The Nets guaranteed Spencer Dinwiddie‘s contract for the 2018/19 season earlier this week as the guard looks to build off a career season in 2017/18. Dinwiddie recently returned to Brooklyn after spending the summer in California and China and he’s ready to get started, Tom Dowd of NBA.com writes.
“Scoring efficiency is the main area of improvement,” Dinwiddie said. “Overall development. I’m 25 years old, still got a lot of juice in the tank. I want to continue to push the limits of who I can be as a player and see how far we as a group, a collective, can take this thing. A lot of that comes from every individual being one percent better. Trying to do a lot of that.”
In 80 games last season, Dinwiddie enjoyed his best year to date, averaging 12.6 PPG and 6.6 APG for Brooklyn. Entering this season, with the roster shaken up and without Jeremy Lin, Dinwiddie figures to have a shot to retain his spot. As Dinwiddie and his teammates prepare for the preseason, he acknowledged that workouts have ramped up.
“It’s all ramping up and we’re getting to a place where the season is coming up,” Dinwiddie said. “It’s about to be around the corner. We’re putting in some of those final touches, some of that final preparation to get ready.”
Check out more Atlantic Division notes:
- After the Knicks parted ways with Jeff Hornacek, guard Tim Hardaway Jr. was unsure of the front office’s thought process. With David Fizdale on board, Hardaway loves what the new coach brings to the team, Marc Berman of the New York Post writes. “He’s respected around the league,’’ Hardaway said. “He does bring that type of vibe and character around the team that makes you want to go out there and compete each and every day for him. That’s what we love about him.”
- A lot has been made of Joakim Noah and his role — or lack thereof — on this upcoming year’s Knicks team. While his contract is an albatross, utilizing the stretch provision is one way New York can rid itself of the injured center. Danny Leroux of The Athletic (subscription required) explains why the Knicks should hold onto Noah for now.
- The Raptors announced the coaching staff for their G League affiliate, Raptors 905.
Lol I couldn’t read that Raptors tweet either, I get why it’s just a link dump.
Dinwiddie will have to take a step back this year & let D’Lo run the show, he can be a valuable sub for about 15-20 MPG.
Fizdale would gain a lot of points from me if he could just man up & tell the FO that Noah is in the team so he will play him anyway as he can still contribute as a vet & mentor, can show what work ethic is to the young guys, I mean you don’t earn DPOY & 1st All-NBA honors without the right sacrifice.
Dinwiddie has a quicker strike and a significantly better a/tov ratio. Way better, like 4to1 vs 1.4to1.
Russell is a better athlete and should hold up better– until he gets injured again. Really the Nets should trade him while his value holds. His high turnovers are an oddity but there it is, a constant.
Actually wouldn’t be a bad idea, at times, to play both Dinwiddie and Deangelo at the same time. Offensively speaking, it would definitely give the Nets two guards capable of scoring and making plays for others. I also strongly believe Russell can become an off-ball weapon if he’s given the shot..