Diaw's stock might be going up

[SirStefan32]

that would also work too. it's so nice to be able to hide out our worse defender on bowen all night long. it makes switching guys onto parker and ginobili much easier.

Exactly. Big problem is what to do with Nash when Bowen is out? Parker will destroy him, as will Manu or Finley. On the other hand, how the hell are either one of those 3 guys going to stop Boris if he is playing 3?
It all depends on who shows up for the game- Dirty Diaw or Doris. When Dirty Diaw shows up, we win. If Doris shows up, we're screwed.

 

[dodie53]

take nash out if bowen is out?

 

[Proteus]

Exactly. Big problem is what to do with Nash when Bowen is out? Parker will destroy him, as will Manu or Finley. On the other hand, how the hell are either one of those 3 guys going to stop Boris if he is playing 3?
It all depends on who shows up for the game- Dirty Diaw or Doris. When Dirty Diaw shows up, we win. If Doris shows up, we're screwed.

I'm pretty uncomfortable with whether we win or not being dependent on Boris.

Has Nash guarded Finley in the regular season or the playoff series? I don't recall him doing so.

 

[Irish]

It's not just what Boris is doing, but what the rest of the team is doing too. I loved how they kept getting the ball to him in the low post. For a variety of reasons, the Suns have never been willing to keep pounding away at something that's working - but today they did.

Of course the other thing is that Bell had a good game. The Suns are just a very good team when they miss a lot of open jumpers.

 

[95pro]

take nash out if bowen is out?

they've done okay without nash, in spurts of course, in this series.

 

[SirStefan32]

I'm pretty uncomfortable with whether we win or not being dependent on Boris.

Has Nash guarded Finley in the regular season or the playoff series? I don't recall him doing so.

Nash hasn't really guarder anybody. He's been close to players, watched them drive to the hoop by him, watched them make jumpers over him. Not sure if that qualifies as "guarding".

 

[SirStefan32]

It's not just what Boris is doing, but what the rest of the team is doing too. I loved how they kept getting the ball to him in the low post. For a variety of reasons, the Suns have never been willing to keep pounding away at something that's working - but today they did.

Of course the other thing is that Bell had a good game. The Suns are just a very good team when they miss a lot of open jumpers.

They kept giving him the ball in the low post in previous games, it's just that he didn't score.

 

[SirStefan32]

take nash out if bowen is out?

Might be worth a shot. Not necessarily as a long term solution, but as an experiment. If you are playing through Boris or Amare or Shaq in the low post, you can afford to keep Nash on the bench for a while. My philosophy has always been that you play the lineup that's winning. If Giricek/Bell backcourt is beating the crap out of somebody, you leave Nash on the bench.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

You guys should be furious at Diaw, not hyping him up. This game should make your realize that his apathy for the game defaults over his passion for the game.

It only enforces the idea that he simply doesn't care most of the time, and steals his salary for 90% of the season.

Horray for Diaw? I saw shame on Diaw.

 

[cly2tw]

Boris' problem has always been mental. Back in 2005 and in this game, it was clear that we didn't have any other ways to even have a chance unless he carried the burden. And he wouldn't be blamed for having tried but failed. He seems liberated under such circumstances.

 

[jagu]

You guys should be furious at Diaw, not hyping him up. This game should make your realize that his apathy for the game defaults over his passion for the game.

It only enforces the idea that he simply doesn't care most of the time, and steals his salary for 90% of the season.

Horray for Diaw? I saw shame on Diaw.

this is so true.

 

[btimsah]

You guys should be furious at Diaw, not hyping him up. This game should make your realize that his apathy for the game defaults over his passion for the game.

It only enforces the idea that he simply doesn't care most of the time, and steals his salary for 90% of the season.

Horray for Diaw? I saw shame on Diaw.

Sadly I have to agree, HOWEVER**

Diaw got the start. That really seemed to motivate him. Either that or Dantoni hired a large amount of ***** for him to choose from after the game. Either way, something motivated him!

 

[cly2tw]

Might be worth a shot. Not necessarily as a long term solution, but as an experiment. If you are playing through Boris or Amare or Shaq in the low post, you can afford to keep Nash on the bench for a while. My philosophy has always been that you play the lineup that's winning. If Giricek/Bell backcourt is beating the crap out of somebody, you leave Nash on the bench.

My sentiment exactly. Defense is more important. Without Nash, we are better at stopping anything they throw at us. And Nash dribbling or PnR were the culprit for stagnation of our offense, and the resulting turnovers reason for Spurs fastbreaks.

It's telling that we won the game with Nash of only 5 assists and Amare only 11 shots for 7 pts. We went for alternatives and Spurs weren't as prepared. Pop will adjust but I hope DA has learnt something by now to not be as stubborn as he has been.

 

[French Fries]

Boris' problem has always been mental. Back in 2005 and in this game, it was clear that we didn't have any other ways to even have a chance unless he carried the burden. And he wouldn't be blamed for having tried but failed. He seems liberated under such circumstances.

word. he's a nice dude, unselfish and got fundamentals. it's not like he can't, he's just too unselfish (or too afraid of the consequences). instead of getting furious, i'm actually pitying him. if he does not man up, he won't improve. such a waste...

 

[nashman]

I think if you check he seems to always play better when he starts...so simple solution freaking START him, Grant and Barbs, Giri can come off the bench. If they can play like that and freakin blow out the Spurs with Amare having a terrible game there is hope for this series after all.

 

[cly2tw]

word. he's a nice dude, unselfish and got fundamentals. it's not like he can't, he's just too unselfish (or too afraid of the consequences). instead of getting furious, i'm actually pitying him. if he does not man up, he won't improve. such a waste...

Afraid of responsibilities seems a more accurate description. By passing up wide open looks under the basket, he just wants others to share the responsibility.

