02/21/2007
vs Orlando
NAT : NBALP
LOC : TV20 Detroit
RADIO : 1130 WDFN AM

Yep, this is the DHOF game. Darko is starting and his ardent supporters in the Pistons community have literally cancelled all of their engagements to bask in the glow of Darko-mania as the Original Serbian Gangsta makes his return to the Palace.

Expect this thread to get really long as everyone argues the merits and demerits of Darko, as if Rasheed Wallace, Chris Webber, Dwight Howard, Hedo TurkeyGlue and Rip do not even exist. Because our second favorite topic is talking about Darko, and we do it well.

Students of the game will probably skip all of the Hall of Fame hype to observe and document the incredible dribbling styles of Carlos Arroyo. At an average of 3 dribbles per second, he's second to none in this league when it comes to pounding the air out of the ball.

Big game, small players, Orlando loss. Book it. And if you're not sure, or have conflicted Pistons loyalties, bowing before a giant cheddar cheese statue of Darko on your back porch, check this out.

The towel Darko wiped his face with sold on E-Bay for $15,000 to an unnamed Piston fan.

http://theassociation.blogs.com/the_association/images/l1485341.jpg

In Detroit, Darko was attacked by Dan Gadzuric, who thought he was John Amaeche

http://images.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/_photos/2006-02-15-milicic-in.jpg

In Detroit, Saint Darko also went through his Adam Morrison phase.

http://www.nba.com/media/magic/milicic_pistons_200x250.jpghttp://images.usatoday.com/sports/_photos/2006/01/26/in-morrison-mustache.jpg

02/21/2007
vs Orlando
NAT : NBALP
LOC : TV20 Detroit
RADIO : 1130 WDFN AM



The towel Darko wiped his face with sold on E-Bay for $15,000 to an unnamed Piston fan.

http://theassociation.blogs.com/the_association/images/l1485341.jpg




Sooo? What's your point? I'll have you know I received a pair of game worn sweat socks with that towel too.

I know that I am going to the game. Will have my wife record it while I am gone so that I can see if it ends the same way on TV as it does in the arena.

One of those games that I want to see one of the teams win but I won't be t-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-0 disappointed if the other one does. It's not like the Pistons and the Heat or the Pistons and the Bulls.

Word out of I_Named_My_Baby_Victory _Cigar.com is that an unamed member of the Darko fan club paid 20K for one of Darko's jocks last February... he hasn't taken it off since
:focus:

Sooo? What's your point? I'll have you know I received a pair of game worn sweat socks with that towel too.

So you were the cat who out-bid me?

I will also be at that game.

Quick DHOF club question. Any of you fellas have NBA League Pass? Just curious.

I am actually going to Detroit on Wednesday from New York and have almost front row tickets for the game. This is going to be my first ever basketball game live. I hope it turns out to be good and the Pistons win and I can get Billups autograph.

Show up as early as possible to get Billup's autograph! Someone else here may have some advice for you in this regard. I hope you have a great time and enjoy a Pistons victory!

Quick DHOF club question. Any of you fellas have NBA League Pass? Just curious.

YESSSIR, I do!!

Both teams will be playing their second game in 2 nights with the magic playing away at the palace. I've never really understood the passion that darko supporters have. He was the 2nd draft pick a few years back and was never really given a chance here.... got traded to a team where his minutes have increased and his game improved. Good for him i say. We have an exciting team in the Pistons and have a great chance to get to the finals again. I say Darko shmarko... Pistons in a blowout and Wallace, DD, Webber, Tazr, AJ, Bhrama and Dice all take turns in abusing the serbian gangster. :pound: :pound: :pound:

From The Orlando Sentinel (http://http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/local/orl-mnotes2107feb21,0,1746531.story?coll=orl-sports-headlines)

Magic PF Darko Milicic doesn't know what sort of reception he'll receive when he returns tonight to Auburn Hills, Mich., to play against his former team, the Detroit Pistons. He's ready for just about anything.

"We'll see. It could be half and half. Could be all boos," Milicic said. "Could be haters or lovers."

Just to go out on a limb, I am going to the game and expect to see the Pistons win with DMC getting about 14 points and 8 boards, 2 blocks and a couple of assists. Don't know about a steal but I think he will hold his own against Sheed and CWeb. I just don't see the Magic guards playing well against CB and Rip. JJ would have to have a career night and he probably won't even play.

