Postseason Report Card -- Eduardo Najera / DeSagana Diop / Garrett Temple
by Ben Swanson on May 11, 2011 5:46 PM EDT
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PrintNajera (31 games)
Per game: 12 minutes, 2.2 points, 0.8-2.3 FGM-A (36.1%), 0.4-1.1 3PM-A (32.4%), 0.2-0.4 FTM-A (54.5%), 1.4 rebounds, 0.6 assists
Advanced stats: 5.5 PER, .438 eFG%, 7.2 TRB%, 93 ORtg, 109 DRtg
Diop (16 games)
Per game: 11.3 minutes, 1.3 points, 0.5-1.5 FGM-A (33.3%), 0.3-0.7 FTM-A (54.5%), 2.5 rebounds, 0.9 blocks
Advanced stats: 5.4 PER, .333 eFG%, 13.4 TRB% (8 ORB%), 5.8 BLK%, 73 ORtg, 104 DRtg
Temple (12 games)Per game: 10.5 minutes, 3.2 points, 1-3.5 FGM-A (28.6%), 0.6-2.2 3PM-A (26.9%), 0.6-0.9 FTM-A (63.6%), 2 assists, 1.7 turnoversAdvanced Stats: 6.4 PER, 30.2 AST%, 29.9 TO%, 73 ORtg, 102 DRtg
Season Synopsis
Eduardo Najera
He was the parsley of the unsatisfactory meal that was the 2010-2011 Bobcats under Larry Brown. Najera only got 22 minutes total with Larry Brown as coach. He minutes grew a little initially when Silas has hired, but he really began to get on the court more after Tyrus Thomas went down with his knee injury and Najera became the only other option as a backup power forward. And then just as quickly as he received significant playing time, he was relegated back to the bench after the Bobcats traded Gerald Wallace and Nazr Mohammed in separate trades for Dante Cunningham and D.J. White, who would get most of Najera's minutes to the end of the season.
DeSagana Diop
After hardly getting off the bench for the last couple seasons, Diop went to work in the offseason, taking no vacation and doing two-a-days. He truly wanted to help the team and make an impact on the court. Though he still wouldn't get much playing time, there were the rare occasions under both coaches where Gana got a good bit of time to show what he had. But in an unfortunate turn of events, Diop ruptured his right Achilles tendon. He was done for the season and would get surgery.
After the wild trade deadline, the Bobcats waived Derrick Brown, Dominic McGuire, Sean Marks, Morris Peterson and Sherron Collins to make room for the transactions with Portland and Oklahoma City. Left with room after the transactions were completed, the Bobcats scrambled to re-sign the guys they were forced to waive. Dominic McGuire was taken back, the Knicks jumped on Derrick Brown and Sherron Collins couldn't catch either of the flights the Bobcats arranged for him to return to Charlotte. So the Cats signed Garrett Temple up from the NBADL to a ten-day contract. And then a second ten-day contract. And then for the rest of the season.
It seemed like Temple would just be unused insurance with Augustin starting and Livingston playing exception backup point guard. But then, like a cheesy sports movie, both Bobcats point guards went down with injuries in the fourth quarter in a crucial game against the Milwaukee Bucks during the last push in the playoff hunt. Garrett Temple vs. Brandon Jennings? Temple would prove his worth in the matchup as he played ten straight minutes and help holding Jennings to 2-12 FG shooting in the final stanza en route to a Bobcats win in the final seconds. His defense was outstanding and a momentous three-pointer helped keep the Bobcats in the game.
But after that, things got a bit more topsy-turvy with Temple's inconsistent shooting and all-around play. He did score 17 points in a losing effort against the Heat, though.
General Analysis
Solid fundamentals, not so solid other things. He has poor shot selection and is in love with the three-pointer even though it's an unrequited love. Mexican Dom Draper sets good screens though. His defense is hardly anything to write home about. He struggles with lateral quickness, especially noticeable on the pick and roll. He's not strong or big enough to guard in the post either (allowing 50% FG in the post and on the PnR). His lack of strength doesn't lend much to his weak rebounding, as well. But he plays tough every second.
