Post#933 » by fugop » Sun Mar 24, 2013 8:20 pm
Gorgui would be a great fit on the Wizards. He doesn't have superstar potential, and people shouldn't have that expectation for him. But he can be a starter on a championship team, an elite role player. When I'm really fantasizing out there, I think he can have a Dikembe Mutombo like impact on the next level. He has a ridiculous impact on the defensive side of the ball.
First, a couple of caveats. Pitino's sets are extremely different from anything you see in the pros. His players are not prepared for the pro game. You can see it with Earl Clark, who's taken a few years to develop into a serviceable defender, despite being very solid in Pitino's system. Other recent Louisville bigs who declared for the draft -- Samardo Samuels, Terrance Jennings, even Derrick Caracter (sort of) were drafted late or not at all and ultimately struggled to adapt to the pro game. Gorguis rebounding, blocks, and steals numbers will not reliably translate to the next level.
Even last night, against Colorado State, Gorgui's job was rarely to actually defend the post. Siva and Smith put so much pressure on CSU's guards that they couldn't pass the ball into the post. Maybe three or four times all night did they get the ball to Colton Iverson with any time on the clock. Gorgui's job, which he performs extremely well, is to play safety in the zone, and either protect the rim against guard penetration when the press is broken, or cheat up and intercept the long pass.
When the ball is thrown into the post, Gorgui's job is to slow the post player down and force indecision, giving the other Louisville guys a chance to double and go for the steal. He does this well also.
A guy like Colton Iverson, in a regular half court game, and a 1 on 1 setting, would give Gorgui problems. Gorgui's not exactly easy to move, but he's got a high center of gravity, and he will struggle a bit against random big Eastern European centers.
Gorgui also doesn't have a reliable post game. He routinely takes a "Patrick Ewing" step, which is called for a travel as often or not. He's got big, loping strides, and it looks like he travels, even when he may not. He doesn't have a great hook, drop step, up and under, nothing. It's not a good idea to throw the ball into Gorgui and let him score in the low post.
The good, now.
Gorgui can shoot. He's got great touch with the basketball. He shoots free throws well, he can shoot the midrange jumper from the top of the key with surprising efficiency. He shoots a set shot, but with his length, it's rarely a problem. He has reliable range out to the college three point line, though he doesn't take that shot in games.
Gorgui can pass. In Louisville's sets, he works out of the high post, almost exculsively, but especially against the zone. Behanan and Harrell work the baseline. He had 8 assists against Syracuse, and was really the reason Louisville came back against Syracuse in the BET championship. He sees the court well, he's got good touch on his passes, and he doesn't make a lot of stupid decisions.
Gorgui can rebound. He's often out of position for defensive rebounds because of his rim protection, but he can rebound outside of his zone, boxes out well, and has good hands. He will never be a Mutumbo-level rebounder in the NBA, but I think Okafor-level is within reach.
Gorgui is an outstanding help defender. He blocks and alters shots without regular foul trouble. He is laterally quick enough to stop penetration from guards and swing men. He's just a very good defender.
Gorgui has more room for improvement than his age suggests. Giving leeway to older draftees because they came to the game late is usually foolish. But I've watched Dieng for three years, and his improvement has been amazing. He couldn't shoot, wasn't comfortable with the pace of the game (constantly out of place on rotations), couldn't pass, and was rail thin his freshman year. He's improved very quickly and impressively. Watching him, I don't see any reason to think he's met his potential. He can gain a bit more strength in the lower body, and he can develop a post game. This does exacerbate my first caveat, though -- he's a veritable mater of Pitino ball, but will take time to learn a new set.
Luckily, he's an intelligent and decent guy. He's popular on campus, is a bit of a momma's boy (in a good way). Speaks five languages, gets good grades. He goes to soccer games (his first sport), the womens' team games, baseball games, etc. I'm somewhat concerned that he'll be Okafor-lite (a bit too cerebral, not enough fire in the belly), but that's not the worst outcome.
He's going to measure extremely well. He's a legit 6'10", and he's probably got standing reach well into the 9'3" range. He's got a good wingspan. He is going to surprise some people in the agility and athleticism scores.
In short, he's a good guy, and will be a good player in the pros. I wouldn't be disappointed at all if only consolation for the Wizards ridiculous season were Gorgui Dieng.
