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Utah Jazz 2016-17 season review: Boris Diaw

By Adam Coffman

Apr 30, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) defends Utah Jazz center Boris Diaw (33) in the second period of game seven of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) defends Utah Jazz center Boris Diaw (33) in the second period of game seven of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 27, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz center Boris Diaw (33) passes the basketball against Los Angeles Lakers forward Luol Deng (9) during the third quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz center Boris Diaw (33) passes the basketball against Los Angeles Lakers forward Luol Deng (9) during the third quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

Weaknesses

Prior to this season, Diaw had built a reputation as an above average three-point shooter for his position, knocking down 36 percent or more of his triples three of the last four years.

However, with the Jazz, his outside shot completely tanked, as he made just 25 percent of his three-pointers and 28 percent of his jumpers inside the arc. Most of these attempts from outside were decent looks, but he connected on just 23 percent of his threes with no defender within six feet.

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In his prime, he often functioned as something of a point forward, bringing the ball up the court after rebounds and initiating the offense, but that facet of his game has mostly faded away.

On the defensive end, Diaw also suffers from his physical decline. He’s no longer as nimble as he used to be, and his negative-3.9 defensive box plus-minus reflects that.

He’s not a great rebounder either, gathering in just 7.1 percent of available boards, although that number may be influenced by the presence of Gobert.

The bottom line is Diaw will have to rediscover his shooting stroke if he wants to secure a place in the league going forward.

The Jazz need floor-spacing to pair with their other big men like Gobert or Derrick Favors, and Diaw’s performance in 2016-17 does not make him a great candidate for this role.

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