Erik Phillips is training Diaw with the French National Team

[fordronken]

http://suns.marqui.com/blog/suns01_09070701.aspx

 

[fordronken]

I have been traveling with the French National Team while training with Boris Diaw to prepare him for the upcoming Suns season.

That's pretty awesome. You can tell the Suns are pretty comitted to keeping Boris in shape this offseason.

Also, the blog is a very nice read.

 

[fordronken]

Here's a great tidbit:

In the 3rd quarter, Boris got a rebound and took the ball coast to coast for a tomahawk dunk - jumping from outside the dotted line in the lane - over Bargnani. The arena went berserk and even the Italian fans cheered. The second play was a great defensive stop with France leading by 2 points with under 2 minutes left in the game. Belinelli had what seemed to be a clear path to the basket and went up for an easy dunk. Boris then came from the weak-side, cleanly blocked his dunk, pinned the ball against the backboard and started a fast break in which France scored. It was great to see such intensity out of our guy!

 

[mribnik]

Here's a great tidbit:

The dunk was an awesome play and I could see it coming from the moment Diaw crossed half court. It looks so effortless when he jumps like that too, very graceful.

The block was pretty sick as well.

 

[Cheesebeef]

damn it would just be huge if Boris was good again.

 

[slinslin]

I am watching Germany-France live right now..

Diaw plays like he did last season pretty much.. totally passive on offense. Doesn't really take shots.

He shines with good defense though. He totally destroyed one of the german backcourt players with a monster block on a fastbreak layup.

 

[slinslin]

7 points 10 rebounds for Diaw in the end.

 

[Ciani]

I am watching Germany-France live right now..

Diaw plays like he did last season pretty much.. totally passive on offense. Doesn't really take shots.

He shines with good defense though. He totally destroyed one of the german backcourt players with a monster block on a fastbreak layup.

That block was awesome, I have never seen Diaw doing something like that before. His rebounding looked pretty good as well.

And agree Boris was passive on offense, had a few nice assists though, but didnt shoot well.

 

[mathbzh]

This block was awesome.
Diaw is still passive on offense but at least he is a leader on defense.
He took a lot of open 3 but missed them all.
France played well but to be honest Germany is not very talented and France "just" had to focus on Dirk.

 

[elindholm]

The Suns will need Diaw more on defense than on offense, so if he's focusing on that, that's fine with me.

 

[pillso]

here the dunk against italy

 

[dodie53]

i'll settle for diaw being a defensive specialist and rebounder

 

[slinslin]

here the dunk against italy

Lame for NBA standards and for what Diaw should be able to do.

 

[Cheesebeef]

dunk "over Bargnani"? come on now. It was a decent play, but he didn't dunk on anyone there.

 

[Gaddabout]

I think I've figured this out ...

When Diaw feels comfortable and he's asked to be a featured member of the team he is a very good all-around player.

When Diaw is uncertain of his role and feels like he's supposed to hide behind the "core," he's a waste of space.

I don't think Diaw's figured the NBA out. I think he thinks he's always supposed to defer to the stars of the team, like he's not supposed to stand out somehow.

 

[pillso]

here the block against germany