AZLouis
09-11-2005, 10:52 AM
http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/storypage.php?Story_ID=603&Category=suns
Guarded Optimism
By George O'Brien
September 7, 2005, 12:46pm
ASFN Writer
(article read 203 times)
A key to the success of the Suns will be how well they replace Joe Johnson. The short term solution is likely to come from the familiar face of Jim Jackson. However, the long range solution could come from the very unfamiliar face of Boris Diaw.
The addition of Jim Jackson in mid season was a huge plus as he played a big role in the team's 62 win record. However, it was his playoff performance where he really proved his worth. In 15 playoff games Jackson averaged 11 ppg on 48.8% shooting including 51.6% for three. In the finals against the Spurs, Jackson scored 9.4 ppg on 52.9% shooting and 57.9% for three.
Jackson's strong three point shooting was hardly new: 01-02 46.9%, 02-03 45.1%, 03-04 40%, and 04-05 41.4% (45.9% with the Suns). During the regular season Jackson was second only Johnson in three point percentage and scored more three pointers per minute played than Johnson. Jackson did not shoot as much as Johnson did, but he was quite effective and improved as the season went on.
In the short run, Jackson's main rivals for the starting shooting guard position are Raja Bell and James Jones. Both are known for the defense, but have different backgrounds.
Bell is 28 year old player who has managed to work his way up from the minor leagues to defensive specialist to sixth man to starter over the past five seasons. Last year he averaged 12.3 ppg on 45.3% shooting and 40.3% for three.
James Jones was a second season unknown backup on the Pacers until the suspensions of three starters gave him a chance to play. Drafted in the second round as a power forward, he showed real promise at small forward and shooting guard where he would lead the Pacers in three point shooting at 39.8%.
The dilemma for the Suns is that while Jackson is probably the best of the three, he will soon be 35 years and has lost a step when it comes to quickness. Bell and Jones look to be solid backup players and good defenders, but neither have shown anything to suggest they have the potential to become stars.
[It is in this context that the recent performances of French born Boris Diaw are so intriguing. To most observers, Diaw was the "throw-in" in the Joe Johnson trade with the Hawks (although technically he was acquired using the Voskuhl trade exemption). If anything, the Hawks were surprised the Suns wanted him rather than push for Childress or Smith. Phoenix reporters were told that the Suns thought Diaw might be helpful at point guard.
The surprise by the Hawks management was not surprising. Diaw's NBA career has not been impressive. Last season he averaged only 42.2% shooting and 4.8 ppg in 18.2 minutes on the worst team in the NBA.
Why did the Suns want Diaw? The first is that Diaw is a great athlete, solid defender, and showed he could play point guard last season. But what may have been more interesting is that the biggest complaint against Diaw was his lack of confidence. This is a familiar story since it was the same reputation that plagued Joe Johnson before last season.
Reports are that Diaw played well in the summer league and perhaps that is what caught the Suns attention. Also, the Suns scouted Diaw extensively for the 2003 draft and he had some very good reviews. None the less, the choice still seemed like an odd one until the European qualifying preliminaries began a couple of weeks ago.
Diaw in the first game against Spain he had 7 rebounds. But he really started attracting attention against Turkey where he scored 25 points on 11 of 14 shooting while holding Okur (of the Jazz) to 12 points.
Diaw scored 17 points against Russia including two highlight dunks over Andrei Kirilenko. According to a news report, "The best player on the Franch team was once again Boris Diaw with 17 point, 9 rebounds and by holding Andrei Kirilenko at only 13 points. Diaw is really the leader of his team, and shows for the moment better basketball than Tony Parker."
The last of the "friendly" games was against Serbia where he went 5 of 10 and grabbed 7 rebounds. All the news reports from France have been raving about Diaw's play including his aggressiveness at attacking the basket.
This is just exhibition games, but they suggest that Diaw may be gaining confidence. Like most international players, he has had to adjust to the American game as well as the language. But it looks as if he may be ready to live up to the scouting report nbadraft.net had for him when he was being drafted:
"Athletically there isn't much Diaw doesn't posses with superior leaping ability, length, and quickness ... An underrated post passer who might be the best at his position ... Has the defensive skills that NBA team's love such as foot speed, long arms and quick hands ... Shows the ability to be a solid offensive rebounder on put backs ... Excels in the open court where his athleticism allows him to finish with flair ... Unselfish although almost to a fault he looks constantly for open teammates ... Possesses amazing body control and combined with his basket skills to make some impressive drives to the basket ... Even when the defense adjusts, his creativity allows for impressive finishes in traffic ... When aggressive, he can be a explosive scorer around the rim on dunks ... Diaw's long arms and quick hands enable him to be a threat to steal the ball and disrupt passing lanes ... Plays the game with poise and maturity no matter what the situation ... Does a good job of using the baseline to gain the advantage over the defense on quick lay-ups ... Fundamentally he is very sound and able to do a multitude of tasks well ... Makes solid court decisions when the ball is on his hands ... Team player who does all the little things that don't show up on the stat sheet ... Has excellent court vision rarely seen at his position ... "
Diaw's weaknesses include outside shooting and confidence. The shooting remains suspect, but his European trip may help on the confidence side.
