Donte DiVincenzo feels less pressure this season despite signing a four-year, $47MM contract with the Knicks during free agency, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. DiVincenzo was rewarded after a solid season with the Warriors.
“I’m fortunate and thankful to have some stability, to be on a team now on a four-year deal. I can settle down and calm down,” DiVincenzo said. “Last year, I’m essentially on a one-year deal. Your anxiety, that’s more pressure. And you’re playing — when you’re playing with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson and Draymond [Green], what they’ve done, that’s pressure.”
We have more on the New York teams:
- Former Warriors president of basketball operations Bob Myers believes the Knicks have become an attractive free agent destination and that they’re currently positioned to trade for a star, he told Ian Begley of SNY and other media members. “I think what has shifted (recently is) … there was a time where I felt like people may not have wanted to play in (New York City). And I think that’s changed,” Myers said. “I think now you’re looking at murmurings, hearing things – ‘Hey, what about the Knicks?’ And the draft capital they have – it’s a realistic thing. It’s not some lay person saying, ‘Well, the Knicks should go get this guy!’ Now it’s viable, it’s possible. And they have what it takes with first-round picks in their cabinet to go do it. They’ve got a lot of good young players on pretty affordable contracts. They’re just another team that you’re kind of waiting for the next big thing.”
- Day’Ron Sharpe provided some good minutes for the Nets in their preseason game against Philadelphia on Monday with nine points and a game-high 10 rebounds in 18 minutes. “He had a really good offseason, really good. And he’s had a really good preseason,” starting center Nic Claxton said to the New York Post’s Brian Lewis. “He’s using his physicality without fouling. He’s a lot more comfortable out there.” It’s a pivotal season for Sharpe, as the Nets hold a $4MM option on his 2024/25 contract, which must be exercised by the end of this month.
- Playing alongside Ben Simmons, Spencer Dinwiddie will have a different role this season with the Nets, Zach Braziller of the New York Post notes. He’ll be looked upon for more perimeter shooting — he shot 28.9% on 3s after being reacquired from Dallas, where he made 40% of his long-range attempts. “He has the ability to shoot it at a high level,” coach Jacque Vaughn said. “He also has the ability to get downhill into the paint. So we just don’t want him just shooting 3s. But the ability to do both for us [is there].”
- In a subscriber-only story, Newsday’s Steve Popper details that RJ Barrett isn’t under the same load management restrictions that some of his Knicks teammates are facing.
If you think about it, Dinwiddie struggled to shoot with Brooklyn last season and I’d say a big part of that is because they didn’t have a clear number 1, well run offence.
Mikal Bridges was working it out and had never been that ball dominant, big time scorer.
Cam Johnson definitely isn’t that guy but even he took some ball handling responsibility.
Spencer as the teams point guard had to step up and take on a lot more responsibility when it came to having the ball in his hands and also scoring.
Whereas in Dallas everything is Luka centric and although Spencer had some ball handling responsibilities it was always playing off of Luka.
Even in Washington he only shot 31%, and a lot of that was cause he was struggling to lead them with Beal missing half the season in 21/22 and the offence was disjointed and poorly run.
I think come this season, Spencer will go back to playing off of others in a much more clearly run offence. Mikal has had time to work out bring the number 1 option. Ben when he plays is very ball dominant and looks for shooters or secondary ball handlers. He will still have some responsibility on the offence but he will also be able to play off of guys in a clear system.
I’m looking forward to hopefully seeing line ups of Ben Spencer Mikal and Cam all on the floor togther. Ben looking to create, Mikal a good number 1 option, Spencer a good secondary ball handler and Cam a very good floor spacer who’s developing a handle and rounding out his game.
As always with Ben, centre is going to be the odd fit. Cause ideally you want someone who can space the floor, but you also want the rim protection, rebounding and screen setting of a more traditional big.
I hope just as Ben needs to improve, Nic Claxton can expand his game too.
Dinwiddie had his best yrs as a PG for Nets. He has size so is capable of playing off the ball. I just don’t agree with Ben playing point.
I think the Nets have potential to be much improved, but the coach is clueless.
We will see what Ben is able to do, lots of turnovers in that last preseason game ( 9 ast/8 TOs)
Ben is not a PG. I just don’t get this fascination with him at point. He doesn’t run the offense well. Doesn’t manage a game well. He is a great passer with great vision. Doesn’t mean you can run the point.
Larry Bird had greatest vision ever maybe. He understood what was going on all over the floor. Bron is the same way. But running a team and managing a game. Is essential to being a good PG. Unless you run an offense like triangle Bulls. Or the Kerr Warriors. Nets are neither.
NBA has changed in that now. You have more ball handlers. You have bigs like Giannis, KD, Bron, Ben. Bigs who can handle the ball and run plays. But they can do it. Cause they’re an offensive threat. It’s not running an offense. And it’s not knowing who your teammates are on the floor. It’s why PG13 is considered a Point god. Even though he’s never won.
Ben is not a PG. He has great vision and is a great passer. He has the size of a PF. He is a good rebounder. He’s got a good handle. He is a SF with PF size to me. He can play either position. And would be dominant there.
Do we all remember Bron playing the point for a yr in LA. He was very good. So why didn’t he stay playing the point. Ask yourself that …….. the point has changed over the yrs. But a real PG can still make a team better. And most important to me. It is a recipe for winning ……..
So considering the Nets roster, who do you think should play point if not Ben?