Minnesota Sports Forum

With the revelation that Pek's ankle is hurting again, I think the inevitable is about to happen: Dieng will permanently take over the starting Center position.

I might be wrong about this, but I don't see Pek's situation getting better, and when it does improve, it seems it will only be temporary. It's probably best that he comes off the bench from here on out.

This development really sucks. There was a stretch of games last season where Pek was dominant. When he's healthy and in shape, he's one of our two best players. We really needed a healthy Pek to compete this year.

I really loved the Dieng pick by Flip and his emergence last season was a bright spot. But he has really struggled badly with his defense this season, which is pretty ironic since that was the whole reason we drafted him! On the other hand, his offensive game continues to expand and he's a very good rebounder.

Flip's vision of competing now while also developing the youngsters has completely crumbled over the past 10 days.

the problem I have with this idea is that I think Dieng's ceiling is that of a backup center. It's not as if he's 20 and developing; he's 24. He really struggles on basic post up plays. He can block shots no doubt, but man it is cringeworthy seeing him give the center so much room inside to dominate.

Given how everything has fallen apart, I guess I just don't see any of these guys really learning anything this year that will help them, especially when the most pivotal developmental tool in Rubio isn't there.

This is a necessity and should happen right now. Just hate how many years Pek has left on his deal.

Shut Pek down for the rest of the month and see how he feels in December.

This is a necessity and should happen right now. Just hate how many years Pek has left on his deal.

WildWolf2813 wrote:the problem I have with this idea is that I think Dieng's ceiling is that of a backup center. It's not as if he's 20 and developing; he's 24. He really struggles on basic post up plays. He can block shots no doubt, but man it is cringeworthy seeing him give the center so much room inside to dominate.

Given how everything has fallen apart, I guess I just don't see any of these guys really learning anything this year that will help them, especially when the most pivotal developmental tool in Rubio isn't there.

Um Dieng is already a legit backup center. Dude is putting up 8 points almost 7 rebs and 1.4 blocks a game. He isn't fouling a ton which is a problem with alot of young backup bigs. If you don't think he can get better I don't know what to tell you. So what if he is24 thats not that old especially for a big. Dieng just looks awkward doing stuff he is decent at he likely will always be that part of it is the way he moves. I think his post defense is actually better than I expected it to be although my expectations were actually pretty low. His team defense is struggling right now, but thats partly because the Wolves are struggling badly also.

If Pek isn't right he should sit and get right. If he can play I don't really care if he starts or comes off the bench I just want him to play no more minutes than he is playing right now and probably a few less. For all Pek's struggles (and yeah its been tough) the guy is still getting to the line at his same rate while nailing FTs at a high percentage and his rebound rate is better than any year so far in his career. I'm not giving up on Pek the dude can still play if healthy.

I hope Dieng does eventually take over starting, but I assume Flip will just try to manage Pek's minutes in the short term as he stated during camp. Some days will be better than others and he'll probably have to sit him on back to backs etc. Turiaf can still play a little when healthy, so I think we'll be ok between the three guys this year. They should probably pick up another young big next year.

Regarding Dieng's ceiling:

Pek's per game averages at age 25: 13.6 minutes, 5.5 points, 3.0 reb, 0.5 blks, 1.4 turnovers
Dieng per game averages at age 25: 20.1 minutes 8.0 points, 6.9 reb, 1.4 blks, 1.2 turnovers

Granted, Dieng's averages are based on only 9 games so far. But, if anything, I expect those averages to go up knowing Pek is going to be hobbled this year. There's no reason to say he can't keep getting better. It seems like half the battle with bigs is just staying healthy.

I think Dieng is already our best center, and the gap between the two is only going to widen. That said, GM Flip signed Pek to an expensive deal and doesn't want to look foolish, so he will convince coach Flip to start Pek as long as he is healthy at all...or until it becomes obvious to everyone (including Flip) that Dieng is the better player. I don't really fault Flip for this...it's human nature to want to justify moves you have made. But I always roll my eyes when I hear him talk about how the Wolves' are going to keep Pek healthy (new flexibility coach, new shoes, limiting his minutes). Does anybody really think that 35 vs 28 minutes is a big factor in keeping a fragile guy like Pek healthy? Pek's body just doesn't support the bulk he has to carry around, and he is going to have foot problems whether he is playing 35 minutes or 10 minutes.

I also completely disagree with the idea that Gorgui doesn't have much room for growth. The relevant variable here is not his age...what you need to look at is the change in his game since college. Dieng might be the smartest player on the team, and as a student of the game, he has completely transformed his offensive game. I have to admit I never think his 15-foot bank shot from the right side is going in, but has anyone seen him miss one yet? It's automatic. He can score in a variety of ways, and there's no reason to believe he won't continue to develop his game even more...for starters, reduce his travelling. He also (like Pek) is an excellent rebounder.

I have been disappointed by Gorgui's defense the past three games, but I also recall how pleased I was with his defense the first week of the season. He was playing excellent team defense, and altering several shots a game. But since Ricky went down, I would argue that every player on the team has regressed on defense. Offense generally starts with the PG beating his man...af that point, the defense has to scramble and a good PG will find the open man. Ricky is ten times the defender that Mo or Zach are, and it ripples through the entire defense when he is out. Just look at the points given up before and after Ricky's injury...it's extraordinary. Dieng is a good and sometimes game-changing defender when Ricky is out there, and I also think he will continue to improve on defense.

When he is healthy and when Ricky is feeding the ball to him in the right spot, Pek is a very productive center. But it's frankly been sad to watch him fling the ball at the basket from five feet away these past few games. As monster said, he does continue to draw fouls and make his free throws and rebound very effectively, but the rest of his game is substandard for an NBA center. Flip needs to swallow his pride, admit to himself his mistake in overpaying Pek, and start the better center.

I am not worried as much about Pek's game as his health. He struggles early. It is his pattern. We just need to get him healthy and keep him healthy. Rest him the remainder of the month. Don't play him on back to backs. If we trade Brewer we need size back before a backup PG.

Dieng has been a revelation for this franchise and a very good pick for a late first-rounder, something this franchise rarely hits on. However, similar to Thad Young, one is only as good as his peers. Now the measuring stick for Dieng isn't other bench Centers, but starting level Centers. How does he stack up?

I think he stacks up well versus Centers from his own division - Adams, Mozgov, Lopez, and Kanter. But widening the net further, things get tougher: Duncan, Gasol, Jordan, Bogut, Howard, Asik, Chandler, and Cousins. That's a damn good group of players, especially defensively. Which brings me to a final thought....

The key is defense. If his offense doesn't improve a bit from here on out, I'm actually fine with it. He's efficient and effective enough that you can't forget about him. Where he has to improve is standing stronger in the paint. And I mean that literally. Too often he gets rooted or bumped out of position, leading to easy baskets inside. And it's not just a weight issue. Dieng lacks balance and core strength, making him easily displaced by bigger players. Something to think about for next offseason....