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 In Game 4, Boris Diaw's Initials Stand for "Big Difference"
Posted By: Joe Gilmartin |
Boris Diaw's aggresiveness on Sunday made the difference in the game.
(NBAE Photos) |
Sunday was that complete a reversal of fortunes from Friday!
And the biggest reversal was that where Parker was the whole show in Game Three, it was his French compatriot, Diaw, who was le difference in Game Four. And as they say in Paree, vive le difference!
Coach Mike said Diaw was “phenomenal,” and that is le mot juste.
He not only was the key to putting the clamps on Parker, but his aggressive low post presence created some mismatch nightmares for the Spurs and opened up the floor for his teammates, most notably Raja Bell (who played some pretty good “D” himself, by the way).
Diaw, who historically plays better as a starter than off the bench, was in the lineup because a groin injury sidelined Grant Hill, and he came within two assists of a triple double. But the thing that distinguishes this Boris from the Boris Badenough who has drawn more ire from Suns fans than any other player is not so much numbers as aggressiveness.
His size, athleticism, multiple skills, and court sense are clearly of triple double caliber. But his aggressiveness seems to come and go. And when it goes he becomes a very expensive triple single, hence the ire of frustrated fans and blog floggers in Valley cyberspace.
And whether or not this victory was simply a one-game stay of execution for the Suns or not depends in large part on whether the aggressive Diaw or the passive one shows up Tuesday night in San Antonio.
The bottom line: In trying to come back from an 0-3 start to win a series the Suns are trying to do something that’s never been done in the NBA, and only three times in all sports (and two of those were in hockey (which doesn’t count). So when you put it in historical context, their task seems all but impossible.
But I put it this way: If the Suns can win Game Five they WILL go on to make history. And that’s not QUITE so daunting. (But please note I said “if”, not “when”.)
Comments
Gerald - Pasay,Philippines
Thank you Suns for winning game 4!! Thank you!!
Mike N - Richmond B.C. Canada
I am afraid game 4 can best be described as the "dead cat's bounce".
Game 4 makes you more angry about Game 1,the errors in strategy, 12 seconds left in the first OT up by three and you have the ball -- URRRRRR!!!
I love the Suns and I hope I am wrong but man this is a BIG HOPE!!!
Dor - Phoenix
Just when I was temporarily burying my love for the Suns due to the hurtful disappointment from watching the 3rd game, here comes the SUNS once again... We won!!! What a display of multiple talents and skills by Bell and Diaw... They deserve a million applauses...But very good observation Joe. Truly, Diaw elevated the way basketball should be played today. His execution was just superb that Spurs had a hard time answering his every move. But you are also right, you sometimes see him and you sometimes don't... And this doesn't hold true with Diaw only, it seems all of them are somewhat "now you see him now you don't"... We'll just hope that they will display the same unbeatable skills and athleticism in the Spurs Arena on Tuesday. Can you imagine if Amare did the same thing today? The score would been unimaginable.. Anyway, they all need to focus well on Tuesday until the end of the 4th quarter if they are still geered on winning. Miracles still do happen... Let's hope for the best... Go Suns... Continue with that passion and you will be hailed CHAMPIONS!!!
what will it take to win? - take games 1 by 1
There is nothing in the rule book says that WE HAVE AN AVERAGE PERFORMANCE THAN THIS ONE AND STILL WIN.
YES WE CAN
YES WE CAN
YES WE WILL
YES WE WILL
U GUYS HAVE TO GET MORE COHERENT
ITS GOOD U GUYS SHIELDED AMARE N NASH GOOD TIME TODAY
LETS SEE IF TUESDAY HAS SOMETHING BETTER
WE NEED TO BEAT THEM ONCE AT THEIR COURT AND BRING THE SERIES HOME AGAIN
THEN WATCH OUT FOR THE CROWD IN GAME 6...
JUST WAIT N WATCH HOW PPL REACT....
GAME 6 CUD BE BYE BYE NITE OR A NITE OF REAL DEFIANCE
TODAY WAS JUST ANGER RESULTING IN BEAUTY ON COURT
JUST DO UR WORK
I BELIEVE MIKE DANTONI SHUD HAVE PLAYED SKINNER N ALL A LITTLE BITMORE
I MEAN I AM NOT SAYING THEY CAN BECOME LIKE SPURS BENCH BUT SURE WE HAVE A BIT MORE CUSHION...LETS SAY ONE OF THEM PERFORMS LIKE GIRICEK...WHOSE BEEN FABULOUS ACTUALLY..
THANKS GUYS
BUT ONE MORE IN SAN ANTONIO....
PLEASE
Patrick - Makati, Philippines
Hope we play game 5 like we play game 4. We can still do it! Go SUNS!!!
Tug Uts - Baguio CT
Congratulations for winning game 4..
Win game 5!!
Boris Diaw should be in the starting line-up in game 5(sub for Hill) he really is a good starter. I have nothing against Hill, but he is old, sorry Grant.. rest more so that in the next game in the second round of the playoffs I'm sure you are going to be a factor.
Go SUNS!! Win game 5!!
