Orlando shot 16/19 in the 2nd quarter.

%84 shooting. HOLY SHIT.
Yea the Cavs are a great defensive team and it shows. [smilie=anxious.gif]

The Cavs are falling hard it seems. They may fall out the mix again.

Orlando shot 16/19 in the 2nd quarter.

%84 shooting. HOLY SHIT.
Yea the Cavs are a great defensive team and it shows. [smilie=anxious.gif]

The Cavs are falling hard it seems. They may fall out the mix again.

Cavs were dominating the game till the 2nd quarter. They were up 7 going in, they're down 9 now.

I think Arroyo had 7 assists in the 2nd qtr alone. He made Bo Outlaw look like Karl Malone on the pick and roll.

All I can say is that Joe had better turn that pick into something good for the sake of himself and Flip. Yes Flip. He played a bigger role in this than Dumars IMO. A player this good should have played on this team. No excuses.

All I can say is that Joe had better turn that pick into something good.

He wasnt going to get much better for a guy that was tanking.

All I can say is that Joe had better turn that pick into something good.

He wasnt going to get much better for a guy that was tanking.

Sorry, I edited the post. I think Flip/LB are obviously more to blame than Joe, but Joe should have shown more restraint in trading him so quickly.

All I can say is that Joe had better turn that pick into something good.

He wasnt going to get much better for a guy that was tanking.

Sorry, I edited the post. I think Flip/LB are obviously more to blame than Joe, but Joe should have shown more restraint in trading him so quickly.

It was necessary to clear $10 million in salary. Besides, the more we kept Darko, the lower his value was going to get.

All I can say is that Joe had better turn that pick into something good.

He wasnt going to get much better for a guy that was tanking.

Sorry, I edited the post. I think Flip/LB are obviously more to blame than Joe, but Joe should have shown more restraint in trading him so quickly.

It was necessary to clear $10 million in salary. Besides, the more we kept Darko, the lower his value was going to get.
Its not fair to blame the coaches for a guy tanking on a succesful team. He didnt want to be here and wasnt trying to be here. Fuck him, and fuck his arrogant idea that he deserved time he didnt want to earn.

In the long run i'll take the pick no matter where it is in the first round. And we'll be able to keep our core, which is the key to us being competitive every year until the core wears out.

It was necessary to clear $10 million in salary. Besides, the more we kept Darko, the lower his value was going to get.

I don't care about his trade value. I'm saying he should have kept him, and the coach should have played him. You don't dump the salary of a 20 year 7 footer who is playing like he is playing for Orlando. He is definately playing at a level where he could be contributing big time for this team. He doesn't look like a "project" out there. If he actually got a shot at playing time, he could have probably taken over for Dice, and we could have traded him for the cap relief they covet so much.

I'm pissed that he was tanking here when he wasn't getting minutes, but if Flip gave him 20 minutes would he continue to "tank"? He didn't look that way untill he gathered a few DNPs. Sure, that's not a great attitude to have, but you don't throw away a great talent because of it. There are plenty of "star" players out there that would do the same thing in that situation.

It was necessary to clear $10 million in salary. Besides, the more we kept Darko, the lower his value was going to get.

I don't care about his trade value. I'm saying he should have kept him, and the coach should have played him. You don't dump the salary of a 20 year 7 footer who is playing like he is playing for Orlando. He is definately playing at a level where he could be contributing big time for this team. He doesn't look like a "project" out there. If he actually got a shot at playing time, he could have probably taken over for Dice, and we could have traded him for the cap relief they covet so much.

You're entitled to that. But maybe Joe D figured out he was tanking it. You dont keep a Tanker. You dont keep a guy whose purposely not giving effort on a team all about effort. Its delfino's effort that i like. Same for everyone else. Darko didnt want to put in any effort, so we gotta let him go. I give Joe D credit for giving him a chance to prove himself this year. And by not trying he spit in Joe D's face and handcuffed him out of getting a good trade.

Exactly.

Darko was playing 5-7 minutes early on, and he showed next to nothing.

The game vs NY on National TV was the final straw. Darko went out and made Jerome James look like a hall of famer. He played like a bust in front of a national audience. At that point, Darko was embarrassing us.

He gave us no reason to play him that much. He was tanking from game 1.

You're entitled to that. But maybe Joe D figured out he was tanking it. You dont keep a Tanker. You dont keep a guy whose purposely not giving effort on a team all about effort. Its delfino's effort that i like. Same for everyone else. Darko didnt want to put in any effort, so we gotta let him go. I give Joe D credit for giving him a chance to prove himself this year. And by not trying he spit in Joe D's face and handcuffed him out of getting a good trade.

But if he had played some minutes would he have still have been a "tanker"? The point is that we should have never found out if he was that kind of person. He should have played a few minutes.

I would be interested to here what kind of "promises" they made to Darko before the season. Or if he just made that crap up. If they did in fact promise him minutes behind the scenes, then maybe that is why he acted the way he did??

This isn't a lottery team. We could not afford to give Darko 20 minutes that he didn't earn. Things don't work that way on an elite club.

Shit, we GAVE him 5-7 to start out, and he did nothing with it.

Darko never wanted to work for anything here. Anybody who defends that is out of his mind.

Darko could have played his way into the rotation, or he could take the easy way out and suck his way on to another team. He chose the latter.

I'm happy Darko's in his enviornment now, but I REFUSE to blame Joe D for anything other than drafting him in the first place.

I think its fucked up because Joe D backed Darko in spite of alot and Darko didnt give a shit because he wasnt playing 20 minutes a game. Selfish lil brat couldnt even respect what the guy did for him enough to keep his mouth shut. Even after Dumars lied and said cutting Darko was a cap move foremost. He didnt say why it became a cap move. Which is Darko wasnt putting any effort out for the millions he was getting.

But if he had played some minutes would he have still have been a "tanker"??

See i dont like that. Delfino has a coach damn near working against him and he's earning minutes. Theres no one else on our team tanking. So how do we give minutes to the one guy tanking. Maxiell, acker, amir, and dale davis play hard every second they get. So what exactly should we be "giving" to Darko. This aint orlando. Here you earn your time. Sometimes in spite of your coach.

Exactly.

Darko was playing 5-7 minutes early on, and he showed next to nothing.

The game vs NY on National TV was the final straw. Darko went out and made Jerome James look like a hall of famer. He played like a bust in front of a national audience. At that point, Darko was embarrassing us.

He gave us no reason to play him that much. He was tanking from game 1.

He did play a few good games at the beginning of the season (Bucks game comes to mind) despite very little minutes. Then he was starting to gather DNPs between little 4 minute stints. That's when the bottom fell out.

I think its fucked up because Joe D backed Darko in spite of alot and Darko didnt give a shit because he wasnt playing 20 minutes a game. Selfish lil brat couldnt even respect what the guy did for him enough to keep his mouth shut. Even after Dumars lied and said cutting Darko was a cap move foremost. He didnt say why it became a cap move. Which is Darko wasnt putting any effort out for the millions he was getting.

Look, I agree that he was a punk. But I don't agree that you throw out an extremely talented big man just because he doesn't like playing garbage minutes. Darko was drafted between 2 pre-NBA superstars, and by association, he was one too. I would imagine there are plenty of "star" players out there that would do similar (if not worse) things if they were in his situation. Does that mean I wouldn't want to have them on the team? No. I would play them, and it would negate the problem.

It's not like he was causing a disturbance in the locker room or something.

Exactly.

Darko was playing 5-7 minutes early on, and he showed next to nothing.

The game vs NY on National TV was the final straw. Darko went out and made Jerome James look like a hall of famer. He played like a bust in front of a national audience. At that point, Darko was embarrassing us.

He gave us no reason to play him that much. He was tanking from game 1.

He did play a few good games at the beginning of the season (Bucks game comes to mind) despite very little minutes. Then he was starting to gather DNPs between little 4 minute stints. That's when the bottom fell out.
The few he played in earned him time in others. His response then was to tank it. he felt he couldnt get more than 5-7 minutes a game so he gave up and it showed.

1) how the hell would we ever know if darko was tanking? he wasnt EVER given a chance. he had to outplay 3 allstars (on a team that obviously gives veteran experience as a tie breaker). under the way we ran this team, darko wasnt getting pt for probably 2 years, regardless of how he played.

2) people act like we gave him every chance in the world in the regular season. he was still on a short leash, it was just temporarily lengthened by a degree.

orlando has given darko 20+ min a night every game. you dont get the rust off in a night. you dont become a member of a team over night. and most likely, hes going to look like a total stranger to us by the end of the season.

dont tell me it couldnt have worked out here with darko. thats fucking rediculous. dumars (yes dumars) decided it was best to store darko on the shelf and say he doesnt play till he earns it--and then he made it damn near impossible to earn it.

I think its fucked up because Joe D backed Darko in spite of alot and Darko didnt give a shit because he wasnt playing 20 minutes a game. Selfish lil brat couldnt even respect what the guy did for him enough to keep his mouth shut. Even after Dumars lied and said cutting Darko was a cap move foremost. He didnt say why it became a cap move. Which is Darko wasnt putting any effort out for the millions he was getting.

Look, I agree that he was a punk. But I don't agree that you throw out an extremely talented big man just because he doesn't like playing garbage minutes. Darko was drafted between 2 pre-NBA superstars, and by association, he was one too. I would imagine there are plenty of "star" players out there that would do similar (if not worse) things if they were in his situation. Does that mean I wouldn't want to have them on the team? No. I would play them, and it would negate the problem.

It's not like he was causing a disturbance in the locker room or something.
But he is a problem in the locker room for players busting they ass. If you bust your ass at work and the new guy slacks off, you're gonna have an issue with it. You may not be vocal out loud about it. But you wouldnt like it. Its not fair to give him minutes when Maxiel and Johnson play harderer. I still think Amir has more athletic potential than Darko anyways.


And i said before, he handcuffed Joe Dumars with that tank move. I'd give him a crobar to the shin next time i saw him if i was Joe Dumars. I mean you act as if keeping him was a legitimate option. We get even less for him at the end of the year and he gets into a lame duck year tanking it next season. We had the potential to get NOTHING for him. Do you understand that? its not an option. If Darko didnt want to be here, get what you can and move on. you cant always get a steal for your losses. Sometimes you take a hit, just to drop a guy either way. He was gone regardless. We just spoed up the process and got something in return. We woulda got more if we dumped him at the beginning of the year. But i dont fault Joe Dumars for getting darkos back. I fault Darko for saying fuck him regardless.,

look, did darko handle himself the best way possible in his detroit days?

absolutely not.

but then again, he was a 17-20 year old put under tremendous scrutiny, asked to do the impossible.

its called burning out, it happens to everyone. LB didnt give lebron, carmelo, or amare in the olympics, he pissed them off then, too (regardless of what they say).

the fact that darko didnt give it his all in the last 2 min of a blowout, imo, should not be held against him. and while its not ok that he apparantly gave up in detroit, it is understandable.

1) how the hell would we ever know if darko was tanking? he wasnt EVER given a chance.
LOL...thats bullshit. He was given an oppurtunity by far. and Flip woulda had no problem subbing 2 big men if Darko wasnt looking playing like he didnt give a shit. In fact he did sub Darko in, we got outscored and darko played like he didnt care anymore. If anything darko forced flip to take him out of the rotation. Flip wanted to have the next KG type big man. But he's not gonna baby him.

Are you trying to tell me darko gave full effort?

look, did darko handle himself the best way possible in his detroit days?

absolutely not.

but then again, he was a 17-20 year old put under tremendous scrutiny, asked to do the impossible.

its called burning out, it happens to everyone. LB didnt give lebron, carmelo, or amare in the olympics, he pissed them off then, too (regardless of what they say).

the fact that darko didnt give it his all in the last 2 min of a blowout, imo, should not be held against him. and while its not ok that he apparantly gave up in detroit, it is understandable.


Impossible? PLAYING WITH FULL EFFORT IS IMPOSSIBLE??!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [smilie=applause.gi: [smilie=applause.gi: [smilie=applause.gi: My goodness thats one hell of a "fuck up as much as you like" security excuse blanket you lay for him. [smilie=annoyed.gif]

The few he played in earned him time in others. His response then was to tank it. he felt he couldnt get more than 5-7 minutes a game so he gave up and it showed.

Look at the first few games...

1. Philly: Blowout
2. Boston: 3 minutes 51 seconds
3. Toronto: Blowout
4. Sacramento: Blowout
5. Phoenix: DNP
6. Portland: DNP

That is when the tanking started, IMO. He had what 99% of fans thought was a great pre-season, yet he was picking up most of his minutes in garbage time again and he even got back-to-back DNPs during the 2nd week of the season. I thought that Flip was just being conservative with the minutes because he was trying to prove his system to the team, but it got worse before it got better. The NY game was bad, but I don't think 1 game should decide his career in Detroit. I still think he should have gotten three or four 18-20 minute games in a row before Joe pulled the trigger. Just give him one more look.

I think its fucked up because Joe D backed Darko in spite of alot and Darko didnt give a shit because he wasnt playing 20 minutes a game. Selfish lil brat couldnt even respect what the guy did for him enough to keep his mouth shut. Even after Dumars lied and said cutting Darko was a cap move foremost. He didnt say why it became a cap move. Which is Darko wasnt putting any effort out for the millions he was getting.

Look, I agree that he was a punk. But I don't agree that you throw out an extremely talented big man just because he doesn't like playing garbage minutes. Darko was drafted between 2 pre-NBA superstars, and by association, he was one too. I would imagine there are plenty of "star" players out there that would do similar (if not worse) things if they were in his situation. Does that mean I wouldn't want to have them on the team? No. I would play them, and it would negate the problem.

It's not like he was causing a disturbance in the locker room or something.
But he is a problem in the locker room for players busting they ass. If you bust your ass at work and the new guy slacks off, you're gonna have an issue with it. You may not be vocal out loud about it. But you wouldnt like it. Its not fair to give him minutes when Maxiel and Johnson play harderer. I still think Amir has more athletic potential than Darko anyways.


