Well, do you mean "non bustdom" as a player in general. Or as a #2 overall NBA pick in a very deep draft?

One game won't sway me either way, but if Darko shows the mettle to face his former team and score numbers like...say...Chris Kaman who was drafted 4 picks later... then I will indeed agree that he has progressed. But really, I think he has shown some progress anyhow.

Feb 9th against Philly Kaman's numbers were:

15 points
9 boards
2 blocks
1 steal
2 assists


It's not like that game was really atypical for Kaman.

On Feb 14th @ Atlanta he posted:

20 points
13 boards
6 blocks
1 steal
3 assists

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That would be a better stat line than any Piston tonight besides Sheed. And most of them got 35+ minutes. And we have the best starting 5 in the business.

After watching Darko tonight against the Knicks, I think you're at least gonna see some banging from him. He seems to have a new found desire to actively call for the ball in the paint. 3 more dunks in the half-court set.

However, after watching Sheed tonight, it won't be easy in there.

Oh really? How many of those guys you named were drafted at #2?

Also...if you are basing a career on one night...

CWebb- 1st pick
Dyess- 2nd pick
Billups- 3rd pick
Sheed- 4th pick
Hamilton- 7th pick

I'm not basing a career on one night. You listed the stats on one particular game that would impress you. I'm just saying your standard is higher than that achieved by 93% of the Pistons' roster tonight.

Orlando lost tonight so if the Pistons win both games Orlando can be pushed under to a 27-29 record. Good news for the pick.

The Pistons better come out for this game. I don't ask for much, just don't play games with this team is all I am asking. I know the Pistons can pulversize this team but I can see them taking it as just another .500 team and doing the usual walking the ball up the court and standing around during the 1st half, or getting a lead and letting them back in. Hopefully that will not happen.

Pistons are their own greatest weakness in this game. That and a guy called Dwight Howard. Going out a limb here, I am guessing Howard is the guy we will have to worry about.

Ok. You win. I expect too much from the lad. I feel like Darth Larry Brown.

Darko will impress me and make me a believer in his greatness if he gets:

7 points
3 boards
1 block


If my expectations are too high, I'll adjust them some more. Just lemme know.


And if he doesn't achieve those lofty numbers, I'll believe in him if his mere presence forces the Pistons to do things they wouldn't normally do.

Just make sure that someone points it out to me because I always seem to miss that stuff.

Go Orlando. Go Darko.

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Why the Pistons starting 5 is being compared to Orlando's starting 5 in this debate completely escapes me. Wouldn't a weaker starting 5 suggest Darko would be able to put up more impressive numbers than the Detroit PF/C collective? You are right though Darth. There is not a statline that could exist that would not be spinned for Darko's benefit. This DHOF club will defend Darko's lack of production until he retires.

I wonder if we'll see Darkos patented move, a running left to right diagonal leaping slash to the hole with a little short chuck over the left shoulder with glass?
Requesting the media center be on full record Rosc.

I doubt we beat them by 23 again.
Ps 92
Ms 85

I don't even think Darko believes this line is realistic.