Since landing with the Los Angeles Lakers in a late December trade, forward Dorian Finney-Smith has been making waves—not just in the box score, but in ways that go beyond stats. He’s brought an edge to the team that was missing: relentless perimeter defense, toughness, and an undeniable grit that fuels his squad.
And let's talk about defense. Finney-Smith has helped reinforce a defensive mindset that had been lacking in L.A. Before his arrival, the Lakers struggled with perimeter coverage, but with his addition—alongside defensive standouts like Jarred Vanderbilt (who's finally back after a brutal foot injury), Gabe Vincent, and G League fighter Jordan Goodwin—the team has found a new defensive identity. This fresh energy has made the Lakers a tougher opponent on both ends of the floor.
But Finney-Smith isn’t just locking down defenders—he’s also stretching the floor with his 3-point shooting. While he’s always had the ability to knock down shots from deep, he’s sometimes hesitated to pull the trigger when left open. That reluctance? It’s been a talking point among his teammates, especially one big name in particular.
Luka Doncic, his former teammate, has been nudging him to let it fly more often. “No, I just told him today, if you don’t want to shoot, I’ll shoot,” Doncic joked. “You can ask him. I think he could have shot more. Three or four times he was open, he didn’t want to shoot it.”
Clearly, that message has been getting through. In a recent win over the Houston Rockets, Finney-Smith was firing without hesitation, putting up 11 attempts from beyond the arc and drilling six of them. That performance helped him rack up 20 points on the night and showcased just how deadly he can be when he trusts his shot.
It’s not just Doncic pushing him to shoot more—the encouragement is coming from Lakers superstars as well. Finney-Smith acknowledged how his teammates have been hyping him up, particularly LeBron James.
“Yeah, he kept telling me that… I’m always one to make the right read, so if I see anybody running at me, I’m gonna make the swing-swing and they’re like ‘Bro, you’re the hot player. Shoot the ball,’” Finney-Smith said, via Lakers Nation. “It feels good when guys like him and LeBron are telling me to shoot.”
That confidence boost has been translating to results. Since joining the Lakers, Finney-Smith has been hitting 38.6% of his three-point attempts, a number that climbed to 40.2% in March. That’s a significant jump, especially considering he attempted 82 threes that month compared to just 46 in February.
The Lakers have been in need of a reliable 3-and-D guy who can not only provide strong perimeter defense but also knock down shots at a consistent rate. With Finney-Smith embracing his role, L.A. suddenly has another weapon to complement their star-studded lineup. If he keeps playing with this level of confidence, the Lakers' ceiling just got a little higher—and their competition should take notice.
So, Lakers fans, get used to seeing Dorian Finney-Smith launch more shots from deep. Because when he’s locked in, he’s not just a defensive asset—he’s a game-changer.
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