Sports & Perspective
School’s still in session for the young Brooklyn Nets, but their confidence is trending in the right direction.
The Nets have won two in a row, but it’s the way they’ve gone about those wins which indicates the lessons they’ve learned are beginning to payoff. Continue reading “Lessons Learned Begin to Payoff for Nets”
The Nets may have uncovered a new role for Caris LeVert which can benefit both sides. The youngster is beginning to thrive as a spark in their second unit.
Injuries to Jeremy Lin and D’Angelo Russell have created an opportunity for head coach Kenny Atkinson to settle on a rotation with defined roles.
With Spencer Dinwiddie and Allen Crabbe finding their groove as the new starting backcourt, LeVert has become Atkinson’s energy guy off the bench.
After getting off to a tough start this season finding his shot, Levert is beginning to pick it up. This past week, in a loss to the Celtics, he scored 15 points, on 6-of-7 shooting, in 22 minutes. He followed that up with a 10-point effort, also in 22 minutes, along with four rebounds to help Brooklyn defeat Utah.
LeVert can shoot the three, but he’s now slashing more to the basket and getting high-percentage shots. He has hops and shows it whenever he’s out on the fast break. Atkinson loves his effort on defense.
It shouldn’t go unnoticed LeVert’s improved play also aligns with Dinwiddie taking over as the starting point and Crabbe finding his own comfort zone off the ball. The Nets are beginning to find their rhythm on offense with players becoming more comfortable in their roles.
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At 6’7, he has the tools to excel long-term at whatever role the Nets have for him.
Right now, however, they need his energy off the bench. He can contribute positive minutes from the point, play defense, and create favorable matchups on the perimeter.
He’s taller than Vinnie Johnson, but LeVert has “microwave” potential for the Nets as their sixth man. He has the ability to check into a game and create instant offense with his athleticism.
In this time of transition for LeVert and the Nets, this will only serve as a plus for both sides in the short-term and the bigger picture.
Spencer Dinwiddie is writing one of those feel-good chapters which has become difficult to ignore around the NBA. He’s a key piece for the Brooklyn Nets in their rotation.
For a second consecutive season, the Nets’ backcourt has been ravaged by injuries. The news just broke that lead guard D’Angelo Russell will be out indefinitely after having arthroscopic surgery to his left knee.
Dinwiddie was already receiving more playing time with Jeremy Lin lost for the season to a knee injury. Now with Russell sidelined, the opportunity has widened for the 6’6, 24-year old to take advantage of an unexpected job opening for Brooklyn’s full-time point guard.
If there’s any doubt remaining that Dinwiddie’s up for the challenge, he’s doing his best to erase it one game at a time. He was masterful in a 25-point performance which lead the Nets to a 118-107 win over the Utah Jazz, Friday night at Barclays Center.
Besides the points, a career high, Dinwiddie was everything and more on this night. He also tallied eight assists, five rebounds, and brought a calm and poise to the game for the Nets.
But what stood out the most, in 31 minutes of play, is Dinwiddie registered zero turnovers. It’s another reason he’s earned the trust of his teammates and head coach Kenny Atkinson.
Especially when the Nets began to show signs of slippage in the third quarter. They allowed Utah to slice a 22-point lead down to nine heading into the fourth. That’s when Atkinson went back to his guy.
“That was huge,” Atkinson said afterwards, almost now at a loss for words on how well Dinwiddie’s performed for him. “We got Spencer back in the game to get us organized and stabilized. It’s good for our morale, good for our confidence, but it’s not a surprise. We’ve talked all year that Spencer has made a step in development.”
He’s also on pace for a career high in three-point percentage, he was 6 of 10 against the Jazz.
Dinwiddie’s work ethic and style of play have made him a fan favorite at Barclays. He can break his opponent down off the dribble, but picks his spots when to do so. He’s capable of making the flashy pass but puts an emphasis on making the right one. The team thrives with him on the court.
There’s no denying the improvement across the board in Dinwiddie’s game. When the Nets signed him last December there were plenty of unknowns for where he’d fit in the team’s plans. Give him credit for making his own way by putting in the work.
Dinwiddie isn’t an overnight success story. He’s been putting his time in since the Detroit Pistons used their second round draft pick in 2014 on him.
Through hard work and not giving up on himself, he’s earned every minute the Nets are now trusting him with to be their leader.