Spencer Dinwiddie getting more comfortable, finding his role on Lakers

For a player of SpencerDinwiddie’s caliber, the start of his stint with the Los AngelesLakers didn't go according to plan. Through his first16 games with Los Angeles,Dinwiddie struggled to make an impact offensively, averaging only 5points on 35% shooting.

However, that's changed as oflate. On Sunday night, the 6-foot-5 guard scored a Lakerscareer-high 26 points against the Indiana Pacers in a 150-145 winat the Crypto.com Arena.

Dinwiddie’s scoring outburstcame as he started the game for D’Angelo Russell, who was ruled outwith a non-COVID illness. Dinwiddie usually mans the second unit asa backup to Russell, handling the Lakers’ offense and providingspot-up-shooting alongside superstar LeBron James.

In Wednesday's win over theMemphis Grizzlies, Dinwiddie had 14 points, 7 rebounds and 3threes, while shooting 57.1% from the field and 75% fromthree-point range. The Lakers have now won five-straight games, andDinwiddie is looking more and more comfortable on his newteam.

“I think, in general, being inthe league in 10 years – in my position being a second-round pick– having a variety of different roles, at any given time I’dplay anywhere from 1 through 15. Like, I’ve really been a primaryguy on the floor, all the way down to the towel-waving guy at theend of the bench that really wasn’t gonna play – I’ve played all ofthose,” Dinwiddie said when asked about finding a role with theteam. “May it be sixth man, eighth man, second or third man – allthat stuff.”

The 6-foot-5 combo guard has hadstops with different teams ever since being drafted by the DetroitPistons in the second round in 2014. Dinwiddie had his best yearswith the Brooklyn Nets where he averaged a career-best season of20.4 points per game. Dinwiddie then went to the Dallas Mavericks,forming a backcourt tandem with Luka Doncic, and then reunited withBrooklyn as a backup point guard.

Now, with Dinwiddie back in hishome state of California and playing for the Lakers alongsideJames, Russell, superstar big man Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves,he shared the key to fitting in with a star-studded cast like thisas they fight for a playoff spot in the loaded WesternConference.

“It’s about reading the room andunderstanding you’re a part of something bigger,” Dinwiddie said.“That’s really it. Taking every day as it comes, knowing who’sgoing to be out, and knowing that there’s going to be spots to beaggressive – just try to settle to that moment and be consistentwith my workout and my routine.”