Nando - Virginia
we are making history first team coming back form 0-3 now 1-3
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Just because it has never been done before, doesn't mean it's impossible. Impossible is for the weak-minded. My encouragement to the Suns is to go out into Game 5 with courage and much heart. I truly believe it is possible to will yourself into a win. I will never be disappointed in a Suns' loss. I will only be disappointed if they lose without trying.
Chris - Gilbert, AZ
Suns, I just want to congratulate on the win earlier today. Please don't get cocky and relax going into game 5. I still believe you can knock out the spurs.
Also, I believe Diaw deserves to start game 5. We all know his numbers are lower when he doesn't.
Susan :-) - Honolulu, Hawaii
Mr. Diaw played with purpose & HEART! Awesome victory! Keep up that FIRE & continue being that "great wall of Phoenix defense". If I had your height, I'd be very tall-tree but needless to say, I'm what you call a"soap-box height" being just 5'3". :-) Goodluck in bringing back a Game #5 victory..GOOO SUNS beat the Spurs!
Drew - Australia
Historically, it is very hard to close out a series in a sweep, complacency sets in and the other team is playing their guts out to stop the emotional hurt of a season ending in complete failure. I am and always will be a Suns fan, but I just don't see that killer instinct that is needed. These Suns are supremely talented but just can't seem to maintain their intensity and mental discipline for a whole game. I don't believe that the Suns a psyched out or anything by the Spurs, I just don't think they have it in them. For guys whose job it is to win games it seems that these Suns are too interested in playing ball.
em - parañaque, philippines
y'know, we COULD win game 5 if we play like it's just game 4. but anyway, it's great seeing the suns win. THERE'S STILL HOPE! WOOH!
Stephen - france
Allez la France !! Vive Boris Diaw !
Why is not a real starter?? He feels better when he starts the game.
The Suns can win the Game 5!
Go Suns !
Leroy - Houston
Good win, but the big three of SA where pulled toward the end of the 3rd qtr and didn't play at all in th 4th. Expect a energized and fired up Spurs team tuesday. Great season Phoenix but the series belongs to San Antonio. See you next year.
payman -
take it one game at a time
we were down 3 to 1 before
Macho - FLG
I still don't give Diaw credit fir his mess up in game 2. This game just proves his inconsistencies.
bryan - Paris
Bravo Boris ! and all the suns for this strong peformance , I Don't know why but with this crazy west conference this year , everything can happen that's why I think that we'll make history I'm really really confident about this team
This Is Our Year!
Bon courage et allez les SUNS !!
Marbella Ayala - PHX, AZ
I Truelly believe in Miracles and I Truelly believe in my Phoenix Suns!! YES WE CAN :-)
Erin - Prescott
Great job Boris! I believe that we can do it!!!!
I am hoping for another amazing performance by boris and raja and from the rest of the team. I hope for boris to start again and dominate on both ends! GO SUNS DONT GIVE UP! i Believe in miracles and the phx suns!
SunnyLane - Union City
Boris Diaw should keep on attacking! He was one of the reasons why they lose losing Game 1 by missing easy shots. He was the big difference why they win game 4. Attack and make the shots. He will always have a mismatch.
Michele Manzo - Mesa, AZ
I am so proud of my Suns. Be strong and courageous and do the work. I said many prayers for you all yesterday. I know that every single one of you can play basketball. Just go and do it. See you back here for game 6. LOVE>
tim r - kentucky
"killer instinct" -yes, that's what it's about. The Suns have repeatedly shown a lack in that department. Technically, I think they are a better team than the Spurs -and I think think they realize this. They are perferctly capable of beating the Spurs 3 more times, but I don't think they want it bad enough. The Spurs are true champions, not just in talent but in attitude. They know how to turn it up a notch when it REALLY, REALLY counts. The Suns have a tendency to go into la la land and lose focus when it really counts. When they get a lead, they get cocky and quit trying. They are at their best, though, when their backs are against the wall. They can make history here, if they really dig down deep and find that killer instinct -but it would be totally out of character for them if they do. I would truly be surprised -but very happy to see them pull it off. ....and yes, the key may very well be for Sir Boris to show up for 3 straight games.
James - Scottsdale, AZ
The keys for the Suns;
1. Diaw and Barbosa play
2. Suns get back on defense
3. Shaq has to make most of his free throws
Taylor Owens - Santa Clara, California
I finished college in Santa Clara University. The same years Steve Nash was a Bronco. Boris Diaw was the man in Game 4. Shaq was consistent the whole series. Amare was great. We don't have a problem in the front court. It's the backcourt that needs to produce a lot. With Steve Nash anything is possible in this series. Set hard picks for him. Make a statement the way the Spurs did to the Suns last year. GO SUNS!!!
Cookie T.T.T - Milpitas, California
Suns need to show the same intensity, energy and swagger in Game 4 to win all the way. I used to date Steve Nash in college. I know he will pull this one off. If Kobe is due for an MVP. Nash is destined to win an NBA championship. GO SUNS!
Thea - from Cambodia - Fremont, CA
One of my sons is a big fan of Steve Nash. He fantasizes about playing ball against him. But I still love him. I know he is somewhat a Rudy from Memphis Grizzlies but we love the SUNS!!!
Orlando Flo Rida - Pleasanton, California
New NBA TV COMMERCIAL. Showing the whole Suns team. " 3-0 WHERE IMPOSSIBLE HAPPENS".
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