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What are your guys thoughts on Darko so far?

I know he hasn't played much, since he's just arrived, and since he's probably not 100% just yet, but what do you guys think so far? Can the guy still play? Could he be useful on a team that is looking for a legit center?

Perhaps someone could go into some detail about his offensive and defensive game. I've seen some of his stats and definitely the thing that impresses me the most (outside of the extended mins he plays) is his blocks.

I'm just happy to see him playing again, and hopefully enjoying the game. I'd like to think that a fellow country-man in Pavlovic should help him out more too, not to mention that you guys have a Russian? Pechorov as well.

As a Serbian-Canadian, Raptors fan, I really wouldn't mind giving Darko a shot next yr. He says he doesn't care much about the money, which is good but wants to play, which might be an issue in Toronto if he were to arrive. But I think I'd rather have him out there than Reggie Evans, as he seems to be a good post-defender who can block shots. Toronto could be a good fit for Darko too as it is a European-feel city and the Raps already have some Euros on the team. Not to mention that there are a lot of Serbs in Toronto and neighboring cities like Hamilton, Niagara Falls, etc.

I'm probably dreaming though, as Darko will most likely not end up in Toronto, probably back in Europe.

Anyways, just wanted to hear from some of you guys who have seen him play since arriving in Minnesota. Any feedback would be welcome, thank you.

On the 8th day, after resting because he needed the energy, God created Darko.

john2jer wrote:On the 8th day, after resting because he needed the energy, God created Darko.

on the 10th day after a 24hour bender in TJ, God thew up, resulting in Sasha?

Nice, anyone else have anything to say about Darko's performances for you guys thus far?

He's been excellent. VERY quick feet on defense, good shot blocker, FAR AND AWAY our best defensive big and a very good passer that has shown a solid hook shot on offense. I like him a lot and want to keep him as he's still rusty and way out of shape, but is already making a huge difference.

jade_hippo wrote:

john2jer wrote:On the 8th day, after resting because he needed the energy, God created Darko.

on the 10th day after a 24hour bender in TJ, God thew up, resulting in Sasha?

Is this after the donkey show? Sounds about right for Trasha.

john2jer wrote:

jade_hippo wrote:

john2jer wrote:On the 8th day, after resting because he needed the energy, God created Darko.

on the 10th day after a 24hour bender in TJ, God thew up, resulting in Sasha?

Is this after the donkey show? Sounds about right for Trasha.

I was going to make an Olowakandi joke, but I've met him since we traded him and he's probably the nicest guy on the planet, so I moved to Sasha, he was a prick and didn't even sign any autographs.

Ask in a couple more games, he's looked alright so far though.

its really nice having a shotblocker in the lane. but yes, a few more games to get up to speed and more in shape.

He has showed enough to me that I hope the wolves consider giving him shot next year. Let kid know he will be the starter from day 1 and see what he does in the offseason.

prefuse73 wrote:He has showed enough to me that I hope the wolves consider giving him shot next year. Let kid know he will be the starter from day 1 and see what he does in the offseason.

This.

I like the idea of bringing Darko back. He hasn't blown anyone away with a huge numbers game (except maybe the 8 boards in 19 minutes, that's big) but he has shown that he makes a difference for this squad.

I'd say he is an above average post defender/shot blocker and he is 7'0"

If the playing time he is getting now helps change his mind on the NBA I think Darko can have a long career as a very solid center.

judging from the interview he gave after his first shootarround i don´t think he´s considering staying as of now. He wants to play competitive basketball, right now the Wolves are packing it in without putting up much resistance ...

Imo he could still be a great, great defensive presence for an extended time if he gets enough confidence on offense to stay on the floor or if a coach trusts him to make an impact defensively enough.

He can legitimately guard just about every Post player in the league imo with his combination of length, strength, quick feet and defensive basketball IQ.
There´s not many 7 footers with that type of mobility on defense that can guard the Pick and Roll that flexible and also block shots at a comparable rate and can check bruising big guys as well as a lot of 4 men (did a very nice job on Aldridge yesterday as well).

His offense ? That´s a big questionmark, also because he´s never been trusted there and changed so profoundly since his rookie year.

prefuse73 wrote:He has showed enough to me that I hope the wolves consider giving him shot next year. Let kid know he will be the starter from day 1 and see what he does in the offseason.

I hope next year we are improved enough that we don't have to guarantee Darko the starter job. Tell him he is part of the plan and will get minutes if he puts in the effort. If it works out that he is best as the starter, fine.

