Get to know Gorgui Dieng
-
Squishypoo [enjin:6648839]
- Posts: 487
- Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2018 12:00 am
Get to know Gorgui Dieng
http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/gorgui-dieng-takes-vegas
-
longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]
- Posts: 9432
- Joined: Tue Jul 09, 2013 12:00 am
Re: Get to know Gorgui Dieng
Thanks for posting, ILMS. I think we all have to agree that it would be a thrill to hang out with Dave Benz in Las Vegas!
Dieng was a very pleasant surprise for me in Summer League, and helped offset some of the agony of watching a very disappointing Shabazz Muhammad. I would argue that other than shooting guard, the position we have upgraded the most is backup center...an important position for us if Pek continues to incur time-missing injuries.
Steamer was relatively competent in two aspects of the game: shot blocking, and hitting uncontested 10-15 foot shots. I think Dieng is better than Steamer in both of these areas, and in addition brings substantially more athleticism and upside. He seems to have an excellent understanding of team defense...at least twice he was called for a blocking foul when it was clear to me that he had taken a charge. And he knows how to pull back on blocking a shot when there is a risk of a goaltending call... a rare skill in a young shot blocker. He can make you cringe at times, but I'm more likely to marvel at his level of development considering he has only played the game 5 years. I know I'm getting ahead of myself, but I see him as an starting center option down the line if we think Pek can bring us more in trade.
It's early, I know, but right now he looks like a great pick at 21.
Dieng was a very pleasant surprise for me in Summer League, and helped offset some of the agony of watching a very disappointing Shabazz Muhammad. I would argue that other than shooting guard, the position we have upgraded the most is backup center...an important position for us if Pek continues to incur time-missing injuries.
Steamer was relatively competent in two aspects of the game: shot blocking, and hitting uncontested 10-15 foot shots. I think Dieng is better than Steamer in both of these areas, and in addition brings substantially more athleticism and upside. He seems to have an excellent understanding of team defense...at least twice he was called for a blocking foul when it was clear to me that he had taken a charge. And he knows how to pull back on blocking a shot when there is a risk of a goaltending call... a rare skill in a young shot blocker. He can make you cringe at times, but I'm more likely to marvel at his level of development considering he has only played the game 5 years. I know I'm getting ahead of myself, but I see him as an starting center option down the line if we think Pek can bring us more in trade.
It's early, I know, but right now he looks like a great pick at 21.
-
Q12543 [enjin:6621299]
- Posts: 13844
- Joined: Thu Jul 11, 2013 12:00 am
Re: Get to know Gorgui Dieng
LST, Dieng was the guy I watched the closest in Summer League and I agree with a lot of what you say. Here were my observations:
- Balance, balance, balance. One thing that isn't unusual to see in really long, lanky players is a lack of good balance and lower body stability. This seems to be a problem for Dieng, who was often sprawled out on the floor after getting mixed up underneath the hoop. He needs to follow the lead of guys like Kevin Garnett and Marcus Camby, other skinny-framed players who are excellent at holding their ground in the paint and consistently out-rebounding their opponent. Other current/former Wolves we've seen with a similar issue is team mate Chris Johnson and former Wolf Ryan Hollins. The training staff needs to put Dieng (and Johnson for that matter) through a rigorous training regimen that helps with balance and lower body stability.
- He seems to have very good understanding of pick and roll defense, which is just super important in today's NBA. That is an excellent sign.
- He flashed the same touch on his mid-range jumper that he showed in the tourney. It appears to be a shot that he is very comfortable taking. That is also excellent news, as that is a shot the defense will give us. He needs to be able to knock it down.
- He really is lost if he gets the ball close to the hoop. There were a few times he turned it over or tried to make an awkward finish. Unfortunately, I think this goes back to the balance and lower body stability issue. Steamer had a similar problem around the hoop.
- You can see the potential with his passing, but sometimes he made poor decisions. I think that will just take game time and reps to iron out, but he absolutely could make a living parking out at the elbow and facilitating the corner offense.
I'm not sure Dieng is quite ready yet for a lot of minutes, but there is definitely potential to be a very good NBA contributor eventually.
- Balance, balance, balance. One thing that isn't unusual to see in really long, lanky players is a lack of good balance and lower body stability. This seems to be a problem for Dieng, who was often sprawled out on the floor after getting mixed up underneath the hoop. He needs to follow the lead of guys like Kevin Garnett and Marcus Camby, other skinny-framed players who are excellent at holding their ground in the paint and consistently out-rebounding their opponent. Other current/former Wolves we've seen with a similar issue is team mate Chris Johnson and former Wolf Ryan Hollins. The training staff needs to put Dieng (and Johnson for that matter) through a rigorous training regimen that helps with balance and lower body stability.
- He seems to have very good understanding of pick and roll defense, which is just super important in today's NBA. That is an excellent sign.
- He flashed the same touch on his mid-range jumper that he showed in the tourney. It appears to be a shot that he is very comfortable taking. That is also excellent news, as that is a shot the defense will give us. He needs to be able to knock it down.
- He really is lost if he gets the ball close to the hoop. There were a few times he turned it over or tried to make an awkward finish. Unfortunately, I think this goes back to the balance and lower body stability issue. Steamer had a similar problem around the hoop.
- You can see the potential with his passing, but sometimes he made poor decisions. I think that will just take game time and reps to iron out, but he absolutely could make a living parking out at the elbow and facilitating the corner offense.
I'm not sure Dieng is quite ready yet for a lot of minutes, but there is definitely potential to be a very good NBA contributor eventually.
Re: Get to know Gorgui Dieng
Dieng is not ready yet in my opinion which is why I like the turiaf signing. Turiaf gives us a vet who will be ideal vet to take the rookie dieng under his wing. Both have same strengths( shot blocking, good passing skills for a big). Dieng has more tools than turiaf, being longer, more athletic and having a mid range shot but he won't be ready yet for the start of next season.