Ever since the Los Angeles Lakers acquired forward Dorian Finney-Smith in a Dec. 29 trade with the Brooklyn Nets, many fans have been wanting him to move into the starting lineup. At the very least, fans want to see him get more playing time, given the fact that he appears to be the rangy 3-and-D wing the team has lacked for some time.
Since coming to the Lakers, Finney-Smith has averaged 5.9 points and 2.9 rebounds a game while shooting 36% from 3-point range. But he’s averaging a modest 23.4 minutes a game, compared to the 29.0 minutes per game he played while with the Nets earlier this season.
Head coach JJ Redick said Finney-Smith has been on a minutes restriction ever since his arrival. However, he also said the forward has been cleared to increase his playing time a bit.
Finney-Smith may not be an elite defender, but at 6-foot-7 and 220 pounds, he has the size to bother opposing wings defensively, and he also tends to get deflections and muck things up on that end of the floor. He has also been a reliable 3-point shooter, which is another skill set Los Angeles has lacked.
JJ Redick on why Dorian Finney-Smith hasn’t gotten heavy minutes
During a recent podcast episode, veteran NBA player JJ Redick shared his thoughts on why Dallas Mavericks forward Dorian Finney-Smith hasn’t received heavier minutes this season.
Redick pointed out that Finney-Smith’s playing time has been limited due to the team’s depth at the forward position, with players like Tim Hardaway Jr. and Maxi Kleber also vying for minutes. He emphasized that it’s not a reflection of Finney-Smith’s talent or ability, but rather a result of the team’s rotation and coaching decisions.
Despite the limited playing time, Redick praised Finney-Smith for his contributions whenever he’s on the court, noting his defensive versatility and energy on both ends of the floor. He expressed confidence that Finney-Smith will continue to make an impact for the Mavericks as the season progresses.
Overall, Redick’s insights shed light on the challenges of managing playing time in a competitive NBA environment and the importance of players like Finney-Smith staying ready and making the most of their opportunities.
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- JJ Redick
- Dorian Finney-Smith
- NBA minutes
- Dallas Mavericks
- NBA player rotation
- Player development
- Basketball strategy
- Playing time decisions
- Coach’s decisions
- Rotational player analysis
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