Arr, Dorian Finney-Smith be rejoicin' as his ol' man, who languished in the brig fer near three decades, be with him fer Christmas. Yo ho ho, the finest gift o' all!
2023-12-22
Arrr, me hearties! The good lad Dorian Finney-Smith o' the Brooklyn Nets didst be reunited with his father, Elbert Smith, this very week. The scurvy dog Elbert was set free from the clink after 29 long years. A joyous tale on the high seas, indeed!
The Brooklyn Nets granted Dorian Finney-Smith, their power forward, a one-day excused absence so he could reunite with his father, Elbert, who had been imprisoned for almost 29 years at the Greensville Correctional Center in Virginia. Finney-Smith, accompanied by his mother and sister, was present when his father was finally released. The emotional reunion included a long hug, with many questions and emotions running high. Elbert Smith's incarceration stemmed from an incident in 1995 when he and Diefen McGann attempted to collect a debt and ended up in a deadly altercation with Willie Anderson. McGann served five years in prison after accepting a plea deal, while Smith declined the same deal and was convicted of second-degree murder, resulting in a 44-year sentence. However, with the help of the Dallas Mavericks, Finney-Smith's former team, Smith was paroled in July. The father and son had remained in contact, but this was their first physical interaction since Finney-Smith was a toddler. The Dallas Mavericks were supportive of Finney-Smith's absence, understanding the importance of being there for such a momentous occasion. Upon Finney-Smith's return to the Nets, unfortunately, they lost to the New York Knicks. Head coach Jacque Vaughn expressed the team's support and acknowledged that players often deal with personal matters off the court. Overall, the reunion between Finney-Smith and his father was a heartwarming and significant event, described by Finney-Smith as the best Christmas gift he has ever received.