Dorian Finney-Smith's Salute: A Gesture of Respect and Resilience

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In the high-octane world of the NBA, where every move is magnified and every gesture dissected, players often display signature behaviors that carry deeper meanings. One of the most intriguing among them is Dorian Finney-Smith's salute after taking a charge. To some, it's just a reaction. To others, it’s a message. But to those who know the heart of the game, it’s a story waiting to be told. This article explores whether Finney-Smith’s now-famous salute is simply a celebratory habit, a tribute to someone meaningful, or a personal ritual fueled by his unique journey in the NBA. The Salute: A Symbolic Gesture What Fans Are Seeing When Dorian Finney-Smith plants himself in the paint, absorbs a hit, and falls to the hardwood, fans have come to expect what happens next—he gets up, taps his chest, and offers a quick salute. It’s not showboating. It’s not defiance. It’s something more grounded, personal, and consistent. Meaning Beyond the Moment The salute gesture is classicall...

NBA Rookies Who Dominated Their First Season ๐Ÿ€๐Ÿ”ฅ

 



Every season, the NBA welcomes a new wave of young talent, but only a few rookies leave an immediate mark on the league. From scoring machines to defensive anchors, some first-year players have taken the league by storm, proving they belong among the best. Let's look at some of the most dominant NBA rookies who made history in their debut seasons.

1. Michael Jordan (1984-85) – Chicago Bulls ๐Ÿ€๐Ÿ

One of the greatest players of all time, Michael Jordan wasted no time making an impact in the NBA. In his rookie season, he averaged:
✅ 28.2 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 5.9 APG
✅ NBA Rookie of the Year
✅ Led the Bulls to the playoffs

Jordan's high-flying dunks and clutch performances made him a fan favorite and set the foundation for his legendary career.

2. Magic Johnson (1979-80) – Los Angeles Lakers ✨๐Ÿ†

Magic Johnson entered the NBA with sky-high expectations, and he lived up to the hype:
✅ 18.0 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 7.3 APG
✅ NBA Champion & Finals MVP ๐Ÿ†
✅ Played center in Game 6 of the NBA Finals

Magic’s versatility and leadership helped the Lakers win the championship in his rookie year—an achievement no rookie had ever done before.

3. Larry Bird (1979-80) – Boston Celtics ☘️๐Ÿฆ

Joining the NBA the same year as Magic, Larry Bird immediately transformed the Celtics:
✅ 21.3 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 4.5 APG
✅ NBA Rookie of the Year
✅ Led the Celtics to 32 more wins than the previous season

Bird's ability to shoot, pass, and rebound made him one of the most complete rookies the league had ever seen.

4. Shaquille O’Neal (1992-93) – Orlando Magic ๐Ÿ€๐Ÿ’ฅ

Few players have ever been as dominant in their first year as Shaquille O’Neal:
✅ 23.4 PPG, 13.9 RPG, 3.5 BPG
✅ NBA Rookie of the Year
✅ Broke the backboard TWICE in one season ๐Ÿ˜ฑ

Shaq’s combination of size, strength, and agility made him an unstoppable force from Day 1.

5. LeBron James (2003-04) – Cleveland Cavaliers ๐Ÿ‘‘๐Ÿ”ฅ

Dubbed "The Chosen One," LeBron James had the pressure of an entire city on his shoulders:
✅ 20.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 5.9 APG
✅ NBA Rookie of the Year
✅ Youngest player to score 40 points in a game

LeBron’s all-around game made him a superstar right away, and he quickly became the face of the NBA.

6. Tim Duncan (1997-98) – San Antonio Spurs ๐Ÿ€๐Ÿ”

Tim Duncan entered the NBA as one of the most polished rookies ever:
✅ 21.1 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 2.5 BPG
✅ NBA Rookie of the Year
✅ Led the Spurs to 56 wins

Duncan’s fundamentals, defense, and leadership helped set up a dynasty in San Antonio.

7. Luka Donฤiฤ‡ (2018-19) – Dallas Mavericks ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ⚡

Coming from Europe, Luka Donฤiฤ‡ was NBA-ready from the start:
✅ 21.2 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 6.0 APG
✅ NBA Rookie of the Year
✅ Multiple triple-doubles as a rookie

Luka’s elite basketball IQ and skill set made him one of the best rookies in modern NBA history.

8. Derrick Rose (2008-09) – Chicago Bulls ๐ŸŒน๐Ÿ”ฅ

Explosive and fearless, Derrick Rose lit up the league:
✅ 16.8 PPG, 6.3 APG, 3.9 RPG
✅ NBA Rookie of the Year
✅ Led the Bulls to the playoffs

His quickness and ability to finish at the rim made him one of the most exciting young players to watch.

9. Kevin Durant (2007-08) – Seattle SuperSonics ☁️๐Ÿ”ฅ

Before becoming a multiple-time champion, Kevin Durant showed his scoring ability as a rookie:
✅ 20.3 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.4 APG
✅ NBA Rookie of the Year
✅ Became one of the youngest 20 PPG scorers in history

KD’s smooth shooting stroke and scoring ability made him a future MVP.

10. Allen Iverson (1996-97) – Philadelphia 76ers ๐Ÿ€⚡

Allen Iverson took the NBA by storm with his fearless attitude and scoring ability:
✅ 23.5 PPG, 7.5 APG, 2.1 SPG
✅ NBA Rookie of the Year
✅ Dropped 40+ points multiple times

His iconic crossover against Michael Jordan became one of the most memorable moments in NBA history.

Conclusion: NBA Rookies Who Made History ๐Ÿ“œ๐Ÿ†

These NBA rookies didn’t just adapt to the league—they dominated it from the start. Whether it was their scoring, defense, leadership, or game-changing impact, they set the tone for Hall of Fame careers. Who do you think had the greatest rookie season of all time? Let us know! ๐Ÿ€๐Ÿ”ฅ