DeShields leaving UT, going professional

[Kaizen]

Greg Bibb took two in the first round for Dallas.

Which two WNBA players Greg took have quitted their college 2 times.
Hope you know the difference between quit and leave ....

 

[Shades]

Which two WNBA players Greg took have quitted their college 2 times.
Hope you know the difference between quit and leave ....

I don't consider any of them as quitters. They need to do whatever they feel is best for themselves.

 

[HGN]

In hind sight, Geno 'missing out' on signing DD was one of the greatest Bulls-eye hits ever. And yes , I am assuming her behavior would have been just as erratic if she had signed with the Huskies.

No program deserves this type of drama.....Not even the LadyVols.

 

[easttexastrash]

no WNBA executive will take a player who has quitted 2 schools in her 4 years college period.

So are you saying that no WNBA executive will take Azure Stevens if she decides not to play two years at UCONN, or that no team would want Natalie Butler?

DD has left UT after playing two years and earning her degree.

 

[j66kicker]

In hind sight, Geno 'missing out' on signing DD was one of the greatest Bulls-eye hits ever. And yes , I am assuming her behavior would have been just as erratic if she had signed with the Huskies.

No program deserves this type of drama.....Not even the LadyVols.

Oh yeah - they totally and completely deserve it! And as long as they stay with the same coaching situation and lack of leadership they'll continue to deserve and get more of the same.

 

[Kaizen]

So are you saying that no WNBA executive will take Azure Stevens if she decides not to play two years at UConn, or that no team would want Natalie Butler?

DD has left UT after playing two years and earning her degree.

A player leaves the school with mutual discussion and agreement between the coach and the player is accepted and understanded.

When do Stevens and Butler say they will definitely stay and mentor the upcoming freshmen?

Do you think DD has mutual discussion and agreement with Holly? If yes, I will take back my words ... Thanks.

 

[ed4ourgirls]

. . . who rises to the #1 spot in the BY WCBB Player bash rankings . . .

Is there a bash-worthy dookie available?

 

[j66kicker]

Is there a bash-worthy dookie available?

JPM has always been a reliable go-to around here.

 

[triaddukefan]

Is there a bash-worthy dookie available?

Not in WCBB...... in men's basketball..... that's a different story

 

[triaddukefan]

JPM has always been a reliable go-to around here.

She's in the mix along with Frese, Warlick, McGraw, Walz, and Mulkey.... its a deep field among coaches

 

[uconnever]

The hatred for DD is one of the most consistent things about some of the posters here.

DD is going to be an incredible pro. And as good as Williams is, there is no chance at all that any WNBA executive is going to take her over DD. Williams relies more on her athletic ability than her basketball skill. DD has far superior basketball skill and her game will translate much better to the pro game. Maybe my opinion will change after watching Williams play a full season at the 3 position, but like Nina Davis has proven, you can't make your mark in the WNBA as a 5-11 post player.

I don't at all think it's a forgone conclusion that DD is drafted ahead of GW. I actually have been a fan of DD' s game and have watched her a lot. To me it seems she has regressed over the last two years scoring size. She was a good all around player as was GW. To me it's a toss up with GW getting the edge because of what school she is coming from and her effort. The more i think about GW's defense alone it will get her drafted ahead of DD. Her defense is like none other i have seen.

 

[OldAlum]

Are there European teams playing right now that would sign DD? Other options? Or does she have to wait until the European season that the WNBA players depart to?

 

[YellwJcket999]

For all of the prognosticators, I would love it if quite a few of you guys would sign up on DraftSite.com - NFL, NHL, MLB, NBA, MLS, WNBA - The Original Full Round Mock Draft Site and fill out your picks for the 2018 WNBA draft.

That being said, someone predicted that Gabby would play the #3 position in the pros. I honestly think that it will depend on what position she plays this year. Geno converted her to a post player because of her athleticism. Next year he will not need a 5'11" post.

Gabby may be "learning" (with her talent she can play any position) to play a very different role than the previous three years. She may enter the pros with 1yrs experience as a #2-#3 and 3yrs as a post.

Sorry for hijacking a DD post to talk about an UCONN player.

 

[Kaizen]

For all of the prognosticators, I would love it if quite a few of you guys would sign up on DraftSite.com - NFL, NHL, MLB, NBA, MLS, WNBA - The Original Full Round Mock Draft Site and fill out your picks for the 2018 WNBA draft.

