NFL
The Brooklyn Nets, no matter what Sean Marks says, did not imagine this would happen. If you were to have taken a poll at the beginning of the season, 100% of the people would have given the wrong answer. Who would be the Nets’ All-Star representative in 2020? The logical answer to that question would have been Kyrie Irving. But with Irving out due to injuries, it’s been Spencer Dinwiddie stepping up in a leadership role.
According to Michael C. Wright of NBA.com, Dinwiddie has put his name in the discussion. Entering the season as the forgotten name in the Nets’ backcourt, it’s been Dinwiddie and not Caris LeVert who has taken on the role of leader and scorer. This season, Dinwiddie is averaging 22.7 points, 6.2 assists, and 2.3 rebounds while shooting .435 percent from the floor.
When the Nets took on the Hawks Saturday night in Brooklyn, Kobe Byrant sat courtside with his daughter. And while the debate has been ongoing regarding Dinwiddie and his All-Star nod, this is the conversation between the future Hall of Famer and the surging PG.
He was like, ‘You’re playing like an All-Star.’ And I was like, ‘Man, I’m trying. Thank you,’” Dinwiddie said. “Obviously, for me, that was big-time. That’s Kobe. That’s Black Mamba. I don’t know him personally, but I guess I kinda do now
Aside from those numbers, the most important one is that Dinwiddie has led the Nets to a 12-6 record since Irving went down with his injury. That alone should garner him some All-Star consideration but then you take into account his numbers and who has played better than Dinwiddie over the course of that span?
Spencer Dinwiddie is the second-leading scorer at the PG position in the Eastern Conference right behind Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks. How can his stats be ignored? Just imagine where his numbers would be if he didn’t have to play behind Irving for the first few games of the year. In December is when Dinwiddie has made his move. He’s attempting 21.1 shot attempts, averaging 27.3 points per game while shooting .460 percent from the floor and dishing out 6.7 assists. Those are max contract numbers there.
When the votes are tallied up, there’s no way fans, coaches or players could leave him off the All-Star roster. Now, the Brooklyn Nets will have to find a way to make their rotation work when everyone is at full strength. Kyrie Irving was brought in to be what Dinwiddie has become for the team. So, if they already have that All-Star PG on their roster, why do they need the new guy? And, when Irving does come back, what does that mean for Dinwiddie the All-Star?
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