And i said before, he handcuffed Joe Dumars with that tank move. I'd give him a crobar to the shin next time i saw him if i was Joe Dumars. I mean you act as if keeping him was a legitimate option. We get even less for him at the end of the year and he gets into a lame duck year tanking it next season. We had the potential to get NOTHING for him. Do you understand that? its not an option. If Darko didnt want to be here, get what you can and move on. you cant always get a steal for your losses. Sometimes you take a hit, just to drop a guy either way. He was gone regardless. We just spoed up the process and got something in return. We woulda got more if we dumped him at the beginning of the year. But i dont fault Joe Dumars for getting darkos back. I fault Darko for saying fuck him regardless.,

we did get nothing for him, though.

cato might never play a minute for us.

we gave up 2 players for nothing in a playoff run. how do you get less than that?

The few he played in earned him time in others. His response then was to tank it. he felt he couldnt get more than 5-7 minutes a game so he gave up and it showed.

Look at the first few games...

1. Philly: Blowout
2. Boston: 3 minutes 51 seconds
3. Toronto: Blowout
4. Sacramento: Blowout
5. Phoenix: DNP
6. Portland: DNP

That is when the tanking started, IMO. He had what 99% of fans thought was a great pre-season, yet he was picking up most of his minutes in garbage time again and he even got back-to-back DNPs during the 2nd week of the season. I thought that Flip was just being conservative with the minutes because he was trying to prove his system to the team, but it got worse before it got better. The NY game was bad, but I don't think 1 game should decide his career in Detroit. I still think he should have gotten three or four 18-20 minute games in a row before Joe pulled the trigger. Just give him one more look.

Actually the boston game in detroit and the jersey game were where he started tanking it. He played absolutely horrible defense in both games like he didnt even care.

You can justify tanking anyway you want but tanking is tanking. And it has no place here. Fuck him and anyone else with no balls to play hard.

I think its fucked up because Joe D backed Darko in spite of alot and Darko didnt give a shit because he wasnt playing 20 minutes a game. Selfish lil brat couldnt even respect what the guy did for him enough to keep his mouth shut. Even after Dumars lied and said cutting Darko was a cap move foremost. He didnt say why it became a cap move. Which is Darko wasnt putting any effort out for the millions he was getting.

Look, I agree that he was a punk. But I don't agree that you throw out an extremely talented big man just because he doesn't like playing garbage minutes. Darko was drafted between 2 pre-NBA superstars, and by association, he was one too. I would imagine there are plenty of "star" players out there that would do similar (if not worse) things if they were in his situation. Does that mean I wouldn't want to have them on the team? No. I would play them, and it would negate the problem.

It's not like he was causing a disturbance in the locker room or something.
But he is a problem in the locker room for players busting they ass. If you bust your ass at work and the new guy slacks off, you're gonna have an issue with it. You may not be vocal out loud about it. But you wouldnt like it. Its not fair to give him minutes when Maxiel and Johnson play harderer. I still think Amir has more athletic potential than Darko anyways.


And i said before, he handcuffed Joe Dumars with that tank move. I'd give him a crobar to the shin next time i saw him if i was Joe Dumars. I mean you act as if keeping him was a legitimate option. We get even less for him at the end of the year and he gets into a lame duck year tanking it next season. We had the potential to get NOTHING for him. Do you understand that? its not an option. If Darko didnt want to be here, get what you can and move on. you cant always get a steal for your losses. Sometimes you take a hit, just to drop a guy either way. He was gone regardless. We just spoed up the process and got something in return. We woulda got more if we dumped him at the beginning of the year. But i dont fault Joe Dumars for getting darkos back. I fault Darko for saying fuck him regardless.,

we did get nothing for him, though.

cato might never play a minute for us.

we gave up 2 players for nothing in a playoff run. how do you get less than that?

I hated giving up arroyo and that part of the deal sucked. But your thickheaded blind darko love is blinding you top the fact that we get nothing for him when he tanks another year and goes lame duck before leaving us for NOTHING in return....


We got Cato and a pick. We keep him we Get NOTHING. Maybe me and you define nothing under a different set of rules. If you wanted more in return, you shoulda told him to play with some balls. [smilie=annoyed.gif]His shitty effort took dumars out the running for anything valuable in return.

I think its fucked up because Joe D backed Darko in spite of alot and Darko didnt give a shit because he wasnt playing 20 minutes a game. Selfish lil brat couldnt even respect what the guy did for him enough to keep his mouth shut. Even after Dumars lied and said cutting Darko was a cap move foremost. He didnt say why it became a cap move. Which is Darko wasnt putting any effort out for the millions he was getting.

Look, I agree that he was a punk. But I don't agree that you throw out an extremely talented big man just because he doesn't like playing garbage minutes. Darko was drafted between 2 pre-NBA superstars, and by association, he was one too. I would imagine there are plenty of "star" players out there that would do similar (if not worse) things if they were in his situation. Does that mean I wouldn't want to have them on the team? No. I would play them, and it would negate the problem.

It's not like he was causing a disturbance in the locker room or something.
But he is a problem in the locker room for players busting they ass. If you bust your ass at work and the new guy slacks off, you're gonna have an issue with it. You may not be vocal out loud about it. But you wouldnt like it. Its not fair to give him minutes when Maxiel and Johnson play harderer. I still think Amir has more athletic potential than Darko anyways.


And i said before, he handcuffed Joe Dumars with that tank move. I'd give him a crobar to the shin next time i saw him if i was Joe Dumars. I mean you act as if keeping him was a legitimate option. We get even less for him at the end of the year and he gets into a lame duck year tanking it next season. We had the potential to get NOTHING for him. Do you understand that? its not an option. If Darko didnt want to be here, get what you can and move on. you cant always get a steal for your losses. Sometimes you take a hit, just to drop a guy either way. He was gone regardless. We just spoed up the process and got something in return. We woulda got more if we dumped him at the beginning of the year. But i dont fault Joe Dumars for getting darkos back. I fault Darko for saying fuck him regardless.,

we did get nothing for him, though.

cato might never play a minute for us.

we gave up 2 players for nothing in a playoff run. how do you get less than that?

By your logic, we gave up nothing for nothing, then.

Darko and Arroyo wouldnt do any more for us this season than that 2007 draft pick.

Delk is a better fit for this team than Arroyo.

Actually the boston game in detroit and the jersey game were where he started tanking it. He played absolutely horrible defense in both games like he didnt even care.

You can justify tanking anyway you want but tanking is tanking. And it has no place here. Fuck him and anyone else with no balls to play hard.

That's what I said. It is no coincidence that the home Boston game was immediately after those 2 DNPs. That's why I said that was when he started tanking. I agree that his attitude sucks about it, but we shouldn't have found out about it. He should have played to begin with.

Actually the boston game in detroit and the jersey game were where he started tanking it. He played absolutely horrible defense in both games like he didnt even care.

You can justify tanking anyway you want but tanking is tanking. And it has no place here. Fuck him and anyone else with no balls to play hard.

That's what I said. It is no coincidence that the home Boston game was immediately after those 2 DNPs.
So my point is why waste anymore time? The dude forced our hand. What? not trade him just to spite him and get nothing for him when he leaves. We got much more important things to do that play petty boy merry go 'round with that lil brat.

Not to mention by all accounts, he was tanking in PRACTICE.

In Detroit, that's unforgiveable.

look,i dont know any other way to say this, your starting to piss me off.

if you think darko could never have worked in detroit, fine, thats your opinion.

i say, detroit played darko ~ 100 minutes this year. thats not an opportunity. thats an exercise in futility. we put him in a position to fail, and he did.

i dont know where your getting all this BS tanking shit. it was reported that darko played well in the international games. it was reported darko played well in preseason. i dont recall him playing so poorly in what pt he got for us (all things considered).

Not to mention by all accounts, he was tanking in PRACTICE.

In Detroit, that's unforgiveable.
Indeed. I just don't know. I get the feeling that to sum in a subconcious thinking Darko was more important than the pistons to them. I liked that darko failed the way he did. It makes Dumars smarter in his drafting to look for good people. Not just good players. That is the one good thing out of picking him i think we'll get in future drafts.

BTW we can thank Orlando for narrowing our magic number for clinching the central down to 6.

look,i dont know any other way to say this, your starting to piss me off.

if you think darko could never have worked in detroit, fine, thats your opinion.

i say, detroit played darko ~ 100 minutes this year. thats not an opportunity. thats an exercise in futility. we put him in a position to fail, and he did.

i dont know where your getting all this BS tanking shit. it was reported that darko played well in the international games. it was reported darko played well in preseason. i dont recall him playing so poorly in what pt he got for us (all things considered).

LOL@B-Diddy. You are loving this guy too hard if you're pissed. Like i said some love him more than the pistons it seems. In the position to fail? If he shows half of something we keep him and increase his minutes. Thats a situation to fail. He was a number 2 pick and if he just scored 4-6 points a game off the bench, rebounded, and played hard. He gets time. Funny.

Either way we are talking bout Darko. nobody important. So relax with the anger.

But he is a problem in the locker room for players busting they ass. If you bust your ass at work and the new guy slacks off, you're gonna have an issue with it. You may not be vocal out loud about it. But you wouldnt like it. Its not fair to give him minutes when Maxiel and Johnson play harderer. I still think Amir has more athletic potential than Darko anyways.



i think its pretty assinine to compare work to the nba, but heres a better analogy.

your an 18 year old out of school getting hired to a job. you have to go regardless, but you only get paid if you outperform the guy infront of you who's got tons of experience and is considered an expert in his/your field.

how long are you going to bust your ass trying to get a paycheck before you give up.

darko apparantly didnt make it 2 and 1/2 years, what a pansy.

darko apparantly didnt make it 2 and 1/2 years, what a pansy.
I agree [smilie=2thumbsup.g:

Also, I don't think it helped Darko's mindset that he saw McDyess continue to play 20 minutes a game despite playing like shit for the first month of the season. I can see how he would get frustrated by the DNPs and 3-4 minutes.

As you could see today, 4-5 minutes isn't enough for him. He didn't do jack for that much time when he got in the game. Then all of a sudden he turned it on a bit. Unfortunately, he only got more than 5 minutes of REAL time in detroit twice. That was at the end of the 04-05 regular season. MAybe the "I was cold" thing is legit? [smilie=anxious.gif]

Either way we are talking bout Darko. nobody important. So relax with the anger.

what the hell are you talking about?

fuck yea im pissed.

maybe you dont remember 2002 when detroit won the lottery and got the #2 pick in one of the most anticipated drafts of our lifetime.

if that day (game 2 of the jersey series) i brought up the idea of trading that pick for an unprotected 2008 pick i would have been laughed out of detroit.

darko was one of the most anticipated draft picks i've ever seen.

darko failed. and no, im not a fan of him anymore (though i look at his stats in a boxscore before anyone elses). i just realize that darko's failure is detroit's failure.

darko failed. and no, im not a fan of him anymore (though i look at his stats in a boxscore before anyone elses). i just realize that darko's failure is detroit's failure.
Dude dont take this the wrong way but fuck your whole idea about whats failure and sucess in Detroit For the Pistons organizations. right now Champioship rings=Sucess, No rings=Failure. No ifs, ands, buts, loopholes, or spins. We arent a fucking lottery team. For a Lottery team trading darko away is a failure. For us its just unfortunate. But the failure is in Darko keeping up with the players that made this team what it is. Darko is irrelevent to are success. His absence doesnt cripple us, hamper us, destroy us, or do anything to kill our future. If anything like i said before, its a great thing that HE failed and that Joe Dumars got a glimpse of how not to pick in future drafts.


Not a Darko fan? you're in denial. You're a fan and searching for his stat line is fan shit. Not anyone and everyone is searching for Darko's statline in hopes of finding some sort of proof we shoulda kept him.

I'll say it once, and i'll say it again. Get over it. Man i dont wanna imagine how you were when we "sign and traded" grant hill and dumped rodney white to dungver. [smilie=annoyed.gif] This shit is too pathetic to be mad about. The guy is gone and we arent any less talented as a team because of it. If anything we're better because we dont have to take out dale davis's minutes to help Darkhead's ego.

Man i've never seen you in so much denial about the guy. He can do no wrong in your book it seems. And the truth is he did too much wrong. Even for a young guy he was stupid and arrogant with nothing to show for it. Rodney White all over again. When you get traded blame the Pistons. [smilie=annoyed.gif]

If you wanna follow Darko fine.


If you wanna follow him to diss or blame us for dumping him, with all due respect fuck you. You'd be just as much an asinine prick as he has been bitching about his "horrific" experience being here.

If you wanna follow Darko fine.


If you wanna follow him to diss or blame us for dumping him, with all due respect fuck you. You'd be just as much an asinine prick as he has been bitching about his "horrific" experience being here.

Who cares about DaRkO. The Pistons are kicking ass and taking names, right now. How 'bout turning the hatred and anger to contract talks.

Sometimes players simply don't mesh with a team philosophy. The fit is bad. They move to another team, and suddenly the recipe is right for individual success (see NFL > Raiders).

darko failed. and no, im not a fan of him anymore (though i look at his stats in a boxscore before anyone elses). i just realize that darko's failure is detroit's failure.
Dude dont take this the wrong way but fuck your whole idea about whats failure and sucess in Detroit For the Pistons organizations. right now Champioship rings=Sucess, No rings=Failure. No ifs, ands, buts, loopholes, or spins. We arent a fucking lottery team. For a Lottery team trading darko away is a failure. For us its just unfortunate. But the failure is in Darko keeping up with the players that made this team what it is. Darko is irrelevent to are success. His absence doesnt cripple us, hamper us, destroy us, or do anything to kill our future. If anything like i said before, its a great thing that HE failed and that Joe Dumars got a glimpse of how not to pick in future drafts.


Not a Darko fan? you're in denial. You're a fan and searching for his stat line is fan shit. Not anyone and everyone is searching for Darko's statline in hopes of finding some sort of proof we shoulda kept him.

I'll say it once, and i'll say it again. Get over it. Man i dont wanna imagine how you were when we "sign and traded" grant hill and dumped rodney white to dungver. [smilie=annoyed.gif] This shit is too pathetic to be mad about. The guy is gone and we arent any less talented as a team because of it. If anything we're better because we dont have to take out dale davis's minutes to help Darkhead's ego.

