Good for Diaw:

[carrrnuttt]

It looks like the trade might have motivated him a little, although he's always done well, when more weight is put on him, as in our '05-'06 season: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/bobcats/story/431206.html

Diaw's passing bolsters Bobcats
Rick Bonnell
[email protected]
Posted: Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008

You know that TV commercial where your problem gets fixed by pushing a big, red Easy Button?

Boris Diaw is becoming the Charlotte Bobcats' Easy Button.

The problem all season has been scoring; they're last in the NBA in that category by a wide margin. But in the five games Diaw has played here, the Bobcats average about eight more points and shoot 3.5percentage points better.

It's not just what Diaw does (post scoring, 3-point shooting and creative passing), it's what he represents: His willingness to pass seems infectious, and addressed the Bobcats' greatest need.

Coach Larry Brown never saw his team's scoring limitations as a lack of scorers. Rather, he felt the ball-movement was so poor, his players seldom created easy shot opportunities for each other.

“I think, since I've been here, the biggest concern I've had is we settle for jump shots,” Brown said. “That started changing a couple of weeks ago when we really started playing (point guards) Raymond (Felton) and D.J. (Augustin) together. Before that, we didn't have much dribble penetration and Emeka (Okafor) wasn't a post threat.

“Now we have a third ballhandler (in power forward Diaw) and that has changed us a little bit – we understand we don't have to live by the jump shot.”

Considering he was thrown into this mix on the fly (he started his first game here without a full practice), Diaw's impact has been dramatic. He's averaging 16.8 points and 4.2 assists and shooting 53percent from the field. And those numbers don't convey the full Diaw effect: Often his passes are of the hockey-assist variety – the pass that leads to the pass that leads to a layup.

It says something that the Bobcats' scoring rose dramatically despite giving up their best scorer, Jason Richardson, in the trade with Phoenix.

“He so spreads the defense out because of the way he can create,” said forward Gerald Wallace. “He can rebound, he can run the break, he passes on the break. That puts so much pressure on the defense.”

For the first game or two, it put pressure on the Bobcats as well. They weren't used to a big man with the passing skill to suddenly turn his good shot into a teammate's great shot. The ball would whip past their hands, which accounted for Diaw's 11 turnovers during his first four games.

“I didn't know he could pass like that – he was in the West, so we only saw him two times a year,” Wallace said. “Once he made his move (in the post) we were looking for him to shoot and he was looking to pass.”

Diaw doesn't see this as a revelation. It's how he's always played, since growing up in France idolizing Magic Johnson, the best-passing big man ever. It's just the Bobcats needing his skill set more than the Suns did.

It's simple basketball: Force a defense to constantly expand and contract, to make hard choices, and eventually someone will be left unguarded. And while the Bobcats are no longer dependent on jump shots, those they do take tend to be more open.

“He's such a great playmaker that he gets shots for everybody,” said shooting guard Matt Carroll. “He's so improved our interior passing, getting Emeka easy buckets with his vision.

“You start scoring inside and it opens up the outside, too. So it affects everybody just right.”

The Diaw Effect

Boris Diaw's arrival as a Charlotte Bobcat has significantly improved the team's offensive output.

Pre-Diaw With Diaw PPG 89.8 98.0 FG Pct. 43.7% 47.2% 100-Pt.Gms 5 of 23 3 of 5 W-L 7-16 2-3

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I'm surprised he is only scoring 17ppg.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

I am actually very happy for Diaw. He is looking like what we thought he was when we signed him to the extension and its crazy how much Amares presence effected him and his game.

Now if only we wouldn't have given up Joe for him.

 

[Skumbag]

Is there a Scottsdale in Charlotte? If not, you'll be seeing a lot of this from him.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I am actually very happy for Diaw. He is looking like what we thought he was when we signed him to the extension and its crazy how much Amares presence effected him and his game.

Now if only we wouldn't have given up Joe for him.

That 1st should have been Al Horford if we would have received the #4 pick 2 years ago.

 

[Chaz]

We knew Diaw is talented and an excellent passer.
While his tendency to overpass was panned by many in Phoenix it seems to have encouraged more team passing in Charlotte.

I don't think Diaw's ability was ever in question, it was always his desire and aggressiveness. Having a starting role and teammates that need him to score and setup others seems to be exactly what he needed.

 

[LavaLamp2]

I am happy for Diaw and the Bobcats. I've always liked Diaw's style of play. I hope for his sake that he stays this productive/aggresive/creative and CONSISTENT.

 

[Mainstreet]

Diaw was the man when Amare was out the season because of injury. However, he was never going to be the man again with Amare's return. So I'm glad Diaw has again been thrust into the situation where he knows that he is going to be a primary option inside.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

Like I said, he is the perfect fit in Brown's half-court offense, because it runs through him.

 

[cly2tw]

win-win. what more is to say?

I always like Diaw and am happy for his success. I believe he could be a super star in Europe. However, in the NBA, it's always a dilemma with him. On a good team like the Suns, he is underutilized thus not deserving his salary. On a bad team, he could be the featured guy and improve the play a lot, but never by so much so as it could win anything in the league.

 

[Sunburn]

he had an ugly game tonight

 

[LV-Suns]

Ugly shooting night for Diaw tonight, but managed to get 11 rebounds and dish out 5 assists. 5 TOs too.

Okafor just had a monster game for the cats.


Bell with his usual Bobcat self.

 

[Ninjafish]

He's a starter now and averaging 11 more minutes a game. That's the biggest difference. The last time he was averaging as many minutes was... you guessed it, 04-05.

I wish we could have found a way to give him more playing time.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

How can you score 80 points, with only 10 in one quarter, and win!?

That must have been a dreadful game to watch.

 

[dbUNIT16]

He's going to do well because he's a starter, and will get 40+ minutes a night. Having said that, it was best for the Suns, and Diaw. He was not going to start here, we had too many offensive weapons, and couldn't give him the minutes to make it worth $9M for us. He wouldn't be able to do for us what he's doing for Charlotte.

 

[nowagimp]

Diaw was never gonna do well with amare here. He's the kind of player that needs to touch the ball alot to get his game on. In 6 games he's 15/8.3/4.3 in 36 minutes a game. He shoots 48% FGs, and takes 13.7 shots a game. Not shy, just being used correctly, like in the year amare was out. He just didnt fit here with the roster, I guess the suns figured that out.

 

[Irish]

I agree. Some guys can do well on any team and some just can't. Put Diaw on a team playing a Princeton Offense.