LeBron James huffed and puffed and took a seat in the second half, the Warriors house still standing strong against his best efforts.
At peak efficiency in Game 1, Golden State returned to its reckless ways in Game 2 (20 turnovers) and still used its frenetic pace to run away from the Cavaliers in the third and fourth quarters.
James said after Sunday's loss he is no worse for wear, that it wasn't anything some food and wine couldn't remedy.
But the longer the series goes - and a long series is a hope now for the Cavaliers - the acuter the need to keep James fresh-ish with help on both ends of the floor.
Since there isn't enough wine in Napa Valley to make J.R. Smith's contributions look good enough to answer the need, let alone for the Cavs to win this series, they must consider changes.
Shumpert is the best option.
This isn't a matter of blinking or panicking. Two years ago, Steve Kerr made a lineup change based on the suggestion of a 28-year old assistant. Out went Andrew Bogut. In came Andre Iguodala.
That move was based on a 2014 NBA Finals lineup change. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich started Boris Diaw in Game 3 against LeBron James Miami Heat in that series won by San Antonio.
For Kerr, the move was almost as much about freshening the outlook of his team - he didn't like the body language he saw as the Cavs took a 2-1 lead in the series - as it was about accelerating the pace.
Shumpert tends to force his offense and get himself in trouble. So we're not suggesting he'll go off for 25 one of these nights, or end up as the MVP Finals MVP as Iguodala did two years ago.
It's about putting a player on the court who can at least give Kevin Durant a different obstacle course to maneuver while keeping James fresh-ish. It's about playing with confidence.
"If we take care of what we're supposed to take care of... it doesn't matter if it's the '96 Bulls...we would win."
If James said that, you'd probably feel good about that sentiment. If Kevin Love said it, you'd be able to find corroborating evidence in the way he's played. Coming from J.R. Smith, as that quote did, not so much.
His numbers through two games: three points, two rebounds, zero assists, 42 minutes.
The Cavs aren't winning four of five against the Warriors this time by sticking with their lucky jerseys or even by blitzing Steph Curry off picks.
Curry is healthier than a year ago, but that's not the Cavs biggest issue. It's that when he gives the ball up without turning it over, it's too often finding its way to Durant. That's a little different than the ball finding its way to Harrison Barnes.
The Cavaliers say they haven't lost their confidence. Smith embodies that.
They have the best player in the world. They lost just one time before the NBA Finals began.
You may have heard they came back from 3-1 to beat the Warriors a year ago.
In the Cavs four wins a year ago, Smith scored 20, 10, 14 and 12, respectively. Not explosive numbers but the Warriors knew he was on the court. He looked for his shot, which meant the Warriors had to account for him.
J.R. Smith hasn't been that guy for awhile now.
And every time the ball finds Kevin Durant and the Cavs defense feels the stress of that, it's a reminder this NBA Final isn't the NBA Finals of a year ago either.
