- Elbert Smith was finally able to cross state lines to watch his son play
- Finney-Smith scored just two points, but Brooklyn beat the Detroit Pistons
- DailyMail.com provides the latest international sports news.
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It may have only been Game 78 on the Brooklyn Nets’ schedule, but it was something much more meaningful for forward Dorian Finney-Smith.
Finney-Smith’s father, Elbert Smith, was at Barclays Center Saturday night for the Nets’ game against the Detroit Pistons. It was the first time the 52-year-old was able to see his son play in person.
“It’s exciting,” the Nets forward said before kickoff. “It’s exciting to know that it will be the first time you see me play in person. But I definitely want to get him the win, so he tries to focus on getting the win.”
In 1996, Elbert Smith was convicted of second-degree murder, malicious wounding and use of a firearm in the shooting death of Willie Anderson II. He was sentenced to 44 years in prison.
He Dallas Morning News reported that the Mavericks helped work for Smith’s release while Finney-Smith was playing for the team. The Virginia Parole Board voted unanimously in July 2023 to release Smith, and he was released in December.
Dorian Finney-Smith had the honor of playing in the NBA in front of his father for the first time
Elbert Smith, who was released from prison after serving 29 years, was in court in Brooklyn.
Finney-Smith scored just two points, but the Nets earned a victory over the Detroit Pistons
Smith had served 28 years, nine months and 10 days of his sentence. According to Finney-Smith, the family had to wait until the eldest Smith was allowed to travel. He and Finney-Smith’s mother, Desiree, arrived in New York on Friday.
“He’s been with the window down, looking at all the buildings,” Finney-Smith said. ‘You know, comparing it to him when he came here in 1994. Remember Brooklyn back then.
“He keeps saying that Barclays wasn’t here and stuff like that, so he obviously knew the history of New York.”
The Nets, who were eliminated from the postseason on Wednesday, acknowledged the personal importance of the game for Finney-Smith, whom they acquired from the Mavericks last year as part of the Kyrie Irving trade.
“Yeah, we talked, but not to the point of what it’s going to mean and all that,” interim coach Kevin Ollie said.
“I know it will be important to him and he will handle it like a professional. He will compartmentalize it and go out and do his job, but I imagine he will have a special joy inside because his father will finally see him play.
“So I hope he goes out and does his thing, I know he will.” He’s the ultimate professional when it comes to things like this, so I don’t expect anything different from him. Hopefully we can get him a win tonight.”
Finney-Smith started the game and played 24 minutes, shooting 1-5 for two points, seven rebounds and an assist in a 113-103 win over Detroit.