That being said, someone predicted that Gabby would play the #3 position in the pros. I honestly think that it will depend on what position she plays this year. Geno converted her to a post player because of her athleticism. Next year he will not need a 5'11" post.

Gabby may be "learning" (with her talent she can play any position) to play a very different role than the previous three years. She may enter the pros with 1yrs experience as a #2-#3 and 3yrs as a post.

Sorry for hijacking a DD post to talk about an UConn player.

This site had DD as #1 in 2017 draft.
And, they still have Napheesa as #4 in 2018 draft.

 

[Carnac]

An unabashed observation from afar about Diamond Deshields -

I've not come to bury Diamond Deshields, but to acknowledge her skill set. Say and think whatever you will about Diamond, she is a talented basketball player. And because she reached a moderate level of success (and at times suggested there may be more latent potential waiting to be tapped) in Division 1 WCBB, there are several GM's in the WNBA that would sign her right now!. It's often said in professional sports that "talent trumps character".

I'm not advocating or suggesting that DeShields is perfect, or your ideal player coming out of college, she's not. Few are.
But as we know, there will always be coaches that figure they can successfully coach/mentor and enlighten players that may bring a little extra "baggage" with them when they report to camp. There are some things that DeShields will have to adjust to, and make allowances for, but that should not retard her progress in transitioning to the W.

Diamond will not be the first player to come out of college needing a little extra help in making those "personal adjustments" at the next level. Pro coaches and their staff members are experts at showing/helping players how things are done in their particular organization.

A poster mentioned today that if she were to go to the Lynx, Maya would gladly "Mentor" (counsel her as how to conduct her self as to do's/don't's/we won't stand for that type of behavior here) her from a professional and team bonding point of view.

Diamond will be especially attractive to WNBA teams next season (over incoming college seniors) because she, in addition to another year's worth of maturity, will have already played professionally overseas, and will have become indoctrinated to the rigors and expectations of play at that level. She will be able to come in and help a team right away having already learned the nuances of professional team play.

Make no mistake about it, barring injury, DD will go in the first round in next year's WNBA draft. She would have gone in the first round in this year's draft had she come out.

 

[LadyVols9]

I would take Williams 6 days a week and twice on Sunday over DD. I don't think it's even close. Williams plays hard every play every game. DD plays hard when she feels like it, which is about 50% of the time.

 

[sarals24]

Is there a (good) European team that is going to take her? I'm sure she could play somewhere, but she doesn't really have the resume that other players looking for spots overseas have. And most players get a summer in the WNBA to show their skills before going overseas. I just can't see a top tier team taking a chance on her when they have limited roster spots available.

 

[Goodgood]

What is so hard to understand about DD?

It is all about her friendship (a very close one with Tea Cooper). Initially, Cooper was going to North Carolina but she was two years behind DD, so DD committed to North Carolina first and got a boatload of her friends to commit there as well with the expectations that they will win a NC when Cooper gets there. Unfortunately, Cooper changed her mind and has UT in her view for whatever reason. So, DD transferred to Tennessee and would be eligible to play when Cooper gets on board.
They did get to play together one miserable season. Cooper + DD were never able to take over the team the same way DD did at North Carolina. Cooper got injured and sat out last year. DD wanted to come back and play one more year with Cooper and with the help of the number 1 incoming class, they may be able to get to the final four and maybe more. Everything looks good and promising.
Two months later, Cooper got into trouble and UT administration (not Holly or the Athletic Department) dismissed her for her fight that would have been overlooked if not for prior repeated infractions.

So, Cooper is gone.

UT means nothing to DD now and she takes off. Goodbye Final Four, National Championship, college life that didn't fit her well. It is hard to be liked when one drives around campus in a brand new Mercedes and an attitude.

Long story short, DD was a great friend and her plans might have been good if Cooper was carrying her side of the deal. I don't think DD blamed anyone but herself at this point.
I don't particularly like or dislike DD. She does what she does. But the bashing hasn't been fair. Kind of like what EDD went thru when she left. I don't see anybody quitting and it is simpler than it looks.

 

[Vowelguy]

In hind sight, Geno 'missing out' on signing DD was one of the greatest Bulls-eye hits ever. And yes , I am assuming her behavior would have been just as erratic if she had signed with the Huskies.

Randy Moss was a much better behaved teammate for most of his time with Belichick & Brady than he had been elsewhere.

