SG Jon Diebler (2nd-Most Big Ten career 3-Pointers, Butler Recruiting Director)

[DZ83CK]

I'm thrilled that Jon got drafted. Not only is it great for him, but Diebs' selection means OSU has an active streak of players being selected in four consecutive drafts, with #5 a near certainty with at least WB going into the pool next year.

Regarding Jon, the truth is at the end of the year, he was bar none the most dangerous, consistent, efficient offensive weapon on OSU's team last season and made a huge difference. I hate to admit that, because it means OSU next year could be worse than I hope they will be. He was more unstoppable and reliable than Jared was at the end of the year. You can say that Jon can't create his own shot very well, but that last crucial 3 he made against UK wasn't a pure catch and shoot deal, and he knows how to use shot fakes and can put the ball on the floor to get a little space.

 

[Jake]

Congrats to Diebs for being selected #51 overall by Portland!!!

And the Blazers traded SG Rudy Fernandez to Dallas on the same night, so a spot in the rotation is there for the taking as a rookie. Go get it, Diebs!

 

[Buckskin86]

Draft notes: Diebler to take shot with Blazers
Sam Amico
June 26, 2011

Jon Diebler impressed the Portland Trail Blazers in a workout, and the reward came in last week?s NBA draft.

Diebler is a 6-foot-6 shooting guard out of Ohio State. And by "shooting," we mean 50 percent on 3-pointers during his senior season with the Buckeyes.

But what made the Blazers decide to select Diebler in the second round (No. 51 overall) was his stellar showing a couple weeks before the draft. It was all part of the extensive workout circuit traveled by Diebler -- the goal being to prove a specialist such as himself belonged in the NBA.

At the time, Blazers acting general manager Chad Buchanan let it be known he admired how Diebler didn?t try to do anything too fancy, how Diebler stayed within himself and played to his strengths.

Basically, Diebler just buried jumpers. Same as he always does.

"He's a guy who understands what he does as a player," Buchanan said. "He sticks to it, stays in his lane and when he's making shots, he's a presence out there. You always have to be aware of where he's at. And he shot it fantastic (in the individual workout)."

Cont..

http://www.foxsportsohio.com/06/26/...ing_ohiostate.html?blockID=535246&feedID=3631

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcDwsUgK5I8"]YouTube - ‪The Journey - Jon Diebler‬‏[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fafV3_CzVAU"]YouTube - ‪Jon Diebler - 2011 NBA Combine - Eastbay‬‏[/ame]

 

[Buckskin86]

'It's just a crazy moment'
Updated: Tuesday, 28 Jun 2011

PORTLAND, Ore. (WUPW) - Four days after Jon Diebler was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers in the second round of the NBA Draft, he and his new teammates met the Portland media for the first time.

The team acquired Raymond Felton, Nolan Smith and Diebler during last week's NBA draft.

Trail Blazers acting General Manager Chad Buchanan and Head Coach Nate McMillan were also in attendance to meet the new Blazers.

The Trail Blazers traded Andre Miller to the Denver Nuggets for rights to Felton. They also traded Rudy Fernandez to the Dallas Mavericks.

After the news conference, Diebler spoke to KPTV, the FOX affiliate in Portland, about his draft day experience.

"It was all kind of surreal," the Upper Sandusky and Ohio State alum said. "I was up at a place on Lake Erie with my wife's family just having a good time. When you hear your name called it's crazy because it's everyone's dream to play in the NBA. Every year you watch the NBA Draft and being with Ohio State we've had some guys drafted and you hear their names called. It's just a crazy moment."

Click the video to hear more of Jon's thoughts on the draft and being part of the Trail Blazers.

http://www.foxtoledo.com/dpp/sports/nba/other_nba/It-s-just-a-crazy-moment-

 

[Buckskin86]

Lantern Sports Exclusive: Q&A with Ohio State's Jon Diebler
By Jeff Tyndall
[email protected]
Published: Friday, June 24, 2011

Lantern reporter Jeff Tyndall caught up with former Ohio State guard Jon Diebler on Friday, less than 24 hours after he was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 51st overall pick in the second round of the 2011 NBA Draft. Diebler, who will join former Buckeye Greg Oden in Portland, gave his thoughts on playing at OSU, his feelings on getting drafted and what fans can expect from OSU men's basketball this coming season.

The Lantern: How did it feel to hear your name called on Thursday night?

Jon Diebler: "It's extremely exciting. It's just a blessing. A blessing from God to be able go through everything I've gone through with the opportunities I've been blessed with. Traveling and working out, and a college career that I had. To have a healthy four years playing for OSU, man, it's just unbelievable."

The Lantern: Where were you watching the draft?

Jon Diebler: "My wife and I have a little place up at the lake near Port Clinton. We were up there during the day and had a fish fry. I actually missed the first 6 or 7 picks ? I was on the Jet Ski. We were tubing, then I came back and we just played some games and watched the draft. It wasn't really a draft party but we just had a little get together."

The Lantern: How did you find out that Portland was going to take you?

