Diaw is the first casualty when the suns make a significant roster change where the responsibilities shift. When amare came back, he stepped aside. When Hill came aboard, he disappeared. Now when shaq comes aboard, he's awol again. I think he needs to start again, the suns havent solved why he doesnt come off the bench well, but yet plays well when he starts. I think its the inclusiveness that Steve Nash brings to an unstable situation, boris needs to play with nash on the floor. As for those who say he has never played good defense, naaah! The last time the suns played the spurs, Diaw played the best D on TD, better than Skinner, better than Marion, and certainly better than amare.
Now the suns apparently want him to be shawn Marion, dont know about that one, I dont think he can, not he same skill set. Diaw will once again be the last piece to click into place after the team settles from the shaq trade.
Diaw is a strange bird thats for sure, hearing him miked during a recent game was really strange, like a kids train woooo woooo! He is very talented and fragile, kind of like AK47('cept he doesnt cry in public), and the Jazz are probably very thankful they were patient with AK right about now.
The pistons game looked like a buzzsaw meeting wood, nasty, as the suns just malfunctioned time after time on offense against a very well oiled machine. Yeah, the pistons defense was very good, but the suns were terrible, couldnt even make open shots. It wasnt just diaw, the spacing stunk and the suns have to figure out how to get shaq integrated. No one could guard Rasheed without a double. LB was really passive after getting popped(a nasty collision that could have been much worse injurywise) by paul pierce, and grant hill looked old, while Nash struggled with billups on both ends(on offense due to poor spacing). I thought the suns missed marion in that game, first time in the three games with shaq.
In a few weeks(3-4), the dust will settle and fans will know what the trade has wrought. At least now, since Yao is out, the suns shouldnt have too much trouble making the playoffs, meaning that experimentation wont be as expensive. In the interim, DA would be wise to just start boris when matchups permit, rest hill(he of 35 years), and figure out how to integrate shaq in the offense, AND the defense. When shaq goes to try and block a shot, his teammates need to be reflexive and cover, that didnt appear to be the case. I guess most suns players dont want to get hit by one of shaqs devastating elbows, when he really moves, they may just watch, for now.. I think the suns are just getting used to shaq on both ends and the diesel is not in suns shape.
The pistons are a really good team, when motivated, get used to it. I think they are better with McDyess at center than with Big Ben, as Mcdyess can hit that 15-17 footer, the spacing is better. Rasheed wallace is a load, easily the better of the two wallaces, and prince is a great defender(I'd take him over bowen in a heartbeat, considering defense only).
Hey, the suns had to make the trade anyway, they werent going anywhere with marion against the newly constituted lakers, just fishing.