He rebounds and plays defense. That about sums up everything we need to know about Diop. It's hard to make concrete analysis of his game from this season, but he didn't change much. Also remembering what little I saw from the preseason, Gana shot more jump shots, which is weird because his jumper makes the Elephant Man look like he should be on a GQ cover. Regardless, this is nothing new. Diop's offense isn't why Dallas decided to overpay him. His rebounding and defense is why they decided to overpay him. He especially shines in post defense, where his length and shot blocking instincts take over, forcing opponents to change their shots or sending them back free of charge. But his immobility hurts when defending the pick and roll and on help defense.
Garrett Temple
Another mostly defensive-minded player, Temple is great on-ball and struggles on offense. He's a good ballhandler and a talented passer, but he makes some foolish errors. He's gifted athletically and has terrific size for a guard, which allows him to defend passing lanes well, create turnovers off of deflections and deny his opponents the space to get the rock. But his limitations on offense hold him back in the NBA. His shot is inconsistent and according to Draft Express, he tends to overwhelmingly drive to his left. Temple does run the PnR well and is a great passer, however.
What to Work on
Eduardo Najera
Shot selection. Period.
DeSagana Diop
Just please get healthy. After that, some work on the block would be nice.
Garrett Temple
Jump shot. It sounds like Silas is interested in possibly bringing back Garrett, and in Silas' "shoot if you're open" system, Temple's going to need a more reliable set jumper and/or a pick and pop shot.
The Official Rufus on Fire Unofficial Fresh Prince Season Grades
Eduardo Najera
DeSagana Diop and Garrett Temple
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Comments
Well,
those offensive numbers are quite grim.
I didn't write the Constitution, but I was ALMOST did.
I liked Diop
When he started getting minutes (I thought he was being showcased for a trade) he seemed much improved. I still doubt he is worth his contract but with lack of halfway decent centers in the league I hope we could include him in a package with Jackson and some trade picks for a quality talent crosses fingers for Pau Gasol
by Jern Dough on May 11, 2011 7:16 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I liked him as well and thought he was showing some promise
Agreed not promise in comparison to his salary, but promise enough to be able to at least utilize him. I can only hope he is keeping a solid diet, keeping his weight down and his upper body strength up, and can come into camp where he was right before the injury.
Bobcats Basketball is my only pro sports passion...
by andrewlail76 on May 12, 2011 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Gasol would be good
I doubt that the lakers would take such a risk with two recently injured players…one who missed a whole season and one who is older than the whole team.
I’d rather have Scola or Bogut/Bargnani…even JJ Hickson.
Diop is pretty talented but i wanna see if he can perform well b4 we trade him. We may be able to get more for him if we showcase him for a week or two
those three!
Are not what you call depth on an NBA team. That further explains why were not that good, and two of those guys are under contract. One more bad year before we get out of the rebuilding period.
ezrock
While the "rebuilding"
teams we think we are so much better than will be getting better. WAS, CLE, NY, NJ, IND, PHI. Thats 6 teams. Plus Miami/Chi/BOS. So unless we start getting young veteran FAs. We will be out of the running for longer than just next season.
I hope not
But it’s not looking good for us during 11-12 season. We must over achieve, bc I don’t believe management will try something spectacular or grossly improve what we have right now. I think they want another lottery pick and a prayer that someone significant signs with us to save the fan base. But I could be wrong.
ezrock
JR Smith...
Nick Young. Even if we dont move JAX or Diaw. Now we have a Scoring punch. Augustin will avg 15-18pts. JAX will be the usual 18 (god I hope we move him for some young vets. AL JEFFERSON 20pts 10rebs)…Then Nick Young will be a 20pts scorer. This is not a knock on HENDO (wish ppl would understand that) but I think if we take Denver’s route to building a team, the sucess is guaranteed. DJ/Livingston Young or Smith/Hendo ?/? Diaw/Tyrus and Jefferson/Kwame. And at least we can compete.
