Nets enthusiastic about Ben Simmons-Spencer Dinwiddie combo

LAS VEGAS — Cam Johnson’s damage means Jacque Vaughn has to attend to attempt all of the lineup permutations he desires. However he’s already getting a have a look at Ben Simmons and Spencer Dinwiddie working collectively — and appears to love what he’s seen.

“General it’s been attention-grabbing. Not having Cam out there, I’d like to see how he matches with a number of the items on the market. Proper now Spencer and Ben have been taking part in collectively a bunch,” Vaughn mentioned. “It’s been extraordinarily aggressive. The final two scrimmages had been determined between three and 4 factors in two mixed scrimmages; so extremely aggressive.

“[I] stored Dennis [Smith Jr.] and Cam Thomas and [Dorian Finney-Smith] in the identical bucket just a little bit, kind an identification with Day’Ron [Sharpe]; so hopefully that sheds just a little mild [on lineups]. However this is able to be the primary sport. I do wish to see completely different lineups collectively and see how that goes and who can play with one another. After which what are the strengths that we now have with the completely different lineups?”

The primary a number of days of camp gave some perception into what the Nets will appear like in Monday’s preseason opener versus the Lakers a T-Cellular Enviornment.

Simmons has been taking part in level guard, with Dinwiddie moved off the ball.

“I’m attempting to suppose how can we use this as a bonus for us? Spencer can deal with the basketball, he can shoot off the basketball. There’s historical past to that,” Vaughn mentioned. “And there’s historical past to Ben creating pictures for guys, as a result of he performs with the tempo. Actually like not too many individuals can match that tempo. And so can we use that to benefit to get simple baskets? Once you’re scouting us, who’s going to convey it up? It’s not gonna be the identical particular person each single time.”

Lonnie Walker IV mentioned the Simmons-Dinwiddie combo has been sharp.

“They’ve been good. They only have good communication and determining spots,” Walker mentioned. “I don’t suppose they’d too many minutes collectively final yr, so it’s one thing that we’re studying now and simply attempt to get higher day by day.”

Johnson, who began final season after arriving with Mikal Bridges, is sidelined with a hamstring damage. He and rookie Dariq Whitehead — rehabbing from foot surgical procedure — traveled however are out.

“Yeah, so the nice factor is now we started working round them getting courtroom time. Once you’re on the street its just a little completely different. So we’re making them work. However concerned in every part else in addition to taking part in,” mentioned Vaughn, including he’ll get each different Internet within the sport.

Vaughn and a number of other gamers will likely be in attendance cheering on the Liberty once they play the Aces in Recreation 1 of the WNBA Finals at Michelob ULTRA Enviornment.

“Why not get a win? Yeah, yeah. That’s gonna be a enjoyable environment,” Vaughn mentioned. “It’s undoubtedly going to be a great quantity from our standpoint, for certain. Yeah, we’ll be well-represented.”

Joe Tsai, who owns the Nets, additionally owns the Liberty.

“I feel the Liberty have energized town,” Tsai advised The Publish. “And the best way they’re taking part in, they’re a championship crew.”