Man i've never seen you in so much denial about the guy. He can do no wrong in your book it seems. And the truth is he did too much wrong. Even for a young guy he was stupid and arrogant with nothing to show for it. Rodney White all over again. When you get traded blame the Pistons. [smilie=annoyed.gif]

well your pretty fucking thick headed if you feel that way.

its possible to succeed now while also having failures. our players, especially our big men, are going to start deteriorating (sp?). i saw an interesting stat the other day saying billups leads the league avg 98 games a year (not counting preseason). not only do our starters play a ton of minutes, they play alot of games too.

sooner than later, the tread is going to get awfully thin on those tires (look how fast the bad boys fell off). darko WAS the answer to that. he's gone now. but thats ok because 2 years ago we won a ring, so we never do anything fucking wrong.

LMFAO. So it finally comes out. Your darko fan love is hitting its peak . You are comparing Darko to the Bad Boys Fall off?!! Enough said on how crazy in lust you are over DarkHead.

I'm sorry b-diddy but that was garbage. Darko is not that important. So if we dont get the conditional pick we got for him our future was screwed? LMFAO@that. Thats exactly what i'm talking bout. Its a fucking disgrace to the pistons organization to put the whole future on a guy who never acheived shit for it and was going to leave anyways. You just dont get that, HE WAS GONE EITHER WAY. He didn't want to be here anymore. remember its a nightmare here. [smilie=artist.gif] .

Man you're just bent on believing that Darko couldnt possibly have left here as soon as his contract was free for nothing in return. thats fine by me, but its also dellusional. The only failure i see is in Darko's effort here or lack there of. The funny thing is that all his work in orlando on a Lottery team proves is that he wasnt trying to earn minutes here. He's not a team player, doesnt work hard, doesnt like working hard, cant handle being called on to do alot, and is selfish as fuck. Yet you figure that he WAS our future. [smilie=annoyed.gif] Fuck that future. Im glad its gone.


Darko didnt win us any titles. It was Joe Dumars moves that did. Our future is in the players he drafts now and the young players he's sure to acquire in free agency. Once again we are not orlando. You actually judge the Pistons like a lottery team with all the Darko was the future talk.All Darko was, was a lesson. A good one at that. Talent or no talent, draft smarter in the first round for players who fit the Piston concept Joe D molded.. Its pitiful and sad that you even judge this team's future based on its most irrelevent player. Instead of judging based on what its been doing, still is doing, and will continue to do as long as Dumars is gm. Play hard with effort every night.

we're kicking ass and you're mad about darko. Thats disgusting.

To those that say Darko wouldn't have helped us the last two years:

Is there any question that we wouldn't be working on a three-peat if LB had another reliable big man to turn to instead of having to use Tay to guard Duncan in Game 7?

Everybody is arguing about who was/is responsible for Darko's failure but no one seems to realize the fact that we lost a championship as a direct result of Darko not developing/playing. This team could've gone down as one of the best teams in history had we won that championship instead of being just another good team like we are now. What could've been a dynasty is merely a good run.

PS I realize that winning the next few championships could still make us a dynasty but that's not the point.

To those that say Darko wouldn't have helped us the last two years:

Is there any question that we wouldn't be working on a three-peat if LB had another reliable big man to turn to instead of having to use Tay to guard Duncan in Game 7?

Everybody is arguing about who was/is responsible for Darko's failure but no one seems to realize the fact that we lost a championship as a direct result of Darko not developing/playing. This team could've gone down as one of the best teams in history had we won that championship instead of being just another good team like we are now. What could've been a dynasty is merely a good run.

PS I realize that winning the next few championships could still make us a dynasty but that's not the point.

wait, in that game, our bigs didn't foul out right? they were just in foul trouble (four or five), right? LB had a brain fart by putting Tay on him, when the better option would have been to just let one of them guard Duncan and foul out. yeah, having a developed darko with no fouls would have been ideal, but i think the blame is more on LB's strategy at that point rather than not having another big man. i mean, we're boasting 3 very good big men as is....not many teams can say that.

we all remember how terrified LB was in letting someone get five fouls. it seemed like Sheed would sit out the entire half if he picked up two quick ones in the first quarter.

To those that say Darko wouldn't have helped us the last two years:

Is there any question that we wouldn't be working on a three-peat if LB had another reliable big man to turn to instead of having to use Tay to guard Duncan in Game 7?

Everybody is arguing about who was/is responsible for Darko's failure but no one seems to realize the fact that we lost a championship as a direct result of Darko not developing/playing. This team could've gone down as one of the best teams in history had we won that championship instead of being just another good team like we are now. What could've been a dynasty is merely a good run.

PS I realize that winning the next few championships could still make us a dynasty but that's not the point.
But whose fault is it if he doesnt even try to make his way onto the team. Lets say duncan has a field day on him. Which is pretty much probable IMO. i mean the tayshan on duncan strategy was odd and didnt do all that well. But I feel we lost in that game because we doubled Duncan at the end and gave them room for some ice cold 3's. Saying darko was a direct link is silly IMO. Developed or not, if Elden wasnt coming in, neither was Darko. i mean you say "developed" but are we even in the finals if we spend that season "developing" a kid who may not have even improved his numbers or this team even with some time?

Blaming the title loss on Darko's lack of development which has become apparaent to be his fault(he cant even play hard to impress Flip, let alone LB) is wack and sore loser super hypothetical talk. If Delfino is healthy maybe the other perimeter wing players get more rest and arent so tired. Maybe his defense emerges against ginobli and we win easily because of it. Thats also a legitimate what if. the problem is you just dont know. And its all a lil too hypothetical to say "well if darko developed we win that title". Thats a big if even with playing time. So its beyond even wishful thinking IMO. I accept that under the circumstances we got beat. that the spurs won that game and that LB got outcoached in the second half. I dont need to hang on the development of a lazy lil brat.

I'd rather have had a healthy Delfino over a "who knows if he develops" darko. Either way neither are going to be an excuse crutch for me. We got beat in game 7. Happens, snakes on a planer whatcha gonna do? Since the theme this year is homecourt advantage and getting our perimeter guys rest, I think its safe to say that was a much bigger effect on our losing than anything.

LOL@20 pages on this bumb peice of shit.

To those that say Darko wouldn't have helped us the last two years:

Is there any question that we wouldn't be working on a three-peat if LB had another reliable big man to turn to instead of having to use Tay to guard Duncan in Game 7?

Everybody is arguing about who was/is responsible for Darko's failure but no one seems to realize the fact that we lost a championship as a direct result of Darko not developing/playing. This team could've gone down as one of the best teams in history had we won that championship instead of being just another good team like we are now. What could've been a dynasty is merely a good run.

PS I realize that winning the next few championships could still make us a dynasty but that's not the point.
But whose fault is it if he doesnt even try to make his way onto the team. Lets say duncan has a field day on him. Which is pretty much probable IMO. i mean the tayshan on duncan strategy was odd and didnt do all that well. But I feel we lost in that game because we doubled Duncan at the end and gave them room for some ice cold 3's. Saying darko was a direct link is silly IMO. Developed or not, if Elden wasnt coming in, neither was Darko. i mean you say "developed" but are we even in the finals if we spend that season "developing" a kid who may not have even improved his numbers or this team even with some time?

Blaming the title loss on Darko's lack of development which has become apparaent to be his fault(he cant even play hard to impress Flip, let alone LB) is wack and sore loser super hypothetical talk. If Delfino is healthy maybe the other perimeter wing players get more rest and arent so tired. Maybe his defense emerges against ginobli and we win easily because of it. Thats also a legitimate what if. the problem is you just dont know. And its all a lil too hypothetical to say "well if darko developed we win that title". Thats a big if even with playing time. So its beyond even wishful thinking IMO. I accept that under the circumstances we got beat. that the spurs won that game and that LB got outcoached in the second half. I dont need to hang on the development of a lazy lil brat.

I'd rather have had a healthy Delfino over a "who knows if he develops" darko. Either way neither are going to be an excuse crutch for me. We got beat in game 7. Happens, snakes on a planer whatcha gonna do? Since the theme this year is homecourt advantage and getting our perimeter guys rest, I think its safe to say that was a much bigger effect on our losing than anything.

alright, im done arguing with you.

just answer this: do you think darko will develop in orlando?

just answer this: do you think darko will develop in orlando?
Maybe. But as far as his effort goes. Never. He'll always be lazy and try to get by on natural talent.

But He'll develop to a average(maybe even good) player on a bad team IMO. Riding Dwight Howards Coat Tail may be good for him. He doesnt have to work so hard and can just do what he does. With that said, i remind you that its not even important. The real question is : Would he have here? The answer is adamantly no, not under any realistic circumstance. That became apparent to our GM, so he moved on. Is what it is.

I think Kilo brought up an NHL GM who much like Joe D had a very small budget to work with. And he did a solid job year after year. Then he goes to a big budget team in the rangers and stinks it up with bad moves. Maybe its a good thing to have little room to work with. The downside being that the Pistons dont have time to "give" minutes to Darko. They are trying to win games now, because there will be a time when we arent as good as we are now. Its part of the NBA cycle. And you can spin it anyways you want about Darko, but to develop him woulda cost games. unfortunately it woulda cost games because he didnt want to earn minutes. he wanted them given to him. I just dont think this team was the scenario he wanted. We arent a lottery team. And maybe thats the problem with getting a lottery pick. Maybe Dumars picked someone better suited for a lottery team. And because of this maybe the midlevel or higher first round pick we got for him will turn out to fit better here. Sometimes fitting the team is more impotant than talent level or upside. Case and point Rip Hamilton is not better than most of the elite SG's(individually i think stackhouse is better, though Mikey swears otherwise) in the NBA on an individual scale. But his ability to function here makes him more effective than some of the other ones.

All in all you're being greedy and ungrateful for what we have. So what if Darko didnt pan out. We're possibly the best team in the league right now with the best record. He didn't fit here and Dumars learned that fitting the mold is important. more important than getting the most talented guy possible. I think seeing darko and maxiell brought this to his attention and i think he'll do a much better job in future drafts to come because of Darko's fuck ups and his fuck up in picking the lazy bastard..

Its odd that a usually positive guy like yourself is so negative about this. You're the guy that even looks at doug collins in a positive way(far more positive than me). Yet the team somehow you've tricked yourself into believing the future sky is falling because Darko is gone. [smilie=annoyed.gif]

I find it flat out hilarious that people bitch that he should have gotten minutes to develop when we had, not one, but 2 coaches that wouldn't play him here. Don't you think there was a reason for that??He is everything that this Pistons team is not. He's a selfish whiny bitch that expects everything handed to him. The anti-Piston. He is putting up halfway decent numbers on one of the worst teams in the sport. Big Flippin deal.

You try hard, and than you get the minutes. You don't try hard BECAUSE you were given minutes. Fuck that and Fuck Darko.

I decided to stop in and see what new Darko topics would crop up. It appears there are no new dabates, topics or conclusions on Darko. I'll stop back in about a yaer or so.

I decided to stop in and see what new Darko topics would crop up. It appears there are no new dabates, topics or conclusions on Darko. I'll stop back in about a yaer or so.
They wont change then. He hasnt done much to talk about anyways. So i dont know what you were expecting. [smilie=angel.gif]

Darko with 10 points (5-9), 5 boards, 3 assists, 1 block, 1 steal in 21 minutes tonight.

Darko with 10 points (5-9), 5 boards, 3 assists, 1 block, 1 steal in 21 minutes tonight.

Don't they keep track of turnovers anymore in the box scores?

Darko with 10 points (5-9), 5 boards, 3 assists, 1 block, 1 steal in 21 minutes tonight.

Don't they keep track of turnovers anymore in the box scores?

Sorry, didn't look at the box score. I just copy and pasted it from another forum. Though, since you already obviously knew, you could have probably posted it for yourself [smilie=annoyed.gif]. He had 3 TOs

Yeah, I understand you got that from another forum. It pisses me off that the Darko lovers just pluck the good stuff from his stat sheet and waive it around like he's Wilt.

I actually picked up Darko for my bench in my fantasy league. Never thought that would happen before 2011.

I actually picked up Darko for my bench in my fantasy league. Never thought that would happen before 2011.

hehe, i picked up arroyo and darko on my fantasy squad.....just in case. arroyo might be a keeper.

Saw the entire magic-pacer game tonight.

Darko put up a good statline tonight, 8 points 5 blocks and 3 boards in 24 minutes.

However, most all of his blocks came from help-side defense. His man, Danny Granger, had a field day with Darko all night long. 21 points and 12 boards playing almost exclusively against him.

Arroyo also had easily hs worst game sinc the trade. 10 points and 2 assists on 3-10 shooting. He took a ton of needless shots tonight.

Darko also had 3 fouls and 3 TOs

Wasn't trying to bash him, just saying tonight was an example of Darko putting up good stats while having a very poor game. He got taken advantage of repeatedly on ISO situations.

The worst part was the fact he got out-rebounded 12-3 by Danny Granger, a rookie he has 4 inches and 20 lbs on.

He did have one hilarious block on Jeff Foster, though. Foster went up and Darko caught his shot without even jumping.

Also, Dwight Howard had like 8 or 9 dunks tonight or something ridiculous.

Yeah, I'd like to see Darko play but that seems to be what people who have are saying.

thanks for the actual game assessment, kstat. it's tempting for someone who didn't watch the game to see his 5 blocks and assume he made some great impact. but if granger tore him up for 21-12, darko's 5 blocks don't mean a whole lot.

i hate to use the hyperbole, but Ben could get 5 blocks, make a large impact on the defensive end, and change the game. teams would be hesitant to attack the rim and guys with seemingly open layups would have to think twice about Ben being in teh paint. i just can't imagine Darko doing that (yet), despite getting 5 blocks.

thanks for the actual game assessment, kstat. it's tempting for someone who didn't watch the game to see his 5 blocks and assume he made some great impact. but if granger tore him up for 21-12, darko's 5 blocks don't mean a whole lot.

i hate to use the hyperbole, but Ben could get 5 blocks, make a large impact on the defensive end, and change the game. teams would be hesitant to attack the rim and guys with seemingly open layups would have to think twice about Ben being in teh paint. i just can't imagine Darko doing that (yet), despite getting 5 blocks.

