Inside The Nets

Dennis Smith Jr. wants Dorian Finney-Smith to receive more praise for his defense

Dorian Finney-Smith has become one of the NBA’s most underrated players.

Peter Sunjic

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Dennis Smith Jr. is one of the best defenders in the league, but he wants his teammate Dorian Finney-Smith to get some of that love. The former Florida Gator does not receive the appreciation he deserves, even though he has been effective since he went undrafted in 2016.

DSJ took to X (formerly Twitter) to ask the public for compilations of Dorian’s defensive highlights. It was an effective way to DFS’ name out there as an underrated defender because Smith got plenty of responses to his query.

“Why it’s so hard to find some Dorian Finney-Smith defensive tape? He been clamping shit for years now nobody mentioning it. Somebody make da tape lol,” Dennis said on his X account.

Finney-Smith’s peers give him ample respect

Amongst NBA players and executives, you get people who are big fans of Finney-Smith because of his impact. He defends straight-up without any dirty moves, as he can guard guards and big men alike.

DFS is a valuable role player for any team because he plays his role and remains a positive presence in the locker room. He is a superb defender and has made massive strides as a spot-up shooter. That increases his value because he can move off the ball and take pressure off ball-handlers like Ben Simmons or DSJ.

That versatility made him a top target for multiple teams during the 2024 trade deadline. Brooklyn opted to keep DFS because Coach Jacque Vaughn still has a role for him on the roster, and his contract is still valid through the 2024/25 season.

The Nets will keep benefiting from Finney-Smith

Having such a reliable player is superb for any team, especially for the Nets. Finney-Smith has continued his development into the prototypical three-and-D wing teams would love to have on their rosters.

The Nets should keep benefiting from having DFS because he’s contributing to the on-court play and becoming a veteran for the younger players. Rookies Jalen Wilson, Dariq Whitehead, and Noah Clowney will all benefit from having a leader like Dorian in the locker room, and they’ll learn how to embrace their roles when they earn minutes.

DSJ is a real teammate for asking for validation for Finney-Smith because the 30-year-old veteran deserves that kind of respect.

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Peter Sunjic
PETER SUNJIC

Peter's journey with basketball commenced in the first grade, and it has since evolved into an integral part of his life. Standing on the brink of a potential professional playing career, Peter ultimately chose to pursue a degree in Political Science and Journalism in Zagreb, Croatia. Despite this academic pursuit, his deep-rooted love for the game of basketball endured, undiminished. Now, as a writer and editor, Peter finds an avenue to channel his unwavering passion for basketball-related news and analysis. Whether it's deciphering the latest happenings or delving into the lore of old-school basketball, he covers every corner of the NBA world.

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