Defeating the Suns 111-101, the Lone Rangers won Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals, bringing the series score to 2-2. After this game, Finney Smith was on fire. From the inside of the court to the outside of the court, he became the most high-profile player in the entire NBA.
With 12 three-pointers, Finney Smith hit eight of them, making him the Lone Ranger's most consistent musketeer on the perimeter, killing the Suns. He hit eight three-pointers in a single game in the playoffs, and Smith's number is second in Lone Rangers history. Smith's performance has exhausted the words of the lone ranger Doncic, and how good his performance is is evident.
Off the field, Smith fired a cannon. "He's getting older, so we're trying to use that to target him," Smith said of Paul. This season, Paul is in excellent form, repeatedly playing super-huge standards, and has been praised by public opinion. Smith's evaluation of the seniors also set off an uproar and caused heated discussion.
But in any case, Smith is on fire, which is probably beyond his own development expectations. At the 2016 NBA Draft, Smith lost. This result is due to mediocre data during Smith's college years. After four seasons, Smith averaged just 10.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. At the time, Smith was 23 years old and had no advantage in age.
The Maverick gave Smith an unsecured contract, and although the contract amount was only $540,000, he was able to enter the NBA. Coming from a humble background, Smith started out as a role at the end of the bench and couldn't play for a long time. But Smith kept working hard and impressed then-head coach Carlisle, gradually gaining some chances. Smith also took the opportunity and showed his worth in some games. In his debut season, Smith played 35 starts and scored 17 points in a single game.
A good start is half the battle, and Smith was able to change his life because he worked hard and because he was well-rounded. At 2.01 meters tall, Smith can shoot the basket and has excellent three-point shooting ability. There is also the ability to handle the ball, and Smith can play a role in organizing the offense. Although not strong enough, his defense is still good.
As a 3D player, Smith often appears in the fourth position. But when the team played in the small lineup, Smith could also appear in the fifth position. In particular, in the past 2 seasons, Smith has played more and more times in the fifth position. Whether Smith can play the fifth position in the playoffs this season is already important for the Lone Rangers.
In Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals, the Lone Ranger lost 109-129 to the Suns, and Lone Ranger coach Kidd believed that the loss was due to Smith trapped in a foul and played only 20 minutes. That's because Smith's three-point shot is accurate and can pull space for Doncic, which is conducive to the latter's play. In the last game, the Lone Ranger was able to beat the Suns, and Smith was also a hero, he shot four three-pointers.
That's why Smith, who got a big four-year, $55 million contract, has become an indispensable member of the Lone Ranger. With a big contract and now playing a big role on the stage of the Western Conference semifinals, Smith has become another inspirational model for the NBA.