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Brooklyn Nets: D’Angelo Russell-Spencer Dinwiddie backcourt a risk

By Phil Watson

BROOKLYN, NY - MARCH 21: Spencer Dinwiddie #8 and D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on March 21, 2018 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - MARCH 21: Spencer Dinwiddie #8 and D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on March 21, 2018 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Brooklyn Nets
BROOKLYN, NY – MARCH 21: Spencer Dinwiddie #8 and D’Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on March 21, 2018 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

On paper, the Brooklyn Nets’ plan to pair D’Angelo Russell with Spencer Dinwiddie in the backcourt looks to be a big risk at the defensive end.

In a city that made odd couples famous, the Brooklyn Nets have a plan to start D’Angelo Russell and Spencer Dinwiddie at the guard spots this season.

In terms of how the pair got to the NBA, this one might be the oddest couple since Oscar Madison and Felix Unger.

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Russell was the can’t-miss prospect, a kid who emerged as a top-20 recruit after transferring from Central High School in his hometown of Louisville, Ky., to Florida’s basketball breeding ground at Montverde Academy after his freshman year.

Russell led Montverde to back-to-back high school national tournament titles, playing with 2017-18 NBA Rookie of the Year Ben Simmons.

He wound up at Ohio State, averaging 19.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game as a freshman before entering the NBA Draft in 2015, where he was taken second overall by the Los Angeles Lakers.

Dinwiddie traveled a different path to the Nets, starring at William Howard Taft High School in Woodland Hills, Calif., a Los Angeles suburb, before playing three seasons at the University of Colorado.

A torn ACL midway through his junior season sidelined him and the Buffaloes went just 9-10 after Dinwiddie went down, following a 14-2 start.

Dinwiddie declared for the NBA Draft anyway, but lasted until the 38th overall pick before being taken by the Detroit Pistons.