PF/C | 6-11, 241 lbs
2015-16 season: 82 games, 39 starts, 10.1 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.2 BPG, 1.1 SPG, 53.2 FG%, 82.7 FT%
Minnesota Timberwolves fans saw Gorgui Dieng quietly put together the best season of his three-year career, putting up a career-high in games played, points per game, rebounds per game, field goal percentage and free-throw percentage.
When Dieng came into the league, he was viewed as a very raw player even though he was 24 years old. Yes, some of the things he does aren’t the smoothest, but the end result is all that matters. He’s come a long way since attempting mid-range shots with assistant coach Jack Sikma during his rookie season.
Dieng was consistent all season, finishing with more than 10 points in 42 games and more than five rebounds in 67 games.
He developed throughout the season and you could make an argument that he was the team’s most improved player.
3.) April 13, 2016 vs. New Orleans Pelicans
This was the final game of the season when the Wolves blew out the Pellies, 144-109.
The game marked Dieng’s 82nd game of the season, the first time in his career he had played all 82 games. And he went out with a bang, finishing with 20 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and two blocks while shooting a nearly perfect 7-for-8 from the field, 2-for-2 (!) from the 3-point line and 4-for-4 from the free-throw line.
2.) March 11 at Oklahoma City Thunder
The highlight of this game was Ricky Rubio’s game-winning 3-pointer, but Dieng was probably the team’s best player throughout the night. He finished with a team-high 25 points to go with nine rebounds, three blocks, two steals and one assist. He shot 7-for-12 and an impressive 11-for-11 from the free-throw line in less than 31 minutes.
1.) Feb. 6, 2016 vs. Chicago Bulls
Dieng’s best game of the season came in this home 112-105 win over the Bulls. Dieng was in triple-double territory, finishing with 24 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and one block. He shot 10-for-13 from the field and 4-for-4 from the free-throw line.
Dieng and Karl-Anthony Towns combined for 50 points and 30 rebounds while Chicago’s backcourt of Pau Gasol and Taj Gibson combined for just 32 points and 14 rebounds.
The first thing Dieng should focus on is resting. We hope he’s actually taking a nap right now. Dieng fought through a hip injury for a big chunk of the season, but still managed to play in all 82 games. His 2,220 minutes were fifth on the team.
Dieng will more than likely play for Senegal this summer (though he hasn’t confirmed) in the country’s pursuit to head to Rio for the Olympics. Senegal will have to beat out Andrew Wiggins’ Canada squad, France, New Zealand, Philippines and Turkey for one of the final three spots. It will be important for Dieng to get plenty of rest after the qualifying round or the Olympics before the regular season starts. He mentioned at the end of the season he struggled in the early season because his body never really got a chance to rest.
The big man has extended his range in every season as a pro, shooting a career-high 39.5 percent of shots from three to 10 feet last season. In play with Senegal last summer, we saw Dieng launch more 3-pointers than we ever have and that wasn’t by accident. Dieng shot a career-high 20 3-pointers last season and wasn’t horrible, hitting eight of them.
He doesn’t need to be a guy who shoots three 3-pointers a game, but if he can simply become a threat, he’ll become tougher to guard and will be able to score at all three levels.
This all depends on what the team does during the draft and free agency. Dieng has improved throughout his three seasons in Minnesota and held his own as a starter last season.
Dieng could be a starter, paired next to Towns. He could also be a guy off the bench, giving the Wolves 20-25 solid minutes.
Again, we’ll see what happens this offseason.
“They’re both great post-up players, but can run the floor, both can shoot the ball from mid-range and out to the 3-point line, so it’s a tough challenge. You have two skilled bigs who can play very well and complement each other well, so you definitely have to respect them.” – New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis on trying to guard Dieng and Towns.
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