<font size="3">Warriors getting some muscle Diogu back from injury</font> Janny Hu, Chronicle Staff Writer First, the good news: Ike Diogu is back. The Warriors' No. 1 pick practiced Tuesday for the first time this season and has received medical clearance to play. If all goes according to plan, Diogu will make his NBA debut against San Antonio tonight. "No point saving him," coach Mike Montgomery said. "If there's a situation where he can run up and down and we can simplify (the offense) for a couple of minutes, we'll see what he does. If he looks like he's comfortable, we'll probably try to go back to him in the second half." Diogu has been out since fracturing the fourth metacarpal bone in his left hand on Oct. 10, the last day of training camp. More than six weeks later, he finally went through a full-contact workout. The Warriors held a light practice after completing a back-to-back set the night before, so most of Diogu's work came from a post-practice scrimmage with the team's younger players and Calbert Cheaney. Diogu felt good enough to hang on a rim following a dunk and reported no pain afterward. The rookie will wear a protective glove on his non-shooting hand -- think boxing glove with the top and bottom cut off -- but said it shouldn't affect his ballhandling or shooting. Mostly, Diogu looked forward to shaking off the rust, even if that means facing the NBA champion Spurs and Finals MVP Tim Duncan in his first pro game. "That's why you play in the NBA -- you want to play against the best players in the world," Diogu said. "You want to play the Tim Duncans and Amare Stoudemires. That only helps you get better." Montgomery plans to work in Diogu (6-foot-8) slowly at the power-forward and center positions. When he is in the game, the Warriors will simplify their offense in an effort to "give him a chance to not be confused or break us down." Diogu's return softens Tuesday's bad news: Mickael Pietrus is likely to miss up to four weeks after an MRI exam confirmed his sprained right MCL. more...
You know he will play whether he's in game shape or not. I mean we threw Taft's butt into the fire and he missed the entire preseason camp and was out of shape. Taft still was a factor in wins though.
I don't expect much in one game (he's a rook and he's back from injury), but I'll be glad to see him especially with Pietrus out. He sounds like an exciting player in terms of fundamentals (inside scoring footwork, shotblock timing, rebounding, passing, dribbling, outside shot, triple-threat, the fact he is not soft). There is potential that he could be a dominant paint player on most nights. He can jump very quickly, he's packed full of strength, he's agile and he's long. He won't jump very high or get down the court that fast, but he is power and finesse rather than one or the other. He could be a Zach Randolph presence on offense, Elton Brand on defense. I'm ecstatic!
I have a feeling my expectations of him are too high... If he does not have a dunk or something to get me excited about him tonight I am going to be disappointed...
He'll get a dunk if he has an opportunity. He's not like Dunleavy that will do layups and nothing but layups. BTW Curtis Borchart got released by Boston. Holy crap, if the guy can ever pass physical examinations, I think we should pick him up. High post center, excellent passing and shotblocking skills. Can shoot the three ball. He's very mobile and tall.
He better play as good if not better than Taft has. Taft has repeatedly gotten dunks and showed some post up skills. The Warriors better get him the ball in the low post...
Ike has footwork for days but he has never played against a team like San Antonio with its size inside. Once Pietrus was hurt I knew that Ike would be suddenly ready to come back. Should be alot of fun to watch him get his feet wet in the NBA jungle. We'll find out soon enough if Ike can overcome his lack of height and punish people inside. See y'all at the game. Bring it on!
I don't expect to see a lot of what ike will eventually produce,probably a mixed bag for a few games. I think there will be a pl;ay where we do get a bit of a preview-probably another when we say jeez,thats a rusty rookie with stuff wrapped on his hand..... I'm happy to see this first step even if he seems lost tonight. Someday I may look back on this game as the start of something special.