Without Ariza, I don't think Orlando will win it as Grant is not very conducive to good ball movement. Pat Garrity even played tonight as Tony is still out, as well. With Ariza and Battie available I think they could have given the Pistons a game but not without them.

The only chance the Magic have is for the front line to outplay the Pistons front line and the guards come close to having a good night, which is not going to happen.

Oh well. It is a good thing I root for both teams or it would be a long two hour drive back north tomorrow night.

Darko will shut down Sheed. He will also shut down Webber. In fact, Darko will guard Sheed and Webb at the exact same time.

While doing this, he will also put up this stat-line;
50 points, 30 rebounds, 16 blocks, 10 steals, and 9 assists

The score will be 150 to 2 (with our only 2 being scored by Darko as he accidently taps the ball into our basket while going for an rebound)

And we will all see the greatness that is Darko.

Darko will shut down Sheed. He will also shut down Webber. In fact, Darko will guard Sheed and Webb at the exact same time.

While doing this, he will also put up this stat-line;
50 points, 30 rebounds, 16 blocks, 10 steals, and 9 assists

The score will be 150 to 2 (with our only 2 being scored by Darko as he accidently taps the ball into our basket while going for an rebound)

And we will all see the greatness that is Darko.

Thats funny.

You know whats going to happen. Sheed will have a huge night but Darko supporters will argue that it all happened during the 8 mins when Darko was not guarding him.

Quick DHOF club question. Any of you fellas have NBA League Pass? Just curious.

Yes, I've had it the last 3 years. Love it, worth every penny.

No league pass, but I did watch Darko play the Knicks last night. Offensively, Darko used David Lee. But David Lee destroyed Darko on the boards, and was able to get Darko into foul trouble.

Weird mismatch, small PFs can't cover Darko, but they also get Darko into foul trouble because they're quicker.

Passing on David Lee for JMax ain't looking so good.

Pre game predictions, Detroit win, guaransheed. Orlando is terrible on the road, poorly coached, and they have a terrible back court. CB will get off, along with Rip and Tay. Darko and HoJo have their way with Sheed and CWebb, but the Dribbler and Jameer take 20 shots apiece, instead of getting the rock down low to the bigs.

it wasn't lee who got darko in foul trouble, it was curry

darko mad 2 quick fouls on curry at the end of 2nd and one at the start of the third and he sat the entire 3rd

Lee really tried to flop when Darko was posting him up. He guessed that he was going to get bumped and went flying when he didn't get touched. It was embarrasing.

I heard those new anti-flopping rules were designed to protect Darko from fouling out, so he can assume his rightful place in the 2003 draft with Chris Kaman, Zarko Cabarkapa and Brian Cook.

I heard those new anti-flopping rules were designed to protect Darko from fouling out, so he can assume his rightful place in the 2003 draft with Chris Kaman, Zarko Cabarkapa and Brian Cook.

By the way, in 461 less minutes this year, Darko has shot 77 more free throws than Rasheed Wallace. That's 85% more FT's.

When your a true post player, you definately have to worry about those floppers.

Thats funny.

You know whats going to happen. Sheed will have a huge night but Darko supporters will argue that it all happened during the 8 mins when Darko was not guarding him.

That always happens, I think it happened the last time the Pistons faced the Magic also.

How many 3s has Darko banged down? I heard Andreas Bargnani is giving him a run for the title of "the next Dirk". :MusicBigGrin:

How many 3s has Darko banged down? I heard Andreas Bargnani is giving him a run for the title of "the next Dirk". :MusicBigGrin:

He has attempted 1 three-ball this year.

Since his eFG% on the inside is .522, he should probably stay in the paint. eFG% on jumpers is only .219.


... and of course, eFG = FG when you haven't made any 3-pointers.

That always happens, I think it happened the last time the Pistons faced the Magic also.

It's pretty funny. According to the DHOF, Darko has never done anything wrong. It's always somebody elses fault or a non DHOF looking at it wrong. The minute a non DHOF points out a flaw in his performance, they are labeled a "Darko hater".

For every one DHOF there are a hundred people in the DDAY club (Darko Done Anything Yet?)

News flash: Nobody here HATES Darko (to my knowledge). So far he is an insignificant player in the NBA. Most of us HATE the fact that Joe D. drafted him, but we know that it isn't Darko's fault.

