adrien
04-09-2012, 07:41 AM
Here is a translation of a Diaw interview on lequipe's website. Hope I didn't betray any of his "thoughts"...
"Boris Diaw, how do you feel two weeks after joining the San Antonio Spurs ?"
"Everything is all right. I am still adjusting, which is totally normal. I need a little more time to learn all the systems since there are a lot (smiling). I try to know my teammates better watching constantly how they move in order to integrate the playing philosophy of the team. Since the team is so fluid, i need to blend in. I have to find my spot. I have to learn how to play with my teammates and my teammates have to learn how to play with me."
"Regarding your role with the team, how does Gregg Popovich plan to use you ?"
"I have been acquired to play PF. But since I joined the team, Gregg Popovich used me at all the positions. He wants me to be a "game-easier", to help the ball moving and he wants me to bring my experience and my basketball IQ. To sum up, he wants me to be at the service of the team."
"You went from playing with the worst team of the season, the Charlotte Bobcats, to a franchise that is among the favorites for the title..."
(He cuts the journalist) "I am very happy to play for one of the best teams in the league. The big difference between the Bobcats and the Spurs is that those two teams don't have the same goals. In Charlotte, the teams goal was to fight for the 8th spot qualifying for the playoffs. In San Antonio, it's another world. The one and only goal of the franchise is to fight for the title."
"Since joining, you still haven't lost and the team is going through an amazing run of 11 wins. What's the Spurs' strength this year ?"
"Our main strength is the group. Everything is set up so smoothly. Every player know exactly what he has to do on the court, nothing is left aside. I also think that the group, apart from being very talented and experimented, is really deep. Our bench is deep, and it's very important in this short season. I really think that we are one of the most complete teams in the NBA."
"With the Spurs, you joined your great friend and French National teammate Tony Parker. How do you feel playing with him ?"
"I'm so happy to join him. Instead of seeing only two months a year while playing for France, I see him all day (laughs). It's amazing to play with him, that's for sure. Everybody knows we get along very well on and outside the court, so I'm glad we play for the same team. When you get traded, knowing that you're gonna join a team where a friend plays is quite an advantage. Tony helps me a lot. For example, I live at his place since joining San Antonio."
"If the Spurs reach the NBA finals, you will end the season just one month before the beginning of the Olympic Games..."
"I don't look further than the end of the regular season, but I feel quite OK with that possibility. There still remain, I hope so, a lot of games with San Antonio and I take the steps one at a time. If we get to the Finals with the Spurs, it will be, for Tony and I, an "added" physical preparation for the Olympics. In that case, we will be much more ready physically than if we had to do a preparation after several weeks of holidays."
Here is the link to the itw in French :
http://www.lequipe.fr/Basket/Actualites/Diaw-me-faire-ma-place/275911
"Boris Diaw, how do you feel two weeks after joining the San Antonio Spurs ?"
"Everything is all right. I am still adjusting, which is totally normal. I need a little more time to learn all the systems since there are a lot (smiling). I try to know my teammates better watching constantly how they move in order to integrate the playing philosophy of the team. Since the team is so fluid, i need to blend in. I have to find my spot. I have to learn how to play with my teammates and my teammates have to learn how to play with me."
"Regarding your role with the team, how does Gregg Popovich plan to use you ?"
"I have been acquired to play PF. But since I joined the team, Gregg Popovich used me at all the positions. He wants me to be a "game-easier", to help the ball moving and he wants me to bring my experience and my basketball IQ. To sum up, he wants me to be at the service of the team."
"You went from playing with the worst team of the season, the Charlotte Bobcats, to a franchise that is among the favorites for the title..."
(He cuts the journalist) "I am very happy to play for one of the best teams in the league. The big difference between the Bobcats and the Spurs is that those two teams don't have the same goals. In Charlotte, the teams goal was to fight for the 8th spot qualifying for the playoffs. In San Antonio, it's another world. The one and only goal of the franchise is to fight for the title."
"Since joining, you still haven't lost and the team is going through an amazing run of 11 wins. What's the Spurs' strength this year ?"
"Our main strength is the group. Everything is set up so smoothly. Every player know exactly what he has to do on the court, nothing is left aside. I also think that the group, apart from being very talented and experimented, is really deep. Our bench is deep, and it's very important in this short season. I really think that we are one of the most complete teams in the NBA."
"With the Spurs, you joined your great friend and French National teammate Tony Parker. How do you feel playing with him ?"
"I'm so happy to join him. Instead of seeing only two months a year while playing for France, I see him all day (laughs). It's amazing to play with him, that's for sure. Everybody knows we get along very well on and outside the court, so I'm glad we play for the same team. When you get traded, knowing that you're gonna join a team where a friend plays is quite an advantage. Tony helps me a lot. For example, I live at his place since joining San Antonio."
"If the Spurs reach the NBA finals, you will end the season just one month before the beginning of the Olympic Games..."
"I don't look further than the end of the regular season, but I feel quite OK with that possibility. There still remain, I hope so, a lot of games with San Antonio and I take the steps one at a time. If we get to the Finals with the Spurs, it will be, for Tony and I, an "added" physical preparation for the Olympics. In that case, we will be much more ready physically than if we had to do a preparation after several weeks of holidays."
Here is the link to the itw in French :
http://www.lequipe.fr/Basket/Actualites/Diaw-me-faire-ma-place/275911