Incredible Spencer Dinwiddie stat shows why he's perfect for Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks have always been home to many players. Dallas always seems to be the place where many former players come running back to.
Former players such as Jason Kidd, J.J. Barea, Devin Harris, and Tyson Chandler returned to play for Dallas a second time. While some were traded to the Mavs, the idea is that Dallas is a place dear to their heart. It's no wonder Chandler came back to help out and coach for the Mavs, as he had an immediate impact on 2023-24 rookie Dereck Lively II.
The same argument can be said about Kidd. The former Mavs player came back to Dallas to help coach the team. Kidd has done an amazing job as head coach, as the team rewarded him this past season with a multi-year extension.
Spencer Dinwiddie's improved defensive stats make him perfect for Mavericks
Spencer Dinwiddie is one player who can join the likes of Kidd, Chandler, and many others. The former Mav played with Dallas two seasons ago, as he played a major role in helping the team advance to the Western Conference Finals.
Last week, Dallas signed Dinwiddie to a one-year contract in hopes that he can become a valuable backup guard. He has a chance to be the team's leader off the bench and headline the team's second unit.
The difference this time is that Dinwiddie is back with a brand new tool under his belt. He returns to Dallas with new and improved defense.
Last season, he was one of the Los Angeles Lakers' top defenders, among the top players in defensive rating (since he signed there). He finished his time with the Lakers with a 114.3 defensive rating. While that may seem high, his defensive skills improved.
Dinwiddie did a great job locking up players, as he was quick on his feet. He always made sure to stay ahead of his man, and was tasked with guarding some of the toughest players in the NBA.
One example is a game against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 8, his defense on Damian Lillard helped seal the deal. He was able to use his long arms to block the potential game-winning shot.
Dinwiddie also does a great job making things difficult for scorers taller than him. He isn't afraid to pickpocket them or use his body to block scorers inside. During the beginning of April, he had two games where he had three or more blocks/steals.
The Dallas guard has shown he can be a top defender when needed. Last season, he averaged a career-high 0.5 blocks per game with the Lakers.
Another thing about Dinwiddie is his ability to shoot well from long range, He converted 38.9 percent of his attempted 3-pointers with the Lakers. This could come in handy for the Mavs, as the team was in need of a 3-and-D player. He has the chance to become that guy if he can continue playing solid defense.
It's safe to say the Mavericks had a tremendous offseason. as they improved on both sides of the ball. Dinwiddie is one player who justifies that.
Now, all Dinwiddie needs to do is raise his scoring numbers from what we saw in Los Angeles. If he can get back to his offensive dominance from like when he was with Dallas the first time, then this team could be unstoppable.
For all the latest on Spencer Dinwiddie and the Dallas Mavericks, stay tuned as we'll have you covered.