Well it's really intimidation and reputation that give people those thoughts against Ben. If Darko averaged 3.5 blocks for season or something like that, people'd think twice about coming in the lane against himt too. Hell, I saw Rip and Tay lookin over their shoulders against Pryzbilla.

Against Memo and the Jazz tonight...Darko's stat line:

3 points
5 boards
3 assists
5 blocks
1 steal
3 TO's
2 fouls
24 minutes

Orlando won the game.

I don't think anyone can really argue that Darko isn't at least a good shot blocker anymore.

Although his block numbers will go down when everyone decides to stop challenging him all the time.

he had 4 blocks in 14 minutes.

im sure someone will bring up the fact that boozer/okur combined for 60. im guessing all while darko was guarding them...

orlando is 3-1 in its last 4 (when its supposed to be tanking).

Darko is playing like crap but blocking a TON of shots.

Gee, and Darko supporters bashed me for saying he's a rich man's Shawn Bradley - - - while Darko bashers ALSO bashed me for saying he's a rich man's Shawn Bradley.

Darko supporters get pissed when you say he's not just good, but great at blocking shots, but will never be good at anything else, because they want to believe he's great at everything.

Darko bashers get pissed when you say he's a great shot blocker, but will never be good at anything else, because they want to believe he sucks worse than anyone has ever sucked at every single thing he's ever tried in his life (see Wrath of Diddy, for example).

I don't see why we can't find some middle ground, hold hands, sing Kumbaya, and agree that he's one of the best shot blockers in the entire league right now, and that's all he'll ever be.

That's our middle ground, Darko bashers and Darko supporters.

No, it'll never happen. Diddy will NEVER give him even a smidgen of credit for being a shot blocker, and Zeeb will NEVER accept that if it weren't for Larry Brown, he'd be in the HOF.

Carry on, lets see if we can hit 100 pages of this shit.

Darko is playing like crap but blocking a TON of shots.

Gee, and Darko supporters bashed me for saying he's a rich man's Shawn Bradley - - - while Darko bashers ALSO bashed me for saying he's a rich man's Shawn Bradley.

Very coherent.

Don't you ever get tired of playing the persecuted martyr?
People disagree with you, get over it. At least Diddy is funny with his shit.

Darko is playing like crap but blocking a TON of shots.

Gee, and Darko supporters bashed me for saying he's a rich man's Shawn Bradley - - - while Darko bashers ALSO bashed me for saying he's a rich man's Shawn Bradley.

Very coherent.

Don't you ever get tired of playing the persecuted martyr?
People disagree with you, get over it. At least Diddy is funny with his shit.

Why do you hate me so much?

http://www.la-legal.com/images/justice.jpg

Naw, not really.

I probably owe you an apology or something. I usually like what you bring (in an entertaining fanatic sort of way). It's not even a bad day or anything.

Sorry for the heat.

http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/Set/6060/hug.gif

BTW: Did you get the joke? You called me a persecuted martyr, and I responded with why do you hate me, as if I were a persecuted martyr.

I didn't catch that. Your lawyer tongue is too quick for my mind (Actually I was too self-centered to see your cleverness and I instantly started reflecting on what was going on with me to cause the flame to come out of nowhere).

Good work counselor.

alright, enough of this manlove.

Darko is playing like crap but blocking a TON of shots.

Gee, and Darko supporters bashed me for saying he's a rich man's Shawn Bradley - - - while Darko bashers ALSO bashed me for saying he's a rich man's Shawn Bradley.
.

Hint...

Nobody likes you.....

Hint...

Nobody likes you.....

Now that was funny.


That being said, I was a Tayshaun_Melocic fluffer in a previous life.

OK, so the point isn't lost...

The point isn't I'm a martyr.

The point is neither supporters nor bashers will admit that he's nothing more than a journeyman big man shot blocker who will stay in the league as long as he wants and will always have a team willing to pay him a few mil per year, but will never be a star, ala Shawn Bradley.

He's nothing more than a journeyman.

I still find it ridiculous that anybody is ready to call the 20 yr old kid a bust or the second coming based on his handful of games with Orlando after 4+ four years of no playing time. I think the kid needs 2-3 years before we can start to judge where he is as a player/prospect.

I still find it ridiculous that anybody is ready to call the 20 yr old kid a bust or the second coming based on his handful of games with Orlando after 4+ four years of no playing time. I think the kid needs 2-3 years before we can start to judge where he is as a player/prospect.

I would tend to agree on most counts.

The only thing that I think we can safely judge right now is his attitude, character and heart. How many players that have shown such a poor work ethic have done a complete 180 and made everyone forget about it later in their career?

Changing your stripes is a nearly impossible thing to do.

I also think it's safe to say that he was overhyped before the draft. The kind of "phenom" shit that was being published/reported by the likes of Chad Ford didn't just "go away" it was never there to begin with.

OK, so the point isn't lost...

The point isn't I'm a martyr.

The point is neither supporters nor bashers will admit that he's nothing more than a journeyman big man shot blocker who will stay in the league as long as he wants and will always have a team willing to pay him a few mil per year, but will never be a star, ala Shawn Bradley.
The point is that logic is lost here.

To make it simple, Darko bashers try to place him below a certain line, supporters try to place him above a certain line. Those lines don't have to be the same, and their projected domains for Darko's image may or may not overlap, but at least each team has some wiggle room.You are trying to place him ON a line. Good luck staying there.

19 minutes|10 points(5-10)|7rebounds|4blocks|2assists|2 fouls|0turnovers|

also should point out that he was on the court when orlando made their run in the 4th. (i also believe he was on the court in the 2nd when they made a push). in fact, it seems that orlando plays their best when darko is on the court.

magic 4-1 in last 5. not bad for a team thats tanking.

magic 4-1 in last 5. not bad for a team thats tanking.
weird nobody said "they" were "tanking". i do remember a few people saying one of their players was "tanking" here to force Joe D to trade him. and his work in orlando is proof.

right, trading franchise for penny, and then waiving him was clearly a move to get ready for the playoff push.

by 'a few people' are you referring to yourself saying the same thing 3000000000 times?

right, trading franchise for penny, and then waiving him was clearly a move to get ready for the playoff push.

by 'a few people' are you referring to yourself saying the same thing 3000000000 times?
what are you talking about? are you trying to say that YOU thought they were gonna tank???? Because your reading on my post is all backwards. I NEVER SAID ORLANDO WAS TANKING. sowtf are you talking bout.

Penny hardaway was irrelevent as hell. I'm still lost on that. [smilie=arrgh.jpg] Anytime i had to repeat myself on darko tanking while he was here it was because you were to thick headed and blind to believe the obvious. If I had 3000000000 repeats. thats 3000000000 times you didnt get it. and i need to add one more after this crazy post about penny. [smilie=annoyed.gif]

hmmm... maybe i was a little confusing on that, i'll clarify.

the second orlando traded franchise (and then waived the guy they traded him for) was the second they gave up on the season.

orlando was already a bad team. giving away franchise should have made them a team that cant win games. they've won 4 in 5. i'd say theyre overachieving, and darko is a big part of their success.

hmmm... maybe i was a little confusing on that, i'll clarify.

the second orlando traded franchise (and then waived the guy they traded him for) was the second they gave up on the season.

orlando was already a bad team. giving away franchise should have made them a team that cant win games. they've won 4 in 5. i'd say theyre overachieving, and darko is a big part of their success.
i disagree, he was a ballhog and grant hill IMO was a better team player. either way teams are better than stars. the major factor in their wins having a pg who can run the offense(arroyo). it gives all their jump shooters a better shot. its odd that you point to darko when its obvious that its arroyo earning his value there. if we just only gave them arroyo they'd be better off than if we just only gave them darko.

but to clarify you saw francis leaving as a "give up" move. i saw it as "we have a real pg so we dont need his hogging ass".

but to clarify you saw francis leaving as a "give up" move. i saw it as "we have a real pg so we dont need his hogging ass".

I think it's a little bit of both.

A stellar night for me last night.

Darko played 12 minutes, had two blocks, no points, and pretty much nothing else.

Darko supporters: He had two blocks in just 12 minutes. He's a freak!

Darko bashers: He had no points, and really not anything else besides two blocks in 12 minutes, and his team lost. He sucks!

Me: See what I'm saying? He's a great shotblocker but mediocre in every other category. He's Shawn Bradley with a few less inches of height.

He also heaved the ball out of bounds to absolutely no one every time the defense put any pressure on him (twice).

A stellar night for me last night.

Darko played 12 minutes, had two blocks, no points, and pretty much nothing else.

Darko supporters: He had two blocks in just 12 minutes. He's a freak!

Darko bashers: He had no points, and really not anything else besides two blocks in 12 minutes, and his team lost. He sucks!

Me: See what I'm saying? He's a great shotblocker but mediocre in every other category. He's Shawn Bradley with a few less inches of height.

He actually had 3 blocks (and 3 rebounds) in just under 12 minutes. [smilie=a.gif]

A stellar night for me last night.

Darko played 12 minutes, had two blocks, no points, and pretty much nothing else.

Darko supporters: He had two blocks in just 12 minutes. He's a freak!

Darko bashers: He had no points, and really not anything else besides two blocks in 12 minutes, and his team lost. He sucks!

Me: See what I'm saying? He's a great shotblocker but mediocre in every other category. He's Shawn Bradley with a few less inches of height.

He actually had 3 blocks (and 3 rebounds) in just under 12 minutes. [smilie=a.gif]
http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2005/writers/bill_syken/06/30/daily.blog/p1_bradley.jpg

^^ LOL!!

Darko got the start tonight over howard against the Knicks. I guess howard showed up late to shoot around and so he got taken outa the starting line up. Sucks for howard i guess he was on a streak for most consecutive starts for an ORL player. He only needed like 10 more games. If thats true then ORL coach it a complete jackass.


But yea....Darko got a start...good for him.

Darko got the start tonight over howard against the Knicks. I guess howard showed up late to shoot around and so he got taken outa the starting line up. Sucks for howard i guess he was on a streak for most consecutive starts for an ORL player. He only needed like 10 more games. If thats true then ORL coach it a complete jackass.


But yea....Darko got a start...good for him.

Are you serious?

Darko got the start tonight over howard against the Knicks. I guess howard showed up late to shoot around and so he got taken outa the starting line up. Sucks for howard i guess he was on a streak for most consecutive starts for an ORL player. He only needed like 10 more games. If thats true then ORL coach it a complete jackass.


But yea....Darko got a start...good for him.

Are you serious?

Yep....

He has 13 points, 7 boards, 2 assists, 3 blocks against NY as well...

He has 13 points, 7 boards, 2 assists, 3 blocks against NY as well...

Darko supporters: He had 13 points, 7 boards, 2 assists, 3 blocks against NY

Darko haters: He had 5 personal fouls [smilie=alpacacall.:

Darko haters: The only way he can get a start is if Howard fucks up. lol

I normally don't "root" for Darko, but I rooted for him tonight because he was against Larry Brown.

Larry's treatment of Darko was so bad. Going on Letterman and calling the kid immature was worse than anything Darko ever did to Larry. Making fun of his accent to the media was horrible too. LB was classless with Darko.

rational people that realize darko was never given a legitimate chance to succeed in detroit: hey, darko is going to be inconsistent. orlando coaches have gone on record saying that he is completely out of shape, and suspected that he would be physically unable to play more than 20 mpg this year. but he's really had some nice contributions to the orlando team, and they already could probably move him for twice what they gave up for him. but his contributions in orlando are very telling on how fucked up his situation in detroit was.

darko bashers: darko had 5 fouls.

darko bashers: darko had 5 fouls.
And a turnover

Shame on Darko for not playing a perfect game! How could he DARE foul anyone?! Everyone knows that the good players in this league NEVER foul.



Note for the slow: sarcasm.

another win for orlando, blowing out 76'ers. darko had 11 pts in 18 minutes.

orlando is now 6-3 in its last 9. pretty impressive for a team that was already crappy before giving away its best player (franchise) and took on a horrible player who will never be a winner (darko) and gave him significant time.

i think orlando is really turning some heads, (except for rorsharch, who knew carlo arroyo would more than make up for no franchise and the addition of a slacker like darko).

ps darko has now played 336 min in his 16 games in orlando. he played 540 total in detroit over 3 years.

another win for orlando, blowing out 76'ers. darko had 11 pts in 18 minutes.

orlando is now 6-3 in its last 9. pretty impressive for a team that was already crappy before giving away its best player (franchise) and took on a horrible player who will never be a winner (darko) and gave him significant time.

i think orlando is really turning some heads, (except for rorsharch, who knew carlo arroyo would more than make up for no franchise and the addition of a slacker like darko).

ps darko has now played 336 min in his 16 games in orlando. he played 540 total in detroit over 3 years.
Noticve how this known darko homer ignores the real reason they are playing well . A-R-R-O-Y-O and jameer nelson playing terrific in the place of francis. thasts the surprise and reason they are winning.

Goddamn. Twenty-four pages on Darko friggin Milicic?

Eh, suit yourselves.

Goddamn. Twenty-four pages on Darko friggin Milicic?

Eh, suit yourselves.

He is, afterall, the guy that we passed on Melo, Bosh, and Wade for. It draws my interest at least a bit to see if the dude can actually play. Though I admit I'm losing interest a bit after the first couple games.

another win for orlando, blowing out 76'ers. darko had 11 pts in 18 minutes.

orlando is now 6-3 in its last 9. pretty impressive for a team that was already crappy before giving away its best player (franchise) and took on a horrible player who will never be a winner (darko) and gave him significant time.

i think orlando is really turning some heads, (except for rorsharch, who knew carlo arroyo would more than make up for no franchise and the addition of a slacker like darko).

ps darko has now played 336 min in his 16 games in orlando. he played 540 total in detroit over 3 years.


LOL@ ANYONE who dare to say that Steve freakin Francis was the best player on Orlando. Are you serious?

Darko = 19 minutes, 11 points on 5/8 shooting... but only ONE stinking rebound!?!?!? and 4 fouls in just 19 minutes.

