More potentially bad news about Diallo

[mj2k10]

He's allowed to do whatever he wants. As someone who wants him back, it makes sense that not playing doesn't actually help him.

If I'm being told I'm a fringe first rounder and wanting a 1st round guarantee--I play and try to solidify myself as a 1st rounder.

If you fail to do so, you play in college for a year and then you're for sure a 1st rounder.
But, he didn't want to play in college the last 6 months. He does't want to play in the combine. Has there ever been a kid that wanted to hide himself so badly?

I get Giles.

I get the College Running backs that sat out bowl games.

I don't get this.

I'm in the same boat here.

Which is why I think this can be read an entirely different way. You can argue that he doesn't want to play in scrimmages because he doesn't really plan on leaving yet.

But if not, and if he is trying to slide into the 1st round by hiding, I would think that has to give a lot of NBA teams pause. Elite athletes are supposed to relish competition, not avoid it, unless there's a huge potential downside. And I don't see what that would be in this case, beyond Diallo possibly being exposed as lacking. But do you want a player operating under the idea that he might not be good enough, so he tries to hide, or do you want someone who says "hell yeah, get me out there so I can show you what I can do"?

 

[catben]

If all of that is true, it says to me that he was worried having to play would hurt his stock. That doesn't sound like he is interested in getting feedback to work on, and is definitely wanting to go. Could be wrong, but that's may guess. If true, I wish he would go ahead and announce he's not coming back, so we can move on.

If this is indeed the case, then why doesn't Hami hire an agent and go all in?

This would be beneficial to him AND UK. That way Cal could go after Knox/Johnson with both knowing Diallo will not be in the picture.

 

[jof2]

MJ just said that he heard initially Diallo got the invite where he would have to play at the combine, but when it was communicated that he would likely not go, it was changed to the invite where you just have to get measured and can play if you want. That's what the first rounders get.

I have never seen a guy so reluctant to actually play.

 

[docholiday51]

If this is indeed the case, then why doesn't Hami hire an agent and go all in?

This would be beneficial to him AND UK. That way Cal could go after Knox/Johnson with both knowing Diallo will not be in the picture.

A good point,there is just something wrong with this picture.

 

[St.PatterSoN-54-]

I have never seen a guy so reluctant to actually play.

You might make the same decision if there were millions on the line and you were trying not to screw it up. Just sayin'.

 

[KMKAT]

Why even attend college? Take a "gap year," work with a personal trainer, then go to the draft.

Yeah, could be the best route, but you have zero competition for a year, whereas if you come into Lexington, you play against other draftees to get a feel how you compete against your draftmates.
What I've been curious about since Diallo arrived was how well he performed in practice? Did he ever stand out against the starters?

 

[St.PatterSoN-54-]

Yeah, could be the best route, but you have zero competition for a year, whereas if you come into Lexington, you play against other draftees to get a feel how you compete against your draftmates.
What I've been curious about since Diallo arrived was how well he performed in practice? Did he ever stand out against the starters?

GREAT POINT.

 

[docholiday51]

We have a real live Ivan Renko,leave it to Cal to do the impossible,get a kid drafted that doesn't exist.Take that Bobby Knight.

 

[BlueRunner11]

Many on here called coach K out for playing Giles and letting his stock drop

But now are upset with the possibility of Diallo protecting his NBA stock

seems like a bit of hypocrisy to me

The difference was Giles was injured and many feel he came back too soon.

Diallo on the other hand is healthy as a horse.

 

[madison1329]

No hand-wringing here. The idea is this. How is he going to get feedback on what he would need to work on for next year's draft, if he doesn't play? Seems like it indicates he is wanting to go this year. Could be wrong.

He does want to go this year, there is no question about it.

 

[ib4ky]

HD is beginning to remind me of George Costanza.

 

[thepip]

Normally, what's not known is who is behind pushing these kids, mother/father, friend, handler, etc (not necessarily in that order).
Lot of times the wishes of the kid is pushed aside.

