Darko on the Block

[ChargerMan]

w/ the NBA working with US state dept to get Hamidi into the NBA it looks like Darko will be on the block, what do you guys feel about him on the Spurs...its been a long while since Duncan had a legitimate C playing next to him(Oberto too soft, Thomas doesn't have size and is old) I understand Darko has had injury problems and seems like an idiot but Duncan can show him what its all about and get him to live up to that potential.

[lukeridenour]

actually, i would love darko here.. im not convinced that hes smarter than thomas or oberto, but he plays hard and blocks a lot of shots. i am basing this on stats, does anyone know how he plays or if his playing style would fit well with duncan?

[Black_Jack21]

I think it would, he complimented Dwight Howard fairly well during his tenure in orlando.
I wonder what memphis is after in a trade.
I would definately love to get Darko here. I think he can definatly turn into a very serviceable player and is probably the best big we have had since the Admiral.

[Ballings7]

He can make the mid-range shot respectably, has some consistent ability in the low-post, is a presence on the boards, and is above-average defensively. Good size, pretty agile, has a definite toughness to him. Also has some passing skill, from what I've seen/read.

I'd love to have him on the team, he'd add a pretty good presence on both ends, youth, size, and mobility. He'd be Duncan's best big man partner since D-Rob.

I haven't really heard of him being an idiot, though. Maybe I just don't have enough knowledge of that, though. Regardless, I don't think it's an issue for us. Only thing I can really think of is his comments about the refs 1 or 2 years ago in one of the int'l tourneys. 2006 I think.

As far as him not living up to his draft pick... if he gets notably better in some way or another, which I think he still can, great... but if not? I don't care because what he can do is enough for this team as a good support player.

He has some playoff experience of significance, too... while the Magic got swept, Darko had a nice series against the Pistons in 2007. Being one of their few consistent, and best players.

I think he can be had by us with Memphis' situation.

[LyMinh]

Let's trade for Darko.

[Blame Rasho]

We don't have the contracts to match and trade for his overpriced salary.

[SD2042]

^^^ What he said. From what I've seen from Darko. He's really a hybrid big man. From his offense, he's capable of spreading it out to keep the defense friendly, but Iavaroni keeps him in the post for offense and Darko tends to put up hook shots and he's streaky on those shots. Defensively, Darko is at his best from solid rebounding, toughness, and can block some shots. Unfortunately, this past season was riddle by injuries and inconsistancy for Darko. I believe the Grizz will keep Darko and give him another shot.

[Ballings7]

Ah, just didn't realize that...

[commadoor 64]

Actually Darko will be moved to the 4 spot and Gasol/Haddadi will take up the center as they're both bigger than Darko and both are more a traditional center than Darko. Darko really has always been more of a 4, just a really big one.

Our coach said it in a direct interview.

http://3shadesofblue.blogspot.com/2008/09/sitting-in-shade-part-two.html

So it's going to be very interesting how he shows up. He's do in any day. He's got somewhat of a visa issue. Hopefully we are getting him in this weekend. It's going to be very important to see what shape he is in because we want him in the 4 spot.

[Blame Rasho]

I don't know how the Grizz are going to play. Coach Ivanroni likes to play fast but with Gasol and Haddadi they are as traditional centers as you can get nowadays. They are both brooding and old school. I don't think that Darko will ever find a niche here in the NBA.

[co_laper]

I don't think any coach will play Darko at PF exclusively. He can't guard PFs. Especially if that team has a hybrid PF/SF type like Antawn Jamison or Dirk. He'll get killed. Darko would be better off at Center playing with a PF like Warrick than playing at PF with a center like Gasol.

[bgassassin]

Actually he wouldn't laper. I know this because we've seen him and Warrick on the court together and Warrick is so horrible a defender that Darko gets in foul trouble in part because Warrick can't contain his own man. As long as Darko stays trim he'll be fine at PF. That is his natural position after all.

[commadoor 64]

Actually he wouldn't laper. I know this because we've seen him and Warrick on the court together and Warrick is so horrible a defender that Darko gets in foul trouble in part because Warrick can't contain his own man. As long as Darko stays trim he'll be fine at PF. That is his natural position after all.

Agreed, Darko's biggest asset is his defense. It is his offense that needs work. He's great out on the perimeter at stopping people from getting around him. I've seen him stop very clever perimeter players including Kobe and Chris Paul. He can't do it every trip down by any means but, if he's caught on a switch, he can handle most, fairly well.

Warrick is by far the worst defender on the lowly Grizz.

That's the whole point of moving Darko(natural four) to the 4 and letting Gasol (natural center, unlike his brother) and Haddadi (natural center) pick up the five.

[commadoor 64]

Actually he wouldn't laper. I know this because we've seen him and Warrick on the court together and Warrick is so horrible a defender that Darko gets in foul trouble in part because Warrick can't contain his own man. As long as Darko stays trim he'll be fine at PF. That is his natural position after all.

Agreed, Darko's biggest asset is his defense. It is his offense that needs work. He's great out on the perimeter at stopping people from getting around him. I've seen him stop very clever perimeter players including Kobe and Chris Paul. He can't do it every trip down by any means but, if he's caught on a switch, he can handle most, fairly well.

Warrick is by far the worst defender on the lowly Grizz.

That's the whole point of moving Darko(natural four) to the 4 and letting Gasol (natural center, unlike his brother) and Haddadi (natural center) pick up the five.

The weirdest thing about Darko is he can actually handle the ball and really has a fairly good face up game. His back to the basket game is what sucks brcause he defaults to these lefty hook shots that never go in because of the flatness of the shot. We've seen him actually handle the ball on fast breaks and that's very weird to see.

I used to be one of those who made jokes about the human victory cigar and the Busto Millichecks references until I actually watched him on a regular basis and I could see what it was that made him be picked so high in a superstacked draft.
Darko's single biggest problem is between his ears and his confidence, he has the talent to be great, it's that little guy on his shoulder that keeps throwing wrenches into his head that's the problem.

[chudak]

talentwise he could be great

but he has other problems
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci3j363HWQM

[Blame Rasho]

Anyone interested in Javaris Crittenton

[SD2042]

Somebody needs to. He's been the odd man out since he stepped in the M-town back in February. More likely if he's traded, I think Hakim Warrick would be alongside with J-Critt.

[Black_Jack21]

Warrick would be a nice pick up for us. Athletic mobile big.
I wonder if we could coax him away... probably not with the pieces we have.

[SD2042]

Not likely and Warrick is better suited in a run and gun situation due to his ability to score on offense in a hurry. Defense however is another story.