I honestly wonder if the DHOF really believes what they are saying or if it's just an attention seeking thing for most of them.

I honestly wonder if the DHOF really believes what they are saying or if it's just an attention seeking thing for most of them.
I've wondered the same thing about the people who argue that Darko has not made any progress, or back and forth with the DHOF in general. :D

I've wondered the same thing about the people who argue that Darko has not made any progress, or back and forth with the DHOF in general. :D

In my particular case it's a matter of " I need a quick 5 minute study break so I'll do something mindless to clear my head...hmmm...now who can I mess with?"

It's pretty funny. According to the DHOF, Darko has never done anything wrong. It's always somebody elses fault or a non DHOF looking at it wrong. The minute a non DHOF points out a flaw in his performance, they are labeled a "Darko hater".

For every one DHOF there are a hundred people in the DDAY club (Darko Done Anything Yet?)

News flash: Nobody here HATES Darko (to my knowledge). So far he is an insignificant player in the NBA. Most of us HATE the fact that Joe D. drafted him, but we know that it isn't Darko's fault.

I honestly wonder if the DHOF really believes what they are saying or if it's just an attention seeking thing for most of them.
Most people have left the extremes. The sides are closer than you think. It's all about perception.

Most DHOF believe he will be pretty good one day, and that his growth was retarded by Pistons, but no longer believe that he will be an All-Time 50 type player.

While, most of the Darko haters are starting to accept that he doesn't suck, is not a bust, but still think he tanked it in Detroit because of a lack of mental toughness and a sense of an entitlement. And they blame him for being picked #2.

And both sides love baiting the other.

I try to digest as much Darko fluff as I can without responding but its very difficult to take in the that stinch of manure without gagging.

Most people have left the extremes. The sides are closer than you think. It's all about perception.

Most DHOF believe he will be pretty good one day, and that his growth was retarded by Pistons, but no longer believe that he will be an All-Time 50 type player.

While, most of the Darko haters are starting to accept that he doesn't suck, is not a bust, but still think he tanked it in Detroit because of a lack of mental toughness and a sense of an entitlement. And they blame him for being picked #2.

And both sides love baiting the other.

True. ..except I think the bust thing is still debateable. Darko has a long way to go to justify being picked ahead of the all-stars that followed him in the draft.

Most people have left the extremes. The sides are closer than you think. It's all about perception.

Most DHOF believe he will be pretty good one day, and that his growth was retarded by Pistons, but no longer believe that he will be an All-Time 50 type player.

While, most of the Darko haters are starting to accept that he doesn't suck, is not a bust, but still think he tanked it in Detroit because of a lack of mental toughness and a sense of an entitlement. And they blame him for being picked #2.

And both sides love baiting the other.

Well said.

I can certainly respect that.

It's the extremists that I've been referring to.

I'm certainly not, and never was a DHOF, but I do believe he will be decent one day and that the Pistons could have done a better job handling him.

I was so mad being there (Detroit)," Milicic told the Orlando Sentinel. "I was just so happy to get out of there. As soon as I got here, I tried to focus on Orlando.".....................I will be making my long anticipated return as well....TO THE CHAT ROOM! :MusicBigGrin: I took some time off to get back in the gym , work on my promotion(which I got BTW) and focus on what this team really is. I see a team that , at the MAX, wont beat Miami in a series and if we make the finals, wont beat the West Champ.
We are good enough, but are we TOUGH enough. A deal for Mike James would steer things my way, but I really believed we could have got Big Nasty back here for a song....

o well, see ya around tip-off, my bruddahs!...y hermosas!:MusicBigGrin:

darko sux...............

Chat is open!

http://www.pistonsforum.com/misc.php?do=flashchat

Pistons cruised to an easy win tonight. They led by 19 at halftime, and led by CWebb's 14 pts in the 3rd quarter, they extended the lead all the way to 31 before 8-9 minutes of garbage time in the 4th quarter. Orlando had almost nothing going on offense besides Howard's physical dominance. Pistons spread the ball around and won it going away.

With the halftime lead at 19, Low decided to wager that the Magic would eventually cut the lead to less than 5. Well, he was only 11 points short...Magic cut it to 15, but then got blown out until garbage time. So now, for the next month, Low and Aurora will be sporting sigs and/or avatars chosen by linwood and yours truly.

