The Dallas Morning News SACRAMENTO, Calif. ? When training camp opened in Cleveland, one topic discussed in the locker room was how DeSagana Diop got a $6.5 million, three-year contract from the Mavericks. If that's what was on the Cavaliers' minds, no wonder LeBron James and Co. have trouble making the playoffs. But that's another story. Diop's more worried about how his tale ends. First, Diop (whose name is pronounced sa-GAH-na JOP) will have to write Chapter 1, which he's doing in training camp. "I feel like I'm a rookie," Diop said Tuesday, when the Mavericks started the preseason against the Sacramento Kings. "It's a brand new team and I'm in shape." And he's not in Cleveland. Is he glad? "Glad? I'm so happy," he said. "I didn't know where I was going back there. I'm glad to be out of there." The 7-footer from Senegal was the No. 8 overall pick in 2001. He never earned consistent time in Cleveland. His weight peaked at 325 pounds and was the biggest obstacle. So his first project as a Maverick was to rework his body. Diop now carries 270 pounds, and coach Avery Johnson said the 23-year-old is ahead of schedule. It didn't take long Tuesday for him to show he's improved. In seven first-quarter minutes of the Mavericks' 96-83 win over the Kings, Diop had three rebounds and a block and was active all over the court. He finished with eight rebounds and two blocks. "It's been a pretty fierce competition at center," Johnson said. "If today was the first regular-season game, he would be my first center off the bench." So what did Diop give up to get his weight under control? "Wings, fried food and beef," he said. Despite playing only 39 games last season, shooting 29 percent, averaging 1.8 rebounds and missing 33 games because of coach's decision, Diop had options this summer. New York and Seattle put feelers out for him. Early returns suggest that the Mavericks might end up with a nice return on their investment. Source
