SHOOTING GUARD: SHAUN LIVINGSTON VERSUS J.R. SMITH
Shaun Livingston, J.R. Smith chat in 2010. (AP)
Shaun Livingston: 71 G, 49 GS, 25.7 MPG, 8.1 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.4 BPG, .479 FG%, .167 3P%, .847 FT%, 14.7 PER
J.R. Smith: 67 G, 30 GS, 32.7 MPG, 13.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 3.0 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.3 BPG, .403 FG%, .380 3P%, .637 FT%, 12.8 PER
Once again, I call upon the use of a gif to truly understand this matchup. Without further ado, I present: J.R. Smith attempting to do basketball things. This is the quintessential difference between J.R. Smith and Shaun Livingston: one forces his play with volume shooting, the other quietly plays within the system in order to positively affect the game in multiple ways. Livingston has thrived in Brooklyn’s two-point guard lineup while J.R. Smith competes for more shots every night with Carmelo Anthony.
Advantage: Nets
