Rockets Bench Dorian Finney-Smith Despite Lakers Struggles
The Houston Rockets have not played Dorian Finney-Smith in games against the Los Angeles Lakers, keeping the 10th-year forward on the bench. Fans are calling for him to get minutes over current starter Jae'Sean Tate.
The Houston Rockets have scratched Dorian Finney-Smith from their lineup against the Los Angeles Lakers, despite fan pressure to give him playing time over Jae'Sean Tate.
Finney-Smith has struggled badly this season, shooting just 31.7 percent from the field and 26.9 percent from three-point range over 35 games. His poor shooting has dropped him out of the team's regular rotation.
Rockets fans on Reddit argue Finney-Smith deserves a chance, saying he has better length, basketball IQ, and playoff experience than Tate. Some fans think he might play harder against his former Lakers teammates.
The situation has become so notable that one Reddit user joked that Luke Kennard has scored more points with the Lakers this season than Finney-Smith has with the Rockets.
Finney-Smith was traded to Houston earlier this season but has failed to find his shooting touch with his new team. Coach Ime Udoka appears reluctant to give him minutes while he works through his shooting problems.
This shows how quickly NBA players can fall out of favor when their shooting struggles. It also highlights the tough decisions coaches face when trying to find the right lineup combinations during a season.
Watch if Finney-Smith gets back in the rotation or if the Rockets consider other roster moves.
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