Congratulations: Dorian Finney-Smith is a finalist for an NBA award

The Los Angeles Lakers have been one of the most talked-about teams in the NBA this season, with plenty of eyes on the newcomers who have joined the roster.

The acquisition of Luka Dončić has taken the city of Los Angeles by storm. His arrival has sent shockwaves through the fanbase, and his performance has lived up to the hype, capturing attention on a global scale. Dončić is known for his scoring, playmaking ability, and offensive efficiency, all of which he has seamlessly brought to the Lakers’ gameplan.

A prime example of his impact came in March when he set a new franchise record for the most 3-pointers made in a single month, a remarkable feat that solidified his place as one of the team’s most important players.

However, while much of the focus has been on Dončić’s high-flying offensive performances, there is another player who has flown somewhat under the radar but has nonetheless been a vital contributor to the Lakers’ success: forward Dorian Finney-Smith. Unlike the flash and flair that accompany a star like Dončić, Finney-Smith’s impact has been more understated but no less significant. His role with the Lakers was solidified when he was acquired in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets in late December, a move that sent struggling guard D’Angelo Russell in the opposite direction.

At the time of the trade, the Lakers were in need of a defensive boost. The team had struggled to find consistency in terms of defense and toughness earlier in the season, which led to several close losses. Despite the star power of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, there were clear deficiencies in the team’s roster that threatened their chances of making a deep playoff run.

That’s where Finney-Smith entered the picture.At 31 years old, Finney-Smith was not just another role player. His reputation as a tough, versatile defender made him an ideal addition to a Lakers team that was struggling on that side of the ball. He is known for his ability to guard multiple positions, and his defensive prowess was something the Lakers desperately needed as they looked to improve their standing in the Western Conference. Since joining the team, Finney-Smith has been tasked with guarding some of the league’s most talented wings, including the likes of Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, and Devin Booker, to name just a few.

His ability to disrupt opposing offenses with his physicality and defensive IQ has provided a much-needed stabilizing force for the Lakers’ defense.But defense is not the only area where Finney-Smith has helped the Lakers. His ability to stretch the floor with his 3-point shooting has been another crucial element of his game that has benefited the team.

While he is not as prolific a shooter as some of the other stars on the roster, Finney-Smith has proven himself to be a reliable presence beyond the arc. His shooting touch has provided spacing for players like LeBron James and Anthony Davis, allowing them more room to operate in the paint. This ability to knock down perimeter shots has forced opposing defenses to respect his shooting, creating more opportunities for the Lakers’ offense to flow.

Finney-Smith’s contributions have been instrumental in the Lakers’ climb up the standings in the Western Conference. As the team started to find a better rhythm and defensive identity following the trade, they began to string together more victories, and their position in the playoff race improved significantly.

Although much of the spotlight remained on Dončić and the star duo of James and Davis, Finney-Smith’s steady, no-nonsense approach to the game played a key role in the team’s resurgence. His presence on both ends of the floor has been invaluable, and he has helped restore the balance that the Lakers had been lacking earlier in the season.In addition to his on-court contributions, Finney-Smith’s leadership has also proven to be a key asset for the Lakers.

Despite being a relatively new addition to the team, he has already established himself as an elder statesman in the locker room. His experience in the NBA, having played for several years with the Dallas Mavericks before joining the Lakers, has given him a unique perspective on what it takes to succeed in the league.

This experience has made him an important voice in the locker room, where he has helped guide some of the younger players on the team, offering advice on how to approach the mental and physical challenges of an NBA season. His leadership off the court has been just as significant as his play on it, as the Lakers continue to build team chemistry and find ways to mesh their diverse skill sets.The NBA recently announced that Finney-Smith is one of six finalists for the prestigious NBA Sportsmanship Award, an honor that recognizes players who exemplify the ideals of sportsmanship on and off the court. This recognition speaks volumes about his character, as it is a reflection of his positive attitude, professionalism, and respect for the game. In a league where tempers can flare and rivalries can sometimes get in the way of mutual respect, Finney-Smith has managed to remain a steady, positive influence.

His approach to the game has earned him admiration from coaches, players, and fans alike, further cementing his status as one of the more underrated players in the league this season.Looking ahead to the playoffs, Finney-Smith is expected to play a crucial role in whatever success the Lakers will have.

The Western Conference is loaded with talented, skilled wings who can take over games, and the Lakers will need all the defensive help they can get in order to match up with teams like the Denver Nuggets, the Phoenix Suns, and the Golden State Warriors. Finney-Smith’s defensive versatility will be a key asset in these matchups, where the Lakers will likely need him to guard opposing stars and provide a steadying presence on both ends of the floor.

In a league that often celebrates scoring and offensive prowess, players like Finney-Smith can sometimes get overlooked, but his impact cannot be understated. The Lakers are a much more complete team with him in the fold, and as the team heads into the postseason, they will rely on his defensive abilities, leadership, and shooting to help push them towards another championship. If the Lakers are to make a deep playoff run, Dorian Finney-Smith will undoubtedly be one of the players who plays a pivotal role in the team’s success, even if the spotlight remains on the more high-profile stars like Dončić, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis.

In the end, basketball is a team sport, and while the stars often get the lion’s share of the attention, it is the role players like Finney-Smith who often make the difference between a good team and a great one. The Lakers are fortunate to have him as part of their roster, and his impact on the team will be felt long after the season has ended.