Finney-Smith's Early Dončić Observation: A Key To Understanding Lakers' Current Struggle?

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Post on Mar 18, 2025

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Finney-Smith's Early Dončić Observation: A Key to Understanding the Lakers' Current Struggle?

The Los Angeles Lakers' disappointing season has sparked countless analyses, dissecting everything from roster construction to coaching decisions. But a seemingly minor observation from newly acquired forward Dorian Finney-Smith might offer a crucial, overlooked insight into the team's struggles: his early assessment of Luka Dončić's game. Could this seemingly unrelated anecdote hold the key to understanding the Lakers' current predicament?

Finney-Smith, known for his defensive prowess during his time with the Dallas Mavericks, played alongside Luka Dončić for several seasons. His firsthand experience battling the Slovenian superstar provides a unique perspective, one that sheds light on the challenges the Lakers face. In recent interviews, Finney-Smith has highlighted Dončić's exceptional ability to draw fouls and create scoring opportunities, often through seemingly impossible angles and maneuvers. This, he suggests, is a skill that opposing teams – and the Lakers, in particular – struggle to effectively defend.

The Dončić Factor: A Defensive Nightmare

Dončić's offensive brilliance is undeniable. He's a master of manipulation, using his size, skill, and intelligence to exploit defensive vulnerabilities. This is where Finney-Smith's observation becomes particularly relevant. He witnessed firsthand how difficult it is to consistently defend Dončić, even with a well-coordinated defensive scheme. This difficulty translates directly to the Lakers' current struggles, highlighting a key weakness in their defensive approach.

The Lakers' defensive woes are well-documented. They consistently rank poorly in key defensive metrics, and their inability to consistently contain high-scoring opponents is a major reason for their inconsistent performance. Finney-Smith's perspective underscores a critical element of this defensive deficiency: the lack of a consistently effective strategy against players who possess Dončić's unique combination of skill and guile.

Applying the Lesson: What the Lakers Need to Do

So, what can the Lakers learn from Finney-Smith's insights? Several key adjustments are needed:

• Improved Defensive Communication and Rotation: Dončić's ability to create space and find open teammates demands exceptional communication and seamless rotations within the Lakers' defense. They need to work on anticipating his moves and reacting swiftly as a unit.

• Enhanced Physicality and Defensive Discipline: While avoiding unnecessary fouls is vital, the Lakers need to be more physical in their approach, contesting shots and limiting Dončić-esque players' ability to draw fouls. This requires disciplined play and a commitment to staying in front of their opponents.

• Adaptable Defensive Schemes: A rigid defensive strategy is easily exploited by a player like Dončić. The Lakers need more flexibility in their schemes, adapting their approach based on the opponent's strengths and the flow of the game. This requires coaching adaptability and player intelligence.

Beyond Dončić: A Broader Implication

While Finney-Smith's comments specifically relate to defending players like Dončić, the underlying issue extends beyond individual matchups. The Lakers' defensive struggles reveal a broader need for improved team cohesion, defensive communication, and strategic adaptability. Addressing these fundamental weaknesses will be crucial for turning their season around. Finney-Smith’s observation, therefore, serves as a valuable microcosm of the Lakers' larger defensive challenges. Their ability to learn from this and implement effective changes will ultimately determine the success of their remaining season.