When Caris LeVert sat down for his postgame media session after the Nets suffered their second straight loss and fell to 2-2 Monday evening, he took the chance to provide a public shoutout to shut buddy Spencer Dinwiddie, who’s scheduled to endure proper knee surgical procedure subsequent week to restore {a partially} torn anterior cruciate ligament and probably might be out for the season.
“Simply need to say hat’s off to Spence, man,” LeVert started. “I do know that’s a extremely robust damage. That’s one among my brothers. We’ve constructed an in depth bond over these final couple years. So, positively with him, prayers with him. I spoke to him [Monday]. He gave the impression to be in good spirits. Undoubtedly, positively praying for him, combating for him the remainder of the season for positive.”
Little doubt, the Nets additionally sorely missed stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, who rested for the loss to the Grizzlies as an early-season precaution designed to advertise a clean comeback from their very own surgical procedures. They’re anticipated again within the lineup for the primary of two straight video games in opposition to the proficient, younger Hawks Wednesday and Friday nights at Barclays Middle.
However LeVert’s recognition of Dinwiddie’s significance to the Nets served to underline how important his presence was to a workforce anticipated to contend for a title. Dinwiddie led the Nets in scoring (20.6) and assists (6.8) final season, however his stats have been approach down in these classes to six.7 factors and three.0 assists this yr as a result of he was ready to sacrifice his numbers in a contract yr to help Durant and Irving because the go-to guys. Whereas Dinwiddie began at capturing guard, LeVert shifted to level guard with the second unit, which provides him a chance to have the ball in his palms way more.
With out Dinwiddie, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot jumped from his position as a seldom used eleventh man into Dinwiddie’s beginning place. Had Irving been accessible in opposition to the Grizzlies, LeVert probably would have remained as sixth man as a substitute of beginning. The ripple impact by the roster additionally created a chance for Chris Chiozza to come back off the bench as backup level guard. When Irving returns, his time probably might be restricted once more.
Dinwiddie’s damage will check the Nets’ depth at guard, a place they fortified in the course of the offseason with the additions of backup Landry Shamet and depth gamers Tyler Johnson and Bruce Brown. Coach Steve Nash favored what he acquired from TLC and Chiozza.
“TLC’s been taking part in nicely,” Nash mentioned. “He got here in [during Sunday’s loss at Charlotte] and performed nicely down the stretch. He’s made photographs. He’s very dependable defensively. And ‘Cheese’ gave us one other ballhandler.
“With out Spencer and Ky, there was a heavy load on Caris dealing with the ball. They have been making an attempt to take him away and deny it full-court, so ‘Cheese actually helped, not solely to deal with the ball, however he made some performs for us. These guys each did nice.”
Dinwiddie’s growth with the Nets has been an integral a part of their progress over the earlier 4 seasons . Joe Harris has shared that journey with Dinwiddie, and he additionally commiserated concerning the loss.
“It’s devastating,” Harris mentioned. “Tough blow for this workforce. Spencer is clearly an All-Star caliber participant, and dropping him is a large affect on each ends of the ball. For morale’s sake across the locker room, you by no means need to see one among your teammates go down.”
However Dinwiddie expressed some hope on social media about an inconceivable return from surgical procedure to affix the Nets’ playoff push late within the season.
“AT WORST I’ll be greater than 100% by subsequent season,” Dinwiddie wrote. “Subsequent query: Will I miss the highway to a @brooklynnets 2021 championship? My response: As we’ve seen earlier than. Crazier issues have occurred.”
Greg Logan has labored for Newsday since 1982 masking a wide selection of sports activities and occasions, at the moment together with the Brooklyn Nets beat.
