GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Gorgui Dieng touches base with Louisville coach Rick Pitino on a daily basis.
Pitino knows a thing or two about the machinations of the NBA Draft, having coached the Knicks and the Celtics and famously missing out on Tim Duncan in 1997.
“He just said I can go anywhere from 12 to 20,” the 6-foot-11 Dieng said of Pitino following his Knicks’ workout Tuesday.
“I just need to be myself and play the way that he tells me, which is compete and just bring a lot of energy and effort. He said that’s all people want to see – energy and effort. So when i step on the court it’s like second nature to me. I can be tired when I step on the court but once I get going I just keep going. Actually, I play better against competition than against myself.”
DraftExpress.com currently has Dieng going No. 20 to the Chicago Bulls in the June 27 NBA Draft, meaning he wouldn’t still be around when the Knicks pick at 24.
He still has upcoming workouts with Dallas, Atlanta and the Nets.
The Knicks are in the market both for youth and size in the frontcourt and for a backup point guard as well.
Dieng, a native of Senegal who averaged 9.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.5 blocks for the NCAA champion Cardinals, believes he could help the Knicks right away.
“I played for a coach that was very demanding,” he said of Pitino. “I came from a winning program. All I care is winning, nothing less, just winning, whatever it takes. I want to see a coach again that drives me the way that Coach ‘P’ drives me. Just be honest with you. Like I said I came from a winning program and it’s all about winning to me so I think wherever I go, I won’t have a problem fitting in.”
Dieng has already enjoyed success at Madison Square Garden, having won back-to-back Big East Tournaments at Madison Square Garden.
The Knicks could use his height and defensive prowess with the retirements of Rasheed Wallace and Kurt Thomas and Amar’e Stoudemire’s injury situation. They need a younger backup for Tyson Chandler.
“When it comes to draft picks I don’t really care,” Dieng said. “I just want to go to a team — I’m looking for longevity. A team where I’m going to go and play for a long time….So to me I don’t really care where I go. I just want to be a first-round pick and I will take care of the rest.”
As for Pitino, Dieng said he thought it was funny that his former coach got a tattoo on his back following Louisville’s win.
“After we won I said you’re going to get a tattoo and he said OK,” Dieng said. “I couldn’t believe it. But it’s kind of funny, 60 years old and he just got a tattoo, especially when you’re Coach Pitino, always blaming his players like don’t get a tattoo, don’t do that. And he has one now?”
Dieng was asked if he will get a Knicks tattoo should New York take him.
“Never,” he said. “I will never have a tattoo or wear earrings or something like that. That’s not me. I just want to be a role model and that’s what I’m all about. Not getting tattoo. I’m not saying it’s bad but I don’t see myself doing that.”
