<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Of the 26 starting centers Wednesday night, there were a dozen 7-footers, a half-dozen former All-Stars and one backup point guard from the basketball hotbed of France. Boris Diaw is 6 feet 8, 230 pounds. Because of injuries, he is manning the post out of necessity for the Suns. He is undersized and outmuscled - and perhaps a main reason the Suns are sizzling after the All-Star break. Shawn Marion was the Western Conference Player of the Month for February, but Diaw's production over the Suns' eight-game winning streak is hard to ignore.</div> Source
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting 02civic:</div><div class="quote_post">he's playing center? </div> He's started at center often throughout the year. He has played multiple positions. He can play all 5, like Magic Johnson. Diaw is awesome.
Him and Marion are basically both 4/5 together. They constantly are switching and doubling on the post. It works because they're both quick enough and long enough to cover their man, and help on the other's man.
Diaw and Marion beat the Hornets last night. Neither team shot real well and the stats were equal except the 3 pt. shots. But Diaw seemed to make the big plays with Marion to make the 4th quarter run. The game was closer than the score may have indicated. D'Antonio knows how to use Diaw to gain a match-up advantage and Nash can exploit it. The Matrix cleans-up any misfires.
Diaw is no question my favorite new star. Note the word 'star' and not player. I'm aware he's been around for awhile, but this year he's no question become one. j
^ lol yeah.. Joe's actually having a pretty damn good year.. I think everyone would've given the Hawks major props if they had drafted Paul.. They'd easily have 10 more wins at this point w' a Paul & JJ backcourt.. That said.. Diaw gives them such a unique weapon.. It's really odd describing his game.. He plays bigger than he is and smaller than he is all at the same time.. What a matchup problem! He's not the shooter that JJ is but he's a better rebounder and passer (okay maybe not.. but he sure throws more alley-oops).. And altho their defensive skills might be on par, I like that Diaw can guard bigger players.. Bell's guarding all the guys that JJ would've..
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting swyftdahoe:</div><div class="quote_post">^ lol yeah.. Joe's actually having a pretty damn good year.. I think everyone would've given the Hawks major props if they had drafted Paul.. They'd easily have 10 more wins at this point w' a Paul & JJ backcourt.. That said.. Diaw gives them such a unique weapon.. It's really odd describing his game.. He plays bigger than he is and smaller than he is all at the same time.. What a matchup problem! He's not the shooter that JJ is but he's a better rebounder and passer (okay maybe not.. but he sure throws more alley-oops).. And altho their defensive skills might be on par, I like that Diaw can guard bigger players.. Bell's guarding all the guys that JJ would've..</div> The Hawks would not have received major props from me, even if they drafted Paul. The Hawks, even with a surge of as late, are still the 5th WORST team in the entire NBA! Has Joe Johnson dramatically improved this team? Look at the Suns end of this deal. They received Boris Diaw, two 1st round picks, and a $5 million trade exception that they used to acquire James Jones. All Diaw and JJ have done is help the Suns to the 4th BEST record in the NBA without 26+ ppg from Amare Stoudemire. Let's also remember Joe Johnson is receiving more money long-term then Steve Nash! Also one of the major reasons Atlanta struggled early was the Hawks' insistence on Johnson playing PG. This is also the reason Atlanta did not draft Paul, they though JJ was the answer at this position! SOOOOOOOOOO............ Brois Diaw+ Two (HIGH) 1st round picks+ James Jones OR Joe Johnson+ $70 million Major props Hawks!!!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting swyftdahoe:</div><div class="quote_post">^ lol yeah.. Joe's actually having a pretty damn good year.. I think everyone would've given the Hawks major props if they had drafted Paul.. They'd easily have 10 more wins at this point w' a Paul & JJ backcourt..</div> Wow I forgot that Atlanta badly needed a pg and decided to pass up on Chris Paul. I wonder who made the decision to go after Marvin Williams? PG: Chris Paul SG: Joe Johnson SF: Al Harrington PF: Josh Smith C: Zaza Pachulia 6th man: Childress All they would need is another center, and I wouldn't see any holes on the team. One thing I like to note, is that Al Harrington and Josh Smith are both 6'9. However Josh Smith averages 15 times as many blocks per games than Harrington.
