- JR Smith made one of the biggest mistakes in NBA History in the 2018 Finals
- Ever since then, he has been telling one different version after another
- His mistake ruined one of the greatest games of LeBron James’ career
The 2018 NBA Finals will forever be etched in basketball history for its iconic moments and unforgettable plays. Among them, JR Smith’s infamous blunder in Game 1 stands out as a puzzling and controversial move that has sparked endless debates and discussions.
In a surprising twist, Smith’s explanation for his decision has taken on various forms over the years, leaving fans and analysts alike scratching their heads.
In the immediate aftermath of the game, Smith’s post-game interview shed some light on his thought process. He claimed that he had seen LeBron attempting to call a time-out, which led him to halt his dribble and let the clock run out. This explanation, while questionable, offered some insight into Smith’s mindset during that critical moment.
However, as time went on, Smith’s story began to shift. In a 2019 appearance on the “All The Smoke” podcast, he introduced a new version of events. According to Smith, he believed the Cavaliers were leading the game by one point, which led him to dribble the ball out to waste time, assuming the team had the victory secured.
The narrative continued to evolve in subsequent interviews. In 2020, during appearances on “The Pat McAfee Show” and “Cold as Balls,” Smith claimed that he never paid much attention to the clock or the score during games, leading to his decision to dribble out the clock.
And in 2022, on the “I Am Athlete” podcast, Smith introduced yet another element to his story, suggesting that he was concerned about Kevin Durant’s shot-blocking ability, which influenced his choice not to attempt the game-winning shot.
The impact of his blunder was profound, as it overshadowed LeBron James’ monumental performance in that same game. With 51 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists, LeBron delivered a virtuoso display that would have been celebrated as one of the greatest Finals performances if not for Smith’s mistake.
The Infamous Game 1 Blunder
The 2018 NBA Finals will forever be remembered for JR Smith’s most notorious mental blunder. In Game 1 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors, Smith found himself in possession of a critical offensive rebound in the waning seconds of a tied game.
However, instead of attempting a shot or passing to a wide-open LeBron James, Smith inexplicably dribbled the ball away from the basket, seemingly unaware of the game situation. The Cavaliers went on to lose in overtime, and Smith’s blunder became a symbol of mental lapses in high-pressure moments.
The immediate aftermath was a mixture of disbelief, frustration, and memes that flooded social media. LeBron James’ incredulous reaction to Smith’s blunder became an iconic image that captured the sentiment of fans and players alike.
The media frenzy that ensued dissected Smith’s decision from every angle, leading to a cascade of questions about what had transpired in that fateful play. What made Smith’s blunder even more perplexing was the series of explanations that followed.
In post-game interviews, Smith initially claimed he believed the Cavaliers were ahead and was attempting to run out the clock. This narrative later evolved into Smith asserting he was looking for a time-out signal from LeBron James. The inconsistent explanations only added to the mystique surrounding the blunder.
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