I wouldnt mind us rebuilding for a while but the fact that all the “scrub” teams went into rebuilding a few years back and they are all coming into their own around the same time will put us way down on the totem pole. Not to mention with the overhyped “changing of the guard”, that means the younger teams/players will be good for a long time. Teams like Dallas, Lakers, Spurs, Celtics, Orlando (teams that ALWAYS make the playoffs) are being replaced by MIA, OKC, MEM, HOU, CHI, ATL, NY…these teams will be playoff teams for 5/6yrs unless something drastic happens. All these teams are fairly young and are continuing to grow together. So we need to make moves.
For example, pry Steph Curry away (we seem to have a good repoire with GS)… OR trade JAX/Diop/1st rd to Utah for Jefferson. Utah WILL get rid of him this season and we need to be in line. Grab a couple decent SFs to replace JAX. Preferably Shawne Williams and Mo Evans…So you have Young, Williams, Evans. Augustin, Livingston, Hendo, Jefferson, Brown, Tyrus, Diaw (until the deadline)…Other than Young (who can be replaced by Thornton or JR Smith) whoever is cheaper of the 3
I like your Scenario
It looks good on paper. I really don’t mind someone really strong behind Hendo as long as they don’t cost us too much, bc that guy would have to start. Competition will make or brake any professional athlete. If we had Al Jefferson and Kwame our C position would be solid for 4 to 5 years. Management holds all the keys once FA starts we will know if they want to make the playoffs as an 8th or 7th seed with a fairly young team or tank for the next season.
ezrock
Tanking does us no good..
it lowers the team morale. Lets say we had those players listed above. But we decided to TANK. That would make those players feel like they cant do it. I know that those players listed above could make noise if the right system is put in place. All it takes is a free flowing offense (not quite like PHX, more like Dallas or IND) bc all the players have decent defense. I dont think it takes “the allstar” to make us contenders. It takes the right mixture of players and the right system.
PS: We would be delusional not to get some "security" this upcoming season
Hendo will be coming off and injury. He has to recover and rehab as a human being. Then get back into basketball condition. We cant risk that bc “we like his potential”…we still have to do what is best for the team.
It's really hard for me to read management
over achieving has been the history of the Bobcats, I’m feeling 50/50 on them making a big jump to improve the team. It looks like they are waiting for perfect timing to make a splash. I’m not relying on big names like Howard or Cp3 to take us to the top 4 in the east, we can get there without them. It’s up to MJ when he rolls the dice to go for major improvements, bc we still have a few bad contracts that is taking up roster and cap space. I’m pretty sure he will not cut them to take a loss, and those players are not going to accept a buy out and lose money (I wouldn’t) and those guys are hard to trade. Backing up Hendo is a premium, how do you do it? Through the draft or sign a 4-6 year vet with experience that will commend a higher salary than Hendo’s. If you go with the vet he should start which may be sending the message that Hendo is not our guy for the future. I think Hendo can become very good, but he has to prove he can be exceptional and the jury is still out on that one. That situation is a tricky one to deal with, MJ likes Hendo’s up side he said it himself unless he changes his mind. I think we will draft a player to back him up. If I’m right Matt will be there for two more seasons what do we do with him in the mean time.
ezrock
It dont take alot of money to improve the team
but it does take some. IT DOES TAKE SOME. I understand Hendo being apart of the team. But he is APART of a TEAM. Y would you not go after a proven scorer (Thornton) for cheap. He’s not getting over 3mil. Go for him. Now you got two young boys. Why not go after Shawne Williams? He played for under 500k last season. He’s not getting over 1.5mil. You just spent 4.5mil on two players that drastically. Yes DRASTICALLY improve the team. If you dont get rid of JAX/DIAW, you’re still not in a hole. Security for the TEAM. Its not about sending a message to HENDO. He’s got potential but RITE NOW he isnt even 3rd/4th best on the TEAM.
