Dorian Finney-Smith’s Two-Way Versatility | Nets Film Focus

Dorian Finney-Smith’s Two-Way Versatility | Nets Film Focus

in his first full season as a net Dorian finy Smith wore many hats on both offense and defense let’s break it [Music] down after the Nets traded for Dorian finy Smith at the 2023 deadline he brought what he’d always brought to the court as a six-year Dallas Maverick defense toughness communication but an injured pinky finger on his shooting hand likely hampered his offensive production his shooting numbers were down across the board but he came into 2024 healthy and ready to go then starting center Nick Claxton went down on opening night which thrust DFS into the starting center roll despite being only 6-7 but he held that roll down just fine in part due to improved shooting numbers with a healed pinky finger Brooklyn’s inseason tornament victory over the Bulls really showcased how as Dorian led the way with 21 points he and the Nets reaped the benefits of playing him at the five that’s a simple pick and Pop That Nicola vuvi is late closing out on and here another pick and pop Vu goes to take away the shot but do blows right by him eurostep to a finish it’s just an advantageous matchup this is a head fake and go nice layup and in transition when V falls back to the paint as a traditional Center does he’s too late to close out on Dorian and then a couple plays later do burns him on another attack off a pick and pop this season Dorian upped his two-point percentage from 42.9 to 56 and his three-point percentage from 30.6 to 34.8 and that’s under selling his outside shooting attad which was above 38% before a late January ankle injury sidelined him defense is having to close out hard to DFS behind the three-point line really helped make him an effective small ball Center against the magic sees a close out so he drives and makes a pass then he does the exact same thing again popping to the three-point line and driving by Isaac to create an open three for cam Johnson and though cam misses there he makes one a couple games later after do pump fakes drives and kicks and no it wasn’t just the inseason tournament that got him going with Dorian as Brooklyn’s Center on the season the Nets put up a 117.1 offensive rating nearly four points better than their season long Mark per cleaning the glass he even mastered some of the finer points of playing Center like this screen and rescreen for male bridges in semi- transition or this pick and pop where he catches the ball and fires a crosscourt in one motion generating an open Corner three it cannot be overstated just how much better DFS was offensively in his second season in Brooklin and it’s no surprise that his hot start as a small ball Center carried throughout the season no no matter what position he played per Synergy here are his three most common play types in both 2023 and 24 spot UPS transition opportunities and screening actions and the Nets points per possession when those plays led to a shot or potential assist speaking of potential assists I really thought this was the best passing year of Doe’s career so far he’d make this little lay down pass on drives often and when he would go to the hoop and that second line of defense would step up he was real quick to pass it off for a dunk or even on this one a drive deep into the lane and an impressive kick out for three none of this however coincided with a defensive drop off no matter if he played the five or the four whatever as long as he was on the court Brooklyn’s defense was better off to be specific 1.4 points per 100 possessions better off with him on the court the fourth best mark on the team doe is the defender we’ve known him to be throughout his career generally a pest on the ball taking all sorts of matchups though it was fun to see him in a little drop coverage to start the year as that small ball Center but perhaps it’s worth noting that he posted a career-high in Block rate in 2024 sticking guys like Jason Tatum in isolation chasing attackers like Josh Hart down in transition and of course chipping in as a health defender on the block of course Tatum Hart and in that last clip Damon sabonis are three very different types of offensive players and that highlights one of Dorian Finn Smith’s most valuable traits as a Defender versatility he can slide his feet and get over screens when he’s defending guards on the perimeter he can body up and play strong against bigger wings and bigs and of course you can count on him to be in the right spots and communicate as a help Defender Dorian finny Smith didn’t add a ton new to his game in 2024 he mostly showcased the same skills he’s always had in a slightly different role but may have added some passing chops along the way mostly though Dorian finy Smith was the same player he’s been throughout his career and clearly an impact one at that stay tuned for more episodes of Nets film Focus

In episode 4 of Nets Film Focus, Lucas Kaplan of NetsDaily breaks down the film of Dorian Finney-Smith’s first full season in Brooklyn, focusing on his play as a small-ball center, improved playmaking, and defensive versatility.

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