Why doesn't Darko dunk the ball?!?!

Timberpups · Post #1 » by **Timberpups** » Thu Jan 19, 2012 4:44 pm

I've never seen more finger roll layup attempts from a center in my entire life. You could maybe add together collectively all of the center finger roll attempts that I've ever seen, and I bet Darko single-handedly has more.

This irks me to no end. I've been at every home game for the last 2 seasons, and watch every away game that's on TV, so I've seen them all. And I get so frustrated every time he elects to lay the ball up when a dunk is more than feasible.

Yes, I've seen him dunk on occasions where he's close enough with zero opposition. But there are times when he could take one step towards the basket and he'd be able to dunk the ball, but instead he uses that step to get closer for a delicate little finger roll...

Anyone else notice this? Does this just speak to his lack of aggressiveness? Does he just have a big zero for dunking instincts? Does this make anyone else as angry as it does me?

I'm curious to hear other's take on this...

Cyborg21 · Post #2 » by **Cyborg21** » Thu Jan 19, 2012 4:58 pm

re49gb_2gho32fp · Post #3 » by **re49gb_2gho32fp** » Thu Jan 19, 2012 5:04 pm

Likely a combination of softness/laziness/timorousness.

Doesn't take as much effort to just try and lay it up in contrast to leaping higher and besmirching your hands at the rim.

This guy should be amnestied by next off-season. Good to see Pekovic getting minutes at his expense.

Post #4 » by **Klomp** » Thu Jan 19, 2012 5:12 pm

DZ: I’ve noticed watching you in practice a little bit, it seems like they’ve been trying to get you to dunk the ball more inside. Is that something you’ve been working on?

DARKO: Yeah, just finishing inside stronger….I usually just lay the ball in instead of dunking the ball because it’s a different style of basketball (in Europe). (I am) just trying to finish those inside plays by dunking and not laying it up.

DZ: Is that an attitude change, just being more aggressive?

DARKO: No, I just have to get a feel for it, when I am really close to the basket, that I can dunk it instead of just laying it in. Just trying to get a feel on the court, where I am at.

http://www.mnscore.com/blog/?p=866

funkatron101 · Post #5 » by **funkatron101** » Thu Jan 19, 2012 5:19 pm

Klomp wrote:
DZ: I’ve noticed watching you in practice a little bit, it seems like they’ve been trying to get you to dunk the ball more inside. Is that something you’ve been working on?

DARKO: Yeah, just finishing inside stronger….I usually just lay the ball in instead of dunking the ball because it’s a different style of basketball (in Europe). (I am) just trying to finish those inside plays by dunking and not laying it up.

DZ: Is that an attitude change, just being more aggressive?

DARKO: No, I just have to get a feel for it, when I am really close to the basket, that I can dunk it instead of just laying it in. Just trying to get a feel on the court, where I am at.

http://www.mnscore.com/blog/?p=866

I don't buy that excuse at all. He's not a fricken rookie. In fact, he understood this better as a rookie.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GB1aiADP2YI[/youtube]

He was more aggressive for a few games last year, but has regressed again. He is just lazy.

[RCG] · Post #6 » by **[RCG]** » Thu Jan 19, 2012 5:20 pm

Klomp wrote:
DZ: I’ve noticed watching you in practice a little bit, it seems like they’ve been trying to get you to dunk the ball more inside. Is that something you’ve been working on?

DARKO: Yeah, just finishing inside stronger….I usually just lay the ball in instead of dunking the ball because it’s a different style of basketball (in Europe). (I am) just trying to finish those inside plays by dunking and not laying it up.

DZ: Is that an attitude change, just being more aggressive?

DARKO: No, I just have to get a feel for it, when I am really close to the basket, that I can dunk it instead of just laying it in. Just trying to get a feel on the court, where I am at.

http://www.mnscore.com/blog/?p=866

How the heck is it that hard to put the ball in the basket instead of laying it up at the rim. I mean c'mon Darko!

re49gb_2gho32fp · Post #7 » by **re49gb_2gho32fp** » Thu Jan 19, 2012 5:20 pm

More apologetic/alibi comments from Darko when pushed against the wall. Historically, Milicic seems to thrive in that role where people feel pity/sympathyze him.

