Pre-Practice Meeting

[shangrila]

I think it's more then just not running the triangle though.

Randolph is quicker then Darko and is probably his equal as a shot blocker, so while he's not the same man defender he's a much better team defender. He also attacks the glass relentlessly and I don't think I've seen Darko attack the boards, well, ever.

I think the problem is the same we have with Ridnour; Darko is awesome as a backup but clearly a below average starter.

[eyeteeth]

I'll buy that for a dollar.

[mandurugo]

I think it's more then just not running the triangle though.

Randolph is quicker then Darko and is probably his equal as a shot blocker, so while he's not the same man defender he's a much better team defender. He also attacks the glass relentlessly and I don't think I've seen Darko attack the boards, well, ever.

I think the problem is the same we have with Ridnour; Darko is awesome as a backup but clearly a below average starter.

I think that's about right for Ridnour, but I think Darko is probably at least average for a center. The problem is he is often played as both the primary defender and the primary offensive big, which is not a role he can successfully carry out every night. But I would have been plenty pleased to have him starting alongside KG during his run with the wolves.

[C.lupus]

I'd like to see them limit Darko's role to defensive stopper and garbage man on offense. Stop trying to run the offense through him. He'll get just as many points off of put backs and drop-off passes anyway.

[GDG]

I think it's more then just not running the triangle though.

Randolph is quicker then Darko and is probably his equal as a shot blocker, so while he's not the same man defender he's a much better team defender. He also attacks the glass relentlessly and I don't think I've seen Darko attack the boards, well, ever.

I think the problem is the same we have with Ridnour; Darko is awesome as a backup but clearly a below average starter.

I think that's about right for Ridnour, but I think Darko is probably at least average for a center. The problem is he is often played as both the primary defender and the primary offensive big, which is not a role he can successfully carry out every night. But I would have been plenty pleased to have him starting alongside KG during his run with the wolves.

I have to admit, I would've paid to see the personality clash between KG and Darko. The "Viva Croatia" incident would've paled in comparison.

[shangrila]

I think that's about right for Ridnour, but I think Darko is probably at least average for a center. The problem is he is often played as both the primary defender and the primary offensive big, which is not a role he can successfully carry out every night. But I would have been plenty pleased to have him starting alongside KG during his run with the wolves.

It's his offence that keeps him from being considered a starter for me. Those missed 3 foot jump hooks are really starting to get to me, especially when even guys like Turiaf or Love can knock them down fairly easily despite giving up 3-4 inches.

[cmc32124]

Via Twitter @JerryZgoda

"Darko expected to miss tonite and Sat at Wash. He's home in Mpls w/ his wife, who delivered a baby yesterday"

Guess we will get to see a lot of AR in the next two games. Which i am pumped about. It'll be nice to see if his performance was a one time occurrence against a struggling Pistons team or if he can continue his great play for a couple of games against different opponents.

[mandurugo]

I think that's about right for Ridnour, but I think Darko is probably at least average for a center. The problem is he is often played as both the primary defender and the primary offensive big, which is not a role he can successfully carry out every night. But I would have been plenty pleased to have him starting alongside KG during his run with the wolves.

It's his offence that keeps him from being considered a starter for me. Those missed 3 foot jump hooks are really starting to get to me, especially when even guys like Turiaf or Love can knock them down fairly easily despite giving up 3-4 inches.

Yeah, I see what you're saying - it is frustrating. But I wonder if he would do better if his role could be reduced a bit on both ends of the floor. He doesn't play huge minutes, but even so how many guys can take on the toughest assignments on defense and then be the main offensive initiator? That's a superstar's job description, not a guy get $4-5 a year.

:o

I have to admit, I would've paid to see the personality clash between KG and Darko. The "Viva Croatia" incident would've paled in comparison.

Heh, good point. If things went bad I guess they might have gotten real bad... Oh well, I don't mind taking that gamble across the space-time continuum.