i was wondering about the condition of when and what protection those picks have. if a good PG draft comes up within the next 3 years, the suns could be set for a long, long time even as Nash gets older and slower. Marion/Amare/Diaw/Bell/Jones/House are all still young. If the suns can grab a good player from those picks, this trade was pretty lopsided
When Nash retires, Suns will still have an elite rotation with PG - Barbosa SG - Bell SF - Marion PF - Amare C - Diaw
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting SkiptoMyLue11:</div><div class="quote_post">Wow I forgot that Atlanta badly needed a pg and decided to pass up on Chris Paul. I wonder who made the decision to go after Marvin Williams? PG: Chris Paul SG: Joe Johnson SF: Al Harrington PF: Josh Smith C: Zaza Pachulia 6th man: Childress All they would need is another center, and I wouldn't see any holes on the team. One thing I like to note, is that Al Harrington and Josh Smith are both 6'9. However Josh Smith averages 15 times as many blocks per games than Harrington.</div> Brand is 6'8 and is a better shot blocker than many centers. Josh Smith does have the advantage of longer arms, a 40 inch vertical, and superior timing on blocking shots, so it's not really a big deal I was preaching all summer that they should've drafted Paul, and I will never stop, but since I like Paul, I'm happy he got on a team that he's also able to win on. The Hawks would be a playoff team with Paul though, and possibly also a better coach, not saying Mike sucks, but... <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">PG - Barbosa SG - Bell SF - Marion PF - Amare C - Diaw</div> With Amare, Diaw will not be the C. Amare will. It will be: PG: Barbosa SG: Bell SF: Diaw PF: Marion C: Amare They would need to get more of a true PG though...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting og15:</div><div class="quote_post">Brand is 6'8 and is a better shot blocker than many centers. Josh Smith does have the advantage of longer arms, a 40 inch vertical, and superior timing on blocking shots, so it's not really a big deal </div> Let's not forget the greatest undersized player ever. 6'4.5" Charles Barkley one of the best rebounders and shot blockers in the history of the game.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Downtown:</div><div class="quote_post">Let's not forget the greatest undersized player ever. 6'4.5" Charles Barkley one of the best rebounders and shot blockers in the history of the game.</div> Look at Rodman's rebounding numbers.. it's not like he was a giant either. A big part of rebounding (and blocks) is knowing where to be, when to be there and not backing down an inch or worrying about the other guy roughing you up.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting og15:</div><div class="quote_post">Brand is 6'8 and is a better shot blocker than many centers. Josh Smith does have the advantage of longer arms, a 40 inch vertical, and superior timing on blocking shots, so it's not really a big deal I was preaching all summer that they should've drafted Paul, and I will never stop, but since I like Paul, I'm happy he got on a team that he's also able to win on. The Hawks would be a playoff team with Paul though, and possibly also a better coach, not saying Mike sucks, but... With Amare, Diaw will not be the C. Amare will. It will be: PG: Barbosa SG: Bell SF: Diaw PF: Marion C: Amare They would need to get more of a true PG though...</div> It'll rotate, theres enough ball rotation between Barosa, Diaw, Bell and Marion.
Barkley was, as simply as I can put it, an amazing athlete. When you are an alpha competitor size is what you have adapted to. And don't forget the "Human Assist," Tyrone Bogues. Remember he started for Washington and was a star in Charlotte, a player opposing point guards were intimidated by. He was and probably will be the shortest NBA player ever. (5'3") Who can forget when Washington signed Manute Bol and billed them as "Manute and minute?" Barkley was good for 30 pts. and 20 rebs. Bogues was good for 10 pts, 10 assists, 4 steals and often came out when the other team had a hot guard like Magic who was getting alot of mismatches. Just switching gears for a second, I think Phoenix has been one of the top 3 managed teams over the past 10 years. They get the talent and seem to be just ahead of others in recognizing talent. Like the surfer who spots the wave first.