Jesus christ you haven't been playing in europe for 9 years.
He needs a Sarge that yells at him at all times, a McMillan/Popovich/Rivers type of coach.

funkatron101 · Post #8 » by **funkatron101** » Thu Jan 19, 2012 5:21 pm

FYI, it's not a new excuse, I believe he said this last year when he was actually trying.

re49gb_2gho32fp · Post #9 » by **re49gb_2gho32fp** » Thu Jan 19, 2012 5:22 pm

funkatron101 wrote:I don't buy that excuse at all. He's not a fricken rookie. In fact, he understood this better as a rookie.

He was more aggressive for a few games last year, but has regressed again. He is just lazy.

When was the last time Milicic dunked in traffic? 4.7 years ago? Surely not in a Wolves uni.

ptm56 · Post #10 » by **ptm56** » Thu Jan 19, 2012 5:39 pm

Yep, because, you know... nobody dunks in Europe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oHUWwQROb8 Euroleague season 2005/06 (for example)
http://acbtv.acb.com/video/4442-lacb-20112012-liga_regular-12-top7_kia:_las_mejores_jugadas_de_2011 Spanish domestic league Top 7 plays of 2011

jack612 · Post #11 » by **jack612** » Thu Jan 19, 2012 5:43 pm

It's because he sucks at basketball

Twolves1Fan · Post #12 » by **Twolves1Fan** » Thu Jan 19, 2012 5:43 pm

I really hate to say this because I love my Wolves but in my opinion Darko has to be the most offensively challenged big man I think I've ever seen. Or maybe the least talented big man. Same thing really.

Dude couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat!

It's like he sprays his hands with silicon or something before tip off. I cringe everytime they throw it to him in the post. Guy scares the he!! out of me. Of course, it's not like we have the next Chamberlain or Olajuwon on the bench either!

Again, it kills me to say it. I've been a Timberwolves fan from the inception but d@mn, Darko, get some game!!!

TMo519 · Post #13 » by **TMo519** » Thu Jan 19, 2012 6:42 pm

Another Darko flush...taking the contact and everything lol

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NJSNeFqRZI&feature=related[/youtube]

The Pistons bench is hilarious.

Post #14 » by **C.lupus** » Thu Jan 19, 2012 6:56 pm

Cahones. Some people have them, Darko doesn't. He's the cowardly lion, you know. :wink:

allweneedisLOVE · Post #15 » by **allweneedisLOVE** » Thu Jan 19, 2012 7:05 pm

Probably because of this. Dorko sucks!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuCXaf-0fzk[/youtube]

funkatron101 · Post #16 » by **funkatron101** » Thu Jan 19, 2012 7:14 pm

C.lupus wrote:Cahones. Some people have them, Darko doesn't. He's the cowardly lion, you know.

Well played. I've been meaning to mention how much I like the sig.

theGreatRC · Post #17 » by **theGreatRC** » Thu Jan 19, 2012 7:15 pm

The basketball seems to turn Darko into a giant vagina, because he has a bad boy demeanor and attitude.

allweneedisLOVE · Post #18 » by **allweneedisLOVE** » Thu Jan 19, 2012 7:19 pm

AlaskanAssassin · Post #19 » by **AlaskanAssassin** » Thu Jan 19, 2012 7:29 pm

It's all mental. Someone mentioning that he is the "least skilled" offensive big is RIDICULOUS. He's very skilled. He just has no confidence. Don't think he'll ever get it back. He spent 2 years riding the pine in Detroit. His nickname was the human victory cigar. He's been told his entire career that he is a complete bust because he was taken before Wade, Carmello, and Bosh. He was considered aggressive and borderline cocky in Europe.

He's never regained his edge and confidence, and he never will.

bluethunder0005 · Post #20 » by **bluethunder0005** » Thu Jan 19, 2012 8:14 pm

It's weird that you can see the aggressiveness when he goes up against people from Europe, he destroyed Pau last year at least a couple of times and he played Marc pretty hard earlier this year. He's got a lot of talent but at this point he probably won't be using much of it on the offensive end, he seems to set in his ways. I was hoping that with confidence he would become half the player he should have been but he never seemed to get that confidence even with all the playing time.