Dorian Finney-Smith just keeps getting better for Dallas Mavericks

Dallas Mavericks wing Dorian Finney-Smith has improved his ball-handling

Head coach Jason Kidd has encouraged Finney-Smith to handle the ball and make plays. The Hall of Fame point guard wants him to be able to bring the ball up the floor and attack the defense.

Finney-Smith is averaging 42.4 touches per game with 0.89 dribbles per touch, which are both career-highs. His numbers are up across the board this season, including setting new career-highs in assists, points, steals, and minutes per game. Doe-Doe is being asked to do more, and he is responding.

In former head coach Rick Carlisle’s system, Finney-Smith was strictly a spot-up shooter that would attack the occasional closeout. Against the Cavaliers, he attacked off the dribble before dishing to Dwight Powell for a dunk just over 30 seconds into the game.

Finney-Smith’s growth as a ball-handler and playmaker has been impressive this season. Coach Kidd has talked about everyone being a “basketball player” and that philosophy has helped Doe-Doe. The team trusts him to make plays and keep the offense rolling, and he is rewarding that trust with stellar play.

It is not just improved ball-handling and more touches for Dorian Finney-Smith. The Dallas Mavericks are also trusting him to attack off the bounce and score.