Spencer 'Crypto' Dinwiddie Thread (He's Amazingly Sucky BTW)

[FAH1223]

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[FAH1223]

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DENVER — As the fading Washington Wizards finally started to show some life Monday night, attempting a frantic comeback after an atrocious first two and a half quarters, Spencer Dinwiddie sat on the bench, reduced to cheerleader duty.

Dinwiddie had not played well against the Denver Nuggets. Aaron Holiday, the team’s third-string point guard, had provided a spark. Coach Wes Unseld Jr., therefore, allocated minutes down the stretch to Holiday, not Dinwiddie.

It wasn’t the first time Dinwiddie has been ineffective recently. On a roster where slumps now run rampant, Dinwiddie’s regression may be the most worrisome of all. On Monday, he looked passive to the point of being practically invisible, attempting only one shot in nearly 12 first-half minutes. Something did not seem quite right. The same can be said for the entire Wizards offense these days — even Bradley Beal — but Dinwiddie’s recent struggles are conspicuous.

“He loves to play in pick-and-rolls,” Unseld said of Dinwiddie after Monday’s 113-107 Wizards loss. “I want him to play in pick-and-rolls and be aggressive. I want him to attack. I want him to get downhill. I think that’s where he’s at his best.”

What makes Dinwiddie’s fall-off so perplexing is how effective he was early in the season. In Washington’s first 13 games, when the team was soaring, he averaged 20.4 points on 16.8 field-goal attempts per 36 minutes. In Washington’s past 15 games, he averaged 11.5 points on 11.2 field-goal attempts per 36 minutes. That significant decline in the volume of his shot attempts seems peculiar since Unseld has said repeatedly he wants Dinwiddie to be aggressive.

In a postgame interview Monday night, after the Wizards allowed Denver to carve out a 33-point lead in the third quarter and then narrowed that margin in the fourth, Dinwiddie indicated multiple times he is playing the way he is being asked to play. He emphasized that he fully agrees Beal should be the team’s primary option on offense and should take a larger share of the shots than everyone else. But Dinwiddie also said the rest of the offense, after Beal gets his looks, is designed to spread the ball around and give everyone else, including himself, equal opportunities to score. It didn’t sound as much like a knock as an explanation.

“As you see, our offense has changed quite a bit multiple times,” Dinwiddie said. “So I try to do what’s asked of me in any situation. Sometimes that’s as a screener. … Sometimes it’s getting to the corner for spacing. Sometimes it’s attacking the rim. I think everybody right now is looking for consistency.”

Indeed, over the past 15 games, there has been a near uniformity in the volume of players’ shot attempts. Corey Kispert, Daniel Gafford, Dinwiddie, Deni Avdija, Montrezl Harrell, Kyle Kuzma, Holiday, Davis Bertans, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Raul Neto all averaged between 10.2 to 12.9 field-goal attempts per 36 minutes. Beal attempted 18.0 shots per 36 minutes.

“We run an equal-opportunity system,” Dinwiddie said, referring to everyone other than Beal. “So then people are like, ‘Spence, what’s going on?’ Look at our shot chart. Look at our play chart. Everybody got eight to 10 shots. Everybody got two to three assists. Obviously, that’s outside of Brad, but that’s our primary guy. That’s who we go to, as we should.

“But if we’re going to be equal-opportunity after Brad, then you’re going to see that even distribution. So people are like, ‘Oh, Spence, why haven’t we seen a 20- or 30-point game?’ Well, it’s a volume thing. Then everybody goes, ‘Well, you did that when Brad wasn’t playing.’ But remember, Dame (Lillard) and CJ (McCollum) play together. Steph (Curry) and Klay (Thompson) play together. DeMar (DeRozan) and Zach (LaVine) play together. We’ve got Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum playing together (in Boston). We’ve got a lot of dynamic duos in the league. The process has got to be right, though. So if we’re equal-opportunity, and that’s our thing, then that’s our thing, and I’m fine, whatever it is. I told you from the jump, whatever it may be, I’m here to do whatever I’m asked to do.”

And that’s where Dinwiddie’s understanding of his own role and Unseld’s expectations seem to diverge. When asked after Monday’s loss about Dinwiddie’s recent performances, Unseld said again he’d like Dinwiddie to be more aggressive and less concerned with distributing the ball evenly to others.

“I think he’s trying to search out and be a facilitator, which is fine,” Unseld told reporters. “But you’ve still got to play your game and be aggressive.”

Dinwiddie played some of his best games this season when Beal did not play. On Oct. 22, a night Beal sat out due to an injury, Dinwiddie scored 34 points on 13-of-24 shooting in an overtime victory against the Pacers. When Beal missed two games in mid-November following the death of a relative, Dinwiddie scored 23 and 27 points, respectively, and Washington won both games.