 

[Carnac]

Is there a (good) European team that is going to take her? I'm sure she could play somewhere, but she doesn't really have the resume that other players looking for spots overseas have. And most players get a summer in the WNBA to show their skills before going overseas. I just can't see a top tier team taking a chance on her when they have limited roster spots available.

Good question, who knows. She (if she hasn't already will hire an agent who is familiar with teams overseas, and will convince a team overseas that he feels would not only be a good fit for her, but will compensate her fairly as well.

At this point, she just needs to get her feet wet, and get on a team, and adjust to the play and expectations of "play for pay" professional women's basketball.....................which is a world apart from WCBB.

 

[JordyG]

I haven't said much until now because none of this hasn't been expected. To me DD is what she is and there is a large enough sample size to make that assessment.

I must sound like a broken record, but here comes my repeat. I personally feel that she'll be a franchise/GM/coach destroyer. Many will be beguiled by her talent and her athletic ability, but she'll continue to disappoint at the next level. She'll continue to be a less than average shooter from outside and inside the arc because I think she doesn't jump a consistent height on her shots. Occasionally she over jumps, occasionally she under jumps, making her a streaky shooter. When she's hot she'll look like a world beater. When she's not she'll look marginal.

This is what she is. It's impossible to build a team around this kind of player, especially at the pro level where she'll encounter a lot of athletes at her level. She'll have a problem working within a share the ball offense since she is an average passer and turnover prone. Come playoff time when the pace will increase so will her TO's. She'll again miss more clutch shots than make. This kind of stuff divides locker rooms. Any GM/coach that hitches their wagon to her will soon get their walking papers. DD will ultimately move from team to team as another coach becomes enamored by her "potential", but old habits are hard to break. Ultimately I think she'll find a home overseas where her athletic ability will enchant Euro clubs and put butts in seats.

What I'd like is for her to prove me wrong and suddenly develop consistency.

I doubt it.

 

[Charliebball]

Fun to her Kenny Kalina's take on the DD issue

 

[Carnac]

I haven't said much until now because none of this hasn't been expected. To me DD is what she is and there is a large enough sample size to make that assessment.

I must sound like a broken record, but here comes my repeat. I personally feel that she'll be a franchise/GM/coach destroyer. Many will be beguiled by her talent and her athletic ability, but she'll continue to disappoint at the next level. She'll continue to be a less than average shooter from outside and inside the arc because I think she doesn't jump a consistent height on her shots. Occasionally she over jumps, occasionally she under jumps, making her a streaky shooter. When she's hot she'll look like a world beater. When she's not she'll look marginal.

This is what she is. It's impossible to build a team around this kind of player, especially at the pro level where she'll encounter a lot of athletes at her level. She'll have a problem working within a share the ball offense since she is an average passer and turnover prone. Come playoff time when the pace will increase so will her TO's. She'll again miss more clutch shots than make. This kind of stuff divides locker rooms. Any GM/coach that hitches their wagon to her will soon get their walking papers. DD will ultimately move from team to team as another coach becomes enamored by her "potential", but old habits are hard to break. Ultimately I think she'll find a home overseas where her athletic ability will enchant Euro clubs and put butts in seats.

What I'd like is for her to prove me wrong and suddenly develop consistency.

I doubt it.

Jordy, you make some interesting observations that I find difficult to debate. This past season, we saw several WNBA teams cut former 1st round draftees in favor of fresh healthy and highly talented players coming from college that will start at the bottom end of the salary scale.

If DD fails to impress or conform her game (and outlook) to an acceptable level of proficiency and consistency as a professional, I doubt she'll be around long enough to cause a coach to be terminated. Coaches will not keep anyone on roster they feel can't/won't become a great teammate, play hard ALL OF THE TIME, can't help their team win games, and in turn keep them employed. She'll start at the end of the bench, and have to work her way towards the other end.

There are a few talented seniors from college joining the W every year, that get off the plane league when they report to camp. (Mo Jefferson, Kayla McBride, Nneka Owgumike, Tayler hill, Alyssa Thomas, Allisha Gray, Stewie, Jewell Loyd, and Elena Delle Donne come to mind just to name a few). It will be interesting to she how she will fare at the next level.

 

[EricLA]

I would take Williams 6 days a week and twice on Sunday over DD. I don't think it's even close. Williams plays hard every play every game. DD plays hard when she feels like it, which is about 50% of the time.

I certainly think a LVol fan who watched DD day in and day out for every minute she was at Tennessee would have far more "street cred" thank a Baylor fan itching for an argument... Thanks for your insight!