Inside The Nets

The Special Bond of Dennis Smith Jr. and Dorian Finney-Smith

Explore the tight-knit friendship and shared mindset between Dennis Smith Jr. and Dorian Finney-Smith, a dynamic duo whose camaraderie extends beyond the basketball court.

Peter Sunjic

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Dennis Smith Jr. and Dorian Finney-Smith developed a strong bond ever since their rookie year with the Dallas Mavericks in the 2017/18 NBA season. While DSJ was traded in the middle of his second year, he remained close with his Dallas teammates, especially DFS.

Upon signing with the Brooklyn Nets, the highly athletic point guard was reunited with familiar faces, including Finney-Smith, his former teammate in Dallas, and Trendon Watford, a former teammate of DSJ’s on the Portland Trail Blazers.

“We both got the same level of humility, so we get to see different spectrums of the league. We can bounce ideas off each other, like this is how things go for me and he tells me how things go for him,” Smith Jr. said on the Nets’ The Bridge series. “The foundation of how we view things is the same and it was always me and him because we were the only young guys.”

"Da Smith Way"

Since they were together in Dallas, the two players made a mantra with each other called the Smith Way which is a reference to how their surnames are the same. 

It was a mentality centered around being there for each other as "dawgs," embodying the mindset of consistently outworking everyone, evident in their tireless energy on the court.

“It’s a mentality, we both feel like we dawgs out there. Can’t say you’re in Da Smith Way if you’re not a dawg, so don’t be saying it if you can’t back it up,” Finney-Smith said in their Media Day presser together.

Both players will be valuable for the Nets

Moving forward in the 2023/24 season, both Dennis and Dorian will be valuable for what the Nets have planned. Dorian has become one of the most reliable players on the team with his role changing every night but his switchblade ability helps coach Jacque Vaughn make easier decisions with rotations.

Dennis is one of the most reliable backup guards in the league with his affinity for playmaking and his energy on defense. Coach Vaughn can sustain the fast-paced playstyle he promotes for the Nets by having Dennis on the court while Ben Simmons rests on the bench, as they share similar playstyles.

Expect this duo to be two of the most reliable players in Vaughn’s squad. They have proven themselves already in the first few games of the season and that will continue to happen in the long run. 

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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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