Beat writers aren't supposed to give props or criticize. They report issues with the team and write game stories. Also, reporters raise questions with key participants in the organization, like coaches. The question was raised about Darko's intensity and Flip gave some quotes about it so McCoskey wrote a story about it. That's what he's paid to do. Don't kill the messenger when it's a message you don't like.

Mocking Darko is almost as bad as mocking a coach who led us to two straight NBA Finals appearances, including a title.

I have not been knocking a coach who did good. I pointed out ahead of time, as some others did, what he was doing wrong, which resulted in us not winning the second title.

Pointing out what Darko's shortcomings are and how we would like to see him improve are not mocking. They are constructive criticism.

Mocking is denigrating him as a poster's only reason for writing and pointing out as bad things when he is doing better than people they are holding up as doing better than he. And just because he is not into doing high fives and jumping up and down does not mean he is not motivated.

What I complain about are his failure to scramble for rebounds that are just outside his reach and missing a jam. But others also miss rebounds and have missed plenty of jams, but are not held accountable. Ben is having trouble fitting into Flip's offense and being Ben, he is forgiven and we know he does other things to shine. It seems that when DMC, playing the same position and having light years less experience, can't handle the same situation, he gets all kinds of stuff thrown at him.

If we compare him with JMax, who has also had tons more experience and is older, he more than holds his on when we are talking about results and team play. When we compare him with Dale, DMC does more things to impact a game. Just because he has a look on his face that some of us do not like, he is a total flop and a wasted draft pick.

Not so, and I hope I live to see the day that most of you will have to eat your words. I have nothing bad to say about people who criticise a player or a coach. They have that coming.

It is the inane commentary that shows no real insight and are said just to give some a reason for posting, that I resent. Like these people could even get to the point these players and coaches have gotten to, let alone succeed.

Have I been ??? If I have, I am not the only one.

I think gaz was referring to 16. And if "good" is back to back Finals with one championship, I assume that Popovic must be the only example of "great".

It might be time to start giving AJ some of those final 4 minute "victory cigar" appearances. It's not doing DMC any good, and it feels like the Pistons are beating a deadhorse trying to coach and coax effort/desire.

Looking forward to the Memphis game. That's a quality team the Pistons can use as another yardstick. The Grizz play solid "D" but can be exploited in the paint, particularly if Sheed puts some early fouls on Gasol.

__________________
To all of my friends, comrades and companions at PF.com

Thank you for another great season!

From everything that I've read, Darko did play well in his 5 minutes against Charlotte, yet McCoskey said he didnt, and criticized Darko for it. Sounds like he has an agenda. As far as mocking LB, I always said he was a good coach, but considering the way the Pistons are playing now, I'd give him as much credit for the last two years as I'd give Darvin.

Darko did play decent. He made a great pass on a fast break. I just hope he's not treating the minutes as meaningless like he did last season. I'm glad Flip is saying that people need to earn their minutes on this team. Sounds like what the former coach stressed, too.

Darko does need to earn his mins. and if he is lazy needs to be benched, but in the same mindset, unlike how LB treated him.... if he plays well he does need to be given more time. right now, he hears the boss talking but I'm not sure he believes that he will be rewarded for giving effort. so lets hope he does get rewarded when warrented... and he understands that he controls his own future.

point blank and period! Give it up. people!

Last comment on this, but I agree with everything you just said. When he blows it, give it to him. But when he does well, he needs to be rewarded. At some point, the kid has to be rewarded when he does well, otherwise Joe might as well cut him now.

Fire Millen

As far as I can see, Darko's play has not ever earned him minutes this season. Darko played as many minutes in the preseason as anyone. Flip simply cut the guys minutes after that. Some games, he said darn it, I meant to play the guy. But no time. Sure Flip. Get your story together. Whatever you do, don' say stuff to the public unless you mean it. We do listen.

Darko should NEVER take those 22 footers in garbage time. It really makes it look like he doesn't care when he just keeps jacking up bricks from long range. He needs to try to get in position for offensive rebounds, so he can get himself a few easy putbacks. And he needs to bust ass running down the floor to see if one of our creative passers (Delfino/Arroyo) can get him a gimme hoop. It would make a huge difference.