Spencer Dinwiddie’s strategy was straightforward, at least in his eyes. After a “big-time,” historic stretch, he wanted Cam Thomas to feel at ease, not step on his toes, and give the Nets’ second-year guard the chance to take — and keep shooting — shots.
That worked up until Thomas needed Dinwiddie since he couldn’t make a basket for the first time in a week.
Thomas enjoyed a run of three straight games with 40 points, during which almost everything had gone according to plan. However, he missed six consecutive shots against the Bulls on Thursday, going scoreless in the process. To “take weight off myself” and divert opposing defenses, he needed a seasoned guard like Dinwiddie. That was successful in the final 24 minutes, when the Nets’ revamped backcourt scored 38 of their 63 total points.
Following the Nets’ 116-105 victory over the Bulls, Thomas told The Post that Dinwiddie “has the capacity to make all the right plays and he’s a smart decision-maker.” I’m happy to have him act as a sort of on-court mentor, so to speak. I believe that on Thursday, we complemented each other quite nicely.
Although that’s nothing new to me, Thomas noted that it differs at the NBA level. These men are hired to serve as guards. Because they are the finest defenders in the world, getting the ball to the players who relieve my pressure is all about picking your places.
In his first game back with the Nets after being acquired from Dallas in the Irving deal, Dinwiddie made a contribution in that area. When Chicago’s double-teams disintegrated and Thomas’ floaters connected with the hoop, the ninth-year guard—who previously spent two seasons with the Brooklyn Nets from 2016 to 21—gave his new partner a way to distribute the ball. Dinwiddie finished the game with a team-high 25 points, six assists, and six steals (four).
Thomas came in and kept running the offense as he started to find his flow again in the third quarter. He made a 3-pointer from the top of the key and another one on the next possession.
Jacque Vaughn, the head coach of the Nets, praised Thomas’ “nice to watch” response following his sluggish offensive start. From the 0-for-6 start to the reset on the bench to the return and influence on the game, it was a series of circumstances he couldn’t duplicate better. It produced a situation in which Thomas could still contribute despite the extra focus from an opponent’s defensive structure.
How that strategy worked was shown by Thomas’ 20 point, six rebound, four assist, and 13 free throw stat line.
The second half was when Thomas figured out how to get to his areas and drive the basketball. “What I appreciated about it was [Thomas] did have some calm during the course of the night,” Vaughn said. As a result, that was growth in and of itself since he began missing shots.
Both when the Nets entered their locker room during halftime and when Thomas was sitting on the bench during the first half, Vaughn advised him to “just continue with it.” Because not every game will be deemed ideal or effective, he didn’t want Thomas to lose concentration. Thomas’ poorest shooting % in a game with more than three attempts since November 12 was what Vaughn wanted him to “battle through.”
It was beneficial that Thomas’ most recent stage of development also included a new sidekick.
Every night, your attempt won’t be successful, Thomas told The Post. “Basketball is just the way it is. What you do when your shot misses is what matters, and I believe I demonstrated that [Thursday].
»Spencer Dinwiddie ‘mentoring me is a privilege says Cam Thomas«
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