No Mercy!!!!!!

Without Webber, we would be lost. CWebb outclassed everyone on the court tonight, including Dwight Howard.

I would also like to mention that it was tres bizarre to not see Darko out there during garbage time.

Without Webber, we would be lost. CWebb outclassed everyone on the court tonight, including Dwight Howard.No doubt. Have you seen the light and jumped off the Flip bandwagon for good?

Without Webber, we would be lost. CWebb outclassed everyone on the court tonight, including Dwight Howard.

Yeah, although he barely played in the first half after getting poked in the eye by D-Ho in the first minute of the game, and the Pistons were still up 19 at the half. Lindsey and Dice combined for 27 points on 10-15 shooting. Rip and CB combined for 35 points and 13 assists.

Well let's not get too carried away.

This team starts TurkeyGlue, the Bionic Grant, Midget Nelson and Darko. It's not exactly one of the elite NBA squads.

First, Darko did not do that bad. Not great either. Nuff of that.

Billups came out with some pep in his step in this one. Something about a very small, poor defensive guard on him. Sheed picked up two early fouls and Dyess came in for him and started right to scoring. Remember that hot streak Dyess was on? Interruped for a few games by some bruised ribs, but back going strong again.

Webber went out for much of the first half with an abrasion on the cornea, courtesy of a hand across the face from Howard. But it worked out just fine as he added some seriously good ball handling skill to our 2nd unit. And maybe the extra rest had something to do with him just tearing it up in the 2nd half. 14 3rd quarter points. Webber hit outside shots, and scored around the basket on cuts. Made some free throws too. Oh, and that drive inside for the reverse.

Hunter started the 2nd quarter with a personal 7-0 run against Orlando, and continued to hit his shots in the 2nd half. Another good game from him. (Thats 2 this month.) Arroyo was made to look pretty darn bad by Hunter in this one.

The Pistons were up 31 early 4th quarter and still had 2 starters in for a minute or two. Makes you a bit nervous.

Maxiell was in there for 3 minutes as we surged a bit to end the 2nd quarter. He got a few bounds and what not in garbage time. At least he got some playing time.

Dale Davis came in when Webber got the eye injury and did very well. Got several boards and some points in his short minutes.

Mohammed canned a couple of jumpers in garbage time. Murray, bless his soul, managed not to take any shots except when he had to because the shot clock was expiring.

Delfino led the team in rebounds. GO PISTONS!!!!!

I have something to complain about. The Magic are now under .500, but they're still in no danger of falling into the lottery with our pick. Get it together Nets and Knicks!

Webber again. But really that is not a contender there in Orlando. I mentioned this early in the season. So we can't get too excited about this win. We still have real work to do. We have to impose our will against the contenders.

Orlando is too inexperienced. They have trouble scoring and many other problems. Hey, they are not my team so I am not going to dwell on them. They are about on the level of the Clippers. So we will get about a 15th pick.

I wish Dice could finish around the hoop but his animated play and sweet jumper are fine. Can Hunter have found his shot at age 36? I still want Joe to make a move to help that second unit. Maxiel needs work. Dale is still tough.

Ok. Darko. I won't make a lot of this game or a game where he plays well either. He just wasn't a number 2 pick then and still not now. He will play better.

44 points from the bench...I'm impressed. None from Flip jr despite playing over 8 minsutes for garbage time. I wonder or hope that this may be the last time we see Flipjr or Nazr in a Piston uniform? I guess we will know in 24 hours.

Also what's with Rip and Sheed with the technical fouls? Sheed is 1 under the limit...where is Rip at this point. We could have both these guys sitting at home at crucial times especilally with the difficult schedule in March.

Anyway good game by all and hopefully the Pistons duplicate the effort Friday night when I am in dahouse down here in O'town, I will be there with my Sheed jersey rooting them on....

Shhhhhhh. Be vewwy vewwy quiet. I'm hunting Dahko hawl of famehs.:sssh:




:sherlock:I say ol' chap...which way did they go?

Shhhhhhh. Be vewwy vewwy quiet. I'm hunting Dahko hawl of famehs.:sssh:




:sherlock:I say ol' chap...which way did they go?


Lol what a crack up. They were here just a minute ago me thinks.... :outtahere:

Great win by the way. Lets see is there is any change in a couple of days. Me thinks not.

