This is probably my favourite topic since my friends are all Darko-bashers and I'm the only one who still has hope in him. (Not to mention I'm one of two Torontorians who love the Pistons).

Quite frankly, Darko is not going to get as much playing time as everyone is believing. It'll be a LOT more than what Larry Brown offered him but nothing significant enough to weary a drastic change in Darko's play.

He will get better playing around 8-10 minutes like mercury said (much like Jermaine O'Neal did in Portland his first year); however, to hope that he'll be a huge playoff impact player...it just won't happen.

Dumars took in a project and that's what Darko will be. Although the process is a little more slowed down then what we predicted, all we can do now is continue to cheer him on as he slowly now begins to be driven towards the right direction.

I predict Darko to back up 'Sheed at PF, sharing minutes with Dice. Towards the end of the season if he gets a lot better those minutes will stay, if not they'll be cut back. Sadly enough we won't really see Darko at his best until his contract year comes...that's when its up to him to prove if he's been cut out to be a Piston or not.

He wants to play, now he's being given the opportunity. Its just up to him to step up his game (ala stripped balls, rebounding and scoring like everyone is saying).

DMC will begin to evolve this year. He will get some PT; gain back his confidence; find his niche; become all that we had hoped for all along. As for whether he will be a post-up center....I think he will go through many different phases or facets, if you will as he becomes one of the most solid players in the league.

Yes, at some point, as some of the veterans age a bit, Darko and others will start, and players, Like Ben and 'Sheed will come off the bench.

difficult task- he always described himself as a Garnett- like player. But Joe drafted him because of his size. And a good- sized center is probably more worth than an oversized forward- just look at Dirk or KG.
But Darko needs to be played where he can opt out his full potential- but as we now know his shot- blocking, he'll probably feel comfortable under the basket. At least I hope so and if he ends up as SF, he was a more wasted pick than everyone thought.

Well hopefully his confidence wasn't totally destroyed and if that's the case he should earn his minutes off the bench.You really have to love the fact of CB speaking up for this kid that shows alot I think about this team and how the players JoeD put together bonded.He's still a kid basically and being in a new country getting knocked down by your coach when it's perceived by your teammates how well you do in practice it's gotta creep into the ol' head,hopefully he shakes it off. This is his year to take some steps forward.

I think that Joe and Flip should try to keep Darko at the center spot. To have a mobile, skilled 7 footer playing the center is a valuable thing in the NBA. That's why he was a top draft pick.

I also like the idea of having the "2nd unit" running the break. Arroyo, Delfino, Evans, Darko, and maybe Maxiel... but wait...

I also think that Darko needs to get some time in with the regulars... instead of scrap time with 4 other guys who don't play often... maybe Flip will do that.

imo,
Darko should come off the bench and work on being a defensive stopper.
Let him earn his point's on the O glass and fast breaks.
When he's earned his keep on defense,only then incorperate him into the offense at the 3,4 and 5.Let his play dictate where you use him.Be up front with him and tell him to earn his minutes.I think thats all he want's.

There is three things I would do with Darko. The first thing would be to give him some serious minutes off the bench. Not taking minutes from Antonio but Ben, Rasheed, and Tay. The second way I would play Darko would be to start him occasionally when we have back to back games. Whenever we have back to back games, I would often try to give Ben or Rasheed a night off to save their legs for the playoffs. The third way I would play Darko would be to give him some serious minutes when we go on a westcoast trip, thus helping out Ben, Rasheed, and Tay when the season becomes a grind.

Seems to me this guy could be versatile. Why not spell Tay with Darko once in a while? Think about the matchup problems caused by a 3,4 and 5 of Darko, Sheed and Big Ben? Ideally, though, wouldn't Dale Davis spell Ben, Dyess spell Sheed, and Evans/Maxiell spell Tay? Geez, I'm actually beginning to feel this team is loaded. It's all up to the coach now. Ol Flip is in for the toughest human jigsaw puzzle of his life. I hope he's up to the task.

I would play him till his tounge hangs out. In pre-season that is. Find out what he can and can't do against what would be his best competition yet. I would ignore him and intentionally look the other way each time he messes up. Give no further excuses. I would make him my offensive centerpiece in a handfull of set plays out of time outs. Then after each game he and a coach would break down film in a highly critical fashion. Lastly tell him what his opportunity will be in the next game to improve. That way we all exit pre-season with no misconceptions of how he may contribute.

I'd still like to see Darko earn his minutes, but he also shouldn't be afraid to make a mistake as he has been since joining the Pistons.

I don't think he's a lost cause yet, he just hasn't been given enough opportunities to make a fair assesment either way.

So far, I've liked everything that has happened this offseason as it relates to Darko.

- His biggest detractor, Brown, is gone
- They brought in a more "young player friendly" coach
- They picked up his option well in advance
- Billups spoke out in his favour
- They drafted a beast of a man in Maxiel and brought in another veteran big in Davis that should motivate Darko (much in the same way that the Lion's adding Garcia should help Harrington)

I'm looking forward to seeing what this season brings...