In the last few days it was doubtful that LeBron James will be available to the Cleveland Cavalers at the Season Opener against the Boston Celtics (Wed., 2 o’ clock on DAZN).According to J. R.,But there is no doubt about it.
“Oh, he’ll play,”Smith said on Monday.”He’ll play, believe me.I don’t care what he has to do, he will play,” Tyronn Lue once again said after training that he had no idea and that James had to decide for himself how he felt.
Smith would otherwise start against Celtics instead of James, but as I said, he doesn’t expect it,”LeBron loves the game.We talked about it.Ever since he was eight years old and started, he has never missed the first game.That’s why I’m sure he’ll play, and prepare me like that,”said Smith.
The game itself, of course, focuses on the reunion with Kyrie Irving, who had forced a trade in the summer.Smith admitted that “we were all disappointed,” but there was no bad blood:”He did the best for himself, so you have to respect that.He was a great player.In my opinion, he was a good team mate and helped us win a title.”
Smith therefore does not expect Irving to be booed by the fans in Cleveland.The Cavs are planning to honour the Point Guard with a video tribute during the game.Irving had spent six years in Cleveland and scored the decisive throw in Game 7 in 2016.
Defending him will be “extremely difficult,”said Smith, explaining his strategy:”You have to get people in his way.I hope he’s dribbling enough to get tired.That’s pretty much all you can do, but Smith doesn’t see a “great threat to us” in the newly formed Celtics.