Ike Diogu: So Much Talent, Yet So Far Away

[jarrettjackfan]

By the way I also posted this on another forum. If you see it posted somewhere I posted it.

I've followed Diogu ever since he was traded to the Indiana Pacers in that eight player trade with the Golden State Warriors a few years back.

He's really frustrated me over the years, he's got the talent to become a very solid post presence and a good solid bench player, or on the right team a starter. All he needs too do is put all of his skills together and play up to his potential.

Diogu has very good post moves, and an aggressiveness on the court that not many players have.

His first half-year with the Pacers was ok, he didn't play much, but when he did he showed the coaches that he could contribute to the team by playing hard, and playing defense.

After that half-year, with a full summer of working with the team he came into the season ready too play some good minutes. The first few games he had great minutes, and was putting up great numbers, then it happened. He tore his calf muscle I believe was the muscle and he had to sit out a couple months.

When he finally came back, they decided not too play him. I honestly don't know why, they just decided that he wasn't going to play for them anymore. He got limited minutes all that year, and whenever he got in the game, he always put up great numbers, but it never translated into playing time.

This brings us to this past offseason, where he was getting ready too play yet another season. The setting is draft night 2008, and the picks are getting made. The Indiana Pacers have just selected Jerryd Bayless at pick #11, and all the Pacers fans are going crazy that he fell to them. Then! All of a sudden the analysts start talking about a trade between the Blazers and Pacers involving a switch of picks.

After the deal had fully evolved, the deal was Ike Diogu and the draft rights to #11 Jerryd Bayless heading to the Portland Trail Blazers for draft rights to #13 Brandon Rush, Jarrett Jack, and young forward Josh McRoberts.

Pacers fans weren't too happy about that deal, but Diogu didn't mind, he finally had another shot too get more playing time.

Starting the year in Portland it looked promising for Diogu. He didn't play much at the beginning of the year, but around 10-15 games into the season, coach McMillan said that Diogu would be taking over time in the rotation from Channing Frye. That didn't last long at all, as Diogu was soon riding the pine yet again, while Frye was still getting the same minutes that he had been getting before.

This obviously was a statement that he wasn't really wanted in Portland. So, at the trade deadline, another deal involving Diogu's name was announced. As part of a very small deal Diogu was traded to Sacramento.

Ever since that deal, Diogu has continued to sit bench and hasn't played much. It makes you wonder, is it because he just doesn't like getting coached and the coaches don't play him? Is there something wrong in his work ethic that the organization sees and they don't want him too play? Or is it just that the coach just doesn't see how much talent he has? I don't know the answer. Do you?

[humboldtkingsfan]

He is still young enough to make a home somewhere, but the question is where? He is already a journeyman at 25 and has been relegated to a throwin in trade after trade. I checked out his per 40 numbers and they are decent, but this is a league of finding the next big thing in the draft or picking up an already established piece. Unfortunately for Ike, its going to be increasingly difficult to find his way into any rotation given his limitations in mobility and defense.... Ask Kenny Thomas, who once upon a time found a spot in the rotation only to finally be asked to not travel with the team. Not saying Ike is a downer like Kenny, but some comparisons are valid. Unless he gets minutes behind another injured player like when Jermaine went down in Indiana, I honestly don't see him ever being a 20 minute per game player. Too short and losing quickness by the day.....

[SacKingZZZ]

I really would like to see both Simmons and Diogu at least play a little. Hell, I wanted to see Shelden get some burn, but just like with him it might not happen. I just don't get trading for pieces, especially when they are young, and not taking a proper look at how they fit when you really have nothing going for you elsewhere. I complained about the 10 man rotation earlier in the season, but I think with the kind of team we have now it's probably the way to go. I mean if trading over half your team at the deadline isn't raising the white flag I don't know what is. Let Donte, Ike, and Cedric play dammit!!! Hell, throw in Booth too!

[cdt3]

I think we will only keep one of the Simmons and Ike since they are going to go with Greene at the 4 sometimes. I just don't see either getting big minutes unless JT or Hawes struggle big. Greene should play more Natt is very inconsistant in his rotations and I hate the short bench unless you are in a playoff run. There is no way Booth gets any time he is here for his expiring contract.

[SacKingZZZ]

I'm pretty sure that's the only reason Diogu and Simmons are here as well. It's a good chance neither is in the NBA next year, and almost a certainty IMO that neither is a King.