Despite Dennis Smith Jr.'s stellar performance as the backup point guard during the 2022/23 season with the Charlotte Hornets, his stellar play went largely unnoticed by the broader NBA community.
In a refreshing departure from the norm, the Brooklyn Nets emerged as one of the discerning teams that genuinely appreciated Smith's skills, swiftly securing his signature in free agency.
Now, the Nets are reaping the benefits because DSJ is producing on the court while becoming a popular figure among the fans and players in the locker room. Mikal Bridges, in particular, has been a big fan of his athletic teammate.
"I watched him play winning basketball on a team that wasn't winning. I know a winning player when I see one. They asked me about him, and I'm like, 'hell yeah, '" Mikal said in his post-game press conference.
Dennis is the energizer off the bench
At times, the Nets ease up a bit, and it can come back to bite them. A case in point is their recent face-off against the Hornets, where a noticeable lack of competitive spirit ultimately led to their defeat.
That changed in the following game against the Orlando Magic because Bridges was motivated to perform and redeem the Nets after that embarrassing loss to Charlotte.
Dennis was also a fresh addition to the team, coming off a lower back injury. He immediately made an impact, getting a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds while also dishing out six assists. He did all that in just 21 minutes, inspiring the Nets to a big win over the Magic alongside Mikal Bridges' big 42-point game.
Everyone loves Dennis
Mikal is not the only member of the Nets organization who loves Dennis. Head coach Jacque Vaugn was excited to talk about Dennis and his contributions to the victory over the Hawks after the game.
"Yeah, fires me up. I'm over there fired up, too. He just has an energy about him and whether it's him getting a layup at the rim, whether it's a defensive stop… the guys rally around that," Vaughn said about Smith Jr. "He is very outspoken amongst the group, and really loved amongst the group. Guys pull for him, and it's contagious."
Expect DSJ to continue to be a valuable member of the rotation as he proves to be a viable backup guard while also being the primary defensive stopper they have off the bench.
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