Meanwhile, his much shorter teammate,Trevor Ariza, nabs 11 rebounds in 26 minutes.

In fact, little itty bitty, teeny, tiny, little, wittle bitty Keyon Dooling had twice the amount of rebounds as Darko...

and our buddy Carlos "one foot shorter than Darko" Arroyo, also EDIT: had FIVE TIMES the amount of rebounds as our old buddy, Darko, last night.

Arroyo deserves a watch thread more than darko.

Arroyo deserves a watch thread more than darko.

I stand corrected.

I meant to type that Arroyo, who is 1 foot shorter than Darko, had FIVE TIMES the amount of rebounds that Darko had last night. Not twice. FIVE TIMES.

I meant to type that Arroyo, who is 1 foot shorter than Darko, had FIVE TIMES the amount of rebounds that Darko had last night. Not twice. FIVE TIMES.

BUT HE WENT 5-8 FOR 11 POINTS!!! Oh yeah, and 1 vicious block.

ONLY I CAN USE CAPITAL LETTERS.

GET YOUR OWN SCHTICK!

just think if he could rebound!!...... acctually he would probably still be a piston if he could rebound [smilie=annoyed.gif]

I'm sure the 7'1 or 7'2 forward/center will add rebounding to his repertoire - - - the same year Ben Wallace becomes an 80% free throw shooter.

Hm....

Dwight Howard is a stud.

Rebounding is a timing issue and you can only work on developing that with playing time. Also maybe Dwight Howard is eating up all the rebounds down low?? I dunno, I'm not watching the games. I just think some here need Milicic to fail so they can still genuflect at the altar of Joe Dumars.

It's ridiculous to point to Arroyo's rebounds and compare them to Milicic's because Arroyo's rebounds very likely lopng rebounds and thus were out of the reach of any post player - it's not like Arroyo was banging for position with all the bigs in the low post and came up with the board.

Dwight Howard had 19 rebounds, Trevor Ariza crashes the boards like few other sf's had eleven - I'm thinking there wasn't too many loose boards to go Milicic's way.

Also who put Dalembert in foul trouble?? Howard or Milicic??

Rebounding is a timing issue and you can only work on developing that with playing time. Also maybe Dwight Howard is eating up all the rebounds down low?? I dunno, I'm not watching the games. I just think some here need Milicic to fail so they can still genuflect at the altar of Joe Dumars.
Need him to fail. Naw i think some here need him to do well in order to satisfy their craving of what ifs. the same what ifs they wasted on rodney white.

Darko = 19 minutes, 11 points on 5/8 shooting... but only ONE stinking rebound!?!?!? and 4 fouls in just 19 minutes.

Meanwhile, his much shorter teammate,Trevor Ariza, nabs 11 rebounds in 26 minutes.

In fact, little itty bitty, teeny, tiny, little, wittle bitty Keyon Dooling had twice the amount of rebounds as Darko...

and our buddy Carlos "one foot shorter than Darko" Arroyo, also EDIT: had FIVE TIMES the amount of rebounds as our old buddy, Darko, last night.

orlando killed 76ers on the boards. but maybe darko should wrestle rebounds away from his teammates so that detractors cant use rebounds against him.

again, people went from:

he cant play, to

he can put up stats, but his team gets murdered while he's on the court, to

a very crappy team can win with darko playing 20 minutes a game (but a team with 4 allstars cant), but he doesnt grab rebounds from his teammates.


ps: franchise will still get you more wins (on a team of nobodys) than howard, this year. not saying theres a team in the league that would take franchise over howard, but this year, atleast, howard cant carry a team like franchise could.

Darko = 19 minutes, 11 points on 5/8 shooting... but only ONE stinking rebound!?!?!? and 4 fouls in just 19 minutes.

Meanwhile, his much shorter teammate,Trevor Ariza, nabs 11 rebounds in 26 minutes.

In fact, little itty bitty, teeny, tiny, little, wittle bitty Keyon Dooling had twice the amount of rebounds as Darko...

and our buddy Carlos "one foot shorter than Darko" Arroyo, also EDIT: had FIVE TIMES the amount of rebounds as our old buddy, Darko, last night.

orlando killed 76ers on the boards. but maybe darko should wrestle rebounds away from his teammates so that detractors cant use rebounds against him.

again, people went from:

he cant play, to

he can put up stats, but his team gets murdered while he's on the court, to

a very crappy team can win with darko playing 20 minutes a game (but a team with 4 allstars cant), but he doesnt grab rebounds from his teammates.


ps: franchise will still get you more wins (on a team of nobodys) than howard, this year. not saying theres a team in the league that would take franchise over howard, but this year, atleast, howard cant carry a team like franchise could.

Have you finalized the sale of your house, car, and porn stash yet to continue your cling-on Darko expedition? Just move to Orlando already. You'd think there would be more important and passionate issues to you like world peace and onionbooties. [smilie=alpaca.gif]

Darko put up some really solid numbers, but managed to foul out in 26 minutes of play.

BDiddy and Kilo:

If I can be a Darko basher who is capable of acknowledging that he's a damn good shot blocker - without making excuses for why he's a damn good shot blocker, why can't you be a Darko supporter who is capable of acknowledging that he's a damn crappy rebounder - without making excuses for why he's a damn crappy rebounder?

Perhaps it has nothing to do with his first 3 years in Detroit.

Perhaps it has nothing to do with conditioning.

Perhaps he's just not a very good rebounder.

Not every tall player is even an average rebounder, let alone a good one. Many tall players are downright crappy at it.

Perhaps he's a tall guy who will always suck at rebounding, ala Cliff Robinson?

Or will it always be Larry Brown's fault when he's beat out for a board for the rest of his career?

Why would you have to make excuses why he is a good shot blocker?? Because he's 7'1" with freakishly long arms?? Because he looks to block every shot, leaving him out of position to grab a rebound?? That he jumps to swat everyshot and picks up needless fouls??

Could it be that his coach tells him his role is to go for the block and Howard and Ariza will clean up the boards??

I do agree that some guys just have a natural knack for rebounding, but I also believe that Milicic will improve his rebounding with playing time as he gets a feel for playing.

Milicic is averaging 4.4 boards in 20mpg - not anything to write home about, but not putrid either - especially if that's not his role.

Arroyo deserves a watch thread more than darko.

http://wtfdetroit.com/viewtopic.php?t=1523&highlight=arroyo

unlike what it may appear, i dont have an agenda. i'm not a 'darko supporter'. i never said when he was a piston (or since he's been with the magic) that he would make it or wouldnt.

i've merely said that we gave up on him way too early, and that the trade sucked for us.

since he's gotten to orlando, i think his play has been great for what the expectations should have been.

i dont see the point of harboring on the negative with darko. he doesnt rebound particularly well (yet), he probably doesnt rotate on defense like he should (yet). he probably doesnt do alot of things as well as you would like (yet). but in 25 games he'll have played as many minutes for the magic as he played for detroit in 3 years. thats what pisses me off.

i think people underestimate how important a #2 pick can be. in piston history, i think we've had 2 #2 picks (bing and zeke) and a #3 pick (hill), and then we had darko. if detroit didnt want to develop darko (thats what it boils down to), joe should have traded him a while ago, and for something more than what probably will end up being a mid first rounder.

the whole situation is a joke. people say joe was in a no win situation, but thats not what it was 3 years ago. he fucked up big time, and if joe wasnt so good in other areas, i'd say he deserves to be fired.

unlike what it may appear, i dont have an agenda. i'm not a 'darko supporter'. i never said when he was a piston (or since he's been with the magic) that he would make it or wouldnt.

i've merely said that we gave up on him way too early, and that the trade sucked for us..

And bush has no agenda in Iraq. [smilie=applause.gi:


newsflash B-diddy. His lazy ass gave up on us. When you get that part of the equation then you'd stop with all the agenda. And the agenda to try to make it look like we missed out is darko supporter/dreamer/fan club all the way. We didnt miss shit. He tanked out to get traded. His mind was made up, and it wasnt worth kissing his ass in hopes that he stayed.

There is no "we missed out". If darko woulda played like he wanted to be here and not thrown a "i'm not going to try anymore because this aint enough minutes" tantrum. We woulda kept him inspite of any naysayers.

In the end Darko=Bitchmade and i'm glad to see his bratty elementary school ass go. i dont regret people being gone that don't wanna be here at all*see nightmare*, nor do i think of regret when they are posting role player at best stats on a team that can't hold a candle to us. Orlando's success=jameer nelson taking over at the point along with arroyo, dwight howards amazing abilities that dwarf darkheads, and stevey francise's ballhogging ass out of the mix. if you took stevie franchise and stephon marbury and replaced them with 2 prototypical pg willing to get everyone involved, the knicks would win more games for sure. I dont think i've seen either guy make a team better.

no surprise, theres no reasoning with you.

no surprise, theres no reasoning with you.
not if the reasoning involves we gave up on darko or we should regret dumping him. neither one of those are true. you dont regret dumping people that wanted to leave and you can't give up on a player that already gave up on trying to be a part of this team via lazy ass tanking it out purposely.

Call me crazy, but i prefer players like Delfino who bust their asses on the court even when their minutes have jumped up and down. Instead of guys who tank you into trading them in the same situation(i.e. darko).

well, i'll stop mentioning every time darko has a good game, but i will mention that theres a decent chance our first round matchup is going to be darko milicic and the magic. 8-3 in the last 11 games, with philly sinking like a stone and no one else exactly making a run at it.

with just 11 games left, chances are they wont make it.

throughout every sport, the best way for a player to break out has been for him to get an opportunity to prove himself without having to constantly look over his shoulder. our very own chauncy billups is a prime example of this. we very well could be seeing milicic do the same, too bad its with another team.

you know i ve always been a darko supporter for the most time ;)
good to see hes doing well, no hard feelings here...they should have left him in europe some more years so he could grow up...well i can understand pistons fans are tired to talk about darko, coulda, shoulda, he s gone time to move on and hope we ll get a nice guy next year with the orlando pick....still i dont believe he will ever be an allstar or lead the magic toward anything

Darko had his best game as a pro tonight.

He was on the floor in the 4th quarter at Chicago and sparked the Magic comeback. His defense in the post helped hold Chicago to 11 fourth quarter points.

27 minutes
6-12 FG
12 points
8 rebounds
4 blocks
2 PF
1 TO

well, i'll stop mentioning every time darko has a good game, but i will mention that theres a decent chance our first round matchup is going to be darko milicic and the magic. 8-3 in the last 11 games, with philly sinking like a stone and no one else exactly making a run at it.

8. Philly --
9. Chicago 1.5 GB
10. Boston 4 GB
11. Orlando 5 GB
12. Toronto 6.5 GB

It is possible, not likely though. But before the trade I would have said it was impossible. But since Orlando got Jameer Nelson back and Pat Garrity went down to a mysterious injury they've been playing great basketball.

Nevermind, Pat Garrity is back and put up this beautiful statline:

05:38 0-2 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

It would be a shame if he got the 4th big man spot over Bo Outlaw. Bo has really given them a lift.

Darko looked good today. He really is a great defensive presence in the paint. His jumper still sucks, and he still loves to let rebounds go that bounce off his hands, but he did a lot of things better than usual. He really was abusing anyone who was on him down low. Had a few hook shots in the post, and got in position for a few nice dimes for dunks/layups.

It did take a monumental collapse for them to win though. From the FT line, from the field, everything.

Could it be that his coach tells him his role is to go for the block and Howard and Ariza will clean up the boards??

OK, the excuse list just got beyond ridiculous.

We're all dumber for having read that.

well, i'll stop mentioning every time darko has a good game, but i will mention that theres a decent chance our first round matchup is going to be darko milicic and the magic. 8-3 in the last 11 games, with philly sinking like a stone and no one else exactly making a run at it.

8. Philly --
9. Chicago 1.5 GB
10. Boston 4 GB
11. Orlando 5 GB
12. Toronto 6.5 GB

It is possible, not likely though. But before the trade I would have said it was impossible. But since Orlando got Jameer Nelson back and Pat Garrity went down to a mysterious injury they've been playing great basketball.

Whorelando making the playoffs would be great. First off Sheed can abuse Darko. Second, it makes their pick this year suck, so hopefully they can sink back down next year and give us a good pick.

Orlando beats the Mavs - and Darko has another below average game.

Darko is nothing more than a good luck charm...

Orlando beats the Mavs - and Darko has another below average game.

The knock before was that Darko's stats didn't matter because Orlando was losing, now Orlando is winning, but that doesn't matter because Milicic has a bad game. Add another five rebounds and 15 more minutes of PT and his line would look like some Ben Wallace lines put up this season.

Darko is nothing more than a good luck charm...
so wheres our second ring?

he's a lazy brat. but good luck charm? nope. the magic's to young pick ups are just proving their worth in jameer nelson and dwight howard. Jameer has been damn good. And arroyp has been a pretty solid substitute for him to stay fresh.

OK, here's an interesting twist to this thread.

Why don't we turn this into a poll, with the question being why is it that Darko has substantially improved his scoring, maintained his superb shot blocking skills, but still hasn't learned how to rebound better than Earl Boykins with a broken leg.

Is it lack of effort/desire?

Lack of experience?

Lack of skill?

I, for one, am going to vote for lack of effort/desire, because shot blocking and rebounding are both about timing. Shot blocking doesn't take a lot of work. Rebounding does. He has the timing to be a great shot blocker, so he should have the timing to be a great rebounder. He simply doesn't want to get his hands dirty and FIGHT for the rebound.

Thoughts?

Darko rebounds like Theo Ratliff.

If that were the worst of his problems, he'd still be a Piston.

What happened to our boy last night in his season finale? Was he just hiding in the corner of the court puffing on a cig?


13 mins.
0/4 FG
1/2 FT
0 Reb
0 Asst
0 TO
0 Stl
0 Blk
0 PF
1 Point

One might say it was a fluke, but here's the game prior to that:


19 mins.
2/8 FG
0/0 FT
1 Reb
0 Asst
0 TO
0 Stl
1 Blk
0 PF
4 Points

our current crop of young guys, in delfino, amir, and maxiell are MUCH more promising in their flashes of brilliance that Darko ever was here. good riddance to pornstache rubbish.