C.lupus wrote:I hope next year we are improved enough that we don't have to guarantee Darko the starter job. Tell him he is part of the plan and will get minutes if he puts in the effort. If it works out that he is best as the starter, fine.

who would you start in front of him?

telling darko he is part of the plan and will get minutes if he puts in the effort. is a broken record to darko. he'd be in europe getting starter minutes and getting paid more. i think the only way darko stays is a team believes in him and puts there minutes where their mouth is. darko is tired of nba lies.

I'm sorry but if he can't EARN a starting spot and will cry about it if he isn't handed the job, then he can go back to Serbia. Sorry to be harsh but he is a career 5/4 guy and his best season was 8/5.5/1.8 blks. He's not Dwight Howard. You don't give him a starter job just because he is playing better defense than Hollins.

Who would I start? whoever earns the job. But if you want some names, Pekovic, Aldrich, Hibbert, Przybilla, any number of centers that we may have on the team next year.

C.lupus wrote:I'm sorry but if he can't EARN a starting spot and will cry about it if he isn't handed the job, then he can go back to Serbia. Sorry to be harsh but he is a career 5/4 guy and his best season was 8/5.5/1.8 blks. He's not Dwight Howard. You don't give him a starter job just because he is playing better defense than Hollins.

Who would I start? whoever earns the job. But if you want some names, Pekovic, Aldrich, Hibbert, Przybilla, any number of centers that we may have on the team next year.

how do you earn a spot?? does it depend on most points,rebounds, blocks? or does it depend on if the team wins with you on the court? some people like stats. i'm not saying starting shouldn't be earned. i'm saying darko has been told his whole career that he has to EARN minutes. he's also outplayed his counterparts but gets sat down for small ball or for vets or for no reason as in NY. why would he take the chance by signing another contract??

how do you earn minutes if you never play. how do you earn minutes if you set good screens but never get the ball back when you roll. how do you earn minutes when you are forced to play out of position. i'm saying darko isn't coming to minnesota for a "chance" to earn min when he can have guaranteed min in europe.

you point out darko's stats in your post. have you watched the games since he's been here? he's one of those guys where the stats just don't show his impact on the game. darko is a great complementary big man. i call him a 7' glue guy. he raised dwights game to a new level when he was starting for orlando. darko will raise al's and kevins cause darko will pass, set screens, box out, block shots, intimidate and check the other teams best big man. the things that don't show up in the stats but help a team win. most loser teams dont understand that. look at championship big men.

Does anyone know if he likes the right block more than the left block?

Frozen316 wrote:Does anyone know if he likes the right block more than the left block?

I've always thought of him as more of an Eastern bloc kind of guy.

john2jer wrote:

Frozen316 wrote:Does anyone know if he likes the right block more than the left block?

I've always thought of him as more of an Eastern bloc kind of guy.

Really? To me he screams "Mega blok"

bball_jay wrote:

C.lupus wrote:I'm sorry but if he can't EARN a starting spot and will cry about it if he isn't handed the job, then he can go back to Serbia. Sorry to be harsh but he is a career 5/4 guy and his best season was 8/5.5/1.8 blks. He's not Dwight Howard. You don't give him a starter job just because he is playing better defense than Hollins.

Who would I start? whoever earns the job. But if you want some names, Pekovic, Aldrich, Hibbert, Przybilla, any number of centers that we may have on the team next year.

how do you earn a spot?? does it depend on most points,rebounds, blocks? or does it depend on if the team wins with you on the court? some people like stats. i'm not saying starting shouldn't be earned. i'm saying darko has been told his whole career that he has to EARN minutes. he's also outplayed his counterparts but gets sat down for small ball or for vets or for no reason as in NY. why would he take the chance by signing another contract??

how do you earn minutes if you never play. how do you earn minutes if you set good screens but never get the ball back when you roll. how do you earn minutes when you are forced to play out of position. i'm saying darko isn't coming to minnesota for a "chance" to earn min when he can have guaranteed min in europe.

you point out darko's stats in your post. have you watched the games since he's been here? he's one of those guys where the stats just don't show his impact on the game. darko is a great complementary big man. i call him a 7' glue guy. he raised dwights game to a new level when he was starting for orlando. darko will raise al's and kevins cause darko will pass, set screens, box out, block shots, intimidate and check the other teams best big man. the things that don't show up in the stats but help a team win. most loser teams dont understand that. look at championship big men.

Well you earn minutes by playing better than the other centers in camp, in practice, and in games (do we really have to discuss this?). I'm not saying he hasn't played well in his short stint here or that he wouldn't be a good complimentary player on the team, just saying we shouldn't annoint a guy after five games. And what other teams have done is irrelevant. The Wolves FO needs to do what is best for the Wolves. Also, we have no clue who is going to be on the team next year.