So I was going to start this thread over the weekend but McMillan stole my thunder and moved Diogu up in the rotation thus beating me to it. I have been wondering when we were going to see McMillan make that switch after Frye has been playing so badly this season. As far as last night, yes Diogu missed his 2 shots (one that was a gimmie), missed a free throw but overall I liked his energy and hustle on both ends of the court. He went hard to the hoop drawing fouls, wasn't tenative on the defensive end boxing out his man and getting rebounds in traffic. All in all, I thought that while he was most likely amped up and trying to make a big splash I thought he was exactly the kind of energy guy with INTERIOR play that we have been lacking from Frye all year. It'll be key to see how Diogu plays these next few games to see what kind of player he is going to be for us. Thoughts?
Two plays stood out to me the most. Sure he missed a lay up, but that's just lack of playing time. 1. Offensive rebounding on a battle for the boards early on. Joel, Shaq, Amare and Ike were all battling, and Ike finally came away with the ball. No way Frye would have. 2. Another play Ike got the ball at the foul line off a loose ball I believe. Instead of settling for the open foul line jumper, he drove to the basket and drew a foul. It was beautiful.
I think that's just the way Ike plays. If Channing played that hard close to the basket, it would be no contest between the two, because for all his hustle Ike isn't all that effective. I think we need a banger backup PF more than we need a softie outside shooting PF. Channing wasn't too bad at the end of last season playing in the post, but it was evident he had to really push himself to be tough down low. It seems like before the season the coaches fell in love with Channing's outside shot. Big mistake. Make Channing get back to playing like a PF, please, or else just play Ike.
Ike is exactly the type of player this team needs on the 2nd unit. A garbage man. Someone who will defend the post, fight for the loose balls and get easy put back baskets or draw fouls putting the opposing team in the penalty early. We already have enough outside shooters on our 2nd unit (Rudy, Outlaw ect) we do not need another one in Frye (especially at 6'11" shooting threes). When a team is not hitting there shots you can stay in a game by doing the little things that Ike does, with Frye its literally boom or bust every game. I just think Ike balances our team out much, much better. Im really suprised this change wasn't made sooner to be honest.
These past 2 games, you can see that Ike has a knack for rebounding and getting the free throw line. He is physical and will mix it up in the paint, which provides something that we don't get from all our other PFs. I wonder if we will keep Diogu beyond this season.
I think you're right, BBert. Having another energy guy at the power forward position that likes to scrap for rebounds and loose balls is what this team really needs. We have enough shooters at every other position to make a guy like Diogu more valuable. If Frye was shooting like he did last year, it might be a different story. But, he's been dreadful this year in almost every aspect of the game.
Loved what I saw from Ike. He plays hard, physical, tough inside. If he would've converted that one dunk attempt he got fouled on, the crowd would've lost it. Hope he get's some regular minutes.
The problem with Ike is that he makes Z-Bo look like a lockdown defender. If he could play defense, he'd be worth keeping.
IDK, his defense wasn't that bad, I think it'll improve with more minutes out on the court; but I REALLY liked what I saw from him in terms of his hustle and activity. I'd much rather have that than Frye hoisting up 18 footers. We have enough shooters, we need some damn bangers and some guys to get sloppy seconds!
The biggest adjustment Nate made last night was not benching Frye (it helped, of course) - but benching Sergio after he missed the layup. I have been harping on it for a while now - that the possessions where Sergio dominates the ball, breaks everyone off the dribble, gets an uncontested layup and bricks it were killing us. I think George Karl had a good definition to it - "empty possession". I like what I saw from Sergio this year - but he got extended minutes after his agent cried to the media - and I am glad that Nate is back to limiting his minutes when he can't make an uncontested layup. Fix the layup problems Sergio - and I would love to see you getting those minutes, if you don't... it's Bayless time.
Frye is not a guy that will ever get you tough rebounds and easy put back baskets. He is for all intents and purposes a pretty boy (loves his shot and will stick to it in both good and bad times). On top of that all we heard all summer is that he has developed a three point shot this past offseason, but I think (dont have the stats in front of me) his shooting % has gone DOWN this season. He never does the little things that make a team better. He is only beneficial when his shot is falling other then that he is a liability on the court on both ends. Diogu, while not perfect adds another dimension to this team that was sorely missing IMO.
Either way, I can't see us keeping either past this season. Ike is the type of player we need, but it needs to be in a package with better defense.
So my question is why don't we activate Chadwick Randolph? He's a DUKE who knows how to play defense and will give you great garbage minutes around the hoop!
Frye minutes played this season: 332 Diogu minutes played this season: 42 Frye offensive rebounds this season: 22 Diogu offensive rebounds this season: 7 Frye free throw attempts this season: 21 Diogu free throw attempts this season: 14 Now... I know that Frye is a MUCH better jumpshooter, and I know almost all of Diogu's minutes have been in garbage time, but the difference here is amazing. Diogu's ability to create extra possessions and to draw fouls is, in my opinion, more valuable than Frye's dubious ability to help spread the floor with his (to-date) 40% field goal shooting. Ed O.
Exactly Ed O. Your stats just proved my point and the whole reason why I started this thread. Frye should only be playing in garbage minutes the rest of this season.
I wouldn't go that far. Channing has a skillset, and I think from time to time it'll be needed. I see it as much more of a platoon situation than and "Ike OR Frye" decision. Although, once Webs is back, neither will have a ton, imo. And that's a little sad.
It's probably worth mentioning, that if he could play defense (and hadn't been injured most of his first 3 years) he'd probably be a starter or heavy minute player somewhere else. For a ten-fiteen minute a night guy I like his hustle, nose for rebounds and a willingness to get into the paint ... even if it didn't look all that effective last night, he's still a .496 shooter. I hope he keeps it up, because this team desperately needs a real backup power forward.
I definitely prefer Diogu to Frye. It's basically this simple: missed inside shots + rebounds preferable to missed outside shots and no rebounds. Neither plays worthwhile defense. And I think Diogu will start converting more of those inside chances with more play time. Practice simply isn't as intense as real game situations.
