Gorgui Dieng, Minnesota Timberwolves
- Position: Center
- Age: 26 (01/18/1990)
- Height, Weight: 6’11” , 241 pounds
- Career Slash Line: .516/.296/.778
- Career Averages: 24.3 MPG, 8.5 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.3 BPG, 0.9 SPG
Gorgui Dieng’s production went unnoticed last season. Seeing as he’ll be a restricted free agent next summer, the big man will need to find a way to make himself stick out.
New Timberwolves boss Tom Thibodeau signed Cole Aldrich to compete with Dieng for minutes at center. Thibodeau is the defensive coach that the Twolves needed.
They were 27th in defending the restricted area (according to NBA.com) last season and unfortunately that was largely Dieng’s fault.
According to Nylon Calculus, Dieng allowed opponents to shoot 52.3% at the rim while contesting field goal attempts. For context, Greg Monroe (always maligned for his defense) allowed opponents to shoot 51.5%.
The University of Louisville product has consistently improved on offense since entering the league in 2013. It’s his many offensive skills that make him a valuable asset. During the 2015-16 season, Dieng converted 68% of his attempts in the restricted area and 42.7% of his mid-range shots (via NBA.com).
