10-04-2007, 12:50 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2004
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Suns' camp a chance for Diaw
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Suns want veteran to be more aggressive
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Oct. 3, 2007 12:00 AM
TUCSON - It's the first day of Suns training camp, and Amaré Stoudemire is in Phoenix recuperating from knee surgery as Boris Diaw takes the floor as the first-team center.
The scenario seems perfect for Diaw's success. It helped him become the NBA's 2005-06 Most Improved Player after being a miscast, first-round bust with the Atlanta Hawks.
But after last season, in which Diaw drew criticism for being passive and out of shape, maybe Stoudemire's absence can help reignite Diaw's game.
Diaw started every game of Phoenix's 15- and 17-game win streaks last season and led all NBA big men in assists, but no Suns player was affected more by Stoudemire's return. Diaw became less assertive because of fewer touches and his deference to Stoudemire.
Suns General Manager Steve Kerr told Diaw that he needs to take the initiative like he did in 2005, when Stoudemire was out because of microfracture knee surgery.
"Last year, he got lost in the shuffle a little bit," Kerr said of Diaw. "We made it very clear to him this year that he has that responsibility on his shoulders and we're expecting a much better season. I'd be shocked if it didn't come."
The Suns are not expecting Diaw's numbers from the 2006 playoffs, when he averaged 18.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists. Because of the return of Stoudemire and the addition of forward Grant Hill, that's not realistic. But Diaw's numbers can be better than they were in the 2007 playoffs, when his suspension was more memorable than his averages of 6.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists.
"He's such a good guy that he deferred a lot, but we don't need him to defer," Kerr said. "Whatever role he plays, we need him to attack, be really aggressive and to be a dominant player like two years ago."
Diaw often denied any differences last season with his weight or his play. On Tuesday, he sounded ready to be held accountable, acknowledging that his body-fat percentage has dropped and taking heed to Kerr's wishes.
"I've never been the most aggressive player offensively," Diaw said. "I understand what he means. I'm going to try to do my best with that and be more aggressive and look for the basket more. If we don't need the extra pass, don't make it."
Diaw's conditioning won't be the issue it was last year. He lost 10 pounds this summer, when the Suns sent assistant athletic trainer Mike Elliott and strength and conditioning coach Erik Phillips to Europe to work with Diaw.
Diaw's nonchalant manner frustrated teammates at times last season. His easygoing personality is unlikely to change, but point guard Steve Nash said the Suns can fuel his confidence. He said Diaw thrives off team chemistry, a weak area last season.
"We need him to be committed every day and be aggressive," Nash said. "Boris struggles with his mentality. He struggles sometimes with his confidence.
"If he's confident, he'll play aggressive. We've got to continue to pat him on the back, make him feel good and make him feel like we need him and get him in the frame of mind where we want him to attack and not worry about the outcome."
Coach Mike D'Antoni defends Diaw's 2006-07 season, in which he started 59 games and shot a career-high 53.8 percent from the field. He said Diaw was affected by back problems, poor conditioning and high expectations.
"The biggest problem was us asking him, 'What's wrong?' " D'Antoni said. " . . . We won 62 games. That's the stat we should look at."
Diaw is different when playing for France's national team. On a club with San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker, Diaw is the leader in every way on and off the court. But it is his nature to put teammates first.
"As long as the team scores 110, I don't care if I score one or 15," he said. "That's for sure."
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Suns' camp a chance for Diaw
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