Why Avery Johnson Signed Diop

Well, Avery Johnson, GM for Dallas, had a reason for signing Diop for three years , he thinks he did see something from Diop this summer.

Star-Telegram | 08/19/2005 | Mavs reboot with Christie, Diop signings: "However, Diop showed significant improvement in the summer league in Las Vegas, progress that got the attention of the Mavs.

'There were a lot of NBA players there, including [Indiana's] Jermaine O'Neal,' Diop said. 'We did a lot of drills, and a lot of one-on-one stuff, and I did pretty good.

'After that, Dallas started talking to me.'

As the price to sign Dale Davis increased, and as Philadelphia signed Steven Hunter, the Mavs' pursuit of Diop intensified.

'He had a real strong summer,' Johnson said. 'A couple of years ago, I probably wouldn't have done this deal.

'But he came in, I worked him out personally, I evaluated him personally, and he looks to be ready to make a move in his career right now.'
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