Hamidou Diallo to Test Waters (UPDATE: DIALLO TO RETURN TO UK)

[teamchemistry15]

^^^^^^^
Sorry, but no freaking way i draft a kid who won't compete and show the world what he has. Guards 6'6 are a dime a dozen and how many star college players have failed in the NBA? How many NBA teams have handed out nice contracts to get burned over the years? Is he physically strong enough to play in the big leagues at this time?

Is this kid better than Doron Lamb? What about James Young?

But didn't you just say a few days ago that you would absolutely draft him because he'll be a first round lock next year and you can get him at a discount now?

[justford]

There is no correct answer concerning Diallo. The only question I have is how does he get meaningful feedback if he doesn't compete? I thought he was testing the waters to find out what he needs to work on in college to enhance his draft status next year. We just never know what these young men are thinking or hearing from outside sources. I wish him good luck in whatever decision he makes.

[George]

^^^^^^^
Sorry, but no freaking way i draft a kid who won't compete and show the world what he has. Guards 6'6 are a dime a dozen and how many star college players have failed in the NBA? How many NBA teams have handed out nice contracts to get burned over the years? Is he physically strong enough to play in the big leagues at this time?

Is this kid better than Doron Lamb? What about James Young?

He probably will be better than Lamb and Young - neither of whom have found any success in the NBA.

[Joneslab]

Lamb was a very good college player but when you start looking for NBA marketability, he lacked. Not much explosiveness to speak of. Fast but not electric like a lot of these NBA guys. Not great size.

But just as a pound-for-pound college player, I think you could make a case that behind Davis, Wall, Cousins, Ulis and maybe a couple of others Lamb was as good as anybody Cal has had at UK. He unfortunately had the Tim Tebow syndrome: just didn't check off a lot of boxes that NBA guys look for.

Diallo's different. Just in his measurements alone he's going to check off some of those boxes.

[Joneslab]

And James Young's lack of NBA success doesn't surprise me at all. I enjoyed watching him but the guy had major holes in his game. Unfortunately for him he stepped into a situation at Boston that saw the Celtics become the best team in the East. If he were at Phoenix or one of these scuffling franchises he may get some run.

But you could just look at him and see major differences in his game and the games of some of these other guards who are going to be mainstays in the League for a few years: Murray, Monk, etc. Young to me is more along the lines of somebody like Archie Goodwin.

[J.Jennings]

But didn't you just say a few days ago that you would absolutely draft him because he'll be a first round lock next year and you can get him at a discount now?

For a kid who won't compete 5 on 5 and hasn't played a lick of college ball??

Yeah i said that but not for a kid scared to compete in a 5 on 5

[J.Jennings]

He probably will be better than Lamb and Young - neither of whom have found any success in the NBA.

Lamb was a darn good college player, Diallo hasn't proved he can hit big shot after big shot on the grand stage in millions of people watching in the Final Four.......

[George]

Lamb was a darn good college player, Diallo hasn't proved he can hit big shot after big shot on the grand stage in millions of people watching in the Final Four.......

I thought we were talking about these guys as pro prospects?

Lamb's done nothing in the NBA. Neither has Young. Any NBA success for Diallo would make him a better pro than those two.

[George]

For a kid who won't compete 5 on 5 and hasn't played a lick of college ball??

Yeah i said that but not for a kid scared to compete in a 5 on 5

It isn't fear; it's strategy*. If teams are willing to gamble on him without seeing him play, then why risk giving them something to criticize?

It's also a very clear sign that he wants to go pro now. If he were in this solely for feedback, he'd get out there and play so that the scouts could critique his game and he'd know what to work on for next year.

[J.Jennings]

He probably will be better than Lamb and Young - neither of whom have found any success in the NBA.

Is he really not having NBA success. He's still in the NBA, he's still gettting paid, he still on Boston's playoff roster. I agree he's not on the All star ballot but overall, he's still in the league and he's still young for his age.

[George]

Is he really not having NBA success. He's still in the NBA, he's still gettting paid, he still on Boston's playoff roster. I agree he's not on the All star ballot but overall, he's still in the league and he's still young for his age.

No, Young isn't having anything close to success. He's successful relative to you and me, but not when compared to pros who actually play.

Young hasn't just struggled to crack the lineup on any given night; he's struggled to hold his roster spot.

[J.Jennings]

it isn't fear; it's strategy*. If teams are willing to gamble on him without seeing him play, then why risk giving them something to criticize?

It's also a very clear sign that he wants to go pro now. If he were in this solely for feedback, he'd get out there and play so that the scouts could critique his game and he'd know what to work on for next year.

Let me make this very clear, i don't give a damn about Diallo. If he aint playing for Kentucky, no love from me. I don't like the fact he used Coach Cal, the University, and the fan base in this situation. Call it what you want but it's BS.....

[George]

Let me make this very clear, i don't give a damn about Diallo. If he aint playing for Kentucky, no love from me. I don't like the fact he used Coach Cal, the University, and the fan base in this situation. Call it what you want but it's BS.....

Okay? Then why talk about it?

My feelings about this situation have been very clear, too. Doesn't mean I can't take an objective look at what he's doing.

[J.Jennings]

No, Young isn't having anything close to success. He's successful relative to you and me, but not when compared to pros who actually play.

Young hasn't just struggled to crack the lineup on any given night; he's struggled to hold his roster spot.

I know all about Young, i am a Boston fan, trust me, i know. If he could find his shot he would play but the thing that keeps him in the league is the same thing that hurts him, his shot is inconsistent. Not sure if it's confidence or what? After this season, i doubt Boston will renew him and keep him on board, last year they drafted a few sleepers who they have stashed in the D-League and overseas. Guys like Jordan Mickey and James Young are out. Hopefully Young will find a team with more opportunity, get some pt and gain confidence, stay in the league...

[George]

I know all about Young, i am a Boston fan, trust me, i know. If he could find his shot he would play but the thing that keeps him in the league is the same thing that hurts him, his shot is inconsistent. Not sure if it's confidence or what? After this season, i doubt Boston will renew him and keep him on board, last year they drafted a few sleepers who they have stashed in the D-League and overseas. Guys like Jordan Mickey and James Young are out. Hopefully Young will find a team with more opportunity, get some pt and gain confidence, stay in the league...

Young's probably looking at a career overseas when this is all said and done. He might get a 10-day option with another team, but I could easily see that leading to a D-League demotion and eventual contract in Croatia.