What happened to our boy last night in his season finale? Was he just hiding in the corner of the court puffing on a cig?


13 mins.
0/4 FG
1/2 FT
0 Reb
0 Asst
0 TO
0 Stl
0 Blk
0 PF
1 Point

One might say it was a fluke, but here's the game prior to that:


19 mins.
2/8 FG
0/0 FT
1 Reb
0 Asst
0 TO
0 Stl
1 Blk
0 PF
4 Points

Being careful not to break his hand.

our current crop of young guys, in delfino, amir, and maxiell are MUCH more promising in their flashes of brilliance that Darko ever was here. good riddance to pornstache rubbish.
i said that when he bolted(and yes i look at it as bolting when you try to get traded). The only reason this fuck gets attention is because of where we drafted him. but who says that Amir and maxiell wont work out better?

i wonder how far this obsession with darko goes w/o his #2 pick status? probally NOWHERE!

It's because he's a ferner. People went crazy about Memo and are starting to lose their minds about Delfino.

thats bullshit. no one i know went crazy about losing memo(it was expected and accepted). and theres nothing crazy going on about delfino. Muthafuckas think darko is the next big thing. thats something totally different. honestly has less to do with your foreign agenda and more to do with justifying a #2 pick. I dont give a shit about justifying that pick. its some oh well shit. not going to make or break us.

Diddy is the one with the ferner agenda.

He's trashed every foreign player Joe drafted. And I'm not talking a little bit of trash talk.

I'm talking WOD v Mikey, TerrorDome only kind of trashing. The kind of trashing you'd pay money to read.

Diddy ripped into Memo like Shaq rips into burgers.

Maybe Ronzone fucked his Mom, or mabe even fucked his Dad but for some reason WOD hates the foreign kids.

Memo had a fine season, Delfino has shown flashes.

Darko? Time will tell. He's shown flashes of being capable and also shown signs of being shit.

I want to be around for the day ONE foreign kid drafted by Joe actually gets Diddy's endorsement.

It might take a while but eventually it has to happen.

Doesn't it?

Diddy is the one with the ferner agenda.

He's trashed every foreign player Joe drafted. And I'm not talking a little bit of trash talk.

I'm talking WOD v Mikey, TerrorDome only kind of trashing. The kind of trashing you'd pay money to read.

Diddy ripped into Memo like Shaq rips into burgers.

Maybe Ronzone fucked his Mom, or mabe even fucked his Dad but for some reason WOD hates the foreign kids.

Memo had a fine season, Delfino has shown flashes.

Darko? Time will tell. He's shown flashes of being capable and also shown signs of being shit.

I want to be around for the day ONE foreign kid drafted by Joe actually gets Diddy's endorsement.

It might take a while but eventually it has to happen.

Doesn't it?

Let's wait until Joe D. dips into the Aussie baller bank and pulls out some 7 footer. Interesting to see what WOD would say then.

That would be two choices, right?
http://unlimited.nba.free.fr/bogut.jpg
and
http://waku.cocolog-nifty.com/waku/image/basket15.jpg

Even though she's a lesbo I'd still hit it.

Might even be lucky enough to have her girl join in too.

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=122182

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e215/RileyNotOReilly/siren_animated.gif


Darko critics soon might see the light

By Sean Deveney
http://a68.g.akamai.net/f/68/895/3d/i.tsn.com/i/s/voices/sean_deveney-s.gif
August 29, 2006

There haven't been many highlights in the past few years for Darko Milicic, unless, of course, you include those highlights he so often sported in his hair. And those highlights were most definitely lowlights.
It is common sport in the world of NBA discussion to lampoon Pistons president Joe Dumars for his selection of Milicic with the second pick in the 2003 draft, especially as the guys Dumars passed up -- Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh -- have developed into All-Star caliber players. I know it is common sport because I have appeared on numerous radio shows during which Darko was a repeated punchline. With good reason, I suppose -- Milicic has averaged 3.0 points per game in his NBA career, and has played about as many total minutes as Wade plays in a couple of months.

But, through the stream of wisecracks and naysaying, I've kept the Darko faith, for three reasons: 1) I was so utterly inundated with predraft praise for Milicic from very respected NBA personnel people, and I figure there had to be a reason for that. Everyone thought Milicic was a can't-miss before the 2003 draft, and it's just so hard to believe that everyone could be so wrong; 2) While watching Milicic whenever I could, I thought he looked like a guy who has great tools -- he's a seven-foot lefty who is fundamentally sound. Good footwork, good ballhandling, good screen-setting, a knack for passing. Those things are hard to find in a young player; 3) It's hard not to respect Dumars as a judge of basketball talent.

Last year, Dumars seemed to decide that if Milicic was going to develop, it was not going to be in Detroit. The Pistons were already stacked with big men and were too focused on a championship to worry about coddling Milicic's psyche. It seemed there was too much negative Darko energy in Detroit for him to flourish -- he was pouting about not playing, while fans and the media pretty much gave up on him. Even if he suddenly was given playing time with the Pistons, Milicic already was too beaten up in Detroit to succeed. So Dumars shipped Milicic to Orlando with Carlos Arroyo for Kelvin Cato and a first-round pick next year.

I'm wondering which decision Dumars should regret more -- the decision to draft Milicic or the decision to trade him. It was a no-win situation. Keep Milicic in Detroit and he might wither. Trade him and Milicic probably would prove to be the kind of player the Pistons thought he'd be when they drafted him, only he'd do it for someone else. Either way, Dumars would come out looking bad.

The loss of Ben Wallace to the Bulls adds a new wrinkle, though. Surely, if Dumars knew he would lose Wallace, he would not have traded Milicic. Now, without Wallace, the Pistons are filling their middle with Rasheed Wallace and Nazr Mohammed. Not a bad tandem, but not exactly bursting with youth and upside, either.

This is all relevant because, if you've been paying attention the results posted at the FIBA World Championship in Japan, you know that Milicic has been Serbia and Montenegro's best player. More than that, he has been one of the best players in the entire tournament. He was excellent against Spain's difficult frontcourt, putting up 18 points and 15 rebounds, plus three blocks. He had 24 points and 12 rebounds against the vaunted Argentina squad and blocked six shots against Venezuela. In all, Milicic averaged 16.2 points, 9.3 rebounds (third in the tournament) and nearly three blocks.

Put that production together with the solid performance Milicic had last season once he got to Orlando, and it appears Milicic is on the upswing. There's no guarantee that what is happening in Japan will carry over to the NBA, but Milicic has looked supremely confident, in a way he never was in Detroit. He will likely earn a starting job in Orlando, and averages of 12 points, eight rebounds and a couple of blocks per game are within reason.

It seems that those who have been goofing on Milicic for the past three years will soon have to change their tune. Unfortunately for the Pistons, that changed tune won't be sung in Detroit.

While watching Milicic whenever I could, I thought he looked like a guy who has great tools -- he's a seven-foot lefty who is fundamentally sound. Good footwork, good ballhandling, good screen-setting, a knack for passing. Those things are hard to find in a young player; 3) It's hard not to respect Dumars as a judge of basketball talent.

i cant believe we've never discussed this before. what were we thinking for the last few years?

btw, since no one will want to discuss this, who thinks ernie simms could be the new darko to matt leinart's carmello/wade/bosh/heinrich/ford/kaman/diaw?

http://images.thatimagesite.com/core/292/292_image.jpg

http://images.thatimagesite.com/core/292/292_image.jpg

Great post, that is all that needs to be said about DMC.[smilie=running.gif]

i hope Darko sports the porn-stache again.

those were good times.

http://images.usatoday.com/sports/_photos/2006/04/07/milicic.jpg

i hope Darko sports the porn-stache again.

those were good times.

http://www.hoopshype.com/milicic_pistons.jpg

good times.

He doesn't have a stache in that pic Matt.

They were still good times.

That's not what the hoes in Pontiac tell me.

http://cheznous.mesdiscussions.net/icones/smilies/droopy.gif

He doesn't have a stache in that pic Matt.

it was in the budding stages

http://img414.imageshack.us/img414/9067/darkostacheqy5.jpg

LOL, I mean GROSS!!

Those were also the Eddie Munster "wind tunnel tested" hairdo days.

Ah, the memories.

With Darko anchoring the bench (2 Finals appearances, 1 win)

Without Darko, humiliation at the hands of Bubba Shaq, Crybaby Antoine and Floorsweep Wade. BOOHOO!

Bring back Darko!

The Darkness is claiming to be 270 lbs.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/basketball/magic/orl-magic0306oct03,0,3597865.story?coll=orl-magic


Seven-footer Darko Milicic, who revived his career after arriving in a midseason trade with the Detroit Pistons, looked a little beefier after some weight-room work in his native Serbia-Montenegro.

He said he weighed 270 pounds -- up 10 to 15 pounds more than last season, when he said he weighed "255-260." Milicic looked as good in the FIBA World Championship as he did in a 30-game Magic cameo last season and will battle Battie for the power-forward spot.

He also looked a lot happier, realizing he has a chance to start and make a lot of money in this, his contract season. Buried on the Pistons bench after being the No. 2 pick in the 2003 draft, he said, "I can't wait for the games to come on."

it was in the budding stages

http://img414.imageshack.us/img414/9067/darkostacheqy5.jpg

i'm rather proud of my photoshop skillz here.

I'd ask who wins, but the answer should be obvious.

Ben Wallace
Chucky Atkins
Kelvin Cato (aka salary relief)
Conditional 1st round pick

for

Darko Milicic
Carlos Arroyo
Grant Hill

Article by former Detroiter, Jamele Hill

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/media/thumbnails/columnist/2005-07/16502663.jpg

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/basketball/magic/orl-hill0806oct08,0,7058627.column?coll=orl-magic


The intrasquad scrimmage was supposed to be nothing more than a glorified pickup game, but Howard played as if he were facing the Miami Heat.

He annihilated Darko Milicic, which is no surprise. But this was important because what separates the greats from the mere mortals is they play their hardest no matter if it's Sudoku or a playoff game.

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/sp/tools/med/2006/10/ipt/1160576494.jpg


Makes and Misses: Putting out camp fires

By Steve Kerr, Yahoo! Sports
October 10, 2006

Looks to me like people out there are starting to get fired up for the NBA season.

With training camps in full swing and the exhibition season upon us, the letters have been pouring in from fans all over the world. From Amare Stoudemire and Darko Milicic to Steve Nash and Isiah Thomas, everyone has a favorite topic.

I've tried to touch on the major themes of this month's emails. (My comments appear in italics.) So here you go, hoop fans.

Three weeks until the season starts!

TRAINING CAMP ("Telling NBA camp stories," Oct. 5, 2006)

This article, once again, proves why you should never be allowed into the NBA again. Are you seriously talking about Darko Milicic as being one of the "dominant" players in the league? In all honesty, please quit your job as an analyst and writer for Yahoo! Sports for the sake of all legitimate sports fans across the globe.

Joe
Davis, Calif.

Joe, I just looked back at my article regarding Darko and failed to find the word "dominant" anywhere. Then I reread it and still couldn't find the word. In fact, my whole piece was based on the possibility of Milicic developing. Joe, I'm guessing you suffered miserably on the reading comprehension section of the SATs. And no, I'm not quitting my job.

------

I get frustrated when people criticize Darko Milicic. I was an advocate of him before he was on the Orlando Magic (my favorite team). He is a big man with an overall game – a weaker copy of Dirk Nowitzki. Don't call him a draft bust just because he didn't get playing time on a deep Detroit Pistons frontcourt. Heck, he's not even the worst pick. That "honor" goes to Michael Olowokandi, a player given many chances who failed to produce. Give Darko a chance before criticizing.

Joel
Gainesville, Fla.

Joel, I just looked back at my comments regarding Darko and failed to find the phrase "draft bust." Then I reread it and still couldn't find the phrase. What is the matter with you people? Read what I write. Soak it in. Evaluate it. Do whatever you want with it. But stop putting words into my mouth!

------

I agree with you about Milicic. The world championships showed he has a bright future. He is a big-time team player, but in order for good things to happen to him in the NBA, he must be one of the first three options offensively, with more freedom.

Darko Sedej
Arlington, Va.

Darko, If my name were Darko, I'd be rooting for Milicic, too. But you – unlike Joe and Joel – make a good point. Milicic needs to be one of the focal points of the offense, and I think in Orlando he will be. Jameer Nelson will run the show, and the ball will go through Dwight Howard and Milicic on most possessions. This is a huge year for Darko. I think we're going to find out if he's going to be an emerging star or simply a journeyman for the rest of his career.

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/sp/tools/med/2006/10/ipt/1160576494.jpg
"I vant to molest you."

That's going to be somebody's avatar here soon.

Too bad Kilo isn't here anymore, he'd be the guy.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/si_blogs/nba/nba_blog/2006/2006/10/pay-darko-now-or-later.html


Pay Darko now or later?

By Mike McAllister

Thanks to an offseason weightlifting program, Darko Milicic has bulked up, reportedly adding 20-25 pounds of muscle to his 7-foot frame. Now the question becomes: Will he shed the weight of all those expectations that have become so heavy since he was drafted second overall in 2003?

During his 2-1/2 year tenure in Detroit, Milicic received more grief than playing time. His development was of secondary concern to a Pistons club focused on the immediate goal of winning titles. But last February's trade to Orlando gave him a fresh start and significant minutes on a younger team with long-range aspirations and more patience.

Then at this summer's World Championships in Japan, he had a breakthrough performance with his Serbia & Montenegro team, averaging 16.1 points and 9.3 rebounds while holding his own against the best international players. With a bigger, stronger body and a chance at moving into the Magic's starting lineup alongside Dwight Howard, he appears poised to have a breakout season.

But for now, it's OK to remain skeptical about Milicic. After all, the Magic appear to be. Faced with signing Milicic to a extension or waiting until next summer when his contract ends and he becomes a free agent (the Magic will have first-refusal rights), GM Otis Smith has indicated he wants to judge the 21-year-old's worth on more than the 30 games he played in Orlando last season.

