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http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/ ... nse-080410

The professor broke out a new formula and this time it rates a player efficiency on D. Quite a shock to see our own 3D get honorable mention. Hollinger takes alot of flack around here for his alleged Suns bashing so I guess those critics have to take this with a grain of salt. If you can't take the bad you certainly can't relish in the good.

Personally I feel that Hollinger gives a different view on bb that is valueable in a stat geeky sortof way.

Old Boris has taken alot of heat around here this year with much of it being deserved. I for one have noticed his improved play since the Shaq trade and have to say I am impressed. (or is it relieved?) Even the 3D haters have to admit that it must be nice to be able to sub a guy for practically any position. I also think that it has helped that MD has stopped coddling him and got on him on several occasions. Boris needs to be accountable for his play just like everyone else.

before this article came out i said

behind shaq, i actually rate diaw as our best post defender

the guy has great footwork, great smarts and does a great job on duncan

and ive said it 100 times this year, its plain to see when watching him play that he is a very very solid defender

agree

Diaw is an above avg defender if he's actually trying
he's smart and has great size
the thing is he wasn't trying hard at the begining of the season

it's good to see he plays hard again for most of the time he's on court

Defense is the only thing I can't complain about when it comes to Boris. He uses excellent leverage when bodying up his man along with his tremendous footwork. You don't catch him stumbling over himself when sliding his feet.

Agreed with the above posters

I've always respected his defensively abilities it's just his offensive tendencies thta piss me off.

Diaw really impressed me last night on Duncan, he's long enough at 6'8" to poke at the ball but he's also big enough at 240lb to push back, not to mention the quickness that hasn't been lost. His D on Melo in the big comeback game was amazing

Just bear in mind, Hollinger would tell you with a straight face that Diaw is better for the Suns post defense than Shaq. So, again, take this with about a pound of salt.

I am one of the biggest Diaw haters out there, I will admit that til the bitter end.

I am one of the biggest Hollinger haters out there, and I will never deny that.

And when one writes about the other, I don't know what to do with myself.


For the record, Diaw's post defense is probably the only part of diaws game I never criticize.

On the other hand, since hollinger wrote about it, I will probably have to start hating it, simply due to the fact that I hate hollinger more than I respect diaws defense.


p.s. Saw diaw at a strip club sunday night after the Mavs game for anyone keeping tabs on his offcourt play too.

WTFsunsFTW wrote:

p.s. Saw diaw at a strip club sunday night after the Mavs game for anyone keeping tabs on his offcourt play too.

2 questions..

1. What were you doing at a male strip joint?

2. Why was diaw working there when he makes enough from the suns?



j/k

-SDU- wrote:before this article came out i said

behind shaq, i actually rate diaw as our best post defender

the guy has great footwork, great smarts and does a great job on duncan

and ive said it 100 times this year, its plain to see when watching him play that he is a very very solid defender

The last game I saw Phx live was at Miami earlier this year, and I'd have to say, Diaw did an outstanding job guarding Shaq, and other Heat big guys. He's much improved on D, and by the look of the moves he put on the Spurs Wednesday evening, Shaq has probably taken him aside and given him a noogie or two for being a pansy on offense.

I was impressed with his defense on Duncan as well, particularly the pushing back that Tastic mentioned. Diaw had this look in his eyes showing that he was determined not to get backed down.

If he can just play offense this aggressively and consistently, I'll be a happy man.

NaplesSunsFan wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



The last game I saw Phx live was at Miami earlier this year, and I'd have to say, Diaw did an outstanding job guarding Shaq, and other Heat big guys. He's much improved on D, and by the look of the moves he put on the Spurs Wednesday evening, Shaq has probably taken him aside and given him a noogie or two for being a pansy on offense.

It's funny 'cos it's true.

So what is this -- we had two guys mentioned as all-defense? Awesome.

This lineup is pretty defensively nasty:

Shaq / Diaw / Hill / Bell / Giri

Or if you wanted to go the "trees" route:

Shaq / Amare or Skinner / Diaw / Hill / Bell

Diaw's defense is definetly solid. He is the best on our team at boxing his guy out for a rebound. Amare could learn something from Diaw. I think Amare is easily the worst at boxing out.