New Laker Dorian Finney-Smith excited to try to win with LeBron instead of guarding him

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Dorian Finney-Smith, defending Anthony Davis during a game last season, was acquired by the Lakers on Sunday in a trade that sent D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis and three second-round draft picks to Brooklyn. (Ashley Landis / Associated Press)

The things that the Lakers and LeBron James are going to like best about Dorian Finney-Smith are the things that have kept Finney-Smith from appreciating his battles against the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.

“This is probably the most I ever said something to him. I’ve been guarding him for nine years, but I’m just not too friendly on the court,” Finney-Smith said Monday in Los Angeles.

Just because Finney-Smith is known for his toughness, his willingness to take on brutal defensive assignments, that doesn’t mean his first chat with James would be about the battles the Lakers would fight now that they’re teammates.

Instead, Finney-Smith saw an opportunity.

“I just have to pull that shade down and ask him ‘give me some of those shoes.’ I can finally ask for some of that gear,” Finney-Smith said. “We never know when he’s going to hang it up. It was fun to be able to ask him for something, knowing I ain’t got to compete against him tomorrow.

“… He said he got me. The hard part out the way. I asked. I broke the glass.”

Read more: LeBron James says he could — but won’t — play at a high level for five to seven more years

He’s got the gear, now he’s ready to play big-time games.

“I’m excited,” he said. “I’m back to playing some meaningful basketball. It’s been a while, but I’m excited.”

The Lakers broke the glass on their trade market Sunday, sending D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis and three future second-round picks to Brooklyn for Finney-Smith and guard Shake Milton.

Finney-Smith, 31, has played in 20 games this season and is averaging 10.4 points and 4.6 rebounds while attempting 5.4 threes per game and making 43.5% of them. Milton, 28, is averaging 7.4 points in 27 games for the Nets this season while making 38.9% of his three-point shots.

The two players attended — but didn’t participate in — the team’s practice Monday with the hopes of…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/laker-dorian-finney-smith-excited-235920575.html

Author : LA Times

Publish date : 2024-12-30 23:59:00

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