Vanderbilt Coach Compares Lady Vols to UConn After Loss

[cabbie191]

DD is not a cancer. I think that's a bit unfair for a college kid to be labeled that way. She is a critical part of any deep run in March. When she is on, she is one of the best. Period. However, she is just very up and down. Kinda like Simmons was at TN. We either did great when she was hot or we did not when she was cold. That being said, we have offense coming from multiple players. Both Nared and Russell can put up 20 points any given night. The real question is what other players will step up....like Middleton, Jackson, Reynolds, etc. We need at least 4 players doing great things at all times to beat the top teams.

I know cancerous is a strong term and I really don't like using it when referring to a college player but I'm not sure I have a better word.

I am very respectful of Diamond's skills. You're absolutely right - when she is on, she is top notch, one of the best out there. But that's the problem - even taking into acocunt the challenges she's had with her injuries (which, by the way, I give her a lot of credit for not using them as an excuse when things haven't gone well), she just seems incredibly moody and is too often not on her game.

Sometimes she plays with enthusiasm and a joy, other times she seems disdainful and gives to me the appearance she wishes she could be anywhere else but on the court. If this is accurate, wouldn't this be disruptive to the team's morale and chemistry?

LV9, you must watch many more Tennessee games than I do. If you believe my observation is wrong, I'm glad to hear your analysis.

 

[Justavisitor]

DD is not a cancer. I think that's a bit unfair for a college kid to be labeled that way. She is a critical part of any deep run in March. When she is on, she is one of the best. Period. However, she is just very up and down. Kinda like Simmons was at TN. We either did great when she was hot or we did not when she was cold. That being said, we have offense coming from multiple players. Both Nared and Russell can put up 20 points any given night. The real question is what other players will step up....like Middleton, Jackson, Reynolds, etc. We need at least 4 players doing great things at all times to beat the top teams.

Some forget that Diamond had torn ligaments in her hand this season. Of course, she's up and down. This happened to her shooting hand (thumb). Since the wrap has come off, her shooting percentage has been soaring up. In the last 3 games, her shooting % is at 50%.

 

[cabbie191]

Some forget that Diamond had torn ligaments in her hand this season. Of course, she's up and down. This happened to her shooting hand (thumb). Since the wrap has come off, her shooting percentage has been soaring up. In the last 3 games, her shooting % is at 50%.

Thanks - I didn't know about the ligaments. Just remember that she had lingering problems with her legs.

 

[Justavisitor]

You are correct---every time I see ORANGE===I punch an upright! And when I see Diamonds--I just throw them in the trash.
But when I see a dedicated WBB player--I respect her.

Apparently, dedication isn't obvious to your eyes. Her dedication is unwavering and you have no idea of the injury that she had to battle through just to get to where she is today. She's fortunate to be able to still play this game. UNC nearly damaged her for life by playing her on that bum leg and running her in the ground. Thank goodness, she got out of there and into a program that put her health first.

 

[Justavisitor]

Thanks - I didn't know about the ligaments. Just remember that she had lingering problems with her legs.

Yes, the leg injury she was fortunate to get by. Then about a week before SEC play began, she tore ligaments in her thumb on the shooting hand. The wrap has been off for the last 5 games.

 

[Charliebball]

Pardon the hell out of ME!! In some subjects, I' dense!

you're excused...........this time...............

 

[Charliebball]

DD is not a cancer. I think that's a bit unfair for a college kid to be labeled that way. She is a critical part of any deep run in March. When she is on, she is one of the best. Period. However, she is just very up and down. Kinda like Simmons was at TN. We either did great when she was hot or we did not when she was cold. That being said, we have offense coming from multiple players. Both Nared and Russell can put up 20 points any given night. The real question is what other players will step up....like Middleton, Jackson, Reynolds, etc. We need at least 4 players doing great things at all times to beat the top teams.

well the good news is you'll be getting a great group of recruits next year............the bad news is that you will most likely have to live through similar results unless there is a coaching change.........nice lady........not such a good coach..........

 

[BroadwayVa]

you're excused......this time.....

Please don't keep a running total---excuse or don't --it is always important to know where one stands i.e. is considered --i.e. friend or enemy --- i.e. can post or can't. I told you--I'm dense!!

 

[Alydar]

↑

Is DD the coach--?? Who is running that row boat? DD is a cancer? Why wait for the WnBA/?
Boot her from the program if she is that disruptive as --cancer? The coach has that power.
Can you see that happening (for very long) with Geno//?/

This is flat out hatred. You're not in that locker room and you have no clue, so why spew this nonsense? Diamond is adored by her teammates and staff. She has developed into quite the team player.

I won't try to defend the post to which you are replying but are you in the locker room? Are you with the players away from the court? And if not, how do know she is "adored" by her teammates? I suspect you read read too many of the puff pieces put out by the program or homer writers like Cornelius.

As far as injuries, I remember how after she announced her transfer there were posts by LV fans excusing her sub-30% 3 pt shooting as a freshman by stating that she played her entire freshman season with a wrist/hand injury. Then during her sit-out season we were constantly told that she was practicing with the team and was 100%. Then in the summer of 2015 we learned that she had leg issues but again were assured that she would be 100% by the start of the season. Then when she continued to shoot around 25% from behind the arc we were told that her leg issues weren't over. Now this year you tell us that her hand injury has resurfaced.

I also remember that in both of her playing seasons her game suddenly came alive in the NCAA's. Now I don't know her and I have no sources in the LV locker room but it appears to me that the quality of DD's play rises and falls depending on the importance of the game and the TV coverage. I also noticed that her shooting % has improved this season, but only because she has stopped taking 8-10 3 pt shots a game and has instead focused on mid-range shooting, where she indeed is very good.

IMO DD is a very talented and very athletic player who has yet to show the maturity expected of an academic senior. I'm sure she will be a lottery pick next May, but I would guess that her history of chronic injuries would give some teams pause.

 

[CocoHusky]

Some forget that Diamond had torn ligaments in her hand this season. Of course, she's up and down. This happened to her shooting hand (thumb). Since the wrap has come off, her shooting percentage has been soaring up. In the last 3 games, her shooting % is at 50%.

Yes, the leg injury she was fortunate to get by. Then about a week before SEC play began, she tore ligaments in her thumb on the shooting hand. The wrap has been off for the last 5 games.

Seriously can someone please annotate in the box scores the games where the torn ligaments (allegedly) have impacted Diamonds shooting so I can't keep track of the lame excuses being made for her poor play.
Mercedes is doing ok though right, because she's been up and down also?

 

[DaddyChoc]

This is flat out hatred. You're not in that locker room and you have no clue, so why spew this nonsense? Diamond is adored by her teammates and staff. She has developed into quite the team player.

its sad that some poster go that far to talk about any of these young ladies playing CBB... I apologize for them!

 

[Rocket009]

Some forget that Diamond had torn ligaments in her hand this season. Of course, she's up and down. This happened to her shooting hand (thumb). Since the wrap has come off, her shooting percentage has been soaring up. In the last 3 games, her shooting % is at 50%.

I guess we shall see as the season progresses. Based on your assertion, we should see some more consistency from Diamond going forward. With games against Florida, South Carolina and LSU coming up, we'll have some games against teams of different levels to judge by.