<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>TUCSON - It's the first day of Suns training camp, and Amaré Stoudemire is in Phoenix recuperating from knee surgery as Boris Diaw takes the floor as the first-team center. The scenario seems perfect for Diaw's success. It helped him become the NBA's 2005-06 Most Improved Player after being a miscast, first-round bust with the Atlanta Hawks. But after last season, in which Diaw drew criticism for being passive and out of shape, maybe Stoudemire's absence can help reignite Diaw's game.</p> Diaw started every game of Phoenix's 15- and 17-game win streaks last season and led all NBA big men in assists, but no Suns player was affected more by Stoudemire's return. Diaw became less assertive because of fewer touches and his deference to Stoudemire. Suns General Manager Steve Kerr told Diaw that he needs to take the initiative like he did in 2005, when Stoudemire was out because of microfracture knee surgery. "Last year, he got lost in the shuffle a little bit," Kerr said of Diaw. "We made it very clear to him this year that he has that responsibility on his shoulders and we're expecting a much better season. I'd be shocked if it didn't come." The Suns are not expecting Diaw's numbers from the 2006 playoffs, when he averaged 18.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists. Because of the return of Stoudemire and the addition of forward Grant Hill, that's not realistic. But Diaw's numbers can be better than they were in the 2007 playoffs, when his suspension was more memorable than his averages of 6.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists. "He's such a good guy that he deferred a lot, but we don't need him to defer," Kerr said. "Whatever role he plays, we need him to attack, be really aggressive and to be a dominant player like two years ago." Diaw often denied any differences last season with his weight or his play. On Tuesday, he sounded ready to be held accountable, acknowledging that his body-fat percentage has dropped and taking heed to Kerr's wishes. "I've never been the most aggressive player offensively," Diaw said. "I understand what he means. I'm going to try to do my best with that and be more aggressive and look for the basket more. If we don't need the extra pass, don't make it."</p> Diaw's conditioning won't be the issue it was last year. He lost 10 pounds this summer, when the Suns sent assistant athletic trainer Mike Elliott and strength and conditioning coach Erik Phillips to Europe to work with Diaw.</div></p> Source: AZ Central</p>
