INDEPENDENCE: What may be the toughest of J.R. Smith’s 13 seasons in the NBA got a little brighter Wednesday.
Smith was cleared to participate in his first full practice since fracturing his right thumb Dec. 20 and was listed as questionable for Thursday night’s game against the Pistons at the Palace of Auburn Hills.
Asked if Smith looked rusty, associate head coach Larry Drew, running the 90-minute session in the absence of ailing coach Tyronn Lue, said, “He didn’t shoot it rusty.”
But Drew wasn’t certain that Smith would play against the Pistons.
“We’ll see how he’s feeling after going today. But hopefully he’ll be ready on this road trip. We’ll take it day-to-day,” Drew said. After Detroit, the Cavs will take on Orlando on Saturday and face Houston on Sunday.
In other news, the Cavs announced center Andrew Bogut will not return for the playoffs after having his broken left tibia set. Signed Thursday, Bogut was injured in a freak accident Monday, 58 seconds into his debut with the Cavs. In a collision with the Miami Heat’s Okaro White, White’s knee hit Bogut’s shin and the sound of the fracture was audible.
The team said Bogut is expected to recover fully by the start of training camp for the 2017-18 season. But he won’t be a Cavs player — he’s headed for waivers when they find another rim protector to shore up the roster for the playoffs. That isn’t likely during their three-game road trip, a league source said.
With Kevin Love sidelined until late this month following arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on Valentine’s Day, Smith’s return provided a lift for the Cavs.
“I heard guys when we first started going with the five-on-five stuff, they started saying a few things. I’m sure they’re really excited about having him back, just seeing him out there, his presence out there,” Drew said. “We know what he brings to this basketball team. He’s been wanting to play for quite some time, but he’s come along in where he is right now. Hopefully on this road trip we’ll be able to insert him.”
Smith said he isn’t concerned about the stamina required to play; it’s more the mental hurdles involved.
“I think it’s just more or less my confidence,” he said. “It’s one practice. ... It’s really up to me but it’s kind of a weird situation, I guess.
“Physically, I’m fine. Mentally, I just [am thinking about] going in there, swiping at the ball, diving for loose balls. That plays a factor. You never really want to go into any type of game or whatever you’re second-guessing yourself. So, if I got to second-guess myself, I won’t play. If I feel like I’m not going to, then I’ll play.”
As for Drew’s observation that he was shooting well, Smith said, “Surprisingly it didn’t take me no time. Fortunately I don’t really use my thumb on my shot. It’s really all in my other four fingers and my fingertips and wrist. So, my thumb is really just there to keep the ball stable in my hand.”
Smith endured nearly a three-week training camp holdout before signing a four-year, $57 million contract on Oct. 15. Just over two months later he was injured. Then on Jan. 7, he and his wife, Jewel Harris Smith, announced via video that their third daughter, Dakota, had been born five months premature.
“This has probably been one of the tougher years, if not the toughest year for me, on and off the court,” Smith said. “Just part of the process, I guess. I think it will just make the story better.”
Smith said Dakota has gained a couple pounds, but didn’t think his wife would want him to reveal their daughter’s weight. He said Dakota will remain hospitalized until her due date.
In 21 games this season, Smith has averaged 8.6 points and 2.1 rebounds in 28.9 minutes, hitting .337 from the field and .362 from 3-point range.
While they may gain Smith on this road trip, the Cavs might be without shooting guard Kyle Korver. The Cavs said Korver will sit out against the Pistons with left foot soreness, but will accompany the Cavs. Korver was visibly limping in the locker room after Monday’s game.
Drew agreed the Cavs are being cautious with Korver, averaging 11.1 points and shooting .487 from 3-point range in 25.9 minutes since being traded from the Atlanta Hawks on Jan. 7.
“Cautious is probably the word. He knows his body, he knows if something’s not right with the foot,” Drew said. “If he feels any type of discomfort we don’t want him out there. We’ll give him some days off and see how he feels after that.”
Lue was not at practice and did not travel with the team later in the day. Diagnosed with a sinus/ear infection, Lue is expected to meet the Cavs in Detroit on Thursday and be back on the sideline.
Battling the illness for about 10 days, Lue did not coach Monday night’s home game against the Miami Heat, with Drew taking over. Lue also missed shoot-around Friday in Atlanta and at home Monday.
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her blog at www.ohio.com/marla. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MRidenourABJ.