Jordan Spencer’s journey this season has been marked by a shift from spark plug scorer off the bench to playmaker in the starting lineup—a transition that’s tested his adaptability and raised an important question: Is he more valuable as a facilitator among the starters, or as an aggressive scorer leading the second unit?
Early Impact Off the Bench
In his initial games, Spencer came off the bench and quickly established himself as a reliable, aggressive scorer. His ability to draw fouls and score efficiently added energy to the team’s offence and played a crucial role in several early victories.
| Date | Opponent | Starter | Mins | PTS | AST | FTA | Plus Minus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Sep | B. Braun Sheffield Sharks | No | 18.9 | 6 | 4 | 4 | +8 |
| 29 Sep | Manchester Basketball | No | 24.6 | 13 | 3 | 4 | +19 |
| 4 Oct | Caledonia Gladiators | No | 25.9 | 11 | 4 | 9 | +2 |
| 11 Oct | Caledonia Gladiators | No | 23.1 | 9 | 5 | 6 | +12 |
As a bench player, Spencer brought consistent aggression. Against Manchester, he logged 13 points, went 4/4 from the line, and had a +19 plus/minus in just over 24 minutes. The next game, he took a season-high nine free throws, scoring 11 points against Caledonia. These early performances demonstrated his potential as a dependable scorer and earned him a spot in the starting lineup. These early performances made a strong case for Spencer’s inclusion in the starting lineup, but the transition hasn’t been without its challenges.
Struggles as a Starter
On October 18, Spencer joined the starting five against Cheshire Phoenix, taking on greater responsibility and minutes. Yet, this transition brought new challenges, with fluctuations in both his scoring and overall impact. As a starter, his plus/minus scores have been more variable, and his scoring has shown less consistency.
| Date | Opponent | Starter | Mins | PTS | AST | FTA | Plus Minus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Oct | Cheshire Phoenix | Yes | 25.2 | 7 | 1 | 0 | -10 |
| 25 Oct | B. Braun Sheffield Sharks | Yes | 34.1 | 4 | 4 | 2 | +10 |
| 1 Nov | Manchester Basketball | Yes | 26.7 | 5 | 5 | 2 | -17 |
| 3 Nov | Caledonia Gladiators | Yes | 31.8 | 6 | 7 | 0 | +25 |
| 10 Nov | London Lions | Yes | 31.7 | 2 | 5 | 2 | -11 |
As Spencer stepped into a starting role, he took on greater responsibility, including more time spent creating opportunities for others. However, this shift has sometimes come at the expense of his own scoring, leaving gaps in his performance consistency. Since starting, Spencer’s scoring and free throw attempts have decreased. Where he previously excelled at drawing fouls, in multiple games as a starter he attempted zero free throws, suggesting either a shift in his approach or the increased defensive attention he faces as a starter. Meanwhile, his scoring inconsistency has led to a wider range of plus/minus scores, from +25 against Caledonia to -17 against Manchester.
A Greater Emphasis on Facilitating
As his scoring has varied, Spencer’s role has adapted to focus more on facilitating for his teammates. His assist numbers have remained steady, reflecting his ability to create scoring opportunities for others and his importance in maintaining offensive structure. This shift suggests that Spencer may be prioritising playmaking over his own scoring, attempting to stabilise the team’s offence as they adjust to his role in the starting five.
Spencer’s playmaking is undoubtedly valuable, allowing him to contribute even on low-scoring nights. Games like November 3 against Caledonia, where he recorded 7 assists, highlight his impact in enabling teammates to score. However, the question remains whether his shift in emphasis has come at the cost of his own scoring, which the team relied on during his bench performances.
Finding the Right Balance: Starter or Sixth Man?
Spencer’s transition to the starting lineup has been a balancing act between maintaining his early aggression and adapting to the demands of a facilitator role. The question is whether he’s best suited to this starting role or if he could regain his early effectiveness by returning to the second unit. As a starter, his playmaking provides structure, but his scoring variability suggests he may be more comfortable as a bench leader, where his aggressive scoring can have an immediate impact.
For now, the key to Spencer’s success as a starter may lie in finding a balance between his facilitation duties and his early-season scoring approach. If he can recapture his aggression in drawing fouls and focus on selective, high-quality shots, he could solidify his role in the starting lineup. Yet, if his impact remains inconsistent, a return to the bench might allow him to rediscover the rhythm and efficiency that initially made him stand out.