Wise move, but it'll prove costly if Milicic matches his Japan numbers this season. Smith, however, seems willing to pay a premium for a proven Milicic as opposed to rolling the dice now on one who remains an enigma. Of course, judging a player in his contract year also has its own risks, since his motivation might disappear as soon as he inks that big-money deal.

So what would you do? Would you rather lock in Milicic now at what would probably be a cheaper rate or hold off and see how he performs for a full year? Or do you still consider Milicic a bust who'll never make a significant impact for a contending team?

By my calculations, Darko has added 85 lbs. of muscle since he was drafted.

lol, theoretical muscle? or does he just keep gaining the same 15 pounds over and over again?

For the record, he lost 4 oz. when he shaved his cheesestache.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2006-10-18-notes_x.htm?csp=34


Magic steamed about hit on Milicic

By John Denton, Florida Today

ORLANDO — The Orlando Magic plan to send video footage of a controversial play in which Darko Milicic was knocked to the floor and injured his back to the NBA for further clarification.

Milicic was drilled in the chest by Atlanta Hawks rookie Shelden Williams' shoulder Tuesday, sending the Magic power forward sprawling. Milicic landed hard on the floor, bruising his lower back. X-rays Tuesday showed no structural damage, but Milicic isn't expected to play tonight when the Magic face the Hawks in Birmingham, Ala.

Magic coach Brian Hill was furious about the play and was assessed a technical foul for protesting to referee Courtney Kirkland. He was still fuming Wednesday, saying Williams should have been whistled for an offensive foul.

"I watched the tape, and the angle we have it's difficult to see," Hill said. "But you can tell by the way (Milicic's body) lifts up off the floor that it had to be an offensive foul.

"We'll send three or four clips to the league to get clarification, but that's pretty common procedure."

Lifted him off the ground? Darko's a big boy. That's a hard hit.

Lifted him off the ground? Darko's a big boy. That's a hard hit.
shawn bradley?

kudos to steve kerr for responding to the rabid fans.

shawn bradley?

Darko's got plenty more size than Shawn "all height, no weight" Bradley.

Lifted him off the ground? Darko's a big boy. That's a hard hit.
Shelden was just trying to get Darko to pose for a picture with him:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/basketball/ncaa/all.america/t1_aashelden2_all.jpg

Honestly, that man has the face of a pug with a giant forehead. It's just......strange. Then again, in a league with Sam Cassell, that's nothing.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_magic/images/header.jpg

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_magic/2006/11/no_long_term_de.html


No long term deal for Milicic, Magic

As expected, Tuesday’s NBA deadline officially passed without the Orlando Magic and Darko Milicic coming to a long-term contract extension. Talks can’t commence again between the Magic and Milicic until July 1, 2007, according to the league’s collective bargaining agreement.

Milicic originally signed with Detroit in 2003 after the Pistons drafted him at No. 2.

Milicic will now become a restricted free agent, meaning he can negotiate with other teams next summer. The Magic, though, will have the right to match any offer for the 7-foot, 278-pound power forward.

The Sentinel learned that the parameters of a contract were in place at one time since the season ended in April.

But Magic General Manager Otis Smith reiterated that the club wants to see how Milicic --- who arrived in a trade from the Pistons last season --- performs over the course of a season.

“I want to see if we have a player,” Smith said.

Milicic sat on the bench for two-plus seasons in Detroit before showing glimpses of promise during a 30-game cameo in Orlando. He has a lot riding on this season, with his long-term value fluctuating from $40 million to $80 million.

Smith touched base with Milicic’s agent, Marc Cornstein, on Tuesday. Cornstein called Milicic’s negotiations with the Magic “tricky,” given his client has not proven his potential.

“We understand. They want to see what they’re getting,” Cornstein said by phone from New York. “You do open the door to other teams, for them to say, ‘Hmmm, what would it take to make a run at Darko this year?”’

Smith said he realized that Milicic, 21, could turn in a great season, increasing his market value and thus, his asking price. “That’s a nice problem to have,” Smith said. “We’d have a player. I see that as a win-win.”

Lets sign Darko!

Ok, back to reality. Darko has a chance to lock up some serious money. In a world were big men are grossy overpaid, Darko is so young and has the skills to really dazzle some people (even if it is inconsistant) enough to get paid big time.

Blakely

LMAO...


Monday, November 06, 2006

Darko's back (sulking) ...
12:20 p.m. 11/06/06

SALT LAKE CITY — Word out of O-town is that Darko's starting to pout about not getting as much playing time as he would have liked in this, a contract season.

Beating out Dwight Howard for minutes wasn't going to happen. Even Darko's not that dillusional. But being outperformed by Tony Battie?

It kind of makes you think twice about paying this guy a contract starting in the $8-10 million range, doesn't it?

No one has ever questioned whether Darko has skills. But the more you watch him play, and how he responds to not playing, the more you get the sense that this kid is never going to get it.

You earn minutes by playing, not pouting.

http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/8633/poutqw6.jpg

More...Sam Smith


Darko Milicic spends most of his time frowning and loping around without much spirit backing up Howard in Orlando. No wonder the Magic didn't offer him an extension. He'll probably return to Europe.

darko's pouting has been overblown in the past (see his second game in orlando, all of the sudden our reporters had a field day).

also, blakely suggests tony battie is garbage. not true at all, he's been a solid bigman.

im wondering how much sam smith put into that comment? is that a guess, or is that the word. but based on that blurb, i'd say ss has no clue what he's talking about.

http://www.truehoop.com/ratko_varda.jpg > http://images.radcity.net/4183/1170045.jpg

also, blakely suggests tony battie is garbage. not true at all, he's been a solid bigman.

.


You had a good post with the exception of this giant shit B-D. He's average on D, often injured, and best used as a 4th bigman off the bench. Not the kind of guy who keeps franchise centers traded to a team supposedly ready and willing to provide that player with minutes on the bench.

took me four tries, but i now understand your last sentence and i agree.

look, im not saying he's nazr muhammed good, im just saying he's an adequate big man, and the fact that darko is struggling to get by him isnt like he's losing time to the towel boy.

Darko Milicic spends most of his time frowning and loping around without much spirit backing up Howard in Orlando. No wonder the Magic didn't offer him an extension. He'll probably return to Europe.
hahaha

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/cs-061105smith,1,5186748.column?page=2&coll=cs-bulls-utility

Milicic, who will be a restricted free agent in the summer, meaning Orlando can match any offer, is hoping to sign an extension worth about $60 million.
hahaha

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/heat/content/sports/epaper/2006/11/12/a4b_perkins_1112.html

hahaha

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/heat/content/sports/epaper/2006/11/12/a4b_perkins_1112.html

stuff like this is why sports journalism shouldnt be considered real journalism. is there any source of darko or a rep saying they expect or hope 60?

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/local/orl-schmitz1406nov14,0,6042093.column?coll=orl-sports-headlines


Milicic finally starts to feel comfortable

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/media/thumbnails/columnist/2005-07/8741.jpg
Brian Schmitz
MAGIC CONFIDENTIAL

November 14, 2006

Some "crazy thoughts" used to run through Darko Milicic's head when he was buried on the bench in Detroit.

He said the one he wrestled with the most was leaving the team, unannounced, and boarding a plane home to Serbia.

And maybe he'd just stay there and play for his country's team, bidding the NBA a not-so-fond farewell.

Milicic, the Pistons' No. 1 pick in the 2003 draft, was so upset during his third season of bench-warming and hearing fans' catcalls that he felt like giving up the money and supposed fame.

"I would just go to the airport and go home to Serbia. . . . .Not tell anybody nothing," Milicic said.

"I had a lot of crazy thoughts in my mind at that time in my life. Some I don't want to say."

Today, with the Orlando Magic, "It's 100 percent better," he said.

Monday night, against the Celtics in Boston, Milicic passed a dubious milestone of sorts since arriving via a trade from Detroit last season.

The power forward/center played in his 38th game with the Magic; the most he ever had played in a season with the Pistons was 37 during 2004-05.

Barring injury, Milicic expects to play 82 games, easily surpassing the total of 55 he played between the Pistons and Magic last season.

During a 30-game cameo, he excited Orlando fans, who no doubt dreamed of a Dwight-Darko Twin Towers. He created larger expectations with his play in the FIBA World Championship for Serbia during the summer and returned with more muscle, packing 278 pounds on his 7-foot frame.

But he couldn't beat out veteran Tony Battie for the power forward job and has been inconsistent as a reserve. He entered the Boston game averaging 7.6 points and 5.1 rebounds in a little more than 19 minutes a game.

Milicic had his best game this season Saturday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves, scoring a Magic career-high 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting with five rebounds and a block.

He also whirled around Kevin Garnett for an easy basket.

The Magic are waiting to see if Darko can become more than a tantalizing tease. So are other teams, with Milicic becoming a restricted free agent this summer.

Battie is starting and usually finishing games because of his defense and experience, but Milicic played about 24 minutes against the T'wolves and Battie had 14.

" I think I [can] show more," he said. "I'm just missing my shots I'm supposed to make. Right now, I don't know what's going on. . . . my confidence is not there. I'll be fine."

Bouts of waning confidence are typical for any 21-year-old, but especially in Milicic's case.

Imagine coming to America to play with the veteran Pistons at 18, being drafted ahead of Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade -- and then not meeting expectations.

Milicic became a mocking target for fans and media and took a mental and emotional beating as he was written off as a bust. He still has trust issues with the media, but he's coming around.

The Pistons, contending at the time, couldn't wait on him to develop the way the Magic can. Fact is, Magic fans should have even more patience with Milicic than they do with Dwight Howard.

Darko essentially is playing his first full NBA season.

And finally, the joy is back in his game.

"I'm just enjoying playing with these guys," he said. "I feel really good now."

[smilie=thatsfoul.g:

What are they talking about? Orlando can't wait on him either. If they blow a ton of money on him and he flames out there too...they are hosed for a long time.

I sortof feel bad for Darko. It's not his fault his heart is 3 sizes too small...

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/3360/darkoheartok2.jpg

I sortof feel bad for Darko. It's not his fault his heart is 3 sizes too small...

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/3360/darkoheartok2.jpg

[smilie=jaw-droppin:
[smilie=rofl3.gif]
[smilie=clappy.gif]

The Grinch has nothing on Darko.
"You're a foul one... Milicic..."

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/basketball/magic/orl-schmitz2106nov21,0,7358718.column?coll=orl-sports-col

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/media/thumbnails/columnist/2005-07/8741.jpg


Salary-cap gamecould get tricky

Published November 21, 2006

The Darko-Meter was all over the place last week.

The Orlando Magic's Darko Milicic was OK against the Boston Celtics, bad against the Denver Nuggets and very good against the Charlotte Bobcats.

He was so good against the 'Cats that you could have ruled out the club having enough money to sign a prize free agent this summer.

Why follow the bouncing ball from week-to-week with Darko?

Because Darko's yet-to-be-determined worth has a colossal impact on the Magic's salary-cap situation, their upcoming free-agent search and their future.

If he proves he has the potential to become a starting power forward, the Magic have the option to pay Darko big money (a contract starting at a minimum of $7 million-$8 million per year), which will eat up a majority of their available projected cap dough for next season.

This effectively would end any long-shot chance of signing free agents such as Vince Carter or Rashard Lewis to maximum deals this summer. The Magic don't want to pay the punitive luxury tax that affects over-spenders.

They once figured that they could be in play for a star free agent if Milicic was not worth re-signing, Grant Hill retired and the league cap number was bumped up.

Now a big year for Milicic not only precludes them from signing a Carter or a Lewis, but the Darko factor also affects their re-signing of Hill.

Hill's seven-year deal ends this season. Grant has indicated he wants to stay and would play for the veteran's minimum of $1.2 million. While that's a commendable goodwill gesture, things might change if he stays healthy.

Now, let's say Milicic doesn't ever displace veteran Tony Battie as the starting power forward and he has so-so numbers this season. Then what? What is his fair-market value?

The Magic will let other teams decide that. They allowed Milicic to become a restricted free agent after not signing him to an extension last month, meaning they still can match any offer. The team could have signed him last month, but didn't.

They want to see more, and who can blame them?

There are few teams that have the cap room to go crazy for Darko. But if one did, don't expect General Manager Otis Smith to overpay -- even for a 7-footer.

If they let him go -- parting with a young, versatile big man is tough -- they obviously would have more cap room available.

The Magic always could execute a sign-and-trade with Milicic to another team, too, and receive players. Or if they can get him for less and have money left over, they could go after affordable veteran free agents, such as Jerry Stackhouse or Michael Finley.

The Magic, whose payroll is around $60 million this season, also are looking at handing extensions to Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson next summer that go into effect for the 2008-09 season. The luxury-tax threshold this season is $65.42 million, but that changes every season.

Daily Dime

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dailydime


http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3705.jpg
Monday's Worst
Magic forward Darko Milicic: First, the good news. He had three blocks. But his 18 ineffectual minutes included misses of all five shots and a couple of sleepy-looking plays in a loss to the struggling Grizz.

he does look rather sleepy-looking in that pic.....

Daily Dime


Have you noticed how many guys who play regularly are shooting under 50 percent from the line as we approach the season's second month?

Most of them reside in the East, too. Charlotte's Emeka Okafor (.476, 36-for-74), Washington's Etan Thomas (.467, 14-for-30), Orlando's Darko Milicic (.452, 14-for-31), Washington's Brendan Haywood (.375, 12 for 32), Miami's Antoine Walker (.345, 10-for-29) and Boston's Kendrick Perkins (.294, 5-for-17) join the two big names you expect on the list: Miami's Shaquille O'Neal (.444, 8-for-18) and Detroit's Ben Wallace (.450, 18-for-40).

:swayze:

Unless I missed a joke, that article says Detroit's Ben Wallace. Sorry, you can't blame us for that percentage anymore.

And Antoine Walker? Good lord. Two funny things about that: He still shoots worse from 3, and he's taken more than twice as many 3s as FTs.

Great stuff.

http://www.hoopshype.com/interviews/milicic_nebojsa.htm


Darko Milicic: "We think we can win the title this year"

by Nebojsa Petrovacki / December 6, 2006

After everything that happened to you in the last three years of your NBA career, does everything that’s going on right now in Orlando feel like a new beginning for you?

