The emergence of Spencer Dinwiddie has proven to the Brooklyn Nets that there is, indeed, life after Jeremy Lin.
The Brooklyn Nets have a whole new positive look to their team. This new look gives the fans something they have been waiting a long time to root for: winning.
During the Nets season-opener against the Indiana Pacers, the Nets lost their starting point guard. Jeremy Lin collapsed late in the game after a drive to the basket. Lin ruptured his right patella tendon and will miss the rest of the season. Due to Lin’s season is now over, D’Angelo Russell has moved to the point.
Since D’Angelo Russell moved to point, Allen Crabbe is now the starting shooting guard. The Nets season at that moment went from bright to worry.
Spencer Dinwiddie has shown Brooklyn there is still life without Lin.
Dinwiddie has stepped up since Lin’s devastating season-ending injury. The sharpshooting guard embraces his new role as second point guard. Coming off the bench to Russell, Dinwiddie’s play is surprising many. Dinwiddie has been consistent for the Nets putting up great sixth man numbers and making excellent plays. He has also been one of the Nets go to players late in games. Dinwiddie has proved he is not scared to take the pressure situation shots.
Dinwiddie was the hero when Brooklyn made NBA headlines taking down the eastern conference powerhouse Cleveland Cavaliers. Brooklyn was expected to be blown out by Cleveland. With Russell being ruled out with a knee sprain that game, Brooklyn stood no chance. Dinwiddie proved everyone wrong. Dinwiddie locked up the fourth quarter. The 24-year old put up defensive stops, drawing fouls, executing late-game foul shots and especially a pair of clutch late-game threes. Dinwiddie ended his night putting up 22 points, six assists and shooting 4-of-8 (50%) from three in 32 minutes.
Dinwiddie took control and lead the Nets to a stunning win over Cleveland.
He’s also been consistent for the Nets putting up similar numbers each night. Averaging 22.2 points per game and 6.0 assists in his last five games is incredible for the Nets. Dinwiddie has been a huge factor and contributor to the Nets surprising start.
Dinwiddie will be a huge contributor to the Nets play this season. Without Lin, not only has coach Kenny Atkinson shifted around the starting lineup but the pressure has been boiling. Dinwiddie has been so good off the bench behind Russell. With Dinwiddie playing at an elite level, his teammates have fed off his production as well. When Dinwiddie gets going he makes everyone else around him compete.
With Joe Harris, who has been shooting the three ball extremely well off the bench, Atkinson has made his bench position tasks easier. Joe Harris has proven himself to be the second shooting guard and Dinwiddie as the second point guard.
The Nets look to be moving on a positive rebuilding stage this season. This organization is filled with young talent and growing a brighter future game by game. The Nets know it will take some time before everything falls into place. The Nets should keep Dinwiddie around for their rebuilding process. He is a perfect bench suitor and knows his role on the team. Dinwiddie is still under contract for another year and the Nets will only need to pay him $1 million in the contract.
If Dinwiddie continues to play at this level it should be a no-brainer for the Nets to bring him back and possibly lock him up for multiple years at the right price.