No, I agree. My point is just that you can't judge his D by how well or poorly his opponent happened to shoot 1 game. Just because Zach Randolph went to town while Sheed was guarding him, doesn't mean that Sheed is not a good defender. We've all seen Ben get dominated from time to time. There are some very talented and streaky players in the NBA.

I think most of Darko's defensive effectiveness stems from his size and quickness advantage. Just being a 7'1" player on the floor with an ounce of athleticism changes available options for the other team. His main problem is staying on the floor so that he can press that advantage more often.

Also, I wouldn't really pin that loss to the Pistons on Darko. They missed a ton of free throws, lost a starter to injury, Chauncey had his best game of the season... and it was still a very close game. This was one of the worst teams in the East through most of last year.

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"I don't think MC is going to allow us to shoot as many jumpers." Tayshaun Prince.

i disagree. orlando has been winning with darko not scoring a lot or rebounding or lot. i would say that that isn't his role on the team. his defense was game changing because orlando went on an instant run when darko came into the game. if you say he had a bad game then i have a hard time taking you seriously going forward.

i would say in the history of the game there has been no player that has been so scrutinized without being given an oppurtunity. he hasn't even played a full season yet but he's expected to put up 20 and 10 or he's mediocre.

jmax was out of our rotation doesn't mean he isn't an impact player in this league. if jmax gets 20 minutes a game for us somehow he would open up some eyes. it's all about oppurtunity. darko can make just about any team a contender that's why i like him.

Only way I can see if you are a Pistons fan supporting Darko is you are still trying to stick it to the Pistons for trading him, are also an Orlando Magic fan, or are related to Darko.

Otherwise how can you not be wishing that he would have kept his but in Serbia for one more year. Darko said his experience here was a nightmere, it was not too fun for us fans either losing a #2 pick. Last #2 pick was Isiah Thomas.

Reading these posts on Darko's defense is almost describing the way Michal Curry played. Curry was also known to have this invisible force that changed the game.

Bballjay, you are unable to look at this objectively because of your love for Darko. You've proven that it really doesn't matter what he does on the court you will interpret it is as an extraordinary performance. You've obviously found your soul mate. Congrats.

Here is another player that went through a brutal learning curve and now seems to also possess that invisible force.

Kwame Brown of the Los Angeles Lakers, On Court / Off Court stats from 82games.com

He averages 9 points and 7 rebounds per game and leads his team in blocked shots. People said he had no bball IQ, fouled too much, bad attitude, poor hands, blah blah blah. It turned out, he just needed to figure it out for himself on the court.

There is nobody on his team that is even close on a +, or - basis. And it isn't because he is lighting up the stat sheet.

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"I don't think MC is going to allow us to shoot as many jumpers." Tayshaun Prince.

As a number 1 first round draft pick Kwame is STILL a tremendous bust. So I guess, I would say this is a great example. Thank you. I'm more convinced than ever that Darko was a poor selection. He will never come close to the players we passed on to get him. Anyone who thinks he is better than Bosh, Anthony, Wade, J. Howard, TJ Ford, Kirk Hinrich, Luke Ridnour, Chris Kaman, Boris Diaw or even Leandro Barbosa is seriously kidding themselves.

depends on what you want. out of all of these players only 1 has a ring. from what i've seen darko is a winner and his teams just flat out win. if you are looking for a player that just puts up stats then maybe other players are better. darko is a 7' ak47 he can do it all.

i think as a # 2 pick darko was a great pick. he's a great defensive big man and at the time the pistons hung thier hat on defense. his unselfish attitude about the game made him perfect for the pistons. defense wins championships and darko can definitely do that.

he can shoot the 3, pass, handle the rock, defend the c, pf, and some sf players. small ball doesn't matter to him because he's quick enough. he just flat out has the skills you want whenever you want them. he's just inexperienced. he also isn't playing with an experienced pass first pg like diaw. he's only played with chuckers that only leave him the scraps. i think you are making your judgement too quickly because all of those players have had more oppurtunity than darko.

Darko's career is rather young so he's inconsistent and learning. That he has a positive effect on games is encouraging...if you discount the fact that he's not on our team anymore.
If darko has IT, he'll show it next year. I wouldn't beat up on him this year. He was shelved for too long to make comparisons with his draftmates.

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My friend, Darko *may* be able to shoot the 3, but he has yet to make one in his career. It's like saying that I can shoot the 3 (which at one time I could playing pickup ball), but I haven't hit one yet in the NBA.

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

Thank you for another great season!

Word on the street is that he can fly too.