Out of prison, father of Nets' Dorian Finney-Smith sees son play in person for first time in win over Pistons
Nets guard Cam Thomas, front left, and forward Dorian Finney-Smith, right, guard against Detroit Pistons center James Wiseman, center, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, April 6, 2024. Credit: AP/Mary Altaffer
For Dorian Finney-Smith, Saturday wasn’t just another game between the Nets and Pistons. It was another chapter in a restored family reunion.
Finney-Smith had a special guest at Barclays Center: his father. It was the first time Elbert Smith had seen his son play basketball in person after spending 28 years in prison before being released in December.
The elder Smith, who lives in Virginia, saw his son’s team rally for a 113-103 win over the Pistons, their second-largest comeback of the season. Finney-Smith shot just 1-for-5 but had seven rebounds.
Even better, he got the win that he promised his father he’d get.
“Just getting here, you know, that was the whole thing,” Finney-Smith said. “You know. I felt like he don’t care what happens; he’s just happy to be even smiling since he got off the plane.”
The Dallas Morning News first reported Saturday that Smith was given approval to travel after months of communication with Virginia department of corrections officials. He arrived in New York on Friday after Nets practice.
Wearing a black hoodie with a black Nets hat, he sat next to Finney-Smith’s mother, Desiree, and they watched from courtside seats near the baseline. Smith often had his phone out capturing moments on video.
It was a moment the family waited years for. Finney-Smith was 2 years old when his father was sentenced to 44 years in prison in 1996 after being convicted of second-degree murder and malicious wounding.
Smith was charged along with Diefen McGann in the death of Willie Anderson II after a skirmish. According to The Dallas Morning News, McGann told police he fired the shots that killed Anderson and he was sentenced to five years after accepting a plea deal for voluntary manslaughter.
Last July, the Virginia Parole Board voted 3-0 to grant Smith parole. In December, Finney-Smith flew to Virginia after the Nets played in Utah to greet his father upon his release and hug him for the first time as an adult.
“Obviously, I know he was watching when he was in prison,” Finney-Smith said. “But ain’t nothing like being there [in person] and I’m just happy he’s here.”
Finney-Smith knew for the last two weeks that his father was coming and shared the details with Dennis Smith Jr., his closest friend on the Nets.
Once his father arrived, Finney-Smith drove him around New York and Smith compared it to things he saw three decades ago.
“He’s been having the window down, looking at all the buildings, comparing it to when he came here in 1994,” Finney-Smith said. “He remembers Brooklyn back in the day. He keeps saying Barclays wasn’t here and stuff like that, so he obviously knew New York history.”
The Nets also could tell there was a different energy around Finney-Smith. Interim coach Kevin Ollie said he checked in with him briefly but didn’t pry.
Ollie knew Saturday wouldn’t be just another game for the forward. The win was a special moment for the Nets and Finney-Smith got to hug both of his parents after a game for the first time.
“I know it’s going to be significant for him and he’s going to handle it like a pro,” Ollie said. “But I imagine he’ll have some special joy inside for his dad to watch him finally play.”
Nets rally past Pistons
The Nets (31-47) won thanks to a 29-4 closing run in the fourth quarter, including the final 19 points of the game. The Pistons led by 19 in the second quarter and 15 with 7:28 left.
The 19-0 portion of the Nets’ run was even more impressive, coming after Mikal Bridges was subbed out for rookie Jalen Wilson with more than five minutes left. Wilson and fellow rookie Noah Clowney remained on the court to finish the game.
Cam Thomas had 32 points and Dennis Schroder added 24. Clowney had another solid outing off the bench with 17 points, six rebounds and four blocks.
Bridges had 13 points and Wilson added 10 as the Nets won despite 18 turnovers that led to 26 Pistons points.
The Pistons (13-65), who own the NBA’s worst record, were outscored 38-20 in the fourth quarter. Chimezie Metu led them with 20 points and seven boards.
Evan Barnes covers the Nets for Newsday. He previously covered Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
