Dallas Mavericks: Mid-Season Forward Grades

The biggest surprise for the Dallas Mavericks so far this season could easily be awarded to the play of Dorian Finney-Smith. There are a lot of Mavs fans out there who have not been very impressed with him so far, but let’s look at the facts.

DFS was undrafted out of the University of Florida. He averaged 12 points and 7 rebounds while at Florida, but never gained a whole lot of recognition. He entered the Mavericks summer league team as a mostly unknown player. Overshadowed by the Kansas living-legend Perry Ellis, and the human triple-double, Kyle Collinsworth, Finney-Smith appeared to be just a roster filler.

When Dallas made the announcement that DFS was the last to make the roster, people were surprised but undoubtedly thinking he would just ride the bench the whole season. By his 7th NBA game, Dorian Finney-Smith was thrown into the starting lineup. Playing at the highest level of basketball the world has to offer, DFS hung in there and battled with some of the leagues best players.

I am certainly not saying that Dorian’s play is without flaw. His shot needs some work, he should be pulling down more rebounds, and occasionally he does look to get a little overwhelmed on the court. But, all of those things will have time to be fixed, and the level of production we have gotten from him has far exceeded what we could have ever expected.

For that reason, a B for Dorian Finney-Smith.

Next: Dirk Nowitzki