And one of the Wizards’ most impressive wins of the season occurred in Dallas on a night when Dinwiddie rested on the second game of a back-to-back. That game, Beal had one of his best performances of the season, scoring 26 points on 10-of-14 shooting and dishing out seven assists.

Beal and Dinwiddie have not jelled yet, and advanced analytics show they have not fared well when they play together. When they’re on the floor simultaneously, the Wizards have been outscored by 7.3 points per 100 possessions.

It’s an obvious point — but an important one: Beal and Dinwiddie, along with whomever they’re playing with, need to figure things out, something Unseld reiterates often in his public comments. Opposing defenses have made it a priority all season to devote so much attention to guarding Beal that he is forced to pass. Those defenses won’t be able to stymie Beal so aggressively if Dinwiddie attacks successfully in those situations.

“I said it in the preseason: I think they have the ability to be one of the most dynamic backcourts in the NBA,” Unseld said. “We’ve seen glimpses of it, but we need to see it consistently. I think at times they’ve deferred to each other, so we’ve got to find a balance where they can both stay aggressive, not only to score but play-make and play with a little bit more pace and thrust.

“But I think they’re still feeling each other out. I know it seems (like after) 27 or 28 games they should have some synergy, but Spencer missed a full season (last year due to injury). So he’s working through not only … missing a full year, but playing with a new teammate, playing a new style for a new coach. So all those things together do take time.”

Time may be a luxury Dinwiddie, Beal and their teammates do not have. Their team has stumbled to a 5-10 record over its last 15 games.

But perhaps it’s less Dinwiddie and Beal who have to get on the same page.

Perhaps Dinwiddie and Unseld have to get on the same page first.

[CntOutSmrtCrazy]

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DENVER — As the fading Washington Wizards finally started to show some life Monday night, attempting a frantic comeback after an atrocious first two and a half quarters, Spencer Dinwiddie sat on the bench, reduced to cheerleader duty.

Dinwiddie had not played well against the Denver Nuggets. Aaron Holiday, the team’s third-string point guard, had provided a spark. Coach Wes Unseld Jr., therefore, allocated minutes down the stretch to Holiday, not Dinwiddie.

It wasn’t the first time Dinwiddie has been ineffective recently. On a roster where slumps now run rampant, Dinwiddie’s regression may be the most worrisome of all. On Monday, he looked passive to the point of being practically invisible, attempting only one shot in nearly 12 first-half minutes. Something did not seem quite right. The same can be said for the entire Wizards offense these days — even Bradley Beal — but Dinwiddie’s recent struggles are conspicuous.

“He loves to play in pick-and-rolls,” Unseld said of Dinwiddie after Monday’s 113-107 Wizards loss. “I want him to play in pick-and-rolls and be aggressive. I want him to attack. I want him to get downhill. I think that’s where he’s at his best.”

What makes Dinwiddie’s fall-off so perplexing is how effective he was early in the season. In Washington’s first 13 games, when the team was soaring, he averaged 20.4 points on 16.8 field-goal attempts per 36 minutes. In Washington’s past 15 games, he averaged 11.5 points on 11.2 field-goal attempts per 36 minutes. That significant decline in the volume of his shot attempts seems peculiar since Unseld has said repeatedly he wants Dinwiddie to be aggressive.

In a postgame interview Monday night, after the Wizards allowed Denver to carve out a 33-point lead in the third quarter and then narrowed that margin in the fourth, Dinwiddie indicated multiple times he is playing the way he is being asked to play. He emphasized that he fully agrees Beal should be the team’s primary option on offense and should take a larger share of the shots than everyone else. But Dinwiddie also said the rest of the offense, after Beal gets his looks, is designed to spread the ball around and give everyone else, including himself, equal opportunities to score. It didn’t sound as much like a knock as an explanation.

“As you see, our offense has changed quite a bit multiple times,” Dinwiddie said. “So I try to do what’s asked of me in any situation. Sometimes that’s as a screener. … Sometimes it’s getting to the corner for spacing. Sometimes it’s attacking the rim. I think everybody right now is looking for consistency.”

Indeed, over the past 15 games, there has been a near uniformity in the volume of players’ shot attempts. Corey Kispert, Daniel Gafford, Dinwiddie, Deni Avdija, Montrezl Harrell, Kyle Kuzma, Holiday, Davis Bertans, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Raul Neto all averaged between 10.2 to 12.9 field-goal attempts per 36 minutes. Beal attempted 18.0 shots per 36 minutes.

“We run an equal-opportunity system,” Dinwiddie said, referring to everyone other than Beal. “So then people are like, ‘Spence, what’s going on?’ Look at our shot chart. Look at our play chart. Everybody got eight to 10 shots. Everybody got two to three assists. Obviously, that’s outside of Brad, but that’s our primary guy. That’s who we go to, as we should.

