By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
ABU DHABI — The Final Four challenge of winning the championship title is motivation enough for any player that competes in the tournament.
At the same time, some specific AS Monaco guys may have an additional incentive against Olympiacos Piraeus in the semifinals.
“We watched the game a few times. I probably watched it even more times,” Diallo told Eurohoops, referring to the 2023 semifinal when the Reds beat them behind a 27-2 run in the third quarter. “That’s something from the past. We learn from that to not repeat it.”
Diallo is coming from perhaps his most well-rounded and strong run of his EuroLeague career so far. He averaged a career-high 11.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.1 steals, shooting 44.1 percent on 3-pointers.
While being a steady contributor and a quite reliable shooter on the offensive end, Diallo took his multifaceted defensive game to another level and was often mentioned in Defensive Player of the Year conversations.
Ultimately, Nick Weiler-Babb won DPOY, while Diallo finished third in the voting. While giving credit to the Bayern Munich guard, the Monaco player explains why his case included some extra arguments that perhaps went unnoticed.
“Nick is a really good defender and I’m happy for him winning the award,” Diallo said. “I think for me, the versatility of my defense, being able to guard even 1 through 5… I think that probably should’ve set me apart in this kind of running. But I have huge respect to Nick. Really strong defender. Congrats to him.
“The votes are the votes man. You live with that. Maybe I’ll get it next season,” Diallo added.
In April and before the beginning of the EuroLeague playoffs, Monaco signed Diallo to a three-year contract extension. The 28-year-old player went through his decision to agree to stay with the team without first testing the free agency waters and any potential offers he would very likely receive.
“I believe in what Monaco is trying to do here,” Diallo said. “I believe in the vision. I’ve been here since the start. That loyalty factor played a part. I had to give them the first opportunity to give me a number and give me what me and my agent were looking for. They came correct.”
Diallo has been particularly fond of a several aspect of coach Vassilis Spanoulis’s philosophy that resonates with his own creed.
“He has a lot of the same mindset that I have. Defensively… he’s a defensive coach. Defensive guru. He knows how to play on ball. Different tactics to try to help you utilize your strengths As a point guard he emphasizes sharing the ball and making the right plays.”