 

[J. Shellacque]

Maybe this was the plan all along. Brad is going to get playing time at the premiere college basketball destination in the world.......after he only got offers from community colleges and several baking colleges.

 

[LeonThe Camel]

MJ just said that he heard initially Diallo got the invite where he would have to play at the combine, but when it was communicated that he would likely not go, it was changed to the invite where you just have to get measured and can play if you want. That's what the first rounders get.

That is where the NBA messes up, from a fan's perspective. If you are invited, you should play.

The telling story line will be if Diallo comes up with an ankle injury and he is unable to compete. It means a team has made the promise.

 

[ib4ky]

Normally, what's not known is who is behind pushing these kids, mother/father, friend, handler, etc (not necessarily in that order).
Lot of times the wishes of the kid is pushed aside.

It does seem to be well orchestrated.

 

[LeonThe Camel]

Could this open up an avenue for more recruits to not even play in college, attend 1 semester, than declare?

I could see it for the centers but the guards need to show they can lead a team beyond high school.

 

[BlueSince92]

Only thing we can say for sure about this is he's there to try to jump this year. That's his only goal.

If you're there to get evaluated, you play as much as possible to see whether the best you have now will put you in the lottery, or if not then hear from the experts in high detail exactly what you need to gain in one year to be '18 lottery and hopefully also some concrete advice on how to gain it.

He doesn't want that. He wants to see how many unwritten offers he can get this year by holding his cards as close as possible to the vest.

That's cool but let's call a spade a spade.

 

[docholiday51]

This is beginning to take the form of a kid that doesn't currently have the option of returning for some reason,he is trying to get into the NBA by any means necessary.

 

[SilentsAreGolden]

We have a real live Ivan Renko,leave it to Cal to do the impossible,get a kid drafted that doesn't exist.

Or Keyser Soze.

 

[J. Shellacque]

So many scenarios of what the truth might be. I would like to hear it from PT Barnum/Cal, himself......he's too much of a coward to tell the truth on this one. I love UK and Cal...most of the time, but he's full of chit half the time, and almost overflowing on this one.

 

[KyFaninNC]

Diallo is non-existent to me. I don't care what he does now. I am ready to support the kids that want to PLAY for us.

 

[nssdigitalchumps]

Not sure why everyone is bent out of shape for this kid potentially leaving. That is his dream and if you had the opportunity go and make millions immediately, wouldn't you take it?

Can't blame him. Don't mind that he practiced for half a semester with our team. I'm glad he spent time with Cal.

 

[C8TS]

If Diallo doesn't play in front of the scouts, then how can this be good.
This means he has turned down playing final year of high school, not playing at UK and now not playing at combine.

If I was a scout, I would be nervous to pick a kid that doesn't want to show them what he has - it's not like Fox, Ball or any of those guys ... we know what they have.

 

[GonzoCat90]

Can't wait to see what minor wrinkle comes out tomorrow to make the same dozen of you suddenly mad all over again.

 

[SkyPrince1]

Definitely being advised by his handlers not to play at the combine . Probably wants to do individual workouts only.
In truth he probably gets his ass handed to him by guys like Thornwell, Josh Hart etc.

 

[dorkmeister]

I bet Cal told him he would draft him to whatever pro team Cal has agreed to coach next season. Now we are loosing Diallo and Cal!!!!!

 

[Aike]

He wants to take the route that most elite prospects take.

Don't play against some 22 year old fringe draftee looking to prove himself.

Go work out for the teams you want to work out for. Hope you wow one of them enough to write you a check.

If that doesn't work, go back to UK. Work on your game. Get a pro day audition in October. Play a normal college schedule and get evaluated like any other UK freshman.

This assuming he still plans to return if he doesn't hear what he wants to hear. Which I will believe until he hires an agent.