That win was easy, almost too easy. Did not even seem like the Pistons played that great and still walked away with it.

Nice to get the next game, great to demolish them again and take away some confidence. They would be 27-29 and when when you consider the hot streak they started the season with they have been playing losing ball for some time now.

Anyway, very entertaining game except for the D-league ref crew. Hopefully some of those techs will get reversed, not sure why they were even given. Very choppy game at times but you have to love how the Pistons manhandled them defensivly.

Hunter made a big difference in one of his very offensive games. Gives a sneak preview of how deadly this team can be with some help off the bench so hopefully Dumars can make something happen tomorrow.

Darko's big return, whatever. Arroyo actually got a small splattering of applause when he entered the game.

Had to go to the UIC Flames game, so just watched the Pistons on DVR.

Why do we not play Dale Davis more? It's mystifying. He's a tough SOB. 3 blocks in 11 minutes? There's our interior presence.

Overall, Sheed and Tay disappeared, but it was the best night our bench has had in quite a while. On a per minute basis, it was spectacular.

Darko- I thought it was a pretty bad performance by him. He got some good looks, but was obviously forcing it. The biggest factor was that Sheed and Webber kept him too far from the hoop for his hook shot to be reliable. On defense, he was good inside, but wasn't respecting Dyess's shot.

Sprocket says…

Tonight was either a work of art or perhaps the ugliest basketball game seen in these parts in a while depending on your point of view. The Pistons blow the Magic out of the building with some extraordinary individual and team performances while giving up 39 free throws and allowing the Magic to shoot 47% for the game.

Starting the game for the Magic, Darko shoots two for nine from the field (one for seven in the first half) and three for eight from the line. He does have seven boards, two assists, two steals, two blocks, with one turnover and three fouls, so sad to say, no resolution to the ongoing Darko debate.

The game starts slowly with neither team playing particularly well, ending in a 22-22 tie at the two minute mark. The main bright spot for the Pistons in the first ten minutes is a good stretch from Dale Davis who boards, blocks a couple of shots, roughs Howard up a bit, and gets a dunk.

The game turns in the last two minutes of the first with a Pistons run that extends to the eight minute mark of the second. Hunter has seven points in the stretch as the Pistons outscore the Magic by eleven to push the lead to eleven. Things hold even for a while but the Pistons finish strong, outscoring the Magic by seven to push the lead at the half to nineteen. Prince falls awkwardly towards the end of the period but stays in the game after Arnie provides a magic pill on the sidelines. Thanks to Hunter, Dice, and Delfino, the Pistons bench outscores the Magic boys from the pine twenty-five to nine in the first half.

The Magic start the second half hot, hitting six of eight shots over the first eight minutes of the third. The Pistons however shoot seven for eight in the same stretch and push the lead out to twenty. The minutes before and after the quarter break again prove decisive for the Pistons. They outscore the Magic eighteen to five in the stretch led by Webber and Hunter to take a thirty-one point lead at the ten minute mark of the fourth. Webber only misses one shot in the third, a beat the clock jumper, on his way to fourteen in the period. From then on it’s extended garbage time to the final score of 110-88.

Dwight Howard pours in twenty-six with fifteen boards, but the one man show isn’t enough against a balanced Pistons attack. Webber shoots eight for ten, Billups six for eleven, and Hamilton five for ten to join McDyess and Hunter in double figures. Wallace shoots poorly for the game (two for eight), but plays a strong floor game particularly on the defensive end. Continuing the streak, Prince has another forgettable night on his way to eight points and somehow, no boards. Delfino leads the Pistons in rebounding with seven.

darko was nervous i think. i went to the game and didn't like the response from the crowd. darko never did anything to the fans. but he gets a chance to redeem himself on friday. orlando might have traded for a new guard by then. orlando's backcourt sucks.

Thats funny.

You know whats going to happen. Sheed will have a huge night but Darko supporters will argue that it all happened during the 8 mins when Darko was not guarding him.

well, despite Darko putting up a laugher, Sheed managed to still be outplayed by him with his nice 4 points and 6 boards on 25% shooting.

Sprocket says…
Prince has another forgettable night on his way to eight points and somehow, no boards.

If there's a Tay, there's a way.

When Darko has as many assists as your point guards and less turnovers, then you know you have a problem.

