2005-2006 REPORT CARD: Ike Diogu

by Fantasy Junkie on Aug 19, 2006 7:29 AM PDT in Report Cards

The rook, Ike Diogu, selected #9 last year was billed as the next Elton Brand, the next Danny Fortson, or somewhere in between. His long arms and advanced skills in the post had fans excited about mixing him in with JRich, BD, and Murph. The season was a disappointment, but his growth this offseason and a full training camp has me excited about what he's going to bring this coming year. But first, let's grade him out for last year.

(Photo: espn.com)

Ike Diogu Mix by nes1us

Overall Grade: B-

Atma Brother ONE (Grade: B)
Make no mistake Ike's low post game is polished like Armor Oil. If Ike checks into the Charles Barkley school of rebounding and works on his defense this offseason, he could be a viable starting power forward in the NBA for years to come.

DJ Fuzzylogic (Grade: B+)
He is clearly offensively skilled. His footwork on the block looks so smooth you would think he was an extra in "You Got Served." His stunted development, I believe is in part due to the perimeter game that wasn't working and perhaps the spotty playing time. Needs work on defense though.

Fantasy Junkie (Grade: B-)
I think the injury to begin the season which forced him to miss parts of training camp affected his whole season. At times he looked lost, overmatched, and lazy. When he decided to hustle good things happened. Good things didn't happen often enough for him. He didn't rebound exceptionally well nor play defense. The only thing I was impressed with was his scoring ability.

Hash (Grade: B-)
I like Ike. For a rook, he showed some serious glimmers of potential. Unfortunately, most of that was at the end of the season when nothing mattered. Still, there's something wild in this one. We will be watching your career with great interest, young Skywalker.

YaoButtaMing (Grade: C-)
What exactly did he do this year? So much hope on this guy and I actually like his game but I haven't seen it yet. I think he had one or two good games but let's start playing him more to see his true talent.

What's your grade for Ike?

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Comments

B-

Polarizing performance. When offense went through Ike, good things happened. Monty kept him off the floor, however, citing his ineptitude on the defensive end. Didn't we know that going in to the season? Too slow and undersized to defend premiere low post players? It would have been nice to see our best defenders, Foyle and Pietrus, on the floor with him to make up for his deficiency. Would have liked to see him force Monty to have played him more by doing the little things. But, as a rookie, I can't give him lower than a B since Monta was given such high marks for his spark at the end of the season.

by eshock on Aug 19, 2006 8:28 AM PDT 0 recs

B-

He lost all that time early in the year. It did affect his ability to play with the team, for the entire team to get the flow of him on the court.

It seemed to me towards the end, when all was lost, some nice things started to develope. Ike was one of those nice glimpses of the future.

If he'd have had more minutes and a better start to the year I could go as high as a B+.

I kind if agree with Rick Barry that defense in the NBA is overrated. IF the Warriors had just MADE more shots, played the same D, they would have won enough games to make a huge difference.

Screw Ike's D. Send him out there with the direction to outscore the opponents PF and don't foul out. Let damn Foyle guard the rim, that's all he CAN do!

If I could clarify, I mean individual defense. TEAM defense is very important. The Warriors just switched too often on D and then suddenly a 45% 3 point sharpshooter was wide open...

Let Ike score his 24 and hold the other PF to 18 and we're good.

by Gain on 10 on Aug 19, 2006 9:36 AM PDT 0 recs

How to make more shots?

You make more shots by taking more shots and unfortunately turning the ball over equally as many times.

You make more shots by taking easier, higher percentage shots.

Easy shots come from playing defense and getting turn overs. Playing defense also builds team cohesion.

Rick's asking for a deeper commitment to shooting and pratice not seen in most of today's NBA players. Name one subpar free throw shooting player willing to shoot a higher precentage under handed.

by joe sez on Aug 19, 2006 11:52 AM PDT up 0 recs

schizophrenic usage

Ike did one very important thing very well: he got to the FT line. In addition to this being an easy way to score, it puts opponents in foul trouble. It's also something that will likely remain a plus with more PT.

He shot the ball rather well. If he can continue to do this in more PT, he'll be a real asset. He was an adequate rebounder for a powerforward, but not exceptional.

And he was a defensive liability. I don't know many players who are solid defenders as rookies, let alone above average. Adjusting to the NBA is tough here. The guys who make a defensive impact immediately are either big (e.g. Duncan or Shaq) or the rare freak (Augmon or Grant Hill, who prior to foot injuries, could lock down guards and forwards). Ike is going to have problems because he's not big, nor was he the defensive freak, but he can learn and improve. However, Monty's going to have to try to make it easier for him and giving him major minutes as a center wasn't a wise choice. There his height will be exploited. While he may be able to match up with his man even giving up inches, the center has to be a last line of defense and make sure the lane is a difficult place for guards to invade. The undersized rookie PF playing center is about as adequate for this as Adonal Foyle is at bringing the ball up court.

by jae on Aug 19, 2006 1:05 PM PDT 0 recs

Incomplete

due to injuries, ... not trying to rain on the parade, but elsewhere here is posted a comparison of Ike to other Western Conf. PFs, I just don't think Ike can outscore too many of them 24-18 consistently enough not to mention out rebound over half of them ....

by hardcore on Aug 19, 2006 10:16 PM PDT 0 recs