2018 NBA Draft: The Kentucky conspiracy theory on Diallo, Knox

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LEXINGTON, KY – JANUARY 09: Hamidou Diallo #3 of the Kentucky Wildcats shoots the ball against the Texas A&M Aggies during the game at Rupp Arena on January 9, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Hamidou Diallo Synergy offensive advanced stats

Transition Scoring: 1.113 PPP 61% tile
Spot Up Scoring 0.871 PPP 43% tile
Scoring off a cut 1.136 PPP 49% tile
Scoring off an off ball creen 0.571 13% tile
11 total Isolation possessions
Catch and Shoot 0.857 PPP 29% tile
16 total pick and roll possessions passed out of 7

In order to understand these advanced stats you have to know the definition of (PPP) or points per possession. Points per possession is made up of field goals and free throws made along with turnovers committed during each possession.

According to Synergy Sports, Hamidou Diallo only ranks above average in the transition scoring category. This is not a big surprise considering Diallo’s crazy athelticsm. Often Diallo leaks out into transition and is good at finishing at the rim in transition because of his speed and leaping ability.

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The spot up scoring ranks below average and doesn’t just take a spot up jump shot into consideration. It mostly takes consideration into how well a player attacks a closeout. When Diallo attacks a closeout whether it turns into pulling up for a jumpshot or driving to the hoop he ranks just average, and ranging closer to below average.

Diallo struggles to generate any kind of half court offense and attacking closeouts because he’s a horrible jump shooter which means defenders don’t have to close out hard on him. They can play the drive to the hoop, and because of Diallo’s limited ball handling ability he’s not good enough to create his own shot and get to the rim unless he dribbles on a straight line drive to the basket.

Diallo’s atrocious shooting explains why he’s only ranked in the 19th percent tile in catch and shoot situations. He has an awkward hitch in his shot, and doesn’t get very good rotation on the ball when he shoots. This also explains why Diallo isn’t a threat coming off an off ball screen. He ranks in the 13th percent tile in that category. Which is rated as poor by Synergy sports. When Hamidou Diallo comes off a screen, you only have to play his shot, and if he doesn’t come off the screen curling to the hoop he’s not a threat.

Diallo’s limited ball handling also contributes to his total of only eleven isolation possessions on the year, and being the ball handler in sixteen pick and rolls. If Diallo can’t drive to the hoop or be a shooting threat what does he really bring you on offense. Especially in the modern NBA where if you can’t shoot you’re not getting on the court.

Hamidou Diallo’s synergy scoring stats compare very similarly to Auburn’s Mustapha Herron and Middle Tennessee State’s Nick King. Even though Herron and King aren’t hyper athletes like Diallo they’re both more skilled than him offensively.

Since Diallo is a freak athlete he is rated higher, but should he really be rated that much higher as a fringe first round guy when King and Herron probably won’t even be found on any big board you look at? Or are teams just banking on Diallo because he plays for a school that has constantly produced NBA players.