Former Miami point guard Guillermo Diaz's dream to play in the NBA has begun. Diaz was drafted with the No. 52 pick by the Los Angeles Clippers two weeks ago and soon after headed to the Las Vegas Summer League. Diaz talks about draft night and getting his first taste of a pro game in his sixth diary entry.
Hello,
I'm on a bus right now with my new teammates heading to a game against Houston and finally found a few minutes to check in.
The draft turned out to be a crazy experience. I didn't expect to get taken that late, but you don't have any control over it and truthfully I was just happy to get drafted.
It doesn't matter if you get taken No. 1 or No. 60 you have to let people know you belong in this league and that is what I'm determined to do. I'm just going to continue to push myself and play hard. There are a lot of short guys playing in the NBA. Why can't I make it? I've been given a gift and now it's my chance to show it.
The good side of the whole situation is that I landed on a good team with a couple of veterans (point guard Shaun Livingston, a top-10 pick two years ago, is playing on the summer league team).
I also think the Vegas league is the best summer league out there. There are 16 teams here and a lot of guys who have played in the NBA. I keep seeing a lot of guys I played against in college (former Duke guard Daniel Ewing is on the Clippers' team) and also competed with in workouts. It's a new experience and I'm enjoying my time here.
The coaches have been playing me at point guard which has been an adjustment. There is a lot more responsibility and I've been learning a lot (Diaz played 17 minutes and scored four points in his first game against Golden State). There are a lot of different rules and the way things are called is also different. It's tougher than college, but it's still basketball and I just have to go out and play. Everybody from the coaches to my teammates has gone out of their way to help.
We have two more games and everything comes to an end on Thursday. I have to admit I'm looking forward to having a break. I haven't had the chance to just relax for a couple days in a long time and I think I might take a little vacation.
Have to run. We're heading to the locker rooms to get dressed.
var CurrentYear = 2013;
