During the 2022/23 season, Dennis Smith Jr. was a superb backup point guard for the Charlotte Hornets, but he was part of one of the worst teams in the league. His name was not popular in the free agency market in the summer of 2023, but Nets star Mikal Bridges vouched for him to join Brooklyn.
Both players made a great decision because the former NC State guard has been one of the Nets’ best bright spots this season. Coach Jacque Vaughn has been ecstatic with what he provides to the team, especially on the defensive end.
“Everything he says is the stuff he does. He plays hard every second he’s out there. He brings energy to the room, but it’s not like a dull energy,” Cameron Johnson told C.J. Holmes of the New York Daily News about DSJ.
“He can joke about something, but he also knows when it’s serious and when it’s time to lock in. He’s kind of like the voice of reason for the team.”
DSJ embraced the leadership role
While Dennis is only 26 years old, he has become one of the leaders of the Nets roster. He is a vocal player who can dictate the defense on the floor. It is a big deal for Brooklyn because players like Cameron Thomas and Dinwiddie are not elite defenders like DSJ, Mikal, or Nic Claxton.
Smith has been impactful because the team plays much better when he’s on the floor. This was quite prominent during the two games against the Los Angeles teams when Dennis pushed the pace on offense and pressured his matchup on defense.
An impressive comeback story
DSJ has bounced around the league before coming to Brooklyn in the offseason. Smith has proven he deserves a contract extension with the Nets because he loves playing for the organization. The coaches will give him a valuable role if he continues fighting this way and leads his teammates.
That is what Dennis has been working for his entire career because he has played many unproductive years as a lesser-used player. Coach Vaughn unlocked DSJ as a regular fixture of the Brooklyn lineup, and fans should hope he sticks around for the long-term future.
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