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Message: [QUOTE="Carnac, post: 2241975, member: 5798"] [B]An unabashed observation from afar about Diamond Deshields - [/B] 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 [U]right now[/U]!. It's often said in professional sports that "[I]talent trumps character[/I]". 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 [U]always[/U] 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 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 [U]gladly[/U] "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, [B]DD will go in the first round in next year's WNBA draft. [/B]She would have gone in the first round in [U]this year's[/U] draft had she come out. [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach