ATLANTA — The Nets’ Sunday loss to the Hawks was determined by the one star left concerned, a game-winning buzzer beater by Trae Younger.
Nevertheless it was all of the 50-50 calls down the stretch that Spencer Dinwiddie mentioned underscored his level about simply how a lot the Nets will miss having superstars.
The Nets are 1-4 since buying and selling Kevin Durant. And whereas Dinwiddie says he, Cam Thomas, Mikal Brides or any of a lot of Nets can hit a clutch shot, he readily admits they’re not going to get the advantage of star therapy in these key fourth-quarter minutes that arrange any such last-second finale.
Like Dinwiddie dunking on Onyeka Okongwu with 9:13 left, getting fouled however getting hit with a technical for saying “and one.” Or Younger making 9 free throws, together with a number of on his similar rip-through transfer. Or Dinwiddie being afraid to problem the Hawks star with pressure on his game-winner on the buzzer.
“I’ve a variety of last-second photographs or game-winners, but it surely’s the lead up that’s the robust half with out superstars. That’s what folks miss,” mentioned Dinwiddie. “If [someone] tries to climb KD’s again, they’re going to name it. If KD says and-one, they’re not giving him a tech. All this stuff change the circulation of the sport. [Stars] can cuss them out, they’ll do no matter, and so they’ll let all that s–t slide.
“That’s the place you miss the superstars, particularly within the fourth quarter. The stretch from six minutes to 30 [seconds] left, that’s actually the place you miss it. When you get fouled, in case you get touched, you’re going to get the decision. Each time me and Trae Younger did the identical transfer, he will get free throws. On my finish, they’re like ‘Are you actually taking pictures it?’ Properly, what else was I doing? They’re like ‘I don’t know. It’s bang-bang.’ Keep in mind that occurred to me 4 instances; that’s eight free throws. The sport isn’t shut. We lose by two; I had eight free throws. Trae Younger acquired it each time.”
Jacque Vaughn caught with the identical lineup, and implied he likes Thomas in his bench position. The second-year guard had 22 factors, 11 coming in an 18-7 run over the ultimate 5 ¹/₂ minutes of the primary half. He went an ideal 9 of 9 from the charity stripe.
“After I have a look at it, there’s a distinction between beginning and enjoying towards different starters and who it’s important to guard on the opposite finish as a starter,” Vaughn mentioned. “I take into consideration that piece of it.”
Cam Johnson had 27 factors, the third-highest-scoring efficiency of his profession. It additionally marked his first time topping 20 for Brooklyn.
Bridges had 24 factors on 8-for-16 taking pictures, lifting his common with the Nets to 22.4 on stellar .513/.480/.917 taking pictures splits.