I agree with those additions
but where on our roster can we put them. We also have 3 draft picks this year. I have not reviewed our roster with guaranteed contracts and guys we want to bring back. If we trade we will get bodies back beside draft picks.
ezrock
Im still not a fan of using every draft pick. In order to even have a chance of moving someone with a big contract will be to package AT LEAST one pick. I say we take our chances with drafting in the second rd and use the first two to move someone
If we get an offensive minded SG (Young.Smith.Thornton) and Shawne Williams in FA or Pietrus…We wont need to have the most explosive SF starting. Maybe MINN SFs (Webster or Johnson)…One of’em might be ready. They are both still young. One of them along with Darko or Pekovic and if we throw in a 1st rd’er…its an even trade. We kill alot of birds with one stone there. We get a proven center to start or back up Kwame. We get rid of JAX’s “blackhole” offense. A young SF. And MINN gets a scoring punch and a player with a “name/personality”
Now this would only work if WE get a Scorer at SG (which we should do anyway and even more now with the injury to Hendo) and a Shawne Williams or Pietrus type of backup at SF. (I perfer Williams bc he can play 3 positions and is still pretty young, and he’s gonna be cheaper).
we could of had Williams
He was in training camp with us last season and LB cut him. I heard he had some drug issue and police issue in the past (weed). His game did look good with the Knicks and would get more minutes with us. The other guys are good prospects, we just have to get other teams to cooperate with our needs to make it happen. It won’t be so easy they always give us back at least 1 trash contract to make the deal happen.
ezrock
now that you mention it
I think we did try out Williams. But the issues were before last year’s training camp. Last season was like his “2nd” Chance. He proved to do well. He reminds me of more athletic Tim Thomas.
And one of MINN SF and Pekovic or Darko would probably one of the most possible trades we could make for JAX without acquiring a ridiculous contract in return.
Beasley?
Lemonade was a popular drink and it still is,
I get more props and stunts than Bruce Willis
- Guru, of Gangstarr
Diop
A heated subject, no doubt. Is his contract worth it? Oh no, by no means is it. In fact, I can’t fathom how it got to be what it is, and how we basically brought him on board, but alas, it happened.
I do feel sorry for Diop though. He really put forth the effort and worked hard all summer long and during the off season to help out. He knew the reasons why Larry Brown neglected him, and he knew he had to work to earn his playing time. He could have just sat around and done nothing, after all, he would still get paid. But no, he wanted playtime, and he wanted to help out his team and his teammates.
Silas and Diop had crossed paths before, and it seemed that with the coaching change thinks were going to look up for Diop. The few games (what, like 3, or so?) after the coaching change gave me hope that Diop was going to find a niche on the team. He didn’t necessarily do anything amazing per se, but he performed ok.
Unfortunately, as we all know, he ruptured his Achilles tendon, and missed the rest of the season. That’s a pretty serious injury, and it will seriously affect the rest of his playing career.
Basically, we’ve got a huge bloated contract, (and it’s not like its Diop’s fault his contract became such) that no one wants to touch with a 10-foot pole, of a mediocore player who may now be past his prime.
I thank Diop for his hard work and for his willingness to help the team, and I wish him the best of luck. Due to the way things are, though, he’s simply a huge contract that continues to plague us.
I feel bad for Diop, too
As I understand from people who know him, he’s a really nice guy and works hard. It’s terribly unfortunate that he ruptured his ankle this season.
Lemonade was a popular drink and it still is,
I get more props and stunts than Bruce Willis
- Guru, of Gangstarr
+2
I had high hopes for him…and see above for my thoughts on him during this time of injury and rehabbing.
Bobcats Basketball is my only pro sports passion...
by andrewlail76 on May 12, 2011 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions
I feel worse about that contract
I like Diop’s demeanor and his potential effort to earn his check, but It feels like 7 million pounds tied around the neck of the franchise for two more years.
ezrock
Najera should have least got a shout out for the beer incident!
by Roger, Roger on May 12, 2011 1:05 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Oh man, I totally forgot about that!
Kudos to you, sir
Lemonade was a popular drink and it still is,
I get more props and stunts than Bruce Willis
- Guru, of Gangstarr
Eduardo (El Toro) Najera !
For what it’s worth, this guy sold a lot of tickets to my Latino friends but they lost interest when he was replaced. A class act who always had a smile on his face !
by chris in union county on May 12, 2011 8:26 PM EDT reply actions
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