OT Wil the beast finally be released? (Ike Merged)

[Pacersike]

Or will he be caged again after preseason?

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=10177

Three years ago, the Golden State Warriors made Diogu their ninth overall pick out of Arizona State only to ship him to the Indiana Pacers last January. Injuries took their toll. So did a lack of playing time. But now settling in with the Portland Trail Blazers, Diogu is out to show he's more than a lottery bust.

"It's definitely frustrating. When you don't get that playing time people start to question your ability to play in this league, especially when you read articles and people say I've underachieved," Diogu told HOOPSWORLD.

"They say I didn't deserve to be a lottery pick and this and that. But I just use it as motivation."

He's getting his chance early one, now that Fry is out. Do you guys think he can still earn his spot in the NBA? I kinda stopped believing in this guy. The coach didn't liked him, Bird didn't liked him (see the trade). There must be something wrong with his fundamentals and feel for the game. Not that high basketball IQ in other words.

[floppymoose]

He seems to have a poor bball IQ, which is interesting because I think his non-bball IQ is fine. Also, he is hurt by being undersized. It doesn't hurt him that much in post scoring due to his talent there, but in every other aspect of the game it does, especially passing and defense.

[Gremz]

Will he be unleashed???
I'm gonna go with..........No. He had a perfect chance in a perfect situation last year, and all he had on his mind was the Hoop. It didn't matter if he had 4 defenders on him. I sincerely doubt this problem will be adjusted so soon. He lacks something very important to the NBA....Teamplay.

[HicksvsKnicks08]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=10177

For the life of me I will never undersatnd how a team completely devoid of low post scoring couldnt get Diogu any playing time! Was he that bad? his defense that questionable?


If he turns out to be a gem in Portland I will be even more po'd (on top of Bayless)

[Gremz]

The major problem i had with Diogu while he was here, was that he completely insistant on trying too hard to fill up the stat sheet by any means necessary. Normally a good thing, however anytime he would get the ball, passing wasn't on his mind. All he was thinking of was shooting, no matter how ugly a shot it was at the time, or how may people were guarding him. He might be a great individual player, but he was lost in a team environment here.

[mizzoupacers]

Ehh, Diogu just isn't a very good NBA player. The only thing he can do is score in the low post, and he can't do that either if you put a good defender on him. I think he'll be out of the league by this time next year.

[realfung]

I am a Warriors fan, I liked Diogu from day 1, he has a big man's strength and a soft touch.
He can also shoot FT and block.

I hope he can take advantage of Fry's PT.

[count55]

Ehh, Diogu just isn't a very good NBA player. The only thing he can do is score in the low post, and he can't do that either if you put a good defender on him. I think he'll be out of the league by this time next year.

What he said.

I didn't want it to be true, but I think it probably is.

[Boneman2]

even a bigger tweener than Al.

[Charcoal Filtered]

With Oden, LA, Outlaw, and Joel still healthy, I would not get too excited about Ike.

Even if he did, good luck trying to get a shot with our 2nd unit of gunners. Rudy, Bayless, and Outlaw are all looking to score at all times.

[PDXKnight]

With Oden, LA, Outlaw, and Joel still healthy, I would not get too excited about Ike.

Even if he did, good luck trying to get a shot with our 2nd unit of gunners. Rudy, Bayless, and Outlaw are all looking to score at all times.

Exactly. It'll be nearly impossible for Diogu to gain PT barring injuries, regardless of what he proves this season. The basics of the Blazers' lineup is already determined, now it's mainly an issue of distribution of minutes, and I don't expect Diogu to log any major minutes.