Jon Diebler: "To be honest, my agent called me as the guy was at the podium. As I answered hello, I heard my name in the background and everyone started screaming and my agent was like ?congratulations,' so it all kind of happened at once and it was pretty crazy."

The Lantern: What happens now?

Jon Diebler: "I'm going out to Portland to a press conference, I think Sunday. Either tomorrow or Sunday ? we're stilling working on that, trying to figure that out. So, my wife and I are heading out there for a day then coming back here. It's all up in the air right now. I'm trying to find out what's going on too."

Cont...

http://www.thelantern.com/sports/ba...e-q-a-with-ohio-state-s-jon-diebler-1.2417555

Jon Diebler

Portland's second round pick, Jon Diebler out of Ohio State, is a shooting specialist who happens to look exactly like Ryan Parker, one of Portland's many statistical consultants and the owner of BasketballGeek.com. It's generally considered a bad idea to take a player who looks like one of your quants but apparently the Blazers made an exception here due to Diebler's legendary shooting skillz.

Diebler and Parker are both unlikely to see court time for the Blazers during the 2011-2012 season.

"Being a second round pick, you obviously have some flexibility," Buchanan said. "Whether you bring him over immediately or if you want to have him play overseas for a season. We'll sit down with his agent and talk about some options for Jon. But he's obviously got an NBA skill. Finding the right time to have him on our roster is something that we have to discuss."

The Blazers have Felton, Brandon Roy, Wesley Matthews, Elliot Williams, Armon Johnson, Nolan Smith and possibly Patty Mills ahead of Diebler on the backcourt depth chart. In other words, hasta luego.

Buchanan did have some nice compliments for Diebler before officially saying "adios."

"He is one of the better catch-and-shoot guys in this draft. Had a tremendous season and a tremendous career at Ohio State. High character guy, fits our organization, fits what we're about, comes from a basketball pedigree. His dad was his coach in high school. All-time leading scorer in Ohio high school basketball history. One of the best shooters we felt in this draft. Very happy to get him where we selected him. Jon is ... recently married and he has his wife Kate with him so it's an exciting time for him."

At some point, the Blazers envision Diebler filling the spot-up shooting role previously inhabited by guard Rudy Fernandez, who was traded to the Dallas Mavericks on draft night.

http://www.blazersedge.com/2011/6/2...-rookies-nolan-smith-jon-diebler-notes-quotes

Blazers will explore "options" with Diebler

Chad Buchanan says the Blazers will ?explore different options? with second-round draft pick Jon Diebler and it?s possible ? perhaps even likely ? he will not play in Portland next season.

Unlike players drafted in the first round, second-round draft picks are not automatically given guaranteed contracts.

When the Blazers were preparing for the NBA draft, they contacted Diebler?s agent and gauged his openness at playing somewhere else, perhaps in Europe, for a season or two before he was given a chance to make the Blazers? roster. Apparently, the conversation went well because the Blazers selected the 6-foot-6 Ohio State shooting guard with the 51st pick.

?Some teams have had a player go overseas for a year or two years and maintain their rights,? Buchanan said. "Depending on what happens this summer, we?ll just have to decide where he fits in with our roster, whether it?s this year or next year or down the road.?

The threat of a prolonged NBA lockout only makes this possibility more likely because Diebler can play overseas for a full season and gain professional experience rather than sit out an undetermined amount of time.

?It?s still early,? Buchanan said. ?We?ll definitely talk to his agent in the next day or so. We?re going to explore different options.?

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2011/06/trail_blazers_nolan_smith_was.html

 

[Buckskin86]

Rob Oller commentary: Diebler, Lighty could find niches
Thursday, June 30, 2011
By Rob Oller
The Columbus Dispatch

In a satisfying scenario, three-point specialist Jon Diebler launches a potential winning shot just as defensive stopper David Lighty sticks a hand in his former teammate's face - five years from now in the NBA.

The timing is important, because if Diebler and Lighty are on the same court in the 2015-16 season, it will mean that both have found a home in the NBA and that neither will have to hear, "Well, at least they were great Buckeyes."

But reality has a different ring. Based on the numbers, it is doubtful that both Diebler and Lighty will be successful NBA players - defined as reaching the average of 4.8 seasons in the league. It is no given that either former Ohio State player will make it. A 20-year look at second-round draft picks (1998-2008) shows that 34.5 percent never play in the NBA. That number jumps to 50 percent for the 51st overall pick, which is where Portland selected Diebler. Lighty went undrafted. Gulp.

That is the bad news. The good news is that both players possess specialized talents that could fit well with the "role" mentality that defines the NBA, where a player does not have to be good at everything as long as he is great at something.

Diebler is a great shooter. Lighty, who has attended two free-agent workouts - with Atlanta and Phoenix - was a great defender in college, and at times a decent three-point shooter.

