Memphis Grizzlies: Grading every player at the NBA All-Star Break
Memphis Grizzlies. GORGUI DIENG. A+. GP: 22, MPG: 16.9, PPG: 7.9, RPG: 4.5, APG: 1.3, SPG: 0.8, BPG: 0.6, FG%: .519, 3P%: .479. C
Memphis Grizzlies C Gorgui Dieng has been one of the Grizzlies’ best players in very limited minutes
Give this man more minutes.
Gorgui Dieng puts up productive numbers for the Grizzlies any time he’s on the floor. He has been very efficient from the field, he’s even hit three pointers at a really high percentage. He’s a great rebounder and a solid defender. Why won’t they play him more?
Memphis most likely is trying to give their younger frontourt players more minutes for more experience, but that doesn’t change the fact that they’re fighting for a playoff spot. In games of high importance, which in this case is every game, they need to play their best players more.
Gorgui leads the team in many advanced metrics including true shooting percentage, free throw attempt rate, block percentage, and win shares per 48 minutes. It’s not hard to see that Dieng has been one of the team’s best players, yet they play him less than 20 minutes a game.
Dieng has been an all-around great player and teammate this season, and the Grizzlies may find more success in winning games by playing him more.