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Gorgui Dieng is Timberwolves’ best defender, whether or not he gets the credit
Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2017 12:18 pm
by TeamRicky [enjin:6648771]
http://www.twincities.com/2017/01/22/gorgui-dieng-is-timberwolves-best-defender-whether-or-not-he-gets-the-credit/
Excellent article.
Re: Gorgui Dieng is Timberwolves’ best defender, whether or not he gets the credit
Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2017 1:30 pm
by Q12543 [enjin:6621299]
Yeah, we've talked about Real Plus Minus before and how it shows Dieng and Rubio in a very good light defensively, while also absolutely burying KAT, Wiggins, and LaVine. I think it probably over-estimates Dieng and Rubio, while being too harsh on the other three. BUT....directionally, I still think it's correct.
We often talk about trying to find a guy that can displace Dieng in the starting lineup and make him our top bench big, but it won't be cheap. We're talking about having to bring in a guy like Paul Milsap or Serge Ibaka (and I'd argue Dieng might be close to Ibaka's equal at this point).
As Thibs says in the article, if the other guys start playing better and getting better defensively, Gorgui's contributions will only shine brighter.
Re: Gorgui Dieng is Timberwolves’ best defender, whether or not he gets the credit
Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2017 2:30 pm
by Monster
He is one of the top guys in the league in various hustle stats.
I like some of his responses. He sounds a little salty. I like it.
Re: Gorgui Dieng is Timberwolves’ best defender, whether or not he gets the credit
Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 7:38 pm
by khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]
He's been a terrible rim protector since he's been here and that's a problem as a big and it's why he's better coming off the bench than starting. I think too much is put into these team based stats. I don't know how you can argue a guy is an elite defender as a big who guards mostly Centers based on advanced stats when we have been so bad defensively since he's been here. He plays the anchor quite often and a real anchor can transform a defense no matter who they are playing with. Gobert, Embiid, DJ, Gasol. Those guys are elite defenders. Dieng isn't on the same planet as them defensively.
Re: Gorgui Dieng is Timberwolves’ best defender, whether or not he gets the credit
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2017 3:42 am
by TheFuture
khans2k5 wrote:He's been a terrible rim protector since he's been here and that's a problem as a big and it's why he's better coming off the bench than starting. I think too much is put into these team based stats. I don't know how you can argue a guy is an elite defender as a big who guards mostly Centers based on advanced stats when we have been so bad defensively since he's been here. He plays the anchor quite often and a real anchor can transform a defense no matter who they are playing with. Gobert, Embiid, DJ, Gasol. Those guys are elite defenders. Dieng isn't on the same planet as them defensively.
I agree he is nowhere near elite, just our teams best defender. That's saying something about our team more than it is about gorgui, in my opinion.