“It’s a lot of pressure,” Smith said of being James’ team-mate.
“Not for myself or my team-mates, but just playing on his team.
“It’s almost... it’s a blessing and it’s a gift and a curse.
“You play on his team, and you’re playing with the best player in the world and you get to witness some great historic things and be a part of it.
“Then, on the other side, if you don’t help that person win, they’re looking at you, too.
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“So it’s a lot of pressure, depending on how you look at it.
“I tell him all the time he has the opportunity to play with me as well.”
Three-time NBA champion James is regarded by many as the greatest player of all time, with others seeing the 33-year-old only second to Michael Jordan.
The small forward is averaging a staggering 35 points, nine rebounds and nine assists per game in the playoffs this year.
James also leads the Cavaliers in minutes, with the Cleveland superstar averaging 41 minutes per game.
Game 2 of the Finals gets underway in the early hours of tomorrow morning, with the clash tipping off at 1am UK time.