“But if we’re going to be equal-opportunity after Brad, then you’re going to see that even distribution. So people are like, ‘Oh, Spence, why haven’t we seen a 20- or 30-point game?’ Well, it’s a volume thing. Then everybody goes, ‘Well, you did that when Brad wasn’t playing.’ But remember, Dame (Lillard) and CJ (McCollum) play together. Steph (Curry) and Klay (Thompson) play together. DeMar (DeRozan) and Zach (LaVine) play together. We’ve got Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum playing together (in Boston). We’ve got a lot of dynamic duos in the league. The process has got to be right, though. So if we’re equal-opportunity, and that’s our thing, then that’s our thing, and I’m fine, whatever it is. I told you from the jump, whatever it may be, I’m here to do whatever I’m asked to do.”

And that’s where Dinwiddie’s understanding of his own role and Unseld’s expectations seem to diverge. When asked after Monday’s loss about Dinwiddie’s recent performances, Unseld said again he’d like Dinwiddie to be more aggressive and less concerned with distributing the ball evenly to others.

“I think he’s trying to search out and be a facilitator, which is fine,” Unseld told reporters. “But you’ve still got to play your game and be aggressive.”

Dinwiddie played some of his best games this season when Beal did not play. On Oct. 22, a night Beal sat out due to an injury, Dinwiddie scored 34 points on 13-of-24 shooting in an overtime victory against the Pacers. When Beal missed two games in mid-November following the death of a relative, Dinwiddie scored 23 and 27 points, respectively, and Washington won both games.

And one of the Wizards’ most impressive wins of the season occurred in Dallas on a night when Dinwiddie rested on the second game of a back-to-back. That game, Beal had one of his best performances of the season, scoring 26 points on 10-of-14 shooting and dishing out seven assists.

Beal and Dinwiddie have not jelled yet, and advanced analytics show they have not fared well when they play together. When they’re on the floor simultaneously, the Wizards have been outscored by 7.3 points per 100 possessions.

It’s an obvious point — but an important one: Beal and Dinwiddie, along with whomever they’re playing with, need to figure things out, something Unseld reiterates often in his public comments. Opposing defenses have made it a priority all season to devote so much attention to guarding Beal that he is forced to pass. Those defenses won’t be able to stymie Beal so aggressively if Dinwiddie attacks successfully in those situations.

“I said it in the preseason: I think they have the ability to be one of the most dynamic backcourts in the NBA,” Unseld said. “We’ve seen glimpses of it, but we need to see it consistently. I think at times they’ve deferred to each other, so we’ve got to find a balance where they can both stay aggressive, not only to score but play-make and play with a little bit more pace and thrust.

“But I think they’re still feeling each other out. I know it seems (like after) 27 or 28 games they should have some synergy, but Spencer missed a full season (last year due to injury). So he’s working through not only … missing a full year, but playing with a new teammate, playing a new style for a new coach. So all those things together do take time.”

Time may be a luxury Dinwiddie, Beal and their teammates do not have. Their team has stumbled to a 5-10 record over its last 15 games.

But perhaps it’s less Dinwiddie and Beal who have to get on the same page.

Perhaps Dinwiddie and Unseld have to get on the same page first.

If this doesn't sound like Dinwiddie pouting I don't know what does.

[JWizmentality]

In the games that Beal was out, Dinwiddie balled out.

[Coxy]

Is Dinwiddie injured? I have him in fantasy and he has turned into complete trash recently. He must be carrying an injury right?

[ozthegap]

Sounds like he’s either trying to get his coach fired or himself traded

[CntOutSmrtCrazy]

I didn't think we'd be great this season, but it has honestly been a shocker at how bad he's been. As I've mentioned before, it would be hard to slight the guy if he had physical limitations in the first half of the season coming off that injury, which he does. With that said, there are so many other aspects within his control that he's been horrible at that are, to me, unforgiveable. Effort, engagement, desire/fire, heady play making, assertiveness, presence have all been abysmal.

That interview he gave doesn't dissuade me from the belief that this problem isn't going away anytime soon, and makes me believe that we are going to have, if it's not already there, a festering locker room. You can see it in the team's play, they've stopped playing for each other.

Unseld Jr. doesn't have a good play here, but at some point you have to make a change, if that means benching him, so be it. Now, I don't think that's realistic at this point, but it be great from our point-of-view because this team literally went from being a joy to watch to miserable in a blink of an eye.

[CntOutSmrtCrazy]

Is Dinwiddie injured? I have him in fantasy and he has turned into complete trash recently. He must be carrying an injury right?

