Gorgui Dieng to shine for Minnesota Timberwolves?

Gorgui Dieng had a fantastic finish to his rookie year and could be in for a big 2014-2015 season

After trading Kevin Love to the Cleveland Cavaliers, many have praised the Timberwolves’ talented young core. That group includes Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett and Ricky Rubio, among others (and maybe even Nikola Pekovic, who is 28). It seems like the forgotten man is Gorgui Dieng, who is entering his second NBA season.

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Joel Brigham of Basketball Insiders thinks Gorgui Dieng can shine if he gets enough time.

"Gorgui Dieng has a perfect situation set up for a breakout season, starting with the fact that he showed tremendous promise in the latter third of last season and ending with the departure of Kevin Love, the only player in the lineup keeping him from playing more minutes. Dieng will likely still come off the bench behind Nikola Pekovic, but he’ll play a heck of a lot more than the 13.6 minutes per game he put up last season. That should mean bigger numbers across the board, especially rebounds and blocks. This young man is an athletic specimen with a knack for defense, and with the right opportunity in Minnesota this year, he has a great chance to shine."

Gorgui Dieng,the 21st-overall pick in the first round of the 2013 draft, improved throughout the season and was even named the Western Conference’s Rookie of the Month in March.

Gorgui Dieng averaged 4.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in just 13.6 minutes per game while shooting 49.8% from the floor and 63.4% from the free throw line.

Be sure to check FanSided’s official NBA page to keep up to date on the latest news and rumors from around the league as we close in on the regular season.

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