This thread is as good as any for help in answering a question that I would like answered. It may have been asked and answered prior on some board or interview, but I have not seen it
The question pertains to DD and the skills he shows night after night....skills I have not seen exhibited by any other player in 68 years of experience with the game of basketball. Those skills seem to be repeated game after game and no one has had any success in thwarting his moves...simply because they are so diverse and can be repeated in either direction. Not only does DD have unsurpassed speed and touch within 8 ft. of the basket, but he can go either way equally effectively and score with either hand. He has averaged a bit over 6 shots per game and has made 72% of those shots!!!! Who else comes even close to consistently performing with that kind of skill...especially an inside player who is 6' 9"...not 7' 4". To put that in better perspective, Zach Edey has attempted almost twice as many shots, but is converting more than 10% less!!!! And there are very few players of Edey's size ever to play the game and I have seen none as skilled at making those shots with 3 guys hanging on.......except for DD!!!
My question is how and from whom did he get the coaching and motivation to develop his elite offensive skills? Did he get help in high school or earlier? Was it at Baylor? (I doubt that as they seemed totally unaware of his potential..but I sure don't know that to be true.) I've seen HS tape that shows elite ability for handle, movement, court vision, and passing skills that few, if any, five stars possess. So when and how did those skills get attention and development? Was it in Champaign?
Maybe someone can answer the questions, but I would love to hear DD posed the question in an interview so if anyone knows a media person who could pose the question to him, I think Illini Nation would be grateful to hear the answer. I know I would.
Anyone?
www.cbssports.com
