MINNEAPOLIS — Fairly reserved on the exterior, Gorgui Dieng gives off the impression of a quiet rookie going humbly about his Yeoman’s business.”I’m nothing compared to this basketball team,” Dieng said Wednesday after posting his fifth double-double in six starts.But the Timberwolves teammates that have spent this season growing close to him know better. Beneath the “I’m just here to work” statements and gritty clear-outs on rebounds lies a confidence fueling the rookie’s surprising, late-season surge.They even have a distinct term for it.”He’s got a little swag to him,” point guard J.J. Barea said. “He thinks he’s really good, so that’s gonna take him far.”Said fellow veteran Corey Brewer: “J.J.’s right — (Dieng) feels like he can do it, and he goes out there and battles. I like the swag.”So does a Minnesota team that’ll take any sign of hope for the future after falling out of the playoff race. Since entering the starting lineup in the wake of injuries to Nikola Pekovic and Ronny Turiaf, the Timberwolves’ only healthy center is shooting 59.2 percent and averaging 12.7 points and 14 rebounds per game.A week ago in Houston, Dieng became the first rookie in franchise history to notch 20 or… Read full this story
- Grizzlies vs. Timberwolves playoff preview: Minnesota's crucial task at slowing Ja Morant among top storylines
- 2022 NBA playoff picture: Mavericks clinch top-four seed; Celtics vs. Bucks for No. 2 seed on Thursday
- Royals Bullpen Backs Up Daniel Lynch In 2-0 Win Over Twins
- Gopher Women’s Gymnastics Program Headed To National Championships: ‘There’s Nothing To Lose’
- 2022 NBA Mock Draft: Kentucky's Shaedon Sharpe expected to leave school, projects to go No. 4 to Thunder
- Timberwolves vs. Grizzlies: Game 3 prediction, pick, TV channel, NBA playoffs live stream, how to watch online
- Grizzlies vs. Timberwolves score, takeaways: Memphis overcomes 26-point deficit in comeback win in Game 3
- NBA playoff picture: Lakers eliminated; Nets control destiny for 7 seed; Jazz, Bulls, Raptors clinch top six
- NBA playoff picture: Lakers eliminated as Spurs clinch play-in spot; Nets control destiny for No. 7 seed
Wolves Thursday: Dieng brings swagger to Minnesota’s frontcourt have 344 words, post on www.foxsports.com at March 27, 2014. This is cached page on SEO. If you want remove this page, please contact us.