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The Nets signed Dinwiddie Dec. 8, 2016 in the first year of
their full rebuild under former coach Kenny Atkinson and current
GM Sean Marks. In 274 games for the Nets, Dinwiddie averaged
14.3 points, including 16.8 in 2018-19 when the Nets won 42
games, made the playoffs for the first time since 2015 and went
on to sign Durant at the outset of free agency.
Last season, Dinwiddie partially tore his ACL three games in.
His numbers as a Net ultimately helped him land a three-year,
$60 million deal with the Wizards, who acquired him in a
sign-and-trade in August after pairing Russell Westbrook in the
backcourt with Bradley Beal the previous season.
"I like his size, his athletic ability, his ability to
score--which takes a lot of pressure off me in having to create
new things--and his love for the game," Beal told NBC Sports
Washington. "I've competed against him in Brooklyn. We always
usually guard each other, so I know what he's about. He's about
winning, he's about competing. I know I can go to war with him."
Two games into his tenure with the Wizards, Dinwiddie is
averaging 23.5 points, 7.5 assists and shooting 50 percent (17
of 34). In his debut, he scored 13 points in a 15-point win at
Toronto on Wednesday and followed it up by scoring 34 points on
13 of 24 from the field in a wild 135-134 overtime win over the
Indiana Pacers in his home debut on Friday.
"Game-winning shots, we can go on YouTube and look at mine,"
Dinwiddie said. "And if Brad's out, I probably will be the one
taking those most times. So you just understand what's the best
shot for our team, but ain't no fear in those moments. Like, in
my opinion, I'm one of if not the best in the league at it."
Dinwiddie's big night occurred while Beal sat out with a right
hip contusion. Beal is questionable for Monday but is expected
to play after not fully participating in practice Sunday.
So far, three games in, the Nets are searching for some
consistency. They sandwiched double-digit losses to Milwaukee
and Charlotte around a five-point win in Philadelphia, where
they needed a game-ending 16-1 run to escape with a victory.
On Sunday, Durant scored 38 points, but the Nets were outplayed
in the second half of a 111-96 loss to Charlotte in their home
opener. After leading by eight at halftime, the Nets were
outscored 61-37 in the final 24 minutes, including 32-17 in the
fourth quarter.
"We weren't sharp enough," Brooklyn coach Steve Nash said. "We
weren't competitive enough, even offensively to take the ball to
the basket. We turned it over. We settled for difficult shots
instead of playing with energy and pass instead of trying to get
to the basket."
Brooklyn also allowed 29 points off 17 turnovers and had little
offense beyond Durant. James Harden was Brooklyn's only other
double-figure scorer with 15 points as the Nets shot 43.7
percent and misfired on 26 of 35 3-pointers while continuing to
play without Irving due to his being unvaccinated.
"Nobody's going to lose confidence while we're playing and hope
Kyrie comes and saves us during the game," Durant said of point
guard Kyrie Irving, who continues to sit out while refusing the
COVID-19 vaccine. "No, you've got to play."
Brooklyn rested Blake Griffin, but he is expected to play
Monday. Durant also is expected to play Monday after sitting out
some portions of back-to-back sets last season.
--Field Level Media
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