2 assists and 3 turnovers in 30 minutes for Jameer Nelson? What was he doing? Flip Murray had 2 assists in 9 minutes... and he looked like crap.

When Darko has as many assists as your point guards and less turnovers, then you know you have a problem.

2 assists and 3 turnovers in 30 minutes for Jameer Nelson? What was he doing? Flip Murray had 2 assists in 9 minutes... and he looked like crap.

Man...everyone is messing up Darko.

Low brought up a good point in chat tonight. He talked about how the stupid wind currents in the Palace messed up Darkos free throws.

But I gotta say, he sure looked good on those misses. I think I also saw J. Howard scratching his leg near the free throw line right when Darko was gonna shoot. He woulda hit that shot if not for that.

Dude, you are really hung up on that comeback.


I'm just making an observation about the team we played tonight. Nothing unusual. Show me a Piston's game this year where none of our guards exceeded 2 assists (the Blalock games don't count).

In no way am I saying that it affected that one guy that you don't even think about at all.

well, despite Darko putting up a laugher, Sheed managed to still be outplayed by him with his nice 4 points and 6 boards on 25% shooting.

I don't really care who does what as long as the Pistons win.

I don't really care who does what as long as the Pistons win.

Amen, brother!

I just got back from the game and I might as well take my medicine. That was one very poor Magic team that showed up tonight and they did nothing to help me educate you folks.

No excuses, they just played very poorly and the Pistons were the cause of most of it. The defense looked quite active to me. There were pokeaways all over the place as well as being able to predict just about everything the Magic were about to do.

I still can't quite get over the glee that so many of the posters here show when Darko does not play well. That the the boos every time he touched the ball. I was hoping that it would have made him a little angry and make him play better but it seemed to have a deflating effect. It seemed like he lost lhis last friend. I still don't know what he himself actually did to piss off so many people. But that is just sports, I guess.

I save my passionate hatred for opposing players who knock my players down on the floor, like Malone did to Isiah. Things like that.

Anyway, I am beginning to doubt that the Magic will make the playoffs this year, but when they get Ariza and Battie back and several other players playing up to par again, maybe they will change my mind.

I still believe that they need a point guard but they consider Jameer one of the cornerstones of the franchise. Until they change their mind and get someone like Chauncey, Jason, or Steve, they are not going to get into the upper echelon. Period!! I believe that they have most of the other pieces there, although inexperienced as yet. But PG is a pretty much insurmountable lack to have.

Anyway, the crow tasted bad but maybe something will come along to take the taste out of my mouth.

berbs - I think it was some of his comments. Both after the trade and apparently recently on how glad he was to get out of Detroit and how much he hated being here.

Flip Saunders had made some good points in a recent interview when he used Billups as an example of a player who succeeded partly because he never carried the baggage of any grudges.

I don't know if Darko was trying to stick it to the Pistons , if he really thinks that way.

Yes, Max, I quite often wish those thoughts would be tossed in the garbage can, too. I wondered if he was using them as something to motivate himself, but they do not do that. I have not heard much about him saying them lately but they are still being reported.

However, the hating was going on before I found these forums and started posting on them. And that has been a couple of years, long before the trade and Darko's remarks.

The two sides will never get together, ever. Darko will be a total bust or will be an member of the hall of fame and still the other side will have reasons why it should not have happened. Just one of the mysteries of sports.

There are only a few players I have really hated. As you already know, Malone was the first. Bill Cartwight is the second. I can't think of anyone that I hate just because they exist. Gotta be a reason.

One thing I found out tonight. Instead of parking at the Palace and paying for it and waiting so long to get out afterwards, we ate at a restaurant across the street. They had a $3. per person shuttle that picked us up right at the East exit right after the game and we were in our cars inside of 10 minutes, driving away with no problem. I got on northbound I-75 and made tracks out of there. I think the place was called Tops, or something like that. I believe there are at least two who provide the same service.

lazyberbs - I thought some of his comments were recent?

True he never got a shot here and Dumars should have asked him if he would be ok not playing much for a few years before he drafted him.

Maybe Orlando will give us a great pick this summer and the healing can begin.

Cry me a river. Poor Darko.

:pound:

If you can't get up for a game like this, what does that say for ya. Sad. Those Pistons fans are so...so...mean. How dare they boo a potential Hall of Famer? Poor millionaire.

