Jacque Vaughn is clearly tinkering with his backcourt rotation and playing time as the Nets struggle.
A struggling Spencer Dinwiddie missed playing time Monday night, Dennis Smith Jr. logged 32 minutes off the bench and Cam Thomas logged 31 minutes.
Dinwiddie finished with three points on 1-of-6 shooting and was minus-13 points in 20 minutes.
“I've always said this is performance-based,” Vaughn said. “I thought Dennis gave us a good attack defensively. We’re in a position now where we have to perform and that’s true across the board. It's a challenge for the entire group to be locked in and give it their all on both ends of the floor from start to finish.
“We have a pretty open offense that allows our ball handlers to attack and be aggressive on a nightly basis. It's unselfish and it's in the group's interest.” There is nothing to prevent you from doing so. Please make the right play. But it's always been performance-based, and even more so now. ”
Dinwiddie is averaging 7.3 points on 34.2 percent shooting over the past six games.
“I thought Dennis was really good defensively. He needed a matchup. [Tyler] Also fight against heroes [Jimmy] Butler,” Vaughn said. “That's what got us into the game. That's where we are as a team, we're going to put players out there that perform. We're going to take a step down, but it's just a small part. I hope it inspires the guys on our team to be ready at the start of the game and play four quarters.”
Thomas was a plus-9 with 23 points but is still coming off the bench.
Thomas will play against the Heat on Monday. USA TODAY Sports (via Reuters Con)
Asked if he was satisfied with his role as a reserve and rotation off the bench, Thomas said, “No.”
He added, “It could change. I don't know. But I'm just doing my job. So you never know. I'm going to go out there and produce. I'm going to come off the bench, I'm going to start. It's not very comfortable to do. Whatever he wants me to do, that's what I'm going to do.”
Thomas made it clear that he meant no complacency.
Mr. Vaughn was among those willing to work on MLK Day.
“I'm so happy to be able to play on this day,” Vaughn said. “It's important to me because of the sacrifices that have been made. I wouldn't be in this position if I could have met Wayne Embry or Bill Russell, who paved the way for me to be on this podium.
“I'm grateful to be able to share and showcase my talent on this day. I strongly believe in the sacrifices of those in front of me to put me in this position. So it's a matter of respect. I think so. [appreciated] To play on this day. ”
Brooklyn was without Dayron Sharpe (knee) and Ben Simmons (back).
“Ben recently talked about traveling to the West Coast with me,” Vaughn said.
