JR Smith has enjoyed four straight NBA Finals appearances with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, but he knows with the good comes the bad, and sometimes a lot of pressure.

JR and LeBron

Evidence of that was in Game 1 on Thursday night near the end of regulation with the scored tied at 107 when Smith picked up an offensive rebound from George Hill's missed free throw attempt and decided to dribble it towards the halfway line rather than take a shot at the basket to win the game.

He would pay for his mistake in more ways than one. Not only did LeBron show his initial frustration with Smith on camera, but the Cavs also paid for it on the court as they lost in overtime to the Golden State Warriors. He also became the target in internet memes.

A gift and a curse

Prior to Game 2 later today, Smith was asked by reporters, via CBS Sports, how much pressure he and his teammates feel playing alongside James, one of the greatest of all time, to which he replied that there is a lot of pressure and that it's a gift and a curse at the same time.

He said: "It's a lot of pressure. Not for myself or my teammates, but just playing on his team. It's almost -- it's a blessing and -- it's a gift and a curse. You play on his team, and you're playing with the best player in the world and you get to witness some great historic things and be a part of it. Then, on the other side, if you don't help that person win, they're looking at you too.

"So it's a lot of pressure, depending on how you look at it. But I tell him all the time he has the opportunity to play with me as well."

That last comment is a good comical line, but it's actually not too far from the truth. LeBron wouldn't have been able to guide the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals for the fourth consecutive year if it wasn't for the other supporting pieces on the team, no matter what ridiculous things they do on the court.

The only thing Smith can hope for now, is that his mistake in Game 1 hasn't cost the Cavaliers the Finals series, otherwise there might not be a lot of pressure on him next season, as LeBron won't be on the same team as him.

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