Mountain Biking - Derailleur adjustment question

So i was unhappy with the job my LBS did with my derailleur and decided, "dammit, if these shmucks can do it so can i". Went to parktool, read over and printed thier instructions, and went to work. Took me a while, but i finally got my bike shifting the way i like, bar 1 problem, its hesitates shifting to the smallest sprocket. It shifts eventually, but the lag is annoying. The tension is as loose as possible without impacting upshifting to easier gears, yet it still hesitates when going to the hardest 'high' gear. My limit screws are set properly, i dont think my hanger is bent, b screw is set properly, cable housing is ok, and cable is lubed.

Is there perhaps something relativly simple that im overlooking? I notice the swing arm on the derailleur is slightly bent inwards, probably from impact somewhere. Could this be my problem? If so, is there a way to straighten it without just pulling on it to straighten it out? Or is this ok?

Thanks for any advice.

What's the status of your cable, and housing?

Yep, could be dirt in your housing. Maybe Loosen up the barrel asjuster a tad?

the rear der. housing loop is crap. Slow shifting to the high gear on the cassette is the first sign. You LBS should not have given up without replacing(or at least checking) it.

Cable and housing is in good condition but ill double check for debris tomorrow, and the loop is gppd (watched them check it). Its a recent problem that came about only after the pretty average adjustment i got. I thought it was just a tension issue, but considering its pretty slack when shifted to highest gear...i guess not. I think the culprit is the swing arm being slightly bent, but im not sure.

Is it safe to just pull it back straight?