CLEVELAND: After getting forward Draymond Green back following a suspension for Game 5, the Golden State Warriors went into Game 6 at Quicken Loans Arena without another significant member of their team.
Center Andrew Bogut’s season ended when he suffered a knee injury after a collision with the Cavaliers’ J.R. Smith.
The Cavs expected to see a smaller lineup from the Warriors because of that, but Smith didn’t think they should change much.
“They still have [Festus] Ezeli, they still have Andy [Varejao],” Smith said. “They have people who can block shots, who are long, as well as their perimeter guys with all their length. I think we should do what we’ve been doing — try to attack whether he’s in the game or not.”
And that includes more of Smith driving to the basket, just like he did in Game 5. Smith attempted just two 3-pointers in Monday night’s game.
“I thought he was good in Game 5. I thought he came out and had 10 points in the first quarter and really set a tone for us offensively of driving the basketball, taking what the defense gave him,” Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said in his pregame news conference. “You know, we’re at home and we’re playing fast and we’re pushing the basketball and playing up-tempo. That’s when J.R. benefits is in transition.”
When a reporter clumsily asked Smith about Bogut’s injury, Smith reacted defensively.
“I injured him? So it’s my fault? I tried to go up, he blocked my shot,” he said. “I fell slow to the ground and he went down. It’s a basketball play — it’s not I went out there and tried to take his legs out.”
Champagne anniversary
Thursday night represented a dubious milestone for the Cavs — it was the first anniversary of the Warriors’ clinching victory in last year’s NBA Finals.
Warriors guard Steph Curry joked in January that he could still smell the champagne from their championship celebration.
Smith took a realistic attitude toward the situation.
“Stop them from doing it here or at their building is the key,” he said. “No matter where it gets done, stopping them is what we’re trying to get to. If they win it here it’s going to hurt; if they win it there it’s going to hurt. Just gotta take it one game at a time, I guess.”
Black is the new black
Cavs forward LeBron James wouldn’t be drawn into a discussion on pressure — at least when it came to his play.
“My only expectation for myself is to be there and be a rock for our team throughout the whole game,” he said. “Statistics vary, but me being a leader for our team for all 48 minutes will always be consistent.”
James seemed focused yet relaxed Thursday morning as the arena staff prepared for a Cavs’ version of a “blackout” with free black T-shirts placed on seats before the game.
“That’s a game [operations] thing, that’s not my job,” he said.
When asked if he thought the look could be “cool,” he qualified the statement.
“We’ll see once we walk [out]. As long as everyone wears them, then it will be a cool look. But that’s, I mean, listen, I’ve got a lot to worry about than some damn T-shirts going around the arena. I’m trying to be calm here. You guys trying to raise my blood pressure over some T-shirts,” he said with a laugh.
The black uniforms gave birth to the black shirts emblazoned with “CLE” for Game 6. Several players, including Smith, were asked about the sleeved garb that no one seemed to care for early in the season.
“I didn’t have a say in it, so I don’t really know,” Smith said when asked if the uniforms made a difference. “If that’s what it is, I’ll wear them all summer long if it will get us a championship.”
High praise
Lue has often heaped praise on center-forward Tristan Thompson. In recent games in the NBA Finals, it’s certainly been warranted.
Thompson brought what Lue called his “high motor” to Game 5, pulling down 15 rebounds to help the Cavs get the series back to Quicken Loans Arena.
“It’s a big-time compliment, definitely appreciate that, coach Lue,” Thompson said after Thursday morning’s shoot-around. “Just do my job at the end of the day. Like I said, be a star in your role. For me having a high motor, being active, just bringing the energy and that spark to this team, that’s what I have to do every night. That’s what my team relies on me, counts on me to do.”
Classy move
It’s rare when rivals come together to do something that just makes sense.
However, give ESPN/ABC and TNT credit for doing so for NBA sideline reporter extraordinaire Craig Sager. Diagnosed with leukemia that had been in remission until recently, Sager had never had the opportunity to work an NBA Finals game — until Game 6.
The two broadcast companies worked it out so that Sager could work as a sideline reporter. ESPN’s Doris Burke worked the alternate sideline in support of the broadcast team of Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson.
The crowd gave him a standing ovation.
He understands Ohio
No matter what the future holds, Cavs fans who read forward Richard Jefferson’s piece in The Players Tribune [www.playerstribune.com] will understand the veteran has keen insight into his teammates and fans.
Celebrity watch
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Cavs minority owner Gordon Gund, NBA rookie of the year Karl-Anthony Towns, Indians manager Terry Francona, Browns coach Hue Jackson and Browns owner Jimmy Haslam attended the game. Need more star power? Beyonce and spouse Jay-Z attended.
Tweet of the night
From LSU Tigers football coach and Northeast Ohio native Les Miles — “Geaux Tigers.” Miles tweeted that from the Cleveland arena. According to USA Today, Miles’ children bought Game 6 tickets for him as a Father’s Day present.
George M. Thomas can be reached at gmthomas@thebeaconjournal.com.