Desagana Tidbit

[Karma]

9. DeSagana Diop: Diop might be a fine person, but multiple people got fired because he ended up with the wrong Cavaliers. He chose the NBA over Virginia in 2001, meaning Cavs coach Pete Gillen never got to coach the 7-foot, 300-pound Diop, who would have dominated in college on sheer size. Gillen and his staff were fired in March, after what might have been Diop's senior season. Cleveland general manager Jim Paxson drafted Diop No. 8 overall out of Oak Hill (Va.) Academy, foisting the raw Diop onto coach John Lucas, and then coach Keith Smart, and then coach Paul Silas. None of those coaches, or Paxson, is in Cleveland any more. Diop? He's not going anywhere. He's averaging 1.9 points in four seasons. Who'd take him? Wait, you're right. This is the NBA. Someone will take him.

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It is likely that he'll end up on someones summer league roster, and probably make a team as an emergency big man. He is big, quite mobile and is good for 6 fouls. Those 3 traits gets you a roster spot.

 

[Glen Infante]

Someone starving for a big man will pick up DeSegana. Mabey Atlanta.

 

[Karma]

Unfortunately for Desagana, Atlanta have a center who still contributes more. 400 year old Kevin Willis.

 

[Glen Infante]

:chuckles:

 

[LyXo]

I think DeSagana will find a home in the NBA, no doubt. He's still 22. And Silas most likely refused to develop him. Lucas, the coach when he was drafted wasn't even around long enough to work with him.

If he meets a coach that is willing to work on his skills, then Diop will be a good player. He seems willing and eager when on the court. He doesn't have post moves, but those can be learned. But he's willing to move around, set picks, and makes decent passes once in a while. I'm going to keep up with this kid and see how he does for the next few seasons.

Sure, he should have went to college, but heck, who would turn down millions of guaranteed money?

 

[Karma]

I understand him turning down college and going for the dollars. His game would have been exposed in college and he would not have been drafted in the first round. Diop had ample oppotunity, unfortunately he just doesn't have it.

 

[NarlCavs]

Diop doesn't have skills. He's just a big body. I'm sure someone will give him another shot. Teams always give chances to any 7 footers who have a pulse.

Karma's right about Diop and college. He would have been exposed for what he is if he had gone to college and then never would have been drafted as high as he was coming out of HS. He was smart to come out early and get his money before everyone found out what he really was as a player.

 

[Hurl Bruce]

Diop is one of the poster children for the new age limit of the CBA.

What a waste.

 

[Glen Infante]

I tried hard to believe that Diop has some talent. I was only shut down in disappointment after watching him play terribly during garbage time. The man can block shots and grab O boards, that is his only abilities. Other than that, he is pretty much worthless.

 

[King]

Maybe he'll end up on a team in the Heat's division. Some of them could use a huge guy like Diop to foul Shaq. He'd still be a decent big to have on the IL or as a 12th man.