Oh yeah, Bballjay thanks for the joke. That's the closest you ever came to saying Darko didn't play well...you still didn't say it though. "Darko was nervous." Hilarious. That's what my mom would say if I stunk it up on the court. "Baby, it's alright.. you was just nervous." lol.

Magic are 2-4 with Darko starting. Watch out league...here comes the Magic! :pound: :pound: :pound: :pound: :pound:

Nice freethrows, Dorko.

Okay, I'm done rubbing it in. Thank you Pistons for making my day!

I didn't read the article, but Darko did have recent comments about the Pistons.

Everyone from around here knows, even if we don't like one another, as soon as someone from the outside starts talking trash, we suddenly become like brothers.

All jokes aside, Darko actually didn't look that bad to me. Cripes is he fast, and boy can he defend the P&R. Obviously his offense and rebounding are not a lot to write home about, but his new desire to get physical is refreshing.

But as dba wrote, how did we win letting our opponent play what was statistically not a terrible game?

Remember how Darko complained when Pistons fans cheered him during his garbage time appearances, because it was "embarrassing"?

Now we're ogres for booing him. A pity he can't play in empty arenas.

But as dba wrote, how did we win letting our opponent play what was statistically not a terrible game?

It was all about better ball movement. The Pistons had 27 assists against 13 turnovers, while the Magic had 16 assists and 22 turnovers. A lot of those turnovers were Howard's fault--he did have 26 points and 15 boards, but he turned it over 6 times. Detroit got 9 more shots from the floor than the Magic did, which isn't usually that huge a disparity, but the Pistons made it count by making 8 more of those extra shots. Magic had way more FTs in the first half, but they bricked a bunch of them. Still, even if they hadn't clanged it up from the line, they would have been down maybe 11 or 12 at the half instead of 19. I.e., maybe it wouldn't have been a blowout at that point, but the missed FTs weren't the main reason they lost.

What worries me is that while we are forcing turnovers, we are not playing good FG% defense. One could infer that we are trying to steal possessions, not challenge shooters.

At least in this game, D-Ho was dominant in the lane, 11-15 from the floor, but most of their perimeter players shot poorly. Hedo and Jameer couldn't hit the side of a barn for most of the game.

Don't know if it is a coincidence that they have the 3 former Pistons (Arroyo, Darko & Hill) picture taken together over at Detnews. Kind of funny though. Arroyo looks like he's dreaming, Darko can't bear to hear the crowd and Hill looks like he wished he was still be playing for the Pistons or all 3 of them still do.:MusicBigGrin:

Anyway, GREAT GAME!

My petty comments:

D Davis - Why is he not play regularly, only Flip knows.
Delfino - team high with 7 rebounds. I think he leads all small guard/ small forwards in the NBA in that category with the minutes he's getting.
Hunter - if only he can shoot like this consistently. Or even if his shots is off once or twice every month, we wouldn't be talking about getting another guard before the trade deadline.
Webber - if a poke in the eye makes him shoot like that, somebody please poke his eyes every game in the playoffs.
12th Man - Who's our 12th man in this game? Why didn't he play? Why risk Hunter getting a freak injury???

Hope we can play like that again on Friday. GO PISTONS!!!

One thing I found out tonight. Instead of parking at the Palace and paying for it and waiting so long to get out afterwards, we ate at a restaurant across the street. They had a $3. per person shuttle that picked us up right at the East exit right after the game and we were in our cars inside of 10 minutes, driving away with no problem. I got on northbound I-75 and made tracks out of there. I think the place was called Tops, or something like that. I believe there are at least two who provide the same service.

yeah Hoops does that too and it's very convenient. big buck brewery used to, but they closed.

sheed and webber took darko to school tonight. it was nice to see sheed focused on the game and focused on showin darko he's got a loooooong way to go. we dominated despite the magic getting tons of calls and free throws. howard still turns it over too much and can't hit free throws.

and arroyo...he seemed a little too happy / friendly / playful when he got on the court, while lindsey and chauncey handled their business and went to work.

great game overall - 45 bench points, no starter played excessive minutes, 2 guys in double figures off the bench, and even maxiell had 6 boards. and goooooo draft pick!!

What worries me is that while we are forcing turnovers, we are not playing good FG% defense. One could infer that we are trying to steal possessions, not challenge shooters.

