Let's Get Three-Dimensional: Boris Diaw Day Part 1

by TexSUN on Oct 3, 2007 1:23 PM MDT in Player Day Features

Since both AZCentral and East Valley Tribune headed up their Suns coverage today with stories about Boris Diaw, this is as good a time as any to devote 24 hours of main page space to the guy who helped save the season two years ago with his Oscar-winning performance in the role of "mini-Amare". Besides, after what happened the last time we tried to do one of these, I'm eager to try another one and get that previous attempt behind me.

I have to admit, I didn't think much of Boris when the Suns first picked him up in the Joe Johnson trade two years ago. After all, what had the guy done in Atlanta? But I underestimated both Boris and Mike D'Antoni's creativity (not to mention Atlanta's ineptitude), and by the end of the season, I was referring to Boris (prematurely, as it turns out) as my "future favorite player" once Steve Nash retires. He has probably forever lost his "future favorite player" status--that quote in Jack McCallum's book kind of summed up how I felt about his play last season following the big contract: Like I had been "had". However, it's not too late for him to have a huge impact on this team and redeem himself in the eyes of both the Suns and the fans. Of all the players on the team, I really think that Boris has the potential to become the best. He has all the moves and could easily be a triple-double threat any time he wants. He just needs to find the desire that Steve, Amare, and others have to turn all that potential into a raging fire that does whatever the team needs in order to win. Plus he may just have the coolest (and most appropriate) nickname on the team.

We're going to do this player day a little differently than the others. Since Boris's nickname is 3D, we'll split this into three parts instead of two. The usual facts and trivia will be posted in Part 2 this evening, and the YouTube bonanza will go up tomorrow after readers have had some time to post their favorite YouTubes and other thoughts in the comments of the first two parts. And as always, we'll preempt if necessary should major news come along.

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Boris and Natasha

My wife was pregnant during Boris' playoff run, but we had not yet found out the gender. My friend from high school (who was living out of state) suggested that if the Suns win a title, we would have to name our son Boris. In the event of a girl, I proposed Natasha.

The wife did not agree on either name. In hindsight, not a bad move.

Mmmmm ... Guinness

by JSun on Oct 3, 2007 1:42 PM MDT 0 recs

Saw Boris today!

That guy's tall... and quiet. But I got his autograph after waiting outside McKale. I have some pictures of him but I went alone so I couldn't get in the picture with him...and the security guards were kinda mean =\ there weren't even that many people to shepherd... I don't know how to post pictures though :(

by whatisboxhappening on Oct 3, 2007 2:02 PM MDT 0 recs

whatisboxhappening pic

Hey, if you want, email me 1-2 or 3 pics and I'll load them here for you

jasonmyer@automatedtraining.net

thanks

cool you saw him, I agree with TexSun, he really does have the finesse, the vision, the size, and the skill to become the best player on this team, but he
seems to thrive in a great environment, while some others thrive anywhere, any future training camp photos, send a few my way and I'll load them up and
give you the credit

by jasonsuns1 on Oct 3, 2007 2:08 PM MDT up 0 recs

Yeah that sounds good

I'll be sure to send you some stuff. I'm just tired from standing out there for hours. They're not the best photography but it's all right I guess. I skipped two classes just to hang out there today.

by whatisboxhappening on Oct 3, 2007 2:21 PM MDT up 0 recs

cool

wish I was there, my brother went to U of A about the time Kerr and Sean Elliot went there, it seems that school has been a powerhouse ever since. Kind of cool to have a U of A guy be the new Suns G.M., I've always liked Kerr and am excited to see the next year or 2. I can post video for you also, but it'd have to be 30 secs to 1 minute. Also, I'm not posting your photos on some picaso web site or something, just on my server... It takes 30 seconds to do...

by jasonsuns1 on Oct 3, 2007 2:40 PM MDT up 0 recs

TexSun...

this goes for anyone having any encounters with any suns and wanting to share a picture or video. Kind of cool to have a same day pic of Diaw, he probably didn't even know it was for DIAW DAY!!

by jasonsuns1 on Oct 3, 2007 2:42 PM MDT 0 recs

Photos

Any objection (from either jasonsons1 or whatisboxhappening) if I link to them in the next post, assuming they're loaded in time? Everyone's been bugging me to post photos, and as far as I know, there's no legal restrictions on posting photos taken by fans as long as the photographer doesn't object. :)

by TexSUN on Oct 3, 2007 2:55 PM MDT up 0 recs

of course not...link away

by jasonsuns1 on Oct 3, 2007 3:05 PM MDT up 0 recs

Link?

Gotta know where to link before I can. :)

by TexSUN on Oct 3, 2007 3:52 PM MDT up 0 recs

sorry...

thought this was obvious, once image is given to me, I'll post it here, and you'll see it

I can forward the link to your email at the same time I post

Or you can right click the image I post which would give you the path...

Just assume (TexSun) that I'll email you once I get anything to post...(always being careful about what photos I post, etc)

by jasonsuns1 on Oct 3, 2007 4:46 PM MDT up 0 recs

Fatso day!

We should trade him. He has wonderful potential, but no 'desire'. Still, I don't know how much can he add this season. If ends up looking good then, ok, I'm the worst GM ever, and I can stop bothering playing Madden or NBA 2k.

Walk on, walk on With hope in your heart And you'll never walk alone You'll never walk alone

by Nobs on Oct 3, 2007 7:09 PM MDT 0 recs

Don't be too rash

If the opportunity arises where we can get a player or two with equal or more skill, then yes, but I'm not willing to trade him just because he's too relaxed. He has the skills and build to be successful and we shouldn't count him out too quickly. He just might become one of those quiet, fundamentally sound, consistant players (Duncan?) just without the whine-to-ref attitude ready.

If ya can't jump 'em out, then box 'em out!

by PurplePinoy on Oct 3, 2007 7:46 PM MDT up 0 recs

Yep

I would trade him if the Suns could get anything good in exchange. I just don't think too much of him after last season. But he can prove me wrong, and that would be great.

Walk on, walk on With hope in your heart And you'll never walk alone You'll never walk alone

by Nobs on Oct 5, 2007 12:08 PM MDT up 0 recs