This season Jackson is still the most likely starter, but Diaw may become the starter of the future.
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Guarded Optimism
By George O'Brien
September 7, 2005, 12:46pm
ASFN Writer
(article read 203 times)
A key to the success of the Suns will be how well they replace Joe Johnson. The short term solution is likely to come from the familiar face of Jim Jackson. However, the long range solution could come from the very unfamiliar face of Boris Diaw.
The addition of Jim Jackson in mid season was a huge plus as he played a big role in the team's 62 win record. However, it was his playoff performance where he really proved his worth. In 15 playoff games Jackson averaged 11 ppg on 48.8% shooting including 51.6% for three. In the finals against the Spurs, Jackson scored 9.4 ppg on 52.9% shooting and 57.9% for three.
Jackson's strong three point shooting was hardly new: 01-02 46.9%, 02-03 45.1%, 03-04 40%, and 04-05 41.4% (45.9% with the Suns). During the regular season Jackson was second only Johnson in three point percentage and scored more three pointers per minute played than Johnson. Jackson did not shoot as much as Johnson did, but he was quite effective and improved as the season went on.
In the short run, Jackson's main rivals for the starting shooting guard position are Raja Bell and James Jones. Both are known for the defense, but have different backgrounds.
Bell is 28 year old player who has managed to work his way up from the minor leagues to defensive specialist to sixth man to starter over the past five seasons. Last year he averaged 12.3 ppg on 45.3% shooting and 40.3% for three.
James Jones was a second season unknown backup on the Pacers until the suspensions of three starters gave him a chance to play. Drafted in the second round as a power forward, he showed real promise at small forward and shooting guard where he would lead the Pacers in three point shooting at 39.8%.
The dilemma for the Suns is that while Jackson is probably the best of the three, he will soon be 35 years and has lost a step when it comes to quickness. Bell and Jones look to be solid backup players and good defenders, but neither have shown anything to suggest they have the potential to become stars.
[It is in this context that the recent performances of French born Boris Diaw are so intriguing. To most observers, Diaw was the "throw-in" in the Joe Johnson trade with the Hawks (although technically he was acquired using the Voskuhl trade exemption). If anything, the Hawks were surprised the Suns wanted him rather than push for Childress or Smith. Phoenix reporters were told that the Suns thought Diaw might be helpful at point guard.
The surprise by the Hawks management was not surprising. Diaw's NBA career has not been impressive. Last season he averaged only 42.2% shooting and 4.8 ppg in 18.2 minutes on the worst team in the NBA.
Why did the Suns want Diaw? The first is that Diaw is a great athlete, solid defender, and showed he could play point guard last season. But what may have been more interesting is that the biggest complaint against Diaw was his lack of confidence. This is a familiar story since it was the same reputation that plagued Joe Johnson before last season.
Reports are that Diaw played well in the summer league and perhaps that is what caught the Suns attention. Also, the Suns scouted Diaw extensively for the 2003 draft and he had some very good reviews. None the less, the choice still seemed like an odd one until the European qualifying preliminaries began a couple of weeks ago.
Diaw in the first game against Spain he had 7 rebounds. But he really started attracting attention against Turkey where he scored 25 points on 11 of 14 shooting while holding Okur (of the Jazz) to 12 points.
Diaw scored 17 points against Russia including two highlight dunks over Andrei Kirilenko. According to a news report, "The best player on the Franch team was once again Boris Diaw with 17 point, 9 rebounds and by holding Andrei Kirilenko at only 13 points. Diaw is really the leader of his team, and shows for the moment better basketball than Tony Parker."
The last of the "friendly" games was against Serbia where he went 5 of 10 and grabbed 7 rebounds. All the news reports from France have been raving about Diaw's play including his aggressiveness at attacking the basket.
This is just exhibition games, but they suggest that Diaw may be gaining confidence. Like most international players, he has had to adjust to the American game as well as the language. But it looks as if he may be ready to live up to the scouting report nbadraft.net had for him when he was being drafted:
"Athletically there isn't much Diaw doesn't posses with superior leaping ability, length, and quickness ... An underrated post passer who might be the best at his position ... Has the defensive skills that NBA team's love such as foot speed, long arms and quick hands ... Shows the ability to be a solid offensive rebounder on put backs ... Excels in the open court where his athleticism allows him to finish with flair ... Unselfish although almost to a fault he looks constantly for open teammates ... Possesses amazing body control and combined with his basket skills to make some impressive drives to the basket ... Even when the defense adjusts, his creativity allows for impressive finishes in traffic ... When aggressive, he can be a explosive scorer around the rim on dunks ... Diaw's long arms and quick hands enable him to be a threat to steal the ball and disrupt passing lanes ... Plays the game with poise and maturity no matter what the situation ... Does a good job of using the baseline to gain the advantage over the defense on quick lay-ups ... Fundamentally he is very sound and able to do a multitude of tasks well ... Makes solid court decisions when the ball is on his hands ... Team player who does all the little things that don't show up on the stat sheet ... Has excellent court vision rarely seen at his position ... "
Diaw's weaknesses include outside shooting and confidence. The shooting remains suspect, but his European trip may help on the confidence side.
This season Jackson is still the most likely starter, but Diaw may become the starter of the future.
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