Maybe one factor that Dorian Finney-Smith appears to be like ahead to in his Los Angeles Lakers touchdown is the prospect of taking part in alongside LeBron James.
As a premiere wing defender, Finney-Smith has had his fair proportion of on-court battles and encounters with James since coming into the NBA in 2015. And with him becoming a member of the Purple and Gold, he’s actually relieved of lastly discovering himself as an ally and teammate of the Lakers celebrity in spite of everything these years of their aggressive basketball.
Finney-Smith arrived in Los Angeles on Monday and on his first day as a Laker, he didn’t hesitate to instantly interact with James.
Understanding what’s nonetheless left within the clock for the longer term Corridor of Famer upon celebrating his fortieth birthday at the moment, the veteran ahead is now taking each alternative that he has as a teammate to maximise his time round James.
“I advised Bron at the moment, that is most likely essentially the most I ever mentioned one thing to him,” Finney-Smith mentioned. “I’ve been guarding him for 9 years, however I’m simply not too pleasant on the court docket. So now I simply have to tug that shade down and ask him, ‘Give me a few of these sneakers.’ I can lastly ask for a few of that gear. We by no means know when he’s going to hold it up.
“It was enjoyable to have the ability to ask him for one thing, figuring out I ain’t acquired to compete towards him tomorrow.”
Coming off a three-season run with the Brooklyn Nets, Finney-Smith embraces a newfound alternative to contend for a title within the Lakers.
After settling within the Nets’ mediocrity and rebuilding state of affairs, the 32-year-old will deliver his versatility, protection, and soiled work to the Lakers’ ongoing hunt for a championship. Averaging 10.4 factors and 4.6 boards whereas taking pictures a career-high 43.5 p.c from past the arc this season, he’s primed to be the crew’s swiss military knife and ace defender who will likely be tasked in guarding the opposing groups’ high gamers — a task that JJ Redick has admired from the undrafted ahead since then.
“It’s enjoyable, man,” Finney-Smith mentioned Monday. “Simply the chance to play for a championship. Not even simply playoffs. In Brooklyn, we have been simply preventing to get within the playoffs.
“Right here, we’re attempting to win the championship. So it’s a unique method, completely different vitality, throughout.”
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