Diaw Dropping

Boris Diaw showed off his scoring skills last night, helping Phoenix take Game 1 against Dallas with 34 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists. Diaw has been a great find for Phoenix. He has always been very skilled, and now he has a coach who not only is giving him a chance, but is taking advantage of his skills. His averages during the season (13.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists) made him one of three players to average at least 10-6-6 (LeBron James and Jason Kidd were the others).

With the various ways he can help a team, he is not only a very skilled player, but a very special player. Who is the last NBA player that was 6'8" or taller, drafted as a point guard, could play center in a pinch (or more), and was a triple double threat on any given night? I am not saying that Diaw is anything close to Magic Johnson, but Magic was a very unique and special player. Diaw might be the closest thing to Magic in terms of what skills he brings to a team.

A No. 1 hit in Canada

Toronto, with Bryan Colangelo at the helm, won the NBA Draft Lottery last night, moving up from its projected fifth spot. With multiple candidates challenging for the top spot, it is tough to say who they will take. My initial reaction is that they will take Andrea Bargnani from Italy. However, I have also seen LaMarcus Aldridge predicted in a few places, and Adam Morrison in at least one. Tyrus Thomas is the other strong candidate, but I do not think he will go first at this point unless Toronto trades the pick.

Here is my initial Top 5 (which I will update over time until Draft Night):
Toronto - Andrea Bargnani
Chicago - Tyrus Thomas
Charlotte - Rudy Gay
Portland - LaMarcus Aldridge
Atlanta - Brandon Roy