OKC Thunder could have ulterior motives for Hamidou Diallo Blue assignment
OKC Thunder rookie wingman Hamidou Diallo joins the G-League affiliate Oklahoma City Blue. Presumably, to help the youngster re-gain his rhythm.
While it may seem odd to see an asset moving off the bench and heading to the G-League the OKC Thunder may have a method to their madness.
Specifically, the OKC Thunder assigned rookie Hamidou Diallo to the OKC Blue on Sunday. The main website announced the move was made via Executive Vice President, General Manager Sam Presti.
Through 63 games this season Diallo has appeared on 46 occasions with varying success. His season averages are 4.1 points, 2.1 rebounds, 0.4 assists while shooting 46.3 percent from the field. With hopes of developing Diallo into another lengthy 3 and D wingman, the youngster has ample work to do from the perimeter given his amoebic 17.7 percent efficiency.
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Rather, to this point Diallo’s highlights have centered on his defensive prowess, crashing the glass and jaw-dropping dunks. His energy is infectious and at times this season, he was the spark the OKC Thunder benefited from off the bench.
Of the Thunder three rookies obtained this past summer, Diallo was the one of that trio who made his way onto the varsity team. As the team hits a tough segment of their schedule this move may have more behind it. Up to this point in the season Diallo has only averaged 11.2 minutes per game.
However, there was a segment of 27 games where he logged between 10 and 19 minutes and another two games where he played between 20 and 29 minutes.
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Presumably, if the OKC Blue can give Diallo a lot of playing time and bolster his confidence he can return to the varsity squad with that intensity and confidence in hand. And that my fellow Thunder fans is something the varsity team can always use in ample portions.