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Why AK over Diaw
Posted by: Shae on September 25th, 2010
The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.Just a quick analysis: I believe AK-47 would impact the Jazz much more than Diaw offensively and defensively. Offense: One reason AK is more valuable offensively is because he knows the system. There’s been some discussion about how long it will take Jefferson to get the Jazz system down, and I think that will apply to Diaw as well should the trade go through. AK is pretty good around the rim, makes great cuts, and is great at reading the defense. I don’t know how much of that Diaw will be able to replicate. One area that bodes well with Diaw is his passing. It has been mentioned that Diaw is a better passer than AK, but I believe that AK is just as good of a passer, or at least pretty close. If AK could develop a more consistent jumper I believe he would be emerge as the better passer. Its been mentioned that Diaw is a better shooter. While this may be the case, a review of NBA hot spot will show that AK shot more mid to long range jumpers last season and their percentages were pretty comparable. Diaw, however, is much better from deep. A look at NBA hot spot also shows Diaw got the majorityof his points in the paint, so he’s more of a traditional 4, but is that what we need? Don’t we already have two premier post players in Jefferson and Millsap? Just a thought. The biggest reason I think you have to stay with AK is because he already has chemistry with this team. He knows the players and how they work and he knows how to work with them. That’s why I think he has such an impact on the game. I would argue that is AK just as valuable as Boozer was to the team. He affects the momentum of the game and does s much on both sides of the court.
Defense: I don’t think there’s any real question about defense. AK impacts the game defensively more than Diaw. In Diaw’s defense, no pun intended, he is a pretty good on the ball defender from what I have seen and he’s a pretty good post defender, but AK is both of those as well, I think, and his length makes a huge impact on the game. He is such a versatile defender. Diaw can’t do what AK can against players like Nowitzki, Granger, Durant, Lebron, Carmelo, Pierce etc. I’d take AK over Diaw any day.
I personally don’t think that the Jazz organization will pull the trigger on this move. There are too many unknowns. You could be getting a pretty good player in Diaw but there are too many unanswerable questions. Sure you save money if you make the trade, quite a bit actually, but you have to look at more than that. I believe that the Jazz could very well be 2nd best in the west with AK, but with Diaw in his place I doubt it. I believe if the trade went through the Jazz would make the playoffs, but probably wouldn’t have homecourt advantage in the playoffs, potentially limiting their progress. I could see the Jazz making it to the Western Conference Finals against the Lakers with AK. Without him I don’t see them getting past the second round, and maybe not even the first. There’s a lot of revenue right there just from that, no? Ultimately I think AK with the Jazz just works, and why change what works?
Replies: 8
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8 Responses
Agreed. Check out
http://sean-and-jake.blogspot.com/ for more
AK knows the system. So what? He’s obviously not the key to be win the Championship. If he was… we’d have a ring by now. Defence isnt as good I agree. But Diaw owns AK in offence. We have to take risks.
I would rather have Diaw because if we get him then we have money to get another mid level player thus making those two better than ak.
It’s always easier to spend someone elses money. If I’m the Miller’s I make this trade for financial reasons alone. There is a big difference between saving a few bucks, and saving a small fortune (which is what were saving by getting under the luxury tax).
There was the AK of THEN, and there is the AK of NOW. The AK of THEN, was a terrific all-star caliber player. The AK of NOW, is a fourth or fifth option (which is exactly what a cheaper Boris Diaw is). Also, Memo could miss a significant amount of time, and we will desperately need another player (like Diaw) to fill those minutes. With all due respect to Elson, or Fesenko, Diaw has a much better skill set. It’s true AK can play a little at the four spot, but Diaw has the better body for it, and will likely be more durable over the length of the season.
Money is a big issue but it comes down to whether you want a better team. AK is better. And as I said I believe he will help the Jazz in the playoffs, much more so than Diaw. You go farther in the playoffs, you make more money. Not only that, if the Jazz were to make it to the Western Conference finals as opposed to the second round, that would be a big confidence booster for a fairly young team.
At first I wasnt too down about this whole deal, I’m still not totally for it. I’d much rather keep AK. But when I put myself in the millers situation I can kind of see where they’re coming from. I dont really know what they’re financial situation is, but personally if I could save myself 9 million dollars… it would be a no brainer. As a fan though, I would much rather keep ak, I think he’s gonna have a hot year. I dont think he’s gonna play all 82 games but I dont think he’s gonna be out as much as we’re all thinking. When you look at career stats of Diaw and AK, its obvious who is better. I think AK has been in a slump, but now that its a contract year he understands he needs to get his s*** together. Will he be as good as he was a few years ago? Probably not but I dont think he’s gonna be too far off. Diaw isn’t that much younger than AK, and I think he’s probably due for some sort of injury. Either way I’m gonna try to stop worrying about it, because it’s not up to me. In the end, i hope they keep AK.
Beat u all in one on one
@Kelton how exactly does Diaw “own” AK at offense?