Chapter 195 Boris Diaw

"French Magician" Diaw, when he was young, was one of the core members of the "run-and-gun team," the Suns. He could play five positions on the court, soaring and maneuvering, capable of anything.

After being traded to the Bobcats, his strength didn't diminish. As a forward, averaging 10+5+5 was basically standard.

But it was during these years with the Bobcats that his weight continued to increase.

Although his style was still flamboyant, he couldn't fly anymore.

Moreover, his efficiency declined, and he gradually lost the trust of head coach Paul Silas. He even briefly joined a French league team this past summer.

This season, the Bobcats' record is the worst in history, and his performance has reached a new low in his career.

He's averaging 7.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game, with a 41% shooting percentage and a 26.7% three-point percentage. All these stats are new lows since joining the Bobcats.

Coupled with his $9 million annual salary, it's a standard garbage contract.

However, because this is the last year of his contract, it still has considerable trade value, which is why the Spurs had to throw in a first-round pick.

This also shows that Popovich was really fed up with Jefferson, willing to throw in a first-round pick to get rid of him.

Just like Tang Tian said before, an exchange of garbage contracts.

However, Tang Tian still felt that the Spurs got a good deal by trading for Diaw.

In his previous life, he remembered that Diaw also came to the Spurs from the Bobcats, signed as a free agent after being waived.

After arriving at the Spurs, he rejuvenated his career and successfully helped the Spurs win the championship in 2014. It was a very good signing.

Jefferson couldn't get playing time with the Spurs, and the team's power forward position only had Bonner, whose defense was obviously not good.

Although this trade looks like an exchange of garbage contracts, it must be said that the Spurs management is quite shrewd.

He was watching when he suddenly received a message from Walker.

"The Frenchman is going to your place. Don't refuse when he offers you coffee, it tastes pretty good."

Seeing Walker's message, Tang Tian couldn't help but shake his head and smile. This guy.

"Jefferson cares a lot about us eliminating Arizona back then, so be careful."

Tang Tian didn't forget to remind him.

"Got it."

After seeing Walker's reply, Tang Tian put his phone away and left the training hall with Leonard, chatting.

Two days after the trade deadline, Diaw passed the team's physical. When the team's training session ended, Budenholzer took him into the locker room.

With a height of 2.03 meters and a weight of over 115 kg, Diaw's build was comparable to Blair's, and his body fat percentage looked even higher than Blair's.

This really wasn't strong, but fat.

After Diaw came in, Parker was the first to greet him. Both of them were French, and teammates on the national team.

The Spurs' decision to trade for him was somewhat related to this.

Although Diaw was fat, he was very humorous, not like Parker who was also French. Instead, he had a bit of Ginobili's vibe, and he quickly became friends with the other players.

"Tang, I know you. Kemba has been talking non-stop about your NCAA championship last year. My ears are about to get calluses. But it really is an inspiring story. I'd like to hear your version when I get a chance."

In just a few words, he greatly shortened the distance between Tang Tian and himself.

"Kemba has already told me that you make good coffee. I'll definitely have to try it when I get the chance."

Tang Tian said to Diaw with a smile.

Diaw was Walker's former teammate. He could hear Diaw talk about Walker's time with the Bobcats.

Of course, more importantly, Diaw was a new teammate, and one who was good at passing and organizing. Getting along well with him would increase on-court chemistry, which would also be beneficial to his own performance.

This was the first time Diaw had heard someone proactively say they were interested in his coffee, and he was overjoyed.

That night, the Spurs were at home against the Cavaliers.

The Cavaliers this season were basically just giving Irving and Thompson experience. The two teams' strengths were far apart, and it was already garbage time before the third quarter was over.

Of the 13 players on the active roster, 12 including Joseph all played. Only Diaw sat on the bench until the very end.

In the end, the Spurs won a big victory over their opponents at home, extending their winning streak to five games.

An expected victory. The trade of Jefferson and Diaw didn't seem to have a substantial impact on the team.

The day after the game, Popovich arranged for the team to rest. Tang Tian and Leonard went to the training hall for extra practice as usual.

Not long after they started practicing, the door of the training hall was pushed open, and in walked someone who surprised them immensely.

Diaw, who had just been traded to the team! He actually came to the training hall?

Especially Tang Tian. Walker had said before that Diaw was completely enjoying life in the NBA.

Had he been influenced by the Spurs' culture overnight after arriving in San Antonio, and then resolved to work hard?

Diaw saw Leonard and Tang Tian inside, smiled and greeted them, and then started his own training, which was quite intense.

By the time Tang Tian and Leonard finished their training, Diaw was still training. The two looked at each other, obviously finding this a bit unusual.

More than half an hour later, Diaw, drenched in sweat, finally went to the sidelines to rest.

"My God, I feel like my soul has left my body."

Diaw said as he plopped heavily onto the bench, feeling the floor nearby shake.

"Boris, you're really working hard."

Tang Tian gave Diaw a thumbs up. The intensity of that workout was something most people couldn't endure.

Diaw waved his hand, panting and saying:

"You think I want to? That old guy Pop said he won't let me play until I lose weight to 110 kilograms. It's my contract year. If I can't play, I'll have to leave the NBA."

"……Haha~"

Tang Tian was originally quite impressed by Diaw, but he didn't expect that to be the reason. He understood and couldn't help but laugh.

Leonard, who was on the side, also chuckled. The reason for coming to practice was really novel.

"Speaking of which, are all your rookies this diligent this year? I saw Kemba Walker in Charlotte also doing extra practice every day. It feels like not doing extra practice is a crime."

Diaw couldn't help but say.

"The NBA is very competitive," Tang Tian said.

"Competitive? I never did extra practice before. After finishing what the coach arranged, being able to get playing time and perform well means you're suitable for here. If you can't perform, you can only blame yourself for not having enough talent."

Diaw said very matter-of-factly.

Tang Tian was speechless after hearing this, but then he couldn't help but laugh again.

This way of thinking was really Zen.

But thinking about it, it made sense. Diaw's talent was definitely top-notch in the NBA, but he had always been a role player, unable to become a true leader. It seemed that his Zen mentality had a lot to do with it.