Heading into the new NBA season, it didn’t come as a surprise when many basketball pundits and analysts picked the Brooklyn Nets to come out of the Eastern Conference on their way to the NBA Finals. With the Nets being led by two of the best players in the game, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving; this duo alone puts Brooklyn into the title picture. In addition to that incredible star power, the Nets have one of the best rotations in the NBA, featuring a talented core of versatile players in Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen, Taurean Prince, Joe Harris, DeAndre Jordan, and Jeff Green. This talented group of players create an excellent team that can do serious damage, which is why they should be the favorites in the East. Unfortunately, this dynamic group took a big hit just three games into the season, as Spencer suffered a torn ACL against the Charlotte Hornets. Dinwiddie was starting at shooting guard, so losing his production for the year is a big loss, but does it affect Brooklyn’s title chances significantly? I don’t think so, and here’s why I don’t believe the loss of Dinwiddie will ruin Brooklyn’s title chances.
With the deep and versatile roster created by Nets’ general manager Sean Marks, the team was without a doubt built to dominate in both the regular season and playoffs. Every player on the roster is a threat in their own way. Whether it’s Kevin Durant’s unstoppable scoring ability from all areas of the floor, Kyrie Irving’s incredible ball handling and scoring, Joe Harris’ three-point shooting and defense, or Spencer Dinwiddie’s craftiness impacting the game on both ends. Simply put, this team is built for almost any challenge. To speak on the subject of Dinwiddie’s unique talents, he’s a player that effects all facets of the game. Last season, Dinwiddie averaged a career high 20.6 points and 6.8 assists per game, proving to be a force for Brooklyn, even while playing next to Irving in the backcourt.
Although that stellar play was vital for the team, that was without Kevin Durant on the floor, as the two-time NBA Finals MVP was recovering from an injury of his own. Now that Durant is back, Irving will have someone to take the pressure off when it comes to bringing the ball up the floor and creating for his teammates. I don’t think I have to reiterate how great of a scorer Durant is. It’s not like he’s one of the greatest, if not the most efficient scorer of all-time or anything *pause for dramatic effect*. There were question marks about how Durant would play coming off an achilles injury, but so far Durant has put those concerns to rest. He’s currently averaging 28.2 points, seven rebounds, and just under five assists per game. Durant’s play thus far has more than made up for the loss of Dinwiddie and will only intensify as he grows more comfortable with the team.
As for the Nets’ second unit, they may take a little hit without Dinwiddie’s contributions, depending on how coach Steve Nash plays around with the starting rotation. Through eight games, the Nets have had five different starting lineups. This is due to Dinwiddie’s injury, yes, but also Durant being out due to C19 contact tracing and Irving needing a rest as well, along with changes such as Jarrett Allen replacing DeAndre Jordan in the starting lineup. The loss of Dinwiddie gives Nash one less chess piece to try and move around the board. Yet, the Nets are the third highest scoring team in the NBA, averaging just under 120 points per game; all without the contributions of Spencer. The Nets are still outperforming the majority of the teams in the league, and not having Dinwiddie clearly hasn’t changed that fact.
Obviously, having Dinwiddie for the whole season would’ve solidified Brooklyn as the clear favorite to win the Eastern Conference and possibly go to the NBA Finals, but even without him the Nets are going to be just fine. Anytime a team has one of the greatest players ever as in Kevin Durant, and another perennial All-Star in Kyrie Irving, they should automatically be a favorite to win a championship; regardless of the supporting cast around them. But in this case, Brooklyn has one of the best supporting casts of any superstar duo in the league.
Nets fans will certainly miss seeing Dinwiddie out on the floor every night, but they should still be excited because their team still has a legitimate shot at winning an NBA championship.
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