Inside The Nets

Metta Sandiford-Artest calls Nets guard Dennis Smith Jr. an elite defender

Dennis has earned the respect of a former Defensive Player of the Year.

Peter Sunjic

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Dennis Smith Jr. has always been a strong defensive player because of his motor and physical attributes. Recent seasons have shown he is one of the most underrated players in the league. He was making an impact with the Trail Blazers and the Hornets as a backup point guard who could lock up his matchup.

Recently, Dennis has received superb praise from Metta Sandiford-Artest, better known as Ron Artest. The 2004 Defensive Player of the Year said DSJ is an “elite” defender on X (formerly Twitter). Dennis quote-reposted Artest’s post, saying he was honored by the praise.

Dennis deserves the praise

Dennis has always been a talented player because he was a highly-touted prospect since he was a youngster. He possessed unreal athleticism that helped him have one of the best highlight reels of any player. When DSJ entered the league, he initially did not meet the hype. That rough patch hampered his reputation and made him an overlooked talent.

As a result, Smith bounced from team to team, not finding a permanent team to play for. The former NC State guard was superb when playing for the Charlotte Hornets, enough to get recruited by Nets star Mikal Bridges. Dennis took the opportunity and is now one of the league’s most valuable backup guards.

Dennis will get a heftier contract soon

DSJ only signed a one-year contract with the Nets, which makes him a free agent in the 2024 offseason. Plenty of teams will look to sign him because he brings superb value as a backup point guard. He is an elite defender on the same level as Alex Caruso and Jrue Holiday on a cheaper contract.

Thankfully for Nets general manager Sean Marks, the team organization has Smith’s Bird rights. That allows Brooklyn to pay Dennis more than any team in the league. By all accounts, the 26-year-old guard loves playing in Brooklyn, which could be the organization he calls home in the long term.

However, teams noticing his elite defense will give him options, a luxury he did not have earlier in his career when he was desperate for a team to sign him.

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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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