Darko Milicic: That’s definitely true, I agree. I didn’t have any playing time in Detroit, which changed when I arrived in Orlando. I feel really nice, you know, night in, night out coming to games knowing that you’re going to play. You’re not coming to the game thinking whether you’re going to play or not. Everything that’s expected of you is to be focused and ready to play when asked. That’s the best part of being here in Orlando.

How do you like it as a part of the Magic?

DM: I really like playing with the guys here. We have a young, talented team here which didn’t make the playoffs last season. This year, everybody expects a great deal from us, including ourselves. It’s really interesting being a part of this team right now.

How is this mix of youth and experience on Orlando’s roster working out so far?

DM: It is really great! Tony Battie and Grant Hill are the older statesmen who are trying to keep us young kids at bay. They’ve been through so much in this league that they can really help and push us when there’s need both on and off the floor. They can calm us, which we need sometimes, having such great expectations and all. They know that there are a lot of ups and downs throughout the season, but that it is important to know that our talent level is high and what our ultimate goal is for this season and how to reach it.

If Dwight Howard continues to play like this, he will be in the narrow circle of MVP candidates for this regular season. If elected, he would be the youngest NBA MVP ever. Do you think Dwight can do this?

DM: Absolutely, he is a terrific player! He deserves every bit of that award. He starts every single game with unbelievable focus and determination. He gives it all on the floor.

How do you two function as the so-called Twin Towers of Orlando Magic?

DM: I’m enjoying the time we spend together on the court. His style of game fits me very well. We get along outside of the court, too. He’s a really cool guy. Winning the games helps in all that a lot. It feels really good to relax and unwind a bit after the games.

The Eastern Conference being what it is right now, and your team playing well against the likes of Utah and Seattle from the Western Conference, do you think it is a realistic goal for your team to win the Eastern Conference and perhaps even get into the race for the NBA championship?

DM: We really try to think positive all the time. We think we can win the title this year. That’s how we prepare and get into every game we play, both on the road and at home. We think that we’re the best, and I think that this type of thinking is very good for a team like we are right now. We expect all the best, but we’ll see how it all will pan out in the end.

When you think of Orlando, can you imagine yourself staying here for long term?

DM: I’d like that, yes. I think we have enough talent to become a really good team. However, I’m really not thinking about what’s going to happen over summer. That’s just too far to think about right now. I would sincerely like to stay and play here for a long time, and I hope something like that can pan out in the summer. It would really be very interesting to stay in Orlando for the long term.

How important for you it is to sign this big contract over the summer?

DM: It’s just too far to think about right now. However, considering how great it is to be a part of this team, sometimes a player needs to balance his options; sometimes the money is not really the first priority when it comes to what I want to accomplish as a basketball player…

Can you compare the coaching styles of Larry Brown, Flip Saunders and Brian Hill?

DM: I’m not so sure that I’m competent enough to talk about basketball coaches. Larry Brown came to Detroit when the Pistons had a championship caliber team, while Brian Hill inherited a young team that needed a lot of teaching and improving. We’re just kids who need experience and Coach Hill seems to know how to make us all better as individual players and as a team. I’m glad that I have a chance to work with him.

Is there more trust between you and your team’s management now in Orlando comparing to the years you spent in Detroit?

DM: No, I think that the level of professionalism in both organizations is the same. The one thing I didn’t understand in Detroit is that Joe Dumars, as Detroit’s GM, didn’t want to influence the coaching decisions of Larry Brown and Flip Saunders. I just can’t buy that story that the GM is telling me that, if it is up to him, I would get more minutes, but since Flip is the coach, it’s his decision that I was benched almost all the time. Regarding Orlando, you probably know that I was offered a new four-year contract which I liked and I wanted to sign, but the very last day before the signing, they withdrew the contract. That’s all business, I know. For me, just one more reason to focus only on this year and strictly on basketball issues and leave this business side of it all aside.

A lot of American and international NBA players still feel the consequences of dedicating most of their summers to playing for their national teams at World Championships in Japan. How do you feel after leading the Serbian National Team to the Round of 16 last September?

DM: Realistically, the playing conditions in Japan were tough. Humidity was really bad over there. Of course, I haven’t played the NBA playoffs last season, and after two and a half months of resting, it was really great to play for the Serbian National Team. The other thing is that I honestly enjoy playing for the National Team, which is definitely not just a cliché. It’s just different from playing for your club here in the NBA or anywhere else.

Nebojsa Petrovacki is the editor of Sportska Centrala, a sports news agency from Serbia

Why do i doubt Darko said "Elder Statesmen," "inherited" and "cliche"? Wheres all the ummmmmm i just want to play and stories of limos full of High School girls? Very fishy interview. Igor Koskokov must not be far away.

I thought the same thing^.

I'm guessing that the interview was done in Serbia-talk and then translated.

Check out the author's bio at the end.

i wonder how much a bible thumper like howard and a ummmm, insert your own word here--->, _________ thumper like darko have in common.

its been a few months, so i should probably just mention my displeasure over the darko trade, still.

i wonder how much a bible thumper like howard and a ummmm, insert your own word here--->, _________ thumper like darko have in common.

its been a few months, so i should probably just mention my displeasure over the darko trade, still.


goat thumper? Wait, you aren't talking intercourse.

Darko against us tonight:
4 points (2-5 shooting)
5 rebounds
2 blocks

Darko Milicic (FC, Orlando) – Darko has been on an extended cold streak. He's scored in double figures in just two of the past 11 games, including being held shotless and scoreless on Saturday, and averaged 5.4 points on 35 percent shooting, 4.7 boards, and 1.4 blocks during those games.

What's the over/under on him getting a $10 million/year contract?

I don't know about 10million$ but he'll get a nice chunk of money from either Orlando or some team that thinks he can blossom in their system or some crap like that. He's got all the skills, he just doesn't seem to have the mental toughness to put them to use.

Anyone notice Arroyo is shooting 12-52 (%23) in his last 10 games?

Hopefully our cast offs sabatoge the team just enough to get us a good pick.

He got a potential game winning block on Pargo last game

Darko being shopped?

Just saw this in the WTFDetroit.com NBA Rumor Mill (http://wtfdetroit.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8139)


Could Magic float Darko trade balloon?

The Magic's biggest asset in the trade game is Grant Hill's expiring contract.

Then it drops down to an extra point guard and a warehouse of wing players.

What about Darko Milicic?

Now the Magic like the 21-year-old Darko's potential, plus they are also looking for another big man to go with Milicic, Dwight Howard and Tony Battie. So, on the surface, floating a trial trade balloon for Milicic might not make sense.

Except for this:

He's a restricted free agent at the end of the season, meaning teams can offer him deals inwhich the Magic can match.

And if some team with money (think Atlanta) has big bucks, they could try to pry him away. If it's too big a deal, perhaps the Magic have to think about passing.

But before it gets to that, could the club see what he might be worth before the February trade deadline?

Orlando needs another scorer, preferably a go-to guy. While one of the no-nos in the NBA is trading small for big, the Magic might need to take a look if they believe that the up-and-down Darko might command a hefty salary this summer.

The Magic can't get, say, a Ray Allen, for Milicic, because they would need to throw in others to make the deal work. Stars like that can only be had if the other team is rebuilding and wants Hill's contract for cap relief.

But what about Pau Gasol of Memphis? He wants out. What about swapping a big for a big? Again, the Magic would have to include others with Milicic to the Griz to make the salaries work.

I doubt the Magic pull the trigger on any kind of major deal. But they might have to at least look and see what Darko might bring them.

Paul Silas said when the Pistons traded Darko that he felt that Darko would be a "career journeyman".

Maybe he'll turn out to be right.

While one of the no-nos in the NBA is trading small for big

Reverse that.

Back problems.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/basketball/magic/orl-mnotes1507mar15,0,3231065.story?track=rss


Lower back pain sidelines Milicic

Brian Schmitz | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted March 15, 2007

Magic power forward Darko Milicic missed his first game of the season Wednesday night, complaining of lower back pain.

Milicic, 21, was laboring through portions of Monday night's road game at Charlotte, N.C., and was trying to stretch out after the shootaround.

Averaging 8.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.78 blocks per game, Milicic replaced Tony Battie in the starting lineup after Battie fractured his right thumb Feb. 6.

Arnie Kander > Darko Milicic

Milicic, 21, was laboring

Pall Malls > Darko Milicic

I've been saying for years that I think European basketballers are soft. Nowitzki took it up a notch a bit last year, but ran into the Dwanye Wade Free Throw Shooting Marathon.
The only one I might take if I was building a team is Genobli, but I'd have to tell him to stop acting like a soccer player all the time, otherwise I'd line up the other twelve players on my team to kick him in the junk (I'd probably do that anyway).
Milicic, fuck him. He sucks.

Stop me if this sounds familiar.

"He has to be somewhere where he’s going to be allowed to do what he can do."

LMMFAO!!


Here's an update on the Magic-Milicic contract situation I wrote before he got hurt:

While Magic General Manager Otis Smith doesn’t foresee a problem re-signing power forward Darko Milicic, Milicic’s agent said Tuesday that the biggest issue might not necessarily be financial.

Marc Cornstein, Milicic’s agent, says Milicic’s decision also depends on which teams will allow him to display more of his his shooting and passing skills. He has been used more as a post-up player with the Magic.

"I know Darko," agent Marc Cornstein said by phone from Philadelphia. "Wherever he winds up for his second contract, it has to be somewhere where he’s going to be allowed to do what he can do. That’s extremely important to him.

"I think that has to be part of the recruiting pitch. That, to me, is the key to this summer, to find somewhere where he is a central figure or can maximize his talents."

Milicic said he hasn’t played as well as he can, but also feels his skills could be utilized better.

"I still don’t think we’ve tapped into what Darko can do," Smith said. "He’s still learning how to play. He’s 21."

Cornstein hasn’t talked about Milicic’s contract status with Smith since October, but Cornstein said he’d "a little surprised" if Milicic isn’t re-signed.

Also, he's "injured" and will possibly miss the playoffs.

So if he wants to play outside, he better find a team with a post up PF. Maybe someone like Brand, Gasol, etc on the team. Trouble is he's either going to have to take the MLE or play on a team that doesn't have that post player already.

DNP = Darko No Play

But he just vants to play.

So if he wants to play outside, he better find a team with a post up PF. Maybe someone like Brand, Gasol, etc on the team. Trouble is he's either going to have to take the MLE or play on a team that doesn't have that post player already.

Its really ridiculous how much of a Mehmet this kid has become. To think we had both those two on the same team. What a weird front line that would have been. Billups and Tay posting up on the low block and Memo and Darko floating to the elbows with Rip running all over the place.

Its really ridiculous how much of a Mehmet this kid has become. To think we had both those two on the same team. What a weird front line that would have been. Billups and Tay posting up on the low block and Memo and Darko floating to the elbows with Rip running all over the place.
We had a team like that, pretty much -- Laimbeer and Buddha Edwards. For post moves, you went with AD...

Yeah, but Edwards didn't start till AD was gone. Though they still had Aguire who could put his ass in the low block (from what I remember and have seen since, I was 8 or 9 at the time). And there was always Rodman who was at least filling the paint.

I'm just saying, it'd be playing the game backwards, which would be wierd to watch.

Glenn: "He has to be somewhere where he is going to be allowed to do what he can do"

They have alot of bars for that type of activity in San Francisco.

Yeah, but Edwards didn't start till AD was gone.
Good point. We had a lot of "center by committee", though -- Mahorn, Salley, and Edwards all took their turn. Edwards had that baseline jumper just like Dice and rarely went strong to the hole.

Restricted free agent Darko Milicic, talking to the Orlando Sentinel about how the Magic runs its offense for Dwight Howard: "Personally, I want to be the guy a team plays through. I don't want to be just a player who's there."

L.o.L.

Go to Atlanta then.

LOL. Whatever, Darko. Don't you just want to smack him upside his head and tell him to take out the garbage?

On an unrelated note, I went to a game in Atlanta once, and the Hawks ran their game through me. And I have a wooden leg.*




* I do not have a wooden leg.

For a minute I thought we were going to be soulmates...

You had me at "wood" (*).









* No you didn't, but I figured out how to use colored text. Wheee...

This post has a glib, exaggerated statement. It also has a broadsided diss of an NBA player. Then, I make a crappy joke.*

























* RED TEXT

This post has a glib, exaggerated statement. It also has a broadsided diss of an NBA player. Then, I make a crappy joke.

You could market that formula.

You could market that formula.

If I could market a formula for anything, I'd market a formula for basketball defense. In fact, one thing my posting formula has in common with NBA defense is that Steve Nash does not know or care what they are. Steve Nash couldn't cultivate defense if David Stern let him carry a shield on the court, which is actually being considered for next year's rule changes.*



* This is not true.

See? It's so easy, even a guy with a wooden leg could do it.

Don't forget Glenn made green the official color of sarcasm.


*notice official is in green

Don't forget Glenn made green the official color of sarcasm.

I can't take credit for that.

That was sorta "internet common knowledge" that I stumbled across one day.

Then red shall be the color of reverse sarcasm. Reverse sarcasm* is when you drop a totally honest and heartfelt moment into a page full of standard operating cynical irony.



* a term I just invented

So you do* have a wooden leg?



* Seriously, I am lost in all of this.

Too bad Pharaoh doesn't visit us much anymore, he'd jump in with his favourite, white text.

Same for TK and his small text.



Pharaoh is obviously ashamed of his disbelief in the Magic.

I enjoy when the white text isn't caught.

Of course you looked, I understand.

Anyway, how about that Darko?

I give any town 2 years of The Darko Experience before they get sick of waiting for his self-pity to kick in, and as a group, wrestle his dumb, narcissistic ass to the ground, wrap him up with duct tape, and send him on a NATO flight to Belgrade.

No seriously, Darko is just a great big girl. He reminds me of my niece. Her name's Kathy. She's a dietician!

So you do* have a wooden leg?

* Seriously, I am lost in all of this.

I do not have a wooden leg. Not anymore. I used it to whittle a prosthetic dong for Darko. DICK JOKES YAY!!

Any references to wooden legs is strictly the result of a subconscious fixation on pirates.