The Brooklyn Nets had a slow start to the 2023-24 season after they lost their first two games. But after some gutsy wins, the Nets are back on track with a 4-2 record as they climb the Eastern Conference Standings. Brooklyn recently had a breakout performance against the Miami Heat, where they overcame a 15-point lead and came up big in the fourth quarter to steal the win. The Nets’ turnaround story has too many heroes to name, but one player who is reviving the soul of the team is Dorian Finney-Smith.
This Brooklyn Nets Player is Reviving the Soul of the Team
Dorian Finney-Smith Is Heating The Borough up
Finney-Smith came alive during Brooklyn’s third regular season game against the Charlotte Hornets. The veteran forward notched 19 points, seven rebounds, and one assist to go with a steal and two blocks. In addition, he was huge in the Nets’ comeback win against the Heat. “Doe” scored 15 points, grabbed 3 rebounds, and dished two assists. The 10th-year man then had one of his best performances of the season in Brooklyn’s first In-Season Tournament win against the Chicago Bulls.
A Gritty Performance
Finney-Smith led the team in scoring with a whopping 21 points. He also hauled in three rebounds and blocked one shot. If there is one player who exudes Brooklyn Grit, it is Finney-Smith. He is a Swiss Army knife for the Nets. The veteran takes any defensive matchup on the court, crashes the boards, slashes and makes the right plays, and stretches the floor for much-needed three-point shooting. He is one of Brooklyn’s many bright spots early on in the season.
Dorian Finney-Smith is not the only player who has been consistent during the Brooklyn Nets’ early season run. Cam Thomas is averaging 25.8 points per game on the season. The third-year guard currently leads the team in scoring. This is not surprising after the 22-year-old broke out during the 2022-23 season for three straight 40-point games. There is another team leader everyone expected to show up for Brooklyn this year.
Mikal Bridges has been clutch in the final minutes of the fourth quarter for the Nets. He continues to grow as a closer and an all-around threat for Brooklyn. The sixth-year forward averages 20.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists early on.
The Last Word on Finney-Smith and the Brooklyn Nets
The scary part about the Nets’ success is they are missing two starters from their lineup. Nic Claxton is dealing with an ankle injury that has kept him out since the season opener. Meanwhile, Cam Johnson has a calf strain that has prevented him from seeing much action. If Dorian Finney-Smith can continue to maintain his all-around production and veteran leadership, then the sky is the limit for Brooklyn’s success.
The toughness the Nets have shown over the last three games has fans reminiscing about an old squad. The 2018-19 Nets team started the season 8-18, but the group’s chemistry and resilience allowed them to bounce back and become the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. Nets Nation is proud of how Brooklyn has shown their depth and played well so far. They are a dark-horse Atlantic Division team.
