Can We Give Diamond D. Credit

#1
teacherdean

teacherdean

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 9, 2014
Messages
3,098
Likes
5,536
#1
In the last three games we have witnessed what a positive effect a good Diamond can have upon a team. She has really saved her best for the SEC tourney. The girls are playing like they are possessed led by Graves and Diamond. Looks like we finally have on floor leaders.

I am still concerned about the post play of Russell. No one is afraid to drive on her and she looks like an idiot with her hands up as if saying, "Ref I didn't do nothing." Good players do not play not to foul unless they are in foul trouble. Right now Nia is playing a better and more aggressive post game than Russell.

That aside, I believe this team believes and has a chance to go on a serious run. To do this we need Graves and Diamond to continue their leadership and outstanding play.

"Go Lady Vols, the SEC title is yours for the taking"
 
  • Like
Reactions: 11 people
#5
#5
The girls are now finally playing like they care. Very good game tonight and the outcome that should have presented during regular season.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3 people
#6
#6
teacherdean said:
In the last three games we have witnessed what a positive effect a good Diamond can have upon a team. She has really saved her best for the SEC tourney. The girls are playing like they are possessed led by Graves and Diamond. Looks like we finally have on floor leaders.

I am still concerned about the post play of Russell. No one is afraid to drive on her and she looks like an idiot with her hands up as if saying, "Ref I didn't do nothing." Good players do not play not to foul unless they are in foul trouble. Right now Nia is playing a better and more aggressive post game than Russell.

That aside, I believe this team believes and has a chance to go on a serious run. To do this we need Graves and Diamond to continue their leadership and outstanding play.

"Go Lady Vols, the SEC title is yours for the taking"
Click to expand...

There has been a dark cloud hanging over the Lady Vol Nation. Felt like a winter that never would end. Now, the dark cloud is moving away and we can see the sunshine peeking through.

Diamond Deshields is our sunshine! The PLAYER dived for loose balls, hitting jumpers, going coast to coast, and poppin' a 3. She played fantastic! I love her performance because she was commanding and showed a will to win. Long overdue! Her attitude carried over to her team mates and they all played great!

Mercedes might be a lost cause so I'm glad and somewhat shocked that CHW has started Nia over Cedes these last two games. The only issue I have is that Nia doesn't get enough playing time. When Mercedes isn't given anything on either side of the ball pull her out and put Nia in the game. Repeat when needed. Cedes should learn there are consequences for bad play. And Nia should be rewarded for her play.

Great game glad we won and now I have some confidence with the Lady Vols beating MissSt.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 4 people
#8
#8
Congrats on a HUGE win..I must say this game was the first I've seen that DD resembled the form and effort she had during her Nat'l Freshman of the Year season..2 more and the LV's might receive a better seed than anyone thought possible just a week ago...
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
#9
#9
All comments are all on point. Diamond's one play where swooped to the floor and scooped the ball to Carter, leading to a Middleton is a play of the game candidate.

It would be interesting to know how much in the change with Diamond is a mental adjustment versus getting healthy. She is playing with speed and running the court in a way that simply was not evident for most of the season. I could easily see a player of her caliber getting very frustrated at being hampered by injuries when the team really needed her.

We are may be on the cusp of a "we have Diamond and you don't" late season run.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3 people
#10
#10
It looks like Holly and Diamond are settling in on the same page, and that is bad news for the rest of the teams in the SEC for the next two years. Good news for us, though!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
#11
#11
romomentum said:
It looks like Holly and Diamond are settling in on the same page, and that is bad news for the rest of the teams in the SEC for the next two years. Good news for us, though!
Click to expand...

I agree with this post with some reservations. Holly and Diamond need help from Cooper, Nared, Jackson and Russell.
 
#13
#13
I've always given her credit and have always blamed Holly for the way she played during the season. Holly had a lot of players confused with that get the ball inside crap and don't quick shoot the basketball. The last three games we have been free to play basketball and the turnovers are way down and the shooting percentage went up last game.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#15
#15
I'll give Diamond some props on this one. Only got to watch a few minutes but I saw the stats and she only had 2 turnovers and 4 assists so much better ball security. If she could keep her turnovers to 2 or under a game I'd take that. Why'd Reynolds only get to play 14 minutes? Ridiculous Holly.
 
#16
#16
Sandvol said:
I'll give Diamond some props on this one. Only got to watch a few minutes but I saw the stats and she only had 2 turnovers and 4 assists so much better ball security. If she could keep her turnovers to 2 or under a game I'd take that. Why'd Reynolds only get to play 14 minutes? Ridiculous Holly.
Click to expand...

If you had watched the game ,you would know that Reynolds was injured and sat out the 2nd half.....groin or thigh injury .Stats do not win games ....players with heart,energy and savvy win games.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 6 people
#17
#17
alexvol said:
JMO but Holly took the handcuffs off and the rest is history.
Click to expand...

Same thing I have been saying! If Holly just let them play we would see the Freshman of the Year Diamond! Now only if Holly would see that Russell (& Nared) are hurting us more than helping us and their time should be limited for (Dunbar & Moore) we would really see the growth as her as a coach!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#18
#18
mlindsay said:
Same thing I have been saying! If Holly just let them play we would see the Freshman of the Year Diamond! Now only if Holly would see that Russell (& Nared) are hurting us more than helping us and their time should be limited for (Dunbar & Moore) we would really see the growth as her as a coach!
Click to expand...

I disagree on Dunbar..... Love her three point shot but her defense is non-existeent
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3 people
#19
#19
Sandvol said:
...Why'd Reynolds only get to play 14 minutes?...
Click to expand...

Reynolds went down with a leg injury. She never played any of the second half. She had no effect on the game in the first half in the few minutes she played. I'm not sure of the extent of her injury. She had ice on her left thigh the whole second half until the end of the game.
 
#21
#21
Only1COJ said:
Nell Fortner called DD one of the top 3 offensive players in the country.. Thoughts???
Click to expand...

That is an obvious and true statement for anyone who understands the game of basketball and watched her play.She just needs to have the handcuffs taken off by Coach Holly to realize that fact ....as you and everyone else should have observed in the last three games.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
#23
#23
alexvol said:
That is an obvious and true statement for anyone who understands the game of basketball and watched her play.She just needs to have the handcuffs taken off by Coach Holly to realize that fact ....as you and everyone else should have observed in the last three games.
Click to expand...

Did you watch her play earlier in the year.... She played horribly.... When she decides she wants to play then she can dominate anyone.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#24
#24
volbeast33 said:
She is..... It's always about the mental side with Diamond
Click to expand...

After watching for the whole season I have decided that there are three factors that affect Diamond's play: one is her health, two is Holly Warlick's substitution pattern and game management decisions, and three is Diamonds attitude or mental state.

Included in number 3 is the factor of how big the game is. The bigger the game the better Diamond plays. A meaningless game maybe she doesn't play as well.

My two cents.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#25
#25
Diamond is definitely an amazing player and I believe the fact that this team received so much negative publicity has turned her into a mad woman on the court. She and this team have everything to prove at this point. The play that we have seen the last three games would've had them as the number 2 team in the country. If she and this team can keep up this pace we have a chance to do something special. Nared putting it together makes this team even more dangerous.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

VN Store



Back
Top