<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Diogu behind the learning curve The forward is making mistakes but thinks he'll get the game plan down Warriors notebook OAKLAND -- The problem with a grading on a curve is that someone always has to be on the wrong end of it. At the moment for the Warriors, that student is forward Ike Diogu. During the hour's worth of drills Golden State conducted before Monday night's scrimmage at the Arena, Diogu repeatedly had to be redirected to the proper spot on the floor by teammates or coaches. "Ike's a young player, and he's struggling a little bit right now learning the plays," Warriors coach Don Nelson said. "We'll have to do some extra homework with him." Could Diogu's problems picking up the playbook affect his playing time? "Absolutely," said Nelson, who has concerns at both ends of the floor. "It's going to limit his playing time if he doesn't know the offense. But I'm more concerned about the defensive aspects of the game ... He makes too many errors there as well." Diogu acknowledged Tuesday that he still had some learning to do but pointed out that he had been moved from center to power forward after camp began. "I'm not concerned at all," Diogu said. "It's just a matter of studying my playbook more. ... It's not going to take very long (to be totally comfortable). It's simple; if you don't know your plays, you're not going to play. He's made that very clear." Scrimmage struggles Monday's scrimmage provided plenty of things for Warriors fans to fret over. Mickael Pietrus, who earned a starting spot by transforming himself in training camp, looked very much like the wild-driving, jumper-clanging disappointment of last season. Troy Murphy and Mike Dunleavy also struggled from the outside, going a combined 4-for-12, 0-for-3 beyond the 3-point arc. "There were a whole bunch of guys out there that reverted back to the way they were playing last year. It's just not acceptable," Nelson said. "If we don't make open shots ... I mean, that's one thing small teams have to do: Make open shots." On the positive side, Keith McLeod made it clear that he can be a viable option at point guard if Baron Davis goes down with an injury for the fifth year in a row. Rookie center Patrick O'Bryant was impressively smooth at both ends, and Andris Biedrins showed expanded range on his jumper and seems to be the backup big man who's most comfortable in Nelson's offense.</div> http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctime...rs/15730018.htm
I am not surprised about Ike being a little erratic on the defensive end with the "playbook" or following the strategy. He seemed to be that way last year, which got him more trips back to the bench. If Ike is confident about learning the offensive plays then I won't worry too much. But I know his defense has room to be polished up a bit, not in skills per say but I guess more in learning and adjusting to his team's defensive strategies. Dunleavy, Murphy, and Pietrus reverting back to their old ways is not very encouraging right now. However, I wonder how dramatic or how much Andris has improved his range. Can he now make free throws or what? Also POB looking smooth is a good thing, but I think people are looking more for a fire to reach his "smooth play." It's good to see that McLeod is making some impressive marks on the floor. If he can play PG, then it will allow more room for Ellis, Wagner, and others to move around the back court under different roles.
