Diante

**AlleyAddict** · 02-18-2010, 09:32 PM

Originally Posted by BigBake

The last play before halftime is a tough summary of his career. Dribbles around up top, dribbles in with back to hoop, turns and throws up a prayer. It just wasn't a strong move that would be tough to guard.

I like him and I hate to diss on him but it's just a major flaw in his game...finishing. He just can't do it. And I strongly feel "finishing" is a skill you have or don't. You just need to have a certain touch on your shot to get them to fall and not bounce off.

He really should have looked to pass on that play...or just in general pass more on the drive. He can get to the hoop but it's usually down hill after that.

Maybe that is what frustrates me. A coach/player should recognize that and focus on driving then dishing. Ensure your first thought is always to find the open man.

i agree that he could finish better, thats been my issue with him, i do appreciate that he puts forth effort and actually acts like he gives a crap about winning

**Tre4ISU** · 02-18-2010, 09:32 PM

Originally Posted by BigBake

The last play before halftime is a tough summary of his career. Dribbles around up top, dribbles in with back to hoop, turns and throws up a prayer. It just wasn't a strong move that would be tough to guard.

I like him and I hate to diss on him but it's just a major flaw in his game...finishing. He just can't do it. And I strongly feel "finishing" is a skill you have or don't. You just need to have a certain touch on your shot to get them to fall and not bounce off.

He really should have looked to pass on that play...or just in general pass more on the drive. He can get to the hoop but it's usually down hill after that.

Maybe that is what frustrates me. A coach/player should recognize that and focus on driving then dishing. Ensure your first thought is always to find the open man.

Something I have noticed is that no one seems to help him up top. Tat has nothing to do with finishing but it just seems like he is left up there and people stand and wait for him.

**BigBake** · 02-18-2010, 09:40 PM

Originally Posted by yaman3

Something I have noticed is that no one seems to help him up top. Tat has nothing to do with finishing but it just seems like he is left up there and people stand and wait for him.

Very true, for whatever reason we never dictate our offense but take what we can get. I guess to me it was so hammered on me in HS and college to ALWAYS dictate your offense on the D to win. If you were supposed to be in a very specific spot you got to that spot...even if you committed a foul to do it.

**CRAZYGREG** · 02-18-2010, 09:43 PM

Someone please explain to me how these numbers are any good at all.

OSU: 9pts 5ass 3TOs
@KU: 10pts 4ass 3TOs
@MU: 8pts 2ass 2 TOs

yeah he is good alright! Those are the numbers I want to see out of a 3 year starting PG!

**Tre4ISU** · 02-18-2010, 09:45 PM

Originally Posted by CRAZYGREG

Someone please explain to me how these numbers are any good at all.

OSU: 9pts 5ass 3TOs
@KU: 10pts 4ass 3TOs
@MU: 8pts 2ass 2 TOs

yeah he is good alright! Those are the numbers I want to see out of a 3 year starting PG!

How about his defense?

**kingcy** · 02-18-2010, 10:07 PM

How many open 3s has he turned down the last 2 games? He may hustle but he sure doesnt get back well after he turns the ball over.

**herbicide** · 02-18-2010, 10:11 PM

Originally Posted by yaman3

Honestly, I think he just lacks confidence. That leads him to not be as aggressive as he could be. I just don't see him get stopped very often when he decides he wants to get to the hole. Of course sometimes he struggles to finish, but anytime you get dribble penetration and a shot up you have the opportunity for good things to happen.

This, and once he does dribble penetrate, he seemingly never dumps it off to the open man for an easy assist.

He hesitates way too often with the ball and without it. I think he thinks too much.

**Tre4ISU** · 02-18-2010, 10:13 PM

Originally Posted by kingcy

How many open 3s has he turned down the last 2 games? He may hustle but he sure doesnt get back well after he turns the ball over.

A lot but what I find interesting is that he isn't afraid to take a big one and he is oddly pretty good when we need him. He made a big three and three point play last night.

**BigBake** · 02-18-2010, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by yaman3

Honestly, I think he just lacks confidence. That leads him to not be as aggressive as he could be. I just don't see him get stopped very often when he decides he wants to get to the hole. Of course sometimes he struggles to finish, but anytime you get dribble penetration and a shot up you have the opportunity for good things to happen.

This, he can really slash so well. Here is skinniness/speed helps him get to the hole through small openings. No one just ever helped him finish or taught him to always dish it off.

**legi** · 02-18-2010, 10:21 PM

I wish McD would've let him post up when Paige was guarding him. It would've been interesting to see his post game.

**legi** · 02-18-2010, 10:24 PM

Originally Posted by bellzisu

I will say that he does bust his butt... I still can't go down the road that he is a Big 12 point guard. Or at least a good one.

He is hitting some jumpers, which is great. But he is only shooting 22% from the 3pt line. No where to go but up if you hit a few. I have noticed more 15 ft jumpers, and less missed layups. Mainly because he isn't taking them.

He still needs to improve on his creating off the dribble. I miss seeing a pg that can create with the dribble. DG either takes it all the way, or brings it back out. No inside passing or wing passing.

He looked great in non conference, but since the competition amped up, he hasn't shown up as well. More turnovers, less assists, lower shooting %.

Maybe I'm expecting more out of a Jr PG that has had keys to the offense for almost 3 full years.

I think it's 38.9% for the season, which is pretty good.

**ChickenWing** · 02-18-2010, 10:36 PM

Originally Posted by ktoddcyclones

Diante is playing extremely well. His vision and shot were the two things that needed improvement. And they're improving.

His vision is improving? Well that's good, we have a PG "learning" how to see the court. He's a freshman that played off guard in high school last year so that makes sense.

**Swanson10** · 02-19-2010, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by yaman3

Not if you know anything about basketball.

I know enough to know that our offense is terrible when he is in the game. There is no flow and everyone just stands around because they know there is going to be no ball movement. It's either him shooting or him trying to throw it down to CB, well cant forget him telling everyone to clear the lane so he can bounce it off the backboard.

**clonefreek** · 02-19-2010, 09:57 AM

DG still cant pass, but somehow he is one of the leading assists men in the country. I saw 5 or 6 times where HAM was WIDE OPEN under the hoop and he didnt give it up. I know some ppl say well HAM has butterfingers or whatever and thats ********. If you dont pass the ball to a wide open teammate you dont trust your teammates which can be very damaging. Or he just didnt see him which is very likely because he dribbles with his head down.