When Oklahoma City drafted Ousmane Dieng, many followers have been ready to be affected person via the wing’s progress and growth.
The Thunder are notoriously recognized for taking high-ceiling gamers within the NBA draft, and Dieng gave the impression to be simply that. A high-ceiling mission.
Through the slew of preseason video games, although, Dieng seems to be extra comfy than I’d have ever imagined simply weeks into his first reside motion.
The Thunder’s Sunday evening recreation was Dieng’s most spectacular to this point. The 6-foot-10 ahead showcased all the flexibility that prompted Sam Presti to pick out him within the lottery. He completed with 18 factors, 4 rebounds and 4 assists, sinking 2-of-4 from 3-point vary.
For starters, his shot already seems to be prefer it’s been tweaked. Inside of a curved elbow that was evident in his movie abroad, it seems the Oklahoma City workers has made some slight changes. Through the shot transition interval, Dieng continues to be in a position to drill lengthy vary triples which is only a testomony to his pure basketball abilities. He’s additionally impressed as a passer.
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On a number of events, Dieng simply used his dimension to get to the lane and dump it off to a teammate for a layup. That has been an excessive space of progress in a brief period of time.
The most intriguing factor about Dieng, although, is his protection. Everyone was discussing his point-forward skills sometime down the road with growth, however his potential on the defensive aspect of the ball could possibly be essentially the most intriguing facet of his recreation. He has but to fill into his body and strikes like a guard at 6-foot-10.
All preseason lengthy, he’s been holding his personal, each on the wing and within the publish. Oklahoma City has desperately been looking for a stable wing defender, and Dieng could possibly be that participant.
If the Thunder can assist Dieng develop right into a lockdown defender, it will profit the crew in unbelievable methods. Lu Dort is already a lockdown defender for the opposing crew’s finest guard, however is usually undersized in opposition to premier wing gamers within the NBA. Adding Dieng into the event provides Oklahoma City size and peace of thoughts on protection.
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story by The Texas Tribune Source link