Milwaukee Bucks: Mamadi Diakite must improve to earn playing time

Use your ← → (arrows) to browse

Milwaukee Bucks Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

How Diakite can improve for the Milwaukee Bucks: 1. Physical strength

Mamadi Diakite is a power forward. In the modern-day NBA, there is a widespread concept known as “position-less basketball,” where players’ roles are not clearly defined and versatility is king. This does not apply to Diakite. His best contributions are made in the paint.

While versatility is great, having a defined position does not diminish a player’s value. John Stockton was one of the best point guards to ever play the game, however, he wasn’t suited to play any other position. That didn’t stop him from becoming a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer.

Considering Diakite’s position and looking at his physique, it is evident he must hit the weight room this off-season. He is currently listed at 6’9″ tall and 225 lbs. Those are the exact same measurements Magic Johnson had when he was the starting point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980s. Diakite has a vastly different role as a forward than Johnson had as a guard.

If Mamadi Diakite wants to make his presence known in the paint, he needs to add 15 lbs. of muscle. It may be hard for him to do that in a single offseason; the process make take two years. However, if he is able to work his way up to 240 lbs., he will have a physique similar to that of Shawn Kemp when he suited up for the Seattle Supersonics. While Diakite will never be as explosive an athlete as Kemp was, having a similar body composition could do wonders for his productivity.

Next: Crash the glass