Colorado Buffaloes in the NBA: Part 1
The NBA season is here!
With the NFL in full force and the MLB World Series beginning Tuesday, the NBA is garnering its fair share of attention during its opening week.
Previously, we discussed the former Buffs players in the NFL on both sides of the ball. Now we can examine how the former Buffs have done thus far in the early stages of the 2021-2022 NBA season. There aren’t a ton of names, but that will change over the next few seasons as the Buffs basketball team continues to improve.
The most accomplished name is Spencer Dinwiddie, who executed a massive sign-and-trade to go from the Brooklyn Nets to the Washington Wizards. Dinwiddie is now the starting point guard in D.C., something that has been a long time coming for the talented guard.
Alec Burks and Derrick White are still on the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs, respectively.
Former Buffs Tyler Bey of the Houston Rockets and George King of the Los Angeles Clippers will start the season in the NBA’s G League.
But, the newest Buffs alum is McKinley Wright IV, who made the Minnesota Timberwolves roster after going undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft.
Let’s examine how the former Buffs have done after a week of the NBA season.
ALEC BURKS
Oct 22, 2021; Orlando, Florida, USA; New York Knicks guard Alec Burks (18) makes a jump shot against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Burks is going to be a major contributor for the Knicks and essentially the second man off the bench after Derrick Rose.
He’s scored 26 points through three games and is passing and rebounding the rock. The Knicks are a playoff team, and Burks will be a big piece of the rotation for the entire season.
MCKINLEY WRIGHT IV
Oct 8, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard McKinley Wright IV (25) drives at Denver Nuggets guard Markus Howard (00) in overtime at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Wright made the Timberwolves roster after an impressive preseason showing. Through the first week of the NBA season, he has appeared in just one game — against the Houston Rockets last Wednesday.
He had a three-pointer in just over four minutes. Wright won’t play heavy minutes barring a rash of Minnesota injuries, but it sure is promising that he made the roster.
DERRICK WHITE
Oct 23, 2021; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Derrick White (4) dribbles against Milwaukee Bucks guard Grayson Allen (7) in the second half at the AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
The Spurs are ecstatic to have Derrick White back on the floor. He played in 36 games last season and finished with a respectable 15.4 points per game.
So far, he has done wonders for Gregg Popovich. Through three games, White has scored 46 points and dished eight assists in two of the three games.
He’s added some steals, blocks, and assists. Moreover, White has started each of the three games for the Spurs and should be a huge piece of this young San Antonio squad.
SPENCER DINWIDDIE
Oct 22, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards guard Spencer Dinwiddie (26) celebrates after a three point field goal against the Indiana Pacers during the fourth quarter in overtime at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Dinwiddie’s move to the Wizards was a massive one. After years of playing a bench role, he has finally earned a starting gig.
Through three games, Dinwiddie has dropped 57 points, including an impressive 34-point outburst against the Indiana Pacers. He shot 13-of-24 from the field with six three-pointers, six rebounds, and nine assists.
Dinwiddie’s third NBA team is a perfect situation for him to display his talent, and there should be a ton of work for him this year.
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