Good Diamond Deshields Piece

[RockyMTblue2]

Some stuff you could wince at, but it is an in depth look.

Diamond DeShields, daughter of former MLB player Delino DeShields, wants to be the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft

What does this say about her leaving early? Nothing, if she has her degree?

"It’s just not smart [for women] right now. … For now, college basketball is the biggest platform, not professional. From what people have told me, it’s a culture shock when you get there. [Women] are not going into a situation where we can make millions of dollars like the guys. We have to fight every day for every dollar we earn. Some of my friends in the league have talked to me about places that haven’t given them all their money overseas, spending eight months away from home in another country where you don’t know anybody except the one American teammate that’s there with you."

 

[Orangutan]

Oh look, ESPN pushing DeShields as a superstar! Who would have thought?

I expect everyone here will love Diamond now that she said this, right?

"I love Geno [Auriemma]. He’s a great coach, he’s a great leader, a great example for his players and he has instilled a competitiveness in them they probably wouldn’t have had they gone somewhere else. Kansas has won 13 consecutive regular-season championships, and nobody is saying it’s bad for the game. … They work hard. You’re a hater if you think that that’s bad for the game. Everybody else needs to elevate themselves."

 

[stwainfan]

Good article.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

She'll never be accused of being humble. Some things are best kept to yourself.

"I just like to think of myself as an extremely unique individual, someone who does things how they want to do it. Not in a bad, disrespectful, disobedient way. My dad always raised me, ‘don’t let anyone back you in a corner,’ and ‘do what you want to do.’ That’s how I think about life. I feel like I am truly one of a kind in all aspects, on and off the floor. The level of intellect I have is beyond what most people would assume about me. There’s only one creature that is synonymous, and that is the unicorn."

The flip side of this is you pretty much always get what DD is thinking.

 

[stwainfan]

If she goes pro. Does she get #1 pick?

 

[bags27]

Oh look, ESPN pushing DeShields as a superstar! Who would have thought?
I expect everyone here will love Diamond now that she said this, right?
"I love Geno [Auriemma]. He’s a great coach, he’s a great leader, a great example for his players and he has instilled a competitiveness in them they probably wouldn’t have had they gone somewhere else. Kansas has won 13 consecutive regular-season championships, and nobody is saying it’s bad for the game. … They work hard. You’re a hater if you think that that’s bad for the game. Everybody else needs to elevate themselves."

I think she's always said nice things about him. If the BY is slowly softening its criticisms of her (I certainly am!), it's because the last 6 weeks she's becoming far more of a team player, looking more for the open teammate than in controlling the dribble herself, and her turn overs are way down, too. That's been a personal disappointment, as I used to watch Tenn games just to see if DD would get to double figures in turn overs.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

If she goes pro. Does she get #1 pick?

I'd take Plum #1. She plays well every game. Diamond's athleticism is compromised by her frailty and her erratic play.

 

[Orangutan]

If she goes pro. Does she get #1 pick?

It seems like the consensus is that it would be either her or Plum #1 with K. Mitchell as a dark horse if she comes out. See, for example this mock draft - 2017 WNBA Mock Draft: Dallas Wings look to build quickly with three top-10 picks

Personally, I hope she does come out and go #1. I want Plum in Chicago!

 

[JoePgh]

She'll never be accused of being humble. Some things are best kept to yourself.

"I just like to think of myself as an extremely unique individual, someone who does things how they want to do it. Not in a bad, disrespectful, disobedient way. My dad always raised me, ‘don’t let anyone back you in a corner,’ and ‘do what you want to do.’ That’s how I think about life. I feel like I am truly one of a kind in all aspects, on and off the floor. The level of intellect I have is beyond what most people would assume about me. There’s only one creature that is synonymous, and that is the unicorn."

The flip side of this is you pretty much always get what DD is thinking.

To me, that quote makes it pretty easy to figure out why she didn't want to play for Geno. He wouldn't tolerate "someone who does things how they want to do it". She made a good decision to play at colleges where that is more likely to be tolerated.

 

[stwainfan]

I'd take Plum #1. She plays well every game. Diamond's athleticism is compromised by her frailty and her erratic play.

Plummer can certainly score. I do think the ceiling for Diamond is higher.

 

[Orangutan]

To me, that quote makes it pretty easy to figure out why she didn't want to play for Geno. He wouldn't tolerate "someone who does things how they want to do it". She made a good decision to play at colleges where that is more likely to be tolerated.

