http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/54731/20081006/portlands_diogu_uses_criticism_as_motivation/
He says that, but I'm just not seeing it yet in his play (from practice video and fan fest). I just don't see him bringing enough to supplant Frye. Hopefully he continues to step it up, but right now he still looks like he is coasting.
Hard to remember that this guy was drafted at #9 in 2005 (right after Webster, Villanueva and Frye. Amazing that Bynum fell to #10 behind those guys.) Man we've got an insane number of lottery picks in our roster.
Yeah you guys do. And now that you remind me, imagine if you had Bynum and Greg this season....*shivers*
I really liked Bynum in the draft, but also found this funny post I made in 2006, when the Lakers were considering trading Bynum. Funny on so many levels. If we traded the 4th pick for Bynum, then we would likely have Bynum and who knows who else. Now, the 4th pick (and luck in Boston and in the Lottery) got us Roy, Aldridge and Oden--arguably the center pieces for the next decade.
Well . . . No. I just think Frye will hold his spot and Ike won't get enough minutes to show his stuff. Accordingly, at this point in his career he needs minutes and needs to show what he can do, so he will want to be traded. I can see him as a throw in with the deal that could reduce the roster load after the rotation is trimmed.
I'm always gonna be a fan of Diogu. Dudes an insane post scorer, problem is he sucked at everything else in GS (except offensive rebounding). He can torch anyone in the league one on one but when it comes to defensive rebounding, man defense, help defense, passing out of the double team, etc. he was pretty poor. Dunno if hes improved in any of those areas since his days in GS. It certainly doesn't help that hes 6'7 and a mediocre athlete, plus hes got a crappy bball IQ when it comes to defense and passing and if you ask Don Nelson hes stubborn and a "blamer". Hope he does well in Portland. He could look very good playing PF with Oden and Przybilla who can cover his deficiencies.
I hope Diogu is healthy and able to earn minutes. I prefer his style of basketball (post people up, get to the line, hit the boards) to Frye's (hit open jumpers, write good blogs, be cotton candy soft) but until/unless he proves he can earn and produce in extended minutes, he's just kind of taking up a roster spot... Ed O.
I think with Greg down low, we have more of a need for Channing's style of play. That is why I believe LA will have a career year. He is going to blow up this season the way Stat did in PHX once Shaq arrived.
I would rather have Aldridge (in the next draft) or Chris Paul/Deron Williams (from that draft). Bynum is good, but there were better players taken ahead of him.
A less talented Zach Randolph. At least he is not paid like ZBo or expects the minutes ZBo's salary implies.
