Is it safe to say that almost everyone wants to see what Darko can do?
The teething period should be over by now... it's time to eat some solid food (regular PT).

I think it's the right time to trade Dice for a decent backup SF.
Let DMC show us what he's capable of... within limits.
With Jmax on board I feel comfortable that he could adequately fill the backup PF role if Darko doesn't succeed.

Just give him the expectations... solid rebounding... improvement on offense (being careful to not create a selfish mindset).... give him a fair shot and keep the time limit internal.

The results need to include winning enough games to maintain a high seed and his contributions s/b on the positive side or he risks losing his spot.

This pace isn't working for his career or managements evaluation process.... it sure ain't helping his trade value.

It's time Detroit...for Darko to Go to work

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With politicians the future lies ahead

I would give it one more year. If Darko had played more the past 2 seasons but he hasn't. Darko is not ready yet. I know thats not what most want to hear.

And if Darko sucks, we blow our championship window?

Sorry but JMax is probably not ready to be a 6th man, and there is absolutely no indication that Darko can score on players his size (ATL game last year he played against midgets).

I don't see how the Darko experiment/development/whatever should override the opportunity the Pistons have to win a title now and possibly next year.

He may end up great. He may not. Do we really want to kiss off a FA steal like Dice to find out? I SAY NO.

Besides, JMax is not exactly a Dice-class rebounder either. Can you imagine Darko playing 20 minutes a night and finishing with 2 boards? I can. In fact, I will probably have nightmares about it tonight.

One more thing. Before you make a suggestion like this, who is the player we are trading Dice for?

Paul Pierce? Need more salary.
Al Harrington? FA at the end of the year, needs a lot of shots to be productive.
Desmond Mason? Couldn't hit the broad side of a barn from 18 feet out.

Who? Who do we get for Dice as our fallback if Darko blows?

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Nov 13 LW Milan Lucic had an active night. He scored his first goal in eight games since his Oct. 25 hat trick and also pounded Michael Komisarek in a third-period fight. Lucic cut his hand in a fight with Michael Komisarek. "I'll be fine," he said. "(X-rays are) negative, but there's so many broken bones in there from before you can't really tell."

I would rather start the process a little sooner so we're not facing losing DMC at the end of next year.
This isn't a desire to get rid of Dice... he's been a solid contributor (and he'll improve this year)... I really think that Jmax can do what Dice does and possibly better inside... so I guess what I'm saying is I'm willing to take the risk on young players at the backup PF position.... first Darko to see if he can step it up... if you can't keep up with backup PF's you may have some issues... if DMC isn't contributing by the playoffs then make the switch to D.D. or Jmax.

I think there are players available (trade for Dice) that could really shore up our backup SF position...
Battier (Memphis may want to clear some space in a couple years)
Al Harrington (gonna lose him anyways... have to include a prospect like Delfino).
Mo Pete (needs a change of scenery)
Kenny Thomas (tough SF/PF with range)

It's about developing the kids and making a weakness a strength (SF)

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With politicians the future lies ahead

I like Kenny Thomas but he is a 4 not a 3.

Mo Pete plays hard but is a lousy defender and a streaky shooter. Trust me, he's on my fantasy team, I follow his every freaking movement.

Memphis already has a PF. His name is Gasol. I don't think a team that shallow in depth will trade a starting 3 for a backup 4.

Seriously Merc, none of those SFs are upgrades unless you could pry Battier. But Jerry West is not an idiot.

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Nov 13 LW Milan Lucic had an active night. He scored his first goal in eight games since his Oct. 25 hat trick and also pounded Michael Komisarek in a third-period fight. Lucic cut his hand in a fight with Michael Komisarek. "I'll be fine," he said. "(X-rays are) negative, but there's so many broken bones in there from before you can't really tell."

So what's the plan... 10 MPG this year... 12 MPG next year ... say goodbye the following?

I hear ya loud and clear about the risk involved in playing the kid more... but hey if we could land someone that can play SF/PF like Thomas or Harrington the risk is minimal.

But I would still give it more time. See what developes during the season.

Seems too risky going with Darko and J-Max when we know we have Dyess. I am not sold on Maxiel all I have seen him do is hit a few shots during garbage time.

If anything maybe Sheed can slide over the 3 sometimes to give Darko more time.

With how questionable our bench has been Dyess has been the 1 reliable constant. Plus I love the chemistry he and Arroyo are starting to develope.

Yeah. Exactly. If JMax is what you and I think he is, we've got another 3 years before his deal comes up. He'll be an ideal replacement for Dice in 2 years.

Look, I see your point about developing guys, but Darko has not shown he can be much more than a shotblocker (see your other post yesterday). He doesn't finish hard, he doesn't always play hard, while he loves his jumper, the rim definitely does not.

And to boot, he really does rebound like Uncle Cliffy.

If Darko was 50% of what he was advertised, I would consider it. He's not. He's maybe 20~30% of what was advertised and frankly, that's not good enough for primary big man backup on a championship contender.

You don't blow up this core to get Darko PT. Not after Joe has held on so tight because he knows they were 12 minutes away from winning a title.

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Nov 13 LW Milan Lucic had an active night. He scored his first goal in eight games since his Oct. 25 hat trick and also pounded Michael Komisarek in a third-period fight. Lucic cut his hand in a fight with Michael Komisarek. "I'll be fine," he said. "(X-rays are) negative, but there's so many broken bones in there from before you can't really tell."

Dude, I'm telling you right now that Kenny Thomas cannot defend the perimeter against guys like RJ, Artest, Hill, etc. He's not quick enough, he's not nimble enough. He's an undersized 4. He backs up Reef and in Philly he backed up CWebb (and before him, DC).

Kenny Thomas is a 3 like Ben Wallace is a 3. Just that Kenny Thomas is a poor man's Ben Wallace. Really poor.

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Nov 13 LW Milan Lucic had an active night. He scored his first goal in eight games since his Oct. 25 hat trick and also pounded Michael Komisarek in a third-period fight. Lucic cut his hand in a fight with Michael Komisarek. "I'll be fine," he said. "(X-rays are) negative, but there's so many broken bones in there from before you can't really tell."