It’s hard not to like NBA glue people, right?
They are the players whose effect is not always reflected in the box score. At the very least, the metrics they provide will not always accurately reflect their value to a club. However, statistics will occasionally seep in to give at least part of the tale.
Dorian Finney-Smith of the Los Angeles Lakers is a player that fits this profile perfectly. The two-way wing was acquired in the trade that saw D’Angelo Russell leave Los Angeles for the second time in his career. Finney-Smith was a great parting present for the Lakers following another unsuccessful stay with their previous second overall choice in the 2015 NBA Draft.
Now, the nine-year NBA veteran has stepped in to play a significant part for this Lakers team. Finney-Smith continues to make his case for why he should be more engaged in critical situations for Los Angeles moving ahead.
Finney-Smith continues to flourish in less evident ways.
Lakers reporter Jovan Buha recently highlighted the Lakers’ wing efforts in an edition of Buha’s Block that aired following Thursday night’s 110-102 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Buha presented Finney-Smith with the Stat of the Night award. During his 33 minutes on the field, the 3-and-D wing scored a game-high +20 points.
With Luka Doncic unavailable for the game, Los Angeles decided to start Finney-Smith and reaped the benefits. The Lakers’ starting shooting guard completed the contest with ten points, six rebounds, two steals, and one block.
Most of the usual averages that people will pay attention to will not be very eye-catching for Finney-Smith since joining Los Angeles. In 19 games with the Lakers, the Florida Gators product averages 7.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 0.9 steals while shooting 48.1 percent from the field and 40.0 percent from three. That final one, honestly, looks quite excellent.
However, there is one notable tendency that demonstrates why Finney-Smith should be extensively involved in JJ Redick’s master plan. Since joining the squad in Hollywood, the dynamic wing has only had four negative plus/minus games out of 19 total.
Finney-Smith has scored at least +11 in ten of those games. Similarly, the forward has only had one game with a score worse than -10 (a 24-point loss to the San Antonio Spurs on January 13).
Finney-Smith has only gone negative in that metric once in his past 11 games for Los Angeles. There are a few things worth examining from that span. For starters, the Lakers forward only had one poor performance and received a -2. Second, he has averaged +11.9 throughout that time. Finally, Finney-Smith started six of the eleven games.
Admittedly, this statistical category is not ideal. However, it is impossible to ignore a tendency that is so obvious. Finney-Smith is expected to play a significant part for the Lakers throughout the 2024-25 NBA season. The defensive versatility and spacing that the Los Angeles forward gives to each game will surely benefit this team.
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