Except for she basically says that she did want to play for Geno - "It was too far [from home in Georgia]. A lot of my friends were there at the time, and I know how hard of a coach he is. I knew if I couldn’t have that phone call, ‘Mom, can you come up?’ I would have probably lost my mind. I loved him. I really did. If [UConn] were a bit closer, I probably would have been there, honestly."

(emphasis mine)

 

[stwainfan]

It seems like the consensus is that it would be either her or Plum #1 with K. Mitchell as a dark horse if she comes out. See, for example this mock draft - 2017 WNBA Mock Draft: Dallas Wings look to build quickly with three top-10 picks

Personally, I hope she does come out and go #1. I want Plum in Chicago!

I also hope she stays. If she does look at the Tennessee roster next year.

 

[bags27]

I also hope she stays. If she does look at the Tennessee roster next year.

I have complete faith in Holly to turn gold into dross.....

 

[Carnac]

In interesting piece on Diamond. She said she wants to be the #1 pick in the WNBA draft. She did not indicate which draft, the one next month, or the 2018 draft. My money is on the one next month!!

She's a red-shirt junior. She should have her degree in May. Her class is eligible for this year's WNBA draft. I've said all year, she's leaving after this season for the WNBA. Why should she spend another year in college, chasing a championship that she realizes she may never get, when can can move on with her life and career aspirations at the next level?

I didn't need any prognosticating paraphernalia, or an Epiphany to come to that conclusion. Anyone could see that. After reading this piece, I think she has pretty much removed any doubt about her plans for next year. DeShields should be a first round selection. The first overall pick?, I don't think so. The San Antonio Stars have the first pick, and they don't need a guard as much as they do a wing and a post player. Kelsey plum will go before she does. And maybe Shatori Walker-Kimbrough. Two post players that are also coming out that may fill a need for a team: Alaina Coates (SC) & Kelsey Lang (Texas).

 

[meyers7]

In interesting piece on Diamond. She said she wants to be the #1 pick in the WNBA draft. She did not indicate which draft, the one next month, or the 2018 draft. My money is on the one next month!!

Well she is not going to be #1 in the 2018 draft.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Well she is not going to be #1 in the 2018 draft.

Geno predicted Z, you?

 

[meyers7]

Geno predicted Z, you?

You don't think she'll stay 2 years???

Wilson will go #1.

 

[stwainfan]

If Diamond had played at Tennessee her freshman year. She would be among the 2,000 point club members. Parker, Holdsclaw, Catchings, and Gordon are members of the 2,000 point club.

 

[Coach]

You don't think she'll stay 2 years???

Wilson will go #1.

I think it'll be Wilson also. She's ready for the pro game. Can you imagine how good she'll be if her teammates can shoot from the outside and create more space for her to operate?

 

[RockyMTblue2]

You don't think she'll stay 2 years???

Wilson will go #1.

Nope, I just get years confused. I was thinking 2019.

 

[Kaizen]

You don't think she'll stay 2 years???

Wilson will go #1.

Not really, I think Gabby could be the #1 pick in 2018.

 

[Carnac]

I think it'll be Wilson also. She's ready for the pro game. Can you imagine how good she'll be if her teammates can shoot from the outside and create more space for her to operate?

A'ja Wilson is a junior this year. Unless she's eligible AGE WISE (like Jewel Loyd was), I believe she'll have to wait until next year's draft.

 

[ucbart]

Not really, I think Gabby could be the #1 pick in 2018.

Gabby has to develop an outside jumper. Gabby can be a perimeter player on defense in the W, but not on offense.....yet. I don't think her athleticism will be that much of a difference maker in the W for her to play offense or defense as a post player. I love Gabby, but could you imagine her trying to guard players like Nneka, Chiney, Stewie, Tina or any of the other 4's in the W?

With that being said, she will be a top 5 pick. But I think Wilson goes #1.

 

[SCspur]

I think it'll be Wilson also. She's ready for the pro game. Can you imagine how good she'll be if her teammates can shoot from the outside and create more space for her to operate?

I think you'll see more of that next year as we will be more forward based and will allow us to play much faster.

 

[SCspur]

Not really, I think Gabby could be the #1 pick in 2018.

I think Williams will have to improve her perimeter skills to get taken highly in next years draft. She needs to develop a consistent 3 point shot and better ball handling because she'll likely be a guard at the next level and not a forward. She may be able to get by with just her athleticism in College but the pros is a whole different ball game and their are tons of players just as athletic as her if not more.