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I think Diaw is really skilled, but I do believe he is pretty soft.
Either way, he's be an upgrade over Blair and Bonner imo.
He's fat and stupid and he'd still be an upgrade over Turiaf or Bonner. Lasagna as a signing bonus, yo!
I think Diaw is really skilled, but I do believe he is pretty soft.
Either way, he's be an upgrade over Blair and Bonner imo.
All I can really remember about him was him knocking down a couple mid range jumpers, that was a couple years ago though so my memory is vague.
Nearly everything I read about him says he's soft and his stats aren't very impressive either, that could be due to him playing with some ty teams that don't play any defense though.So... you've never seen him play, but he sucks?
He's not soft, first of all. Not sure where you've read that. However, as timvp noted, he can be a bit passive. He usually doesn't like to take shots, but he is a very good passer and is willing to do the extra pass, which should work well in Pop's system. He has good fundamentals in the post, and can play any of the 5 positions on the court. Obviously the Spurs will only play him as a 3 or 4 (probably 4), but he could just play anything if needed.
His main issue is self-motivation. But I think playing on a contender with a good friend will take care of that.
I just don't want the Spurs getting another player like RJ who dragged the Spurs' down significantly with his poor defense and offensive game. It was painful watching RJ play PF and getting a clone of him would terrible for the team.
Hopefully if he does come to the Spurs he gets motivated and does play solid defense while occasionally knocking down an outside jumper ala Dice, I'd be ecstatic.
A passer like Diaw would also make it a lot easier for the Spurs' 2nd unit to score which sometimes has become stagnant due to a lack of ball movement.
For all those worried about Diaw's effort level, remember this. We're most likely only signing him for just this season. If so, he'll have to get off his butt and work hard the next couple months to earn his next multiyear contract.
Of course, once he does that, he will likely just get fat and lazy again.
I've thought about this clip a couple of times during this whole process. Classic Walton moment.
low risk, high reward. If things don't work out, the Spurs can waive him without having to swallow $40million, which is what it would have cost the team to waive Jefferson.
Diaw is far from the ideal fit, but he is waived he is also far and away the best option available.
Not to mention the fact that everyone and their brother knew that CHA was tanking this year. How hard would you try if you saw your team trade away Okafor THEN Tyson Chandler, Stephen Jackson, Gerald Wallace, etc, and totally go into the tank?
Diaw is not RJ.
RJ is strictly a SF. He lacks in versatility. He has a below average BBIQ. He was never a PF throughout his whole career except very occasionally in small ball sets.
Diaw, on the other hand, is arguably the most versatile player in the whole NBA. He was drafted as a 2 guard. Hes played point guard. Hes started whole seasons at center. He can literally play any basketball position at the highest level. Hes the basketball renaissance man. Plus, he has a high BBIQ to boot.
Just because Jefferson, who was playing out of position, failed at something doesn't mean another player, who actually has long-term experience succeeding doing that very thing, will. Your comparisons just don't make sense.
Dang. Spurstalk has Bill Walton posting in it! What a privilege, sir.
Do you know what a renaissance man is? It's someone that does a little of everything. Jack of all trades. A bard.
That has nothing to do with Beethoven.
It would be a mistake not acquiring Diaw.
Admittingly, I haven't watched a full Boris Diaw game since 2008 so my opinion could be misguided but I think bring him on is a no-brainer. His versatility on offense, smarts on defensive, and relationship with Tony Parker are all positives.
The only question for me now is how much does he have left in the tank mentally and physically? Heard that hes been out of shape for the past few season. Does that mean hes content not being the player he could be or did injures happened? I think this is a low risk move too so I would do it regardless of Diaw's motivation level.
I know.
Bill Walton used a similar hagiography when he invoked the Renaissance and the Enlightenment to showcase his (b)Romance for Diaw.
He is just a basketball player. Has nothing to do with Da Vinci.
I feel so strongly about this signing that I'd not only sign him but also give him a second year - assuming the price is reasonable. If we did that it would be a realistic thought that our bigman roster next season is:
Duncan
Splitter
Diaw
Bonner
Blair
Lorbek
Much better than now.
"Renaissance man" doesn't have to refer to painters. Or inventors for that matter.
I mean, it can refer to a schmuck like Danny DeVito.
How can they afford both Lorbek and Diaw? I think you have to choose one or the other.
Might be a total pipe dream, but I assume if you use the Mini MLE on Diaw this year, and the Mini MLE on Lorbek next year then it'd work.
Am I wrong?
Would be as enthusiastic as you are, if today was three years ago.
The version that turned out for the miserable Bobcats was neither Renaissance nor Jack of all trades unfortunately (atleast this season). Diaw was more work of fart than work of art, a French glutton rather than a gourmet, and a passive piece of unmotivation than an expression of Walton's excitement.
Having said that, beggars can't be choosers. With our 3 and a half front line, Diaw will be addition by just addition.
Your assuming both would accept the mini MLE and then of course you have the playing aspect. The Spurs should just bench Blair permanently or trade his ass because his motivation wil be at an all-time low if he sinks to 5th big and behind lowly Bonner on the depth chart. And personally, I was under the impression that using the mini MLE on Diaw would only apply to this year and not next year.
The going rate for Lorbek will probably be similar to Splitter's contract. We'll be able to field that one.
The big question is Diaw. I did preface my previous contract statement with something to the effect of "if it's reasonable". I have no idea what his going rate will be. I have no idea if he'll want to cash in or come to play with Tony and a winning organization again. It's an unknown.
Regarding Blair - if we were somehow able to get both Lorbek and Diaw then I'm pretty sure he'd be moved.
If we could have both Lorbek and Diaw then Blair and Bonner would never need to play again. But I'm sure Pop will screw Lorbek with little minutes as last year with Tiago and I'm also sure that Bonner is way better than both Diaw and Lorbek in Pop's eyes.
Yeah, I see Diaw as a catch 22. If he plays well, he'll probably get some decent offer next year which is probably bad news for the Spurs. If he plays like , the Spurs would probably have the option to keep him but would they want him?
Diaw is fine both physically and mentally. He has been fat for years but is able to play through it so it's not a big deal. He has started this season in poor shape but he is now in his usual shape after having lost 12kg (26pds).
Yep.
Might be worth mentioning here...
Zach Randolph. Heeeeee's baaaaaaaack, folks. 25 points off the bench in his return.
http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=320316029
So against teams like the lakers and grizzlies, does Boris Diaw have enough size and toughness to guard guys like Randolph and Andrew Bynum? Or would he be just another turd that can't hold his own? I think the existing turd towers don't need yet a 3rd addition. Thoughts?
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