 

[Kentuckynerd]

 

[J. Shellacque]

Can't wait to see what minor wrinkle comes out tomorrow to make the same dozen of you suddenly mad all over again.

Probably something that doesn't suit you.......nothing does it seems.

 

[btownblue]

Well I'm guessing Cal's plan was not for Jamarl Baker to possibly be our starting shooting guard.No way Cal does this again IF Diallo leaves.

I agree about Cal not planning on Baker starting if he does. But if Cal hadn't taken Diallo last year then we wouldn't be having these repetitive threads about Diallo. Wasn't a bad chance to take and he very may still return

 

[ubtrapper]

To be honest, I don't know, I'm just passing on what MJ said he heard. That the invite was originally the kind where you have to play. He said Diallo was not going to go, but then the invite was changed to where he doesn't have to play. I certainly have not been in the camp bashing him over this whole thing, but it does appear that he is not wanting to show how good he is before he gets a contract. Whatever.

Exactly. I really am starting to think he has a complex about constructive criticism or maybe just criticism in general. Lol IF that's the case he better never come to Rupps Rafters for feedback! Lol

 

[Strip club lover]

I'm just going to assume he's gone. Need Johnson, pretty much do or die to have a decent core at the guard position. There might be more senior transfers or juco players out there.

 

[caneintally]

That's not bad news . Like most Diallo news it is neither good or bad. I will say this I think there is very little chance we dont either have Johnson or Diallo starting at SG next season . No way both are on this team IMO but def one and that is a OK with me . As if we have one we are top 5 team. Now if we got both like expected a month ago we would be the best team but we will just have to work a little harder . Oh well.

 

[JonathanW]

I have never seen a guy so reluctant to actually play.

That would be a HUGE red flag to me if I was a GM.
Add in you would be drafting a SHOOTING guard, that there is no evidence he can SHOOT in a game situation. IMO it would take some jumbo cahunas to take him in the 1st without seeing him play at the combine.

 

[SilentsAreGolden]

While I can see how this could be read that he isn't working out because he isn't planning on staying in the draft, but then why declare in the first place? Does it make sense he would be hoping for individual workouts to get feedback with no intention of staying in the draft? Seems to me if teams were seriously considering taking him, they would want him to play, since they don't have anything to go off from this past season.

 

[JonathanW]

I'm just going to assume he's gone. Need Johnson, pretty much do or die to have a decent core at the guard position. There might be more senior transfers or juco players out there.

I think we need Johnson even if Diallo plays for UK next year. He would instantly be our most experienced player with 2 years at an ACC school, and one year of starting. He would likely be our best shooter. And honestly I'm not counting on much from Baker as a FR, unless we absolutely HAVE to play him because we lose out on both Diallo & Johnson.

 

[cbrwalt]

I heard Diallo got a combine invitation where he doesnt have to play, but basically get measured

But where did it say Diallo isnt going to play and be evaluated against the others, that he is just gonna get measured and sit out the actual court evaluations?

Or are some of you putting words in Diallo's mouth?

 

[K-Town Kat]

If all of that is true, it says to me that he was worried having to play would hurt his stock. That doesn't sound like he is interested in getting feedback to work on, and is definitely wanting to go. Could be wrong, but that's may guess. If true, I wish he would go ahead and announce he's not coming back, so we can move on.

Complete use job by Diallo if he stays in. He used Calipari and the University of Kentucky. He figured staying in the prep school wouldn't help his stock, but coming to Kentucky, not playing, but being able to be somewhat affiliated with Cal and UK could help it.

I thought Cal was smarter than that and had been in the game too long to get used by a teenager, but that could very well turn out to be the case.

 

[Cawood86]

It's obvious that this kid wants to go very bad. Not sure there's any info that will scare him off. May as well face it. He ain't coming back.

 

[Ryan Lemonds Diary]

Many on here called coach K out for playing Giles and letting his stock drop

But now are upset with the possibility of Diallo protecting his NBA stock

seems like a bit of hypocrisy to me