Sophomore Rankings
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2015 1:28 pm
2. Gorgui Dieng, Timberwolves
Dieng continues to play like the kind of center Minnesota hopes to feature when its younger players develop. He has already proven to be capable of putting up big scoring, rebounding and shot-blocking numbers.
However, his consistency in terms of effort is not where it needs to be, standing in stark contrast to guys like Joakim Noah and Marc Gasol, who aim to impact every defensive play. One easy fix for Dieng in this area, something he is getting better at currently, is to keep his arms up while sliding and moving, before talling up as the shot is taken. Getting the arms up earlier helps to prevent some shots from even being taken, especially for a player with his wingspan. Talling up on a shot, meanwhile, makes it more difficult for the offensive player to finish the shot.
Dieng ranks low on the list of centers who force opponents to miss paint shots mostly because of this one area of deficiency.
5. Shabazz Muhammad, Timberwolves
One of the players who has benefited greatly from the injuries in Minnesota, Muhammad has proved to be a good scorer and a dominant offensive rebounder. Long and powerful, he can overwhelm opponents on the glass. But he's doing that only on the offensive end.
Muhammad has been a poor defensive rebounder, in fact, looking to hang out on the perimeter in preparation for a run out if his team gathers a missed shot. But his rebounding talent should transfer to the defensive end as easily as it does on the other end. Minnesota ranks among the bottom teams in defensive rebound rate; it sorely needs Muhammad to engage on that end.
Dieng continues to play like the kind of center Minnesota hopes to feature when its younger players develop. He has already proven to be capable of putting up big scoring, rebounding and shot-blocking numbers.
However, his consistency in terms of effort is not where it needs to be, standing in stark contrast to guys like Joakim Noah and Marc Gasol, who aim to impact every defensive play. One easy fix for Dieng in this area, something he is getting better at currently, is to keep his arms up while sliding and moving, before talling up as the shot is taken. Getting the arms up earlier helps to prevent some shots from even being taken, especially for a player with his wingspan. Talling up on a shot, meanwhile, makes it more difficult for the offensive player to finish the shot.
Dieng ranks low on the list of centers who force opponents to miss paint shots mostly because of this one area of deficiency.
5. Shabazz Muhammad, Timberwolves
One of the players who has benefited greatly from the injuries in Minnesota, Muhammad has proved to be a good scorer and a dominant offensive rebounder. Long and powerful, he can overwhelm opponents on the glass. But he's doing that only on the offensive end.
Muhammad has been a poor defensive rebounder, in fact, looking to hang out on the perimeter in preparation for a run out if his team gathers a missed shot. But his rebounding talent should transfer to the defensive end as easily as it does on the other end. Minnesota ranks among the bottom teams in defensive rebound rate; it sorely needs Muhammad to engage on that end.