Cont...

http://www.dispatch.com/live/conten...-lighty-could-find-niches-in-nba.html?sid=101

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSjNsrGdd0g"]YouTube - ‪Jon Diebler (Portland Intro)‬‏[/ame]

 

[Buckskin86]

Jon Diebler offered to Cimberio Varese
The Italian team is looking for a small forward
Serie A

Jon Diebler was offered in the last hours to Cimberio Varese, who landed recently Luca Garri and will announce soon Drake Diener and the permanence of Kristjan Kangur. Diebler was selected by Portland Trail Blazers in the 2011 NBA Draft with the 51ist overall. The player spent his college career with Ohio State becoming one of the best shooter in the NCAA averaging 12.6ppg, 2.6rpg and 2.4apg in his senior year shooting with 50% from behind the arc. Varese is on the market looking for a small forward and is thinking about the player. A final decision by the team is expected soon.

http://www.sportando.net/eng/italy/serie-a/29085/jon_diebler_offered_to_cimberio_varese.html

 

[naptownbuck]

Blazers Edge: Sportando.net: Blazers G Jon Diebler No Go To Varese?

Sportando.net reports that former Ohio State guard Jon Diebler, picked No. 51 in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, has received interest from Cimberio Varese in Italy's Serie A.

The site reports that "a decision is expected soon."

Update (Monday, 9:42 AM): Sportando.net now reports on Twitter that Varese is passing on Diebler and that he won't play for the club next season.

http://www.blazersedge.com/2011/7/2/2256057/jon-diebler-offered-to-varese?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

 

[naptownbuck]

It's not surprising that Varese, a mid level team in Italy (a top European league) would turn down an offer for Diebler. Many of those teams like to sign known commodities in European Basketball. But it is interesting (and a little disappointing) that Jon's agent is already shopping him around to international teams. This means that Portland has most likely sat down with the agent & Jon and surmised that Diebs would have a very tough time contributing anything in his rookie year, and or even making the 13 man roster.

Portland currently has these guards in front of Diebler right now, Raymond Felton, Brandon Roy, Wesley Matthews, Elliot Williams, Armon Johnson, Patty Mills, and Nolan Smith. A lot of talent, but Diebler's world class shooting ability should allow for a role on that team at some point imo. It's just too bad that there is a lockout because Jon could be lighting up the nets in Vegas Summer League right now, thus impressing more folks in game situations.

This is exactly what David wanted to avoid. He could have most likely heard his name in the 2nd round, but that would have been based on the condition that he play overseas for a year. Lighty still may have to play overseas for a year (link), but now he has more options as an undrafted free agent..and he definitely doesn't want to go overseas..As of now, it looks like Dave will stick it out and hope the lockout ends in time for him to make a roster in veteran camp (similar to what Othello Hunter did).

 

[muffler dragon]

It's not surprising that Varese, a mid level team in Italy (a top European league) would turn down an offer for Diebler. Many of those teams like to sign known commodities in European Basketball. But it is interesting (and a little disappointing) that Jon's agent is already shopping him around to international teams. This means that Portland has most likely sat down with the agent & Jon and surmised that Diebs would have a very tough time contributing anything in his rookie year, and or even making the 13 man roster.

The acting GM of Portland has actually already come out and stated as much.

Portland currently has these guards in front of Diebler right now, Raymond Felton, Brandon Roy, Wesley Matthews, Elliot Williams, Armon Johnson, Nolan Smith and possibly Patty Mills. A lot of talent, but Diebler's world class shooting ability should allow for a role on that team at some point imo. It's just too bad that there is a lockout because Jon could be lighting up the nets in Vegas Summer League right now, thus impressing more folks in game situations.

The Blazers just extended Patty Mills, fwiw. Felton, Roy and Matthews are already getting some good $$$. I presume that Smith will also add to that.

 

[Tlangs]

several teams drafted european players in the second round basically just keeping their rights for a few years if they pan out in order to not increase expenses for next season. This Diebler deal seems like a similiar situation even though he isn't a euro league player.

I beleive they will have him locked up for 3 years. Not a real bad deal if there is a strike/lockout. go makes some cash then try to make the team next year. This was supposedly discussed with JD before the draft as well.

 

[JohnnyCockfight]

I don't understand why the PGs would affect Jon's playing time or ability to make the team - is that just from a matter of spots on the team being taken up? Because he does something specialized, and totally different.

 

[muffler dragon]

I don't understand why the PGs would affect Jon's playing time or ability to make the team - is that just from a matter of spots on the team being taken up? Because he does something specialized, and totally different.

Roy has a max contract, and Matthews hit the jackpot when he signed. They've gotta play the money.

 

[JohnnyCockfight]

Roy has a max contract, and Matthews hit the jackpot when he signed. They've gotta play the money.

I totally get that - was curious as to the mention of the point guards above, and to a lesser extent Nolan Smith, and why those particular players come into consideration.

However, I would not be surprised to see the Blazers try to move Roy's max contract. May not be possible under the new bargaining agreement, depending on how that develops.

 

[muffler dragon]

I totally get that - was curious as to the mention of the point guards above, and to a lesser extent Nolan Smith, and why those particular players come into consideration.

However, I would not be surprised to see the Blazers try to move Roy's max contract. May not be possible under the new bargaining agreement, depending on how that develops.

Completely understand. I was surprised that they extended Mills, but que sera sera.