Nets could pair two point guards: Spencer Dinwiddie and Ben Simmons
Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie, guard Ben Simmons and guard Seth Curry walk to the bench at the end of the first quarter against the Miami Heat in an NBA basketball game at Barclays Center on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
LAS VEGAS — After a week of training camp, Nets coach Jacque Vaughn is keeping his starting lineup under wraps for the preseason opener Monday against the Lakers.
But he dropped a lineup hint after practice at UNLV on Saturday. Ben Simmons and Spencer Dinwiddie have played together often and have looked good in the Nets’ last two scrimmages.
It’s an intriguing backcourt idea. Simmons and Dinwiddie are capable of playing the point, although Simmons has been vocal that he expects to have that role. Dinwiddie played point guard last season after being acquired from Dallas in February but has thrived playing off the ball with other teams.
For Vaughn, it’s not about who handles the ball more but the benefits and options of having two ballhandlers on the court.
“Spencer can handle the basketball, he can shoot the basketball,” Vaughn said. “There’s history to that and there’s history to Ben creating shots for guys because he plays with pace. Not too many people can match that pace, so we can use that advantage to get easy baskets.”
Dinwiddie was especially good as a catch-and-shoot option with the Mavericks for two seasons before his trade to the Nets. He shot 43.7% on catch-and-shoot attempts in Dallas last season, including 44.2% on three-pointers, and shot 42.3% on catch-and-shoot three-pointers in ’21-22.
Those numbers dipped to 34.0% from the field and 33.3% with the Nets. Dinwiddie noted that he’s historically been a better shooter when others create for him — as most players are — but it was easier in Dallas alongside one of the NBA’s premier facilitators in Luka Doncic.
As for Simmons, his speed has amazed his teammates. Dorian Finney-Smith said he looked explosive in practice and called him one of the “top two or three” fastest players on the team.
Simmons pushing the ball and getting out in transition was an asset with the 76ers. It’s also a better role, as he’s thrived as a facilitator and getting to the rim.
The Nets hope to see that after Simmons was limited last season because of back and knee injuries. “I think this team goes as far as Ben and Mikal [Bridges] take it,” Dinwiddie said. “We know who Ben can be when he’s healthy and right and in a good space, and that’s what we hope for.”
Bridges said he loves the pairing of Simmons and Dinwiddie. It makes things easier with two point guards who get others involved and it’s helped develop chemistry with Simmons, who played only three games after the trade deadline before he was shut down for the season.
“They have just good communication and figuring out spots,” Bridges said. “I don’t think we had too many minutes together last year, so it’s something that we’re learning now and trying to get better at every day.”
The only question might be shooting. Simmons’ shooting struggles are well-documented, so having him set others up suits his strengths. Dinwiddie struggled with his shooting as a Net, so while there’s hope that his shooting will improve with Simmons, it’s a wait-and-see proposition.
It’s one of several things to watch Monday. Vaughn said everyone besides Cameron Johnson (hamstring) and Dariq Whitehead (foot) could play at some point.
It’ll also be the first chance to see how new additions Lonnie Walker IV and Dennis Smith Jr. fit in.
More eyes will be on Simmons and this potential backcourt with Dinwiddie. With Johnson injured, the Simmons/Dinwiddie pairing won’t be fully optimized without the team’s best shooter.
It hasn’t stopped Vaughn, however, from loving what he sees from it in practice or what he expects to see against opponents.
“When you’re scouting us, who’s going to bring it up? It’s not going to be the same person every single time,” Vaughn said. “We get the rebound and we’re able to outlet it to different people . . . Both of those guys can play off each other and make each other better.”
Nets to cheer for Liberty
Instead of practice Sunday, most of the Nets will be at Game 1 of the WNBA Finals as the Liberty face the defending champion Aces. It’s a chance to unwind before the Nets open preseason play and also to show respect for the Liberty’s first Finals appearance since 2002.
“It’s beautiful,’’ Walker said. “It’s about time that we could probably get a championship in New York, first of all. The play style is amazing. They know how to hoop as far as technique, shooting. The game is amazing to watch.”
Nets players have been visible supporters all season sitting courtside at games. Bridges even wore Sabrina Ionescu’s jersey at the Liberty’s first playoff win in September
Ionescu sometimes has done Bridges’ point and head bob celebration after making a three-pointer.
“It’s the Finals, so I’m excited for them,'' Bridges said. "Hope they get out there and get the dub.”
Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
