George O'Brien said:
No one cares, but I think Boris is the ideal backup for Nash. I'd prefer D'Antoni figured this out early so the Suns would work on it over the summer rather than wait until mid season.
Why Boris? Look at the point guards in the draft and ask if any of them are:
1. Proven ball handler with over 6 assists a game from the post.
2. Proven outside shooter and averaged 18.7 ppg on 52.2%.
3. Great at posting up smaller opponents (which is what he'd be matched with at PG).
4. Big enough to guard PFs, so he can certainly match up against the bigger guards.
5. Has the length to bother outside shooters (was considered a defensive specialist in Atlanta).
6. A decent rebounder (8.5 rpg against the Mavs), he'd give the Suns an added rebounder on the defensive end.
I would expect Boris to play inside a lot, but he has the ability to become a superstar at the point someday.
No, he really doesn't.
1. His outside shot is not that good, he can only make it consistently off the catch and when nobody is guarding him. I can't remember the last time I saw Diaw create and make his own perimter shot.
2. He's not nearly quick enough laterally to guard most PGs in this league, guys like Tony Parker, Devin Harris, and Shaun Livingston would drive right by him at will.
3. His ball handling is fine for a guy playing the post, but when you play the Suns sytem you handle the ball a lot. You have to bring it up court with your eyes up and drive the lane. Boris has not shown the handles to do that throughout a game that superstar PGs do.
4. I'll give you matching up against bigger, slower PGs but how many of those play for our competition?
5-6. Yes, he can do those things. But so can Shawn Marion or Richard Jefferson and any number of other SFs throughout the NBA.
Diaw is a SF or a PF and that's where he should be utilized, a much better and athletic version of Luke Walton where you can run your offense through him at the elbow. Having Diaw bring the ball up the court, set thing up from the perimter, and guard faster guys that are half his size would simply be a waste of his talent.