Awareness has never been a problem for Spencer Dinwiddie.
The 2019-20 NBA season for the Brooklyn Nets saw it’s fair share of adversity and controversy. The one constant, however, was Dinwiddie.
Kevin Durant, as expected, was out. Kyrie Irving only played 20 games before injuries shut him down. Caris LeVert — yep, the injury bug paid him another visit too.
Dinwiddie stepped up, like he’s always done for the Nets. He put the scoring load on his shoulders and almost made the All-Star Game.
If the NBA resumes it’s season, the Nets are a playoff team. Dinwiddie, as interim leader, is a big reason why.
In the big picture, the team will belong to Durant and Irving — when they’re healthy and ready to play.
No one needs to tell this to Dinwiddie, he knew this when Durant and Irving agreed to bring their talents to Brooklyn.
Everyone knows what Durant and Irving bring to the table, in the fourth quarter the basketball will find its way to them as a first or second option. Everyone else will need to get in where they fit in.
Dinwiddie is a point guard, therefore he knows how to see the entire chess board. He knows how to adapt.
Looking ahead, Durant and Irving will be counted on to shoulder a bulk of the scoring for Brooklyn. Dinwiddie can put the ball in the basket when called on, but he also can pass the rock.
While on “The Herd” with Colin Cowherd, Dinwiddie confirmed he’s up to the task of shifting his role back towards more of a pass-first point guard.
If you look back at my high school stats, I really wasn’t a big scorer. I actually passed the ball all the time. And then in college, I was very much a game manager, as well. So it’s kind of been a little bit different for me to be this high-scoring guy these past couple seasons … Looking ahead, with KD and Kyrie being the high scoring guys, I’d much rather be the guy that spreads the ball around and averages maybe 15 [points] and nine [assists] or 15 and 10 while they go get the 30. … I feel like the 21 points a game this year was a lot by necessity ’cause we needed that for us to win.
Dinwiddie, at 27 years old, has always shown his maturity and overall feel for the game at impressive levels. He’s also an example of what a team leader looks like.
It’s not always about filling up the stat sheet or highlights on SportsCenter. It’s also about settling an example for your teammates and showing awareness of the present and future.
Dinwiddie does it with ease.