When you find out, let us know, because we are baffled here on this board. But to answer your question, it does seem like he's hesitant at the very least. Not sure if its the cause of coming off the injury he had or that he's a terrible fit next to Beal, but it's become an issue as the team sinks like a cement block with no hope in sight. I can tell you though, from an intangible and effort POV, he's dogging it.

Find the nearest sucker to trade him to.

[nate33]

I think it's time to start Holiday for a little while. I'm not sure it will work, but he is the only guard on the roster who seems at all inclined to play with a little pace. He'll push the ball up the floor and attack a seam if it's available. He'll also play pressure defense. I think he can infuse some life into the starting lineup. He's not really a pure PG, but Beal has been playing PG anyhow.

Over the last 7 games, Holiday has averaged 20 points and 4.3 assists per 36 (with only 0.8 turnovers) while posting a TS% of .761.

[Frichuela]

I think it's time to start Holiday for a little while. I'm not sure it will work, but he is the only guard on the roster who seems at all inclined to play with a little pace. He'll push the ball up the floor and attack a seam if it's available. He'll also play pressure defense. I think he can infuse some life into the starting lineup. He's not really a pure PG, but Beal has been playing PG anyhow.

Over the last 7 games, Holiday has averaged 20 points and 4.3 assists per 36 (with only 0.8 turnovers) while posting a TS% of .761.

Agreed. Worth a try. The other long shot is give Ayayi some minutes. And in the meantime, hope and pray Dinwiddie recovers...

[queridiculo]

I think it's time to start Holiday for a little while. I'm not sure it will work, but he is the only guard on the roster who seems at all inclined to play with a little pace. He'll push the ball up the floor and attack a seam if it's available. He'll also play pressure defense. I think he can infuse some life into the starting lineup. He's not really a pure PG, but Beal has been playing PG anyhow.

Over the last 7 games, Holiday has averaged 20 points and 4.3 assists per 36 (with only 0.8 turnovers) while posting a TS% of .761.

I am on board with benching Dinwiddie, but I would probably go in a different direction and insert Avdija instead.

Play Beal and KCP at the 1 and 2, and Advdija as a point forward.

I like the size of that backcourt and the switchability of the frontcourt.

That lineup doesn't necessarily help with the teams pace, but the way Dinwiddie is strolling up the court it won't hurt either whilst giving the team a bit more size and credibility on the defensive end.

[closg00]

Is Dinwiddie injured? I have him in fantasy and he has turned into complete trash recently. He must be carrying an injury right?

When you find out, let us know, because we are baffled here on this board. But to answer your question, it does seem like he's hesitant at the very least. Not sure if its the cause of coming off the injury he had or that he's a terrible fit next to Beal, but it's become an issue as the team sinks like a cement block with no hope in sight. I can tell you though, from an intangible and effort POW, he's dogging it.

Find the nearest sucker to trade him to.

The most likely answer is that we have Gilbert Arenas 2.0, he is playing at a significantly reduced capability post-op. We are phucked

[TGW]

I simply didn't understand the justification in giving him $20M/year given his injury history. I think what we're seeing is a player that is never going to be what he was pre-injury. Still a decent player, but not a guy you pay that type of coin for.

[ozthegap]

From the interview it sounds like he’s doing it on purpose. And with unseld saying he wants him to do the opposite, I wonder if it’s captain Beal calling for everyone besides him being socialist. Just a theory though with no proof.

[WallToWall]

He doesn’t need to be the Din pre-injury. If he can be the Din from the first 12 games of the season, I’d call it a good signing. Obviously, he is capable still. He proved it in the first few games. So what has changed since? I don’t think opponents are playing him differently, but I could be mistaken about that.

[Frichuela]

Shame we did not get into the stakes (or we just couldn’t? ) for the much younger Lonzo Ball. He is on a similar contract (per year) than Dinwiddie and playing very well this season and would be certainly helping us, both moving the ball offensively, hitting 3s at a +40% clip and providing great D (over 1 block and 1.5 steals per game).

Obviously, we can’t have nice things…

[FAH1223]

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[9 and 20]

What is going on with this guy? I don't think he's terrible - maybe he's just a bad fit? He plays a lot more like Satoransky than Westbrook or Wall.

The first few games of the season, when the team actually passed the ball, Dinwiddie put up some good numbers. The past several games, when it's been disjointed hero ball, he's been garbage.

Or maybe he's injured and sucks?

[WallToWall]

If we can trade him for a 2nd rnd pick, I’d call it a win. We gave up a 2nd to get him.

[Dark Faze]

Spencer having a hard time fitting with a ball dominant two guard that can't shoot the 3 isn't that surprising.

That isn't to say I like SD that much but the ideal fit next to this version of Brad was Lonzo. Non ball dominant guards that can move the ball but play strong D and shoot the 3 well.