Boris and the French Team

[azirish]

The Eurobasket tournament is in September from the 3rd to the 16th. I expect there will be some "friendlies" prior to that but I've just begun looking. The featured guy for France:

http://www.eurobasket2007.org/en/Default.asp?cid={A7BD0FAA-5BD6-498F-8BE5-C1EE5E5FFAD3}

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Star Player - Boris Diaw


Boris Diaw
Boris Diaw’s evolution with the French team has always been a step ahead of his progression with his club team.
It proved right in 2005, when the young forward who had struggled with the Atlanta Hawks had a memorable tournament at the EuroBasket.

Diaw was selected in the All-EuroBasket 2005 First Team and would have been the MVP had France beaten Greece in the semis.
Following his trade from Atlanta to Phoenix, Diaw materialized this newfound assertiveness and was named the Most Improved Player in the 2005-06 season.

In the playoffs, he even took it to another level, averaging 24.2 points on 52.2 percent shooting during the Western Conference Finals against Dallas. The ultimate versatile and team player, Boris can play every single position on the court, even though he played mostly as an inside man last season with Phoenix due to Amaré Stoudemire’s injury.

At the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan, Diaw took over the leadership reigns when Tony Parker went down with an injury. Diaw proved he was up to the task as he played spectacularly in France's respectable run to fifth place. Along with leading the squad in scoring at 11.9 ppg, Diaw also finished first in assists and third in rebounds.

From the team writeup

2005, despite a subpar performance from star Tony Parker, who was coming off an excruciating season with the Spurs.
Unable to find his groove, he would struggle all the way to the end of the first round (he shot 20 percent from the field). This could have destroyed the young French bunch easily. But what happened probably helped the team find its identity. Often valuable with the national team, Boris Diaw stepped up and played the way everybody knew he was capable of.

Diaw helped the team survive the first round and sparked two of the best games a French team has ever played at that level. First, they knocked out hosts Serbia & Montenegro, who were one of the favourites to claim the title. Then, France only allowed 47 points against Lithuania, one of the best offensive teams in the world.

By the time Parker had returned to his old self, France were on their way to a 30-point win against powerhouses Spain to claim the bronze medal after a heart-breaking loss at the buzzer against eventual winner, Greece, in the semi-finals. Diaw earned a spot on the All-Tournament team.

Japan was another tough test for Bergeaud’s men and once again, Diaw stepped up in Parker's absence. Parker withdrew from the competition just days before the first game with a broken finger, but Diaw filled his void adequately en route to a respectable fifth place finish.

BTW, they did not list the French roster other than Boris.

A good tournament might go a long way toward returning Boris to the guy he was in 2005-06.

 

[Griffin]

Here's France's first round schedule:

September 3 - France vs. Poland
September 4 - France vs. Italy
September 5 - France vs. Slovenia

Since Barbosa and Marion pulled out of international competition this summer, that only leaves Diaw and Amare for us to follow.

 

[azirish]

Here's France's first round schedule:

September 3 - France vs. Poland
September 4 - France vs. Italy
September 5 - France vs. Slovenia

Since Barbosa and Marion pulled out of international competition this summer, that only leaves Diaw and Amare for us to follow.

I didn't check, but usually they let two teams out of each group, so as long as they take care of business with Poland and Slovenia, they are fine. Italy though will be a tough opponent.

 

[mathbzh]

French should be interesting to follow because the French coach has decided to modify the team composition and preparation. He decided not to select some NBA players (Pietrus , Gelabale, Petro) to take specialists (like Ferchaud a pure 3 pt shooter) and a player able to create when Diaw is on the bench (Kirskay). The team will be less athletic but maybe better in the context of FIBA games.
French coach did it because during the last WC France had one of the worst FG%. I believe the results of the US team also influenced him.

 

[dodie53]

i hope diaw regains his confidence while playing for his country..

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

As long as he doesnt regain the croissant I will be happy.

 

[mathbzh]

i hope diaw regains his confidence while playing for his country..

The good news is that with France Diaw is forced to be a leader (with Parker). He can't hide behind Amare...