David Kahn says Darko's could be an all star

[Tirion]

I think some of you guys are so close, but missing the point.

Darko reacts best to praise and coddling. That's what Kahn is doing here.
Love seems to be an "I'll prove you wrong" type. He plays with a bit of a chip on his shoulder. Praise Love and he'll respond with, "Yeah, I know I'm great." Rip him, or ignore him and he seems to want to prove the doubters wrong.

I'm going to give Kahn the benefit of the doubt and call this sly motivation. He's killing two birds with one stone.

If this is true, this is the kind of dumb, primitive kind of manipulation that high-school girls are prone to. Short-term it may work, but long-term you're antagonizing the best player on your squad, while driving a wedge between teammates. That's what Krause did with Jordan and Kukoc.

[Darko Miliminutes]

Helllz yeauh!

' been saying this long before Kahn ever did.

Darko comin'...

Great, when?

Hard to think of this as a developmental year for Darko, with it being his 8th year, but that is how i see it. His history of not be developed, or being allowed to play through mistakes, is well known by all. He's been afforded that opportunity this year. This year is about progress, level of comfort, and obviously confidence.

I expect more of his game to be unveiled as the year goes on. He's got a sweet jumper, he's got handles, and brains. Once his level of comfort is a bit higher, we'll see him play more instinctively. The surface has merely been scratched thus far.

Darko comin'.

[john2jer]

I think some of you guys are so close, but missing the point.

Darko reacts best to praise and coddling. That's what Kahn is doing here.
Love seems to be an "I'll prove you wrong" type. He plays with a bit of a chip on his shoulder. Praise Love and he'll respond with, "Yeah, I know I'm great." Rip him, or ignore him and he seems to want to prove the doubters wrong.

I'm going to give Kahn the benefit of the doubt and call this sly motivation. He's killing two birds with one stone.

If this is true, this is the kind of dumb, primitive kind of manipulation that high-school girls are prone to. Short-term it may work, but long-term you're antagonizing the best player on your squad, while driving a wedge between teammates. That's what Krause did with Jordan and Kukoc.

But no, seriously... Everyone is motivated in different ways. I think it's silly to assume because Kahn is coddling Darko that it's driving a wedge with Love. Players can't be treated the same because we don't all respond to the same methods. Some guys you can be hard on and rip, others you have to hold their hands.

[Krapinsky]

Darko vs. Marc Gasol

PER 36

Gasol: 12.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.6 blocks
Darko: 13.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 3.5 blocks

[LordBaldric]

Darko vs. Marc Gasol

PER 36

Gasol: 12.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.6 blocks
Darko: 13.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 3.5 blocks

PER 36

Gasol: 8.8 FGA, .582 TS%, 4.4 FTA, .743 FT%, 2.1 TO, 3.7 PF
Darko: 12.8 FGA, .482 TS%, 2.7 FTA, .565 FT%, 3.2 TO, 5.0 PF

[Krapinsky]

Darko vs. Marc Gasol

PER 36

Gasol: 12.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.6 blocks
Darko: 13.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 3.5 blocks

PER 36

Gasol: 8.8 FGA, .582 TS%, 4.4 FTA, .743 FT%, 2.1 TO, 3.7 PF
Darko: 12.8 FGA, .482 TS%, 2.7 FTA, .565 FT%, 3.2 TO, 5.0 PF

Easy to improve on that. Those numbers have been improving all year. But I think output numbers suggest that's the kind of player we should expect Darko to become.

[LordBaldric]

Darko vs. Marc Gasol

PER 36

Gasol: 12.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.6 blocks
Darko: 13.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 3.5 blocks

PER 36

Gasol: 8.8 FGA, .582 TS%, 4.4 FTA, .743 FT%, 2.1 TO, 3.7 PF
Darko: 12.8 FGA, .482 TS%, 2.7 FTA, .565 FT%, 3.2 TO, 5.0 PF

Easy to improve on that. Those numbers have been improving all year. But I think output numbers suggest that's the kind of player we should expect Darko to become.

Seriously? Every time the dude shoots the ball in a non-dunk situation it's a net loss to our team.

And no, he's not improving. His efficiency has be laughably bad his entire career.

[bball_jay]

Seriously? Every time the dude shoots the ball in a non-dunk situation it's a net loss to our team.

And no, he's not improving. His efficiency has be laughably bad his entire career.

seriously?? how often does darko dunk?? you may not like the hook but he has become very effective with it. he is improving mostly based on a team giving him consistency. you also must not have watched his whole career. i'm actually very impressed with darko's improvement. he is not a post player. when he came into the league he wasn't doing a hook shot. he's totally turned his game into something different while remaining effective.

tell kevin durant to shoot only hook shots in the post cause he's 6'10 and see how effective he is.

[Krapinsky]

Darko vs. Marc Gasol

PER 36

Gasol: 12.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.6 blocks
Darko: 13.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 3.5 blocks

PER 36

Gasol: 8.8 FGA, .582 TS%, 4.4 FTA, .743 FT%, 2.1 TO, 3.7 PF
Darko: 12.8 FGA, .482 TS%, 2.7 FTA, .565 FT%, 3.2 TO, 5.0 PF

Seriously? Every time the dude shoots the ball in a non-dunk situation it's a net loss to our team.

And no, he's not improving. His efficiency has be laughably bad his entire career.

I don't know what the advanced numbers are, but he's shooting better than 50% from the field since the beginning of December (17 games) and his FG% has gone up every month so far. Surely, he looks to be improvings, just maybe not as fast as the Dark Lord would like.