As Mutoni already told you, Kevin Durant's first pro-ish play involved getting blocked by Mavs center DeSagana Diop. That probably shouldn't matter much for Durant, but it did call attention to the fact that Diop--who just finished his seventh season--is toiling like a rook in the summer leagues. According to The Dallas Morning News, it's all part of Avery Johnson's master plan . . . to make Diop more like Erick Dampier:
[Blocking and rebounding] will keep Diop in the league at a nice salary after this season. But what the coaching staff must see from him is a hint that he can be an opportunistic scorer.What I don't get is why Avery Johnson wants to make Diop into the next Dampier. It's one thing to develop Diop, and maybe be forced to overpay him next summer. But to actively encourage he follow the Dampier plan? It kind of takes the phrase "players' coach" to an unnatural extreme.
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If he can show the Mavericks – and the rest of the league – improvement in that area, along with keeping his defensive instincts, he can break the bank next summer.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-08-2007 @ 2:38PM
Michael Smith said...
Avery is right - in fact more NBA bench players should be forced to play Summer ball to get in shape for the Season.
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7-08-2007 @ 2:48PM
Timothy Bornt said...
I like the idea of summer ball and it will help Diop become a great center. I dont want him to develop into a Dampier, I think he has the chance to be better than Dampier and he is more athletic. For the Mavs, having a Dampier and a Diop is what every team wishes that they could have. This is part of why the Mavs continue to be a powerhouse and a success in the league.
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7-08-2007 @ 3:23PM
Miss Gossip said...
BOOOOOOOOO on Diop! He's going to steal minutes from Pops Mensah-Bonsu. Pops only gets to play when Diop gets in foul trouble, but with 10 fouls allowed per game.....
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7-08-2007 @ 6:34PM
ron said...
Avery Johnson was a real good player started out as a good coach. His style will soon wear thin on players just like Danny Ainge in Phoenix. It may take some time but sooner or later players will get fed up with him and towels will be flying toward his face just like Danny.
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7-08-2007 @ 7:02PM
Ty Keenan said...
Seven-year veterans who play significant roles on playoff teams should not be in summer league; he should be working on his game in a gym somewhere. As Miss Gossip seems to be implying (or maybe it's just Pops love, which no one can really fault), summer league is for giving rookies a taste of the NBA (without overloading them) and seeing if anyone on that roster can make it in the league. You know Diop is legit; don't let people like Pops sit because you want him to be Erick Dampier (what a lofty goal!).
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7-15-2007 @ 1:04AM
BigTex84 said...
Ron: Avery coaches more like Popovich then anyone else...defense defense defense!! I doubt players get sick of winning and being in the hunt for the title...only when he loses consistently will the players be fed up...no one hates to win!!!
Miss Gossip: As far as the season goes...Pops is a Foward not a Center...he really doesn't have much bearing on Diop's play (at least not logically speaking). In fact, if Diop (the second string center) gets in foul trouble (Damp is also in foul trouble) and they will play DJ Mbenga next season (if he's there...he was hurt this season...that's why they signed Willis when they did). Pops might begin to follow Howard in the rotation...since they play the same position.
Ty: Diop is in a gym working on his game...he's playing the Summer League...which is what he needs. He needs to be playing against other top developing players like Durant. I'm sure he has a lot of confidence after blocking Durant and Oden!! He is a veteran by years, but a young player by experience. He is NOT legit at scoring...that's why he is there.
The only reason they say he should be more like Dampier is because in one game (when Dirk went down), Damp stepped up to score 22 points in the win. Diop has only ever scored 10 points...in his career!!!
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