Dorian Finney-Smith Reveals Lakers Were His Childhood Favorite Team
The Dallas Mavericks forward opens up about his early admiration for the Lakers and how it shaped his basketball journey.
Dorian Finney-Smith, a key player for the Dallas Mavericks, recently revealed that the Los Angeles Lakers were his childhood favorite team. The 6’7″ forward, known for his defensive prowess and three-point shooting, made this revelation during an interview, shedding light on his early influences and basketball fandom.
Growing up in Portsmouth, Virginia, Finney-Smith was exposed to the world of basketball at a young age. However, it wasn’t until later in his life that he realized how deeply the Lakers’ success and their star players influenced his basketball journey. The revelation came as a surprise to many of his fans, considering he now plays in the Western Conference for a team with a historic rivalry against the Lakers. But his fondness for the purple and gold goes back much further.
A Childhood Passion for the Lakers
Finney-Smith’s admiration for the Lakers began during the team’s dominance in the early 2000s. At the time, the Lakers were led by two of the most iconic players in NBA history: Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. Finney-Smith, a young basketball fan, found himself captivated by their ability to dominate the court.
“I remember watching Kobe and Shaq win those championships, and I just loved how they played the game,” Finney-Smith said. “The energy, the excitement, and the winning mentality—they were everything I aspired to be as a young player. I wanted to be part of that kind of success.”
The Lakers’ run during the early 2000s, with three consecutive championships from 2000 to 2002, left an indelible mark on Finney-Smith’s basketball upbringing. As a young fan, he looked up to Kobe Bryant, who became an inspiration for countless aspiring players worldwide. Finney-Smith acknowledged how watching Bryant’s work ethic and competitive spirit shaped his own approach to the game.
“My game wasn’t exactly like Kobe’s, but his mentality, the way he approached every single day, always pushed me to work harder. Even as a kid, I tried to mirror that mindset,” Finney-Smith added. “The Lakers were always on TV, and every time they played, I was glued to the screen.”
A Shift to the Mavericks
While Finney-Smith’s love for the Lakers persisted throughout his youth, his career took a very different path. After playing college basketball for the Florida Gators, Finney-Smith was signed by the Dallas Mavericks as an undrafted free agent in 2016. He quickly established himself as a key role player, particularly known for his versatility on defense.
As his career progressed, Finney-Smith found himself facing the Lakers as a competitor—something that added an interesting dynamic to his love for the team. Despite his admiration for the Lakers, Finney-Smith’s focus shifted to his role with the Mavericks. Now, when he faces the Lakers on the court, it’s all business.
“I’ve always had a lot of respect for the Lakers organization, but now I’m on the other side of it. When I play them, it’s all about my team, the Mavericks, and doing whatever I can to help us win,” he said.
The Mavericks and Lakers have had some memorable matchups in recent years, particularly with the emergence of Luka Dončić as one of the league’s brightest stars. For Finney-Smith, the opportunity to compete against his childhood team is something that he doesn’t take lightly, but he recognizes the shift in mentality from fan to professional athlete.
The Influence of Kobe Bryant
Although he now plays for a different team, Finney-Smith’s deep admiration for Kobe Bryant remains a key influence in his career. The late Bryant, who tragically passed away in 2020, has left an indelible legacy on the NBA, and Finney-Smith continues to cite him as one of the greatest influences on his development as a player.
“[Kobe] was the best at everything he did. His attention to detail, his mentality, it was next-level,” Finney-Smith said. “I’ve tried to take some of that into my game, especially on defense. He was a great defender, and that’s something I want to be known for as well.”
Bryant’s impact on Finney-Smith can be seen not just in his play on the court, but in the way he approaches his work ethic and his attitude toward the game. Finney-Smith’s willingness to put in the extra hours, work on his defense, and always strive to improve mirrors the “Mamba Mentality” that Bryant was so famous for.
The Legacy of the Lakers
Although Finney-Smith now plays for a rival franchise, his respect for the Lakers and what they represent in the world of basketball is evident. The Lakers’ storied history, with a long list of legends like Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and more recently LeBron James, has made them one of the most prestigious and successful teams in NBA history.
For Finney-Smith, his childhood love for the Lakers may have been the starting point, but his journey to the NBA has created a deeper understanding of the game and the competition that defines it. As he continues to make his mark with the Mavericks, it’s clear that the lessons he learned from watching his childhood heroes have helped shape the player he is today.
While Finney-Smith’s role with the Mavericks now takes priority, his early admiration for the Lakers serves as a reminder of the impact that childhood idols can have on an athlete’s journey. It also speaks to the universal appeal of the Lakers, a team that continues to inspire players across the league—whether they wear the purple and gold or compete against it.