 

[LV-Suns]

Afraid of responsibilities seems a more accurate description. By passing up wide open looks under the basket, he just wants others to share the responsibility.

I feel the opposite. Diaw always has a feel to play better when responsibilities are on him. He was great when a huge load was on him in 05-06. Then Amare returned took it off him. He also played great whenever Amare wasn't on the floor last year.

When he starts, he might feel its on him again.

 

[WuRaider]

The best part of Diaw's play was his aggressiveness. There were at least 4-6 instances where he had a wide open shooter at the 3 point line but he instead took the point blank layup. Considering his usual decision in those situations, I was shocked and angry that it took him 82 games and 4 playoff games to finally realize the right decision.

 

[Irish]

It's amazing how smart Boris seems when guys are hitting their outside shots. When everything spins out, Boris's passes seem lame at the same time opponents can double him at the post.

The sad truth is that Boris is not able to deal with Duncan on either end of the floor. On offense, Duncan routinely blocks Diaw's shots and on the other end Tim just runs him over. I don't care how assertive Boris is, this is a matchup made in hell for him.

I'm not surpised he seems reborn when he's no longer matched with Duncan. On the wing, he's taller than all of the Spur's wings and able to post them up or shoot over them. Fighting through moving picks is hard, but it has to be easier than getting run over by Duncan.

Two years ago he showed what he can do when he could exploit mismatches. Let's hope he finally remembers.

 

[Haren]

If Boris can somehow learn how to play like this on a consistent basis, there's no reason to trade him. If anything, they should consider keeping him in the starting line-up as he always seems to step up and rise to the occasion whenever he starts.

 

[cly2tw]

It's amazing how smart Boris seems when guys are hitting their outside shots. When everything spins out, Boris's passes seem lame at the same time opponents can double him at the post.

The sad truth is that Boris is not able to deal with Duncan on either end of the floor. On offense, Duncan routinely blocks Diaw's shots and on the other end Tim just runs him over. I don't care how assertive Boris is, this is a matchup made in hell for him.

I'm not surpised he seems reborn when he's no longer matched with Duncan. On the wing, he's taller than all of the Spur's wings and able to post them up or shoot over them. Fighting through moving picks is hard, but it has to be easier than getting run over by Duncan.

Two years ago he showed what he can do when he could exploit mismatches. Let's hope he finally remembers.

Well, I'm glad that DA adjusted and played Diaw together with Amare and Shaq. It's all about matchups.

 

[BC867]

Mike D'Antoni, welcome to the NBA.

Well I'm gonna have to use this as another chance to bash coach offense. Maybe we should have been playing diaw at the 3, all along? Instead of going with all these stupid small lineups and playing people out of their natural positions.

Put him at the 3 no sf can keep him out of the post, they put a big on him and h e can take them off the dribble. Plus he can guard wing players as he moves his feet very well and has length.

Bingo! Boris plays (small) backup Center, Barbosa replaces Hill in the starting lineup (c'mon now, doesn't that sound goofy?) and the Spurs blow us out.

Sunday, Diaw joints Shaq and Amare in the front line (as a Small Forward) and gives us everything that Marion did, and more, and we blow them out.

Welcome to the NBA, Mike D'Antoni. Tiny ball (3 Guards, Boris at Center) in the playoffs rips the confidence from Steve Nash, Raja Bell and, most of all, Boris Diaw.

Two Guards and a front line of Shaq, Amare and a healthy Grant Hill or Boris Diaw and we're ready for the post-season.

The first question is will D'Antoni see that or revert? The second question is even if he sees it, can he coach it on an ongoing basis?

We will see. We will see.

 

[boisesuns]

Bingo! Boris plays (small) backup Center, Barbosa replaces Hill in the starting lineup (c'mon now, doesn't that sound goofy?) and the Spurs blow us out.

Sunday, Diaw joints Shaq and Amare in the front line (as a Small Forward) and gives us everything that Marion did, and more, and we blow them out.

Welcome to the NBA, Mike D'Antoni. Tiny ball (3 Guards, Boris at Center) in the playoffs rips the confidence from Steve Nash, Raja Bell and, most of all, Boris Diaw.

Two Guards and a front line of Shaq, Amare and a healthy Grant Hill or Boris Diaw and we're ready for the post-season.

The first question is will D'Antoni see that or revert? The second question is even if he sees it, can he coach it on an ongoing basis?

We will see. We will see.

I think Diantoni will see the success of what happened Sunday and try and duplicate it. The problem is, when the Spurs adjust to it, how will he react?

You know the Spurs will adjust for what happened Sunday. Will Diantoni be able to matchup the best players for the next game? We will find out.

 

[BC867]

I think Diantoni will see the success of what happened Sunday and try and duplicate it. The problem is, when the Spurs adjust to it, how will he react?

You know the Spurs will adjust for what happened Sunday. Will Diantoni be able to matchup the best players for the next game? We will find out.

That's the old story of . . . do we try to match up with them or force them to match up with us?

I believe you go with your strengths. A front line of Shaq/Amare/Diaw, just as Shaq/Amare/Hill or even Shaq/Amare/Marion, is strong. Just ask Raja Bell.

The Spurs still smothered Nash. His figures were way below par . . . and we won.

 

[95pro]

I think Diantoni will see the success of what happened Sunday and try and duplicate it. The problem is, when the Spurs adjust to it, how will he react?

You know the Spurs will adjust for what happened Sunday. Will Diantoni be able to matchup the best players for the next game? We will find out.

well pop tried to counter. that's why you saw fin-dog on stat a couple of times.
the key thing is fouls.

when 3D or STAT have a smaller person on them, i'd expect the spurs to attack the suns with fouls, whether it be offensive or defensive.