Lots of players are soft but still became pretty good players. Its just a question if his positives will outwe8gh his negatives at this point.
The top 4 dudes arent soft and show a lot of aggression and fearlessness unlike him. They are also more skilled and dont have a broken J. Its just that after the top 4 it gets kinda dicey people are talking about 6'8 21 yr old pfs like Murray or a total unknown like Sharpe might as well take Dieng he has one of the highest ceilings in the class.
So skilled, so long, so smart but oh so soft and so inconsistent. I'd still try and trade for Hawks Jalen Johnson (same size, similar skillset but much more aggressive and physical) or trade up. Barring that I'd draft Mark Williams or Jeremy Sochan if available over Dieng. Dieng is just such a project.
Donte Green... Wow I had forgot about him. I watched that 40 pointer he dropped in Vegas and I was thinking this cat next to Yao and Tracy could be special. It was long after Green was traded for Ron Artest, I thought we'd make it to the finals that year but Tracey McGrady's back quit on him and so did most of the board. I'd pass on this dude, plain and simple if you aren't a true shooter no thanks, it's a make or miss league plain and simple. See Ben Simmons. Our top pick plus the core we have we need shooters or lock down defenders that are soft. At least draft the next Ron Artest who was drafted 16th BTW.
Poku is tougher than Dieng, and he's regressed in OKC. I too would rather try and acquire Jalen Johnson.
If Dieng is projected to be there at 17 and we keep the pick I think I’d pull the trigger. I’m liking him more the more I watch.
He has a lot of potential and his likely strengths are what the Rockets need. He isn't someone that really loves contact. That isn't a good thing but he is only 18 and he isn't going to be playing the 5. He is 6'10" and supposedly has a 7'2" or 7'3" wingspan. He will be able to defend well on switches and he is a match up nightmare for other teams if he develops. I know he is a real risk but I like him. I think the Rockets need to do everything that they can to end up with one of Sochan, Eason or Dieng. Dieng is someone that could go a lot higher than some people think. I could see SA taking him possibly or another team, because he has a higher upside than Eason. Regardless of whether the Rockets end up with Chet, Jabari or Paolo; they are going to need a wing that can cause mismatches.
From what I have seen, it looks like his defensive awareness is really poor. Definitely a year in the GLeague, but I like the talent and potential! Maybe Patrick Baldwin is a better option...
