Hailed a "poor man's Scottie Pippen," Diaw, 21, played three seasons for France's
top league team, Pau Orthez, averaging 6.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists in
93 games. With an increase in playing time this past season, Diaw totaled 7.3 points,
5.3 rebounds and 3.8 assts in 23 contests and connected on 59.6 percent of his shots
from the field.
Just two days after his selection by the Hawks, he helped his team to its second French League championship, along with teammate Mickael Pietrus, a first round pick of the Golden State Warriors.
See what Boris had to say about the adjustment to the NBA and America, what it's like to play with Tony Parker and much, much more when he chatted with NBA.com on July 16th.
Dan(ATL): Hey Boris, What position do you think you will play most next season?And, Are the Hawks going to re-sign JT?
Boris Diaw: I don't know yet. It depends what the coach asks me to play. I think I can play any of the positions necessary. He just hasn't asked me yet.
Chris (Atlanta): What aspects of your game will you concentrate on in your first year in the NBA?
Welcome to Atlanta and best wishes!
Boris Diaw: I can try to help my team, for sure. Not just by scoring, but by passing and making my teammates better.
Lory (Atlanta): Did you ever play against or alongside Tony Parker while in France? Describe the expirience.
Boris Diaw: Yeah, I played with him for one year. I also played with Jerome Moiso. We played together. He was a fantastic teammate and we're friends. He played very well, as everyone knows.
Mari (San Marcos): On a personal level, do you anticipate your transition from living in France to living in the U.S. to be a smooth one? What differences will take more time to get used to?
Boris Diaw: It will be the rhythm of the games. In France, it's a lot of practice and a game once a week. Here, it's three games a week. It's a lot of games in a short time, but I can adapt to this.
Atlanta: How was the competition in the summer league compared with that of the French competition.
Boris Diaw: There is more intensity. A little bit more contact as well.
Didier from Montreal: Hi Boris Daw, who's favorite basketball
player do you love to watch.
Boris Diaw: It was Magic Johnson when he played. Now, I don't know. Maybe someone like Tim Duncan. I like how he plays and I like to watch him play.
D'anta (Adamsville, GA): From your point of view, what are the Hawks missing to become an complete elite team?
Boris Diaw: We're going to see. I think not many things. I watched the team and players and I think we can do some good things next season.
Curt Byers, Dalton, Ga: I hope this area proves favorable for you. I know playing in the NBA has been a dream of yours, but what specifically are your impressions of the Atlanta Hawks franchise? Bienvenue, au Atlanta!
Boris Diaw: The team can improve with some players and we have competitive guys like Jason Terry and Glenn Robinson. We want to make something of the team. And I think we will.
Romain ( Avoudrey): Do you gona play with the French team during th summer?
Boris Diaw: I definitely am. It starts July 24. We have practices this summer.
Xavier (Marietta): Do you think you will be good as Tony Parker in his first year in the league?
Boris Diaw: I don't know. I think he adapted to the NBA style very quickly. It's a very difficult thing. It's very different here than Europe. I'll just take my time and see how it goes. I'd like to help my team as much as Tony has.
VAL antibes (France): A few months before the European Championship,what do you think about the mix in the french team between NBA players and European players?
Boris Diaw: I think we have a lot of players on the French team who could play in the NBA. We can talk about playing in the league. We have many players in the NBA now, so I think yes, the French team will be much better. What I've seen of the summer league, I think it's very similar to the French team.
Justin (Chicago): I was upset when the Bulls drafted Kirk Hinrich over Mickael Pietrus. What type of future do you see your former teammate having in the NBA?
Boris Diaw: I think he'll have a good future because he has the mentality of an NBA player. He likes to drive and he likes contact, so I think he'll do very well.
alain ATL: What are your impressions on current teamates Dan Dickau and Travis Hansen?
Boris Diaw: I think they both are good players. I knew Dan Dickau before because of a friend who played with him. He's a very smart point guard. Travis Hansen is very good and very complimentary to my style. They're both good shooters and I like that. That will make me comfortable. I know they're going to score if I pass them the ball.
Boris Diaw: Thank you to the all of the Hawks fans and I hope we'll have a good season this year. Thank you for chatting with me. Take care.