That is how you have to play the Magic. When they actually get the ball inside, they shoot an incredibly high percentage. However, they turn it over more than any other team.

Look at Dwight Howard's last 10 games. He has shot 88-116 from the field! That's 76%... Shaq-like. But, he has turned the ball over 43 times. That means that they only score 55% of the time when they try to feed him.

Chauncey Billups: C+
Rip Hamilton: C+
Tayshaun Prince: D
Rasheed Wallace: B-
Chris Webber: A-
Antonio McDyess: A-
Lindsey Hunter: B+
Carlos Delfino: B
Jason Maxiell: B-
Dale Davis: A

Overall: B

"You've got to play near perfect against them," point guard Jameer Nelson said.



Pistons crush Magic - Orlando Sentinel : Top Sports Pistons crush Magic - Orlando Sentinel : Top Sports (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/local/orl-magic22a07feb22,0,3543559.story?coll=orl-sports-headlines)

Chauncey Billups: C+
Rip Hamilton: C+

Rip was 5-10 from the floor and 7-7 from the line, CB was 6-11 and 4-4. Rip did have 3 turnovers and CB 2, but Rip also had 6 assists and CB had 7. Yet you think those are only C+ performances?

I still can't quite get over the glee that so many of the posters here show when Darko does not play well.



I think it's partially to razz :boink:fellow forumites and partially relief and confirmation that we didn't give away a valuable future asset. Maybe I'm just projecting my own thoughts though.

I don't really think anyone here bears any malice toward Darko. He's just a kid.

II still can't quite get over the glee that so many of the posters here show when Darko does not play well. That the the boos every time he touched the ball. I was hoping that it would have made him a little angry and make him play better but it seemed to have a deflating effect. It seemed like he lost lhis last friend. I still don't know what he himself actually did to piss off so many people. But that is just sports, I guess.

Pistons crush Magic - Orlando Sentinel : Top Sports Pistons crush Magic - Orlando Sentinel : Top Sports (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/local/orl-magic22a07feb22,0,3543559.story?coll=orl-sports-headlines)

There is a logical explanation for all of the booing, and it comes from someone who should know. From the article max linked to, it seems that many Detroit fans are:

1. verbose
2. unable to play basketball
3. intoxicated

Now that's a bad combination.

"I thought there were going to be haters, guys who don't like me," Milicic said. "That's part of it when you buy a ticket. They come to talk. They can't play. They come to talk and get drunk and yell. The crowd here is tough."

If the crowd got to a player, they did their job.

If the crowd got to a player, they did their job.
Considering it's a half empty arena, with slightly better attendance due the travelling Darko fan roadshow. Great job Detroit!

I was so mad being there (Detroit)," Milicic told the Orlando Sentinel. "I was just so happy to get out of there. As soon as I got here, I tried to focus on Orlando.".....................THATS WHY HE WAS BOOED...who the hell does he think he is. He' s the biggest bust in Piston history or at least since Jimmie Walker over Earl Monroe. I hope u Darko lovers enjoyed his performance last night and appreciate that as wrong as Joe was to draft him , he was just as smart to trade him.

Rip was 5-10 from the floor and 7-7 from the line, CB was 6-11 and 4-4. Rip did have 3 turnovers and CB 2, but Rip also had 6 assists and CB had 7. Yet you think those are only C+ performances?

Maybe B's. I just gave A's and B's to the guys who stood out when they played. Dale and Max really crashed the boards, Sheed and Dice played really good on defense as well.

I think it's partially to razz :boink:fellow forumites and partially relief and confirmation that we didn't give away a valuable future asset. Maybe I'm just projecting my own thoughts though.

I don't really think anyone here bears any malice toward Darko. He's just a kid.

That pretty much sums up my thoughts as well.

They come to talk. They can't play. They come to talk, get drunk, and yell. It's a tough crowd.

It's like Darko knows me, but yet he's never even met me.

Add "Insightful Wise Man" to his resume.

Well I think Darkos gone from being a Wussy, Jake, crybay to some one who can do BIG damage in the paint.
And I agree with those who said, "second pick was too high"...5 or 6 but not 8 or worse

I think Bill Laimbeer was booed at every basketball stadium or arena outside Michigan, yet he still put up consistent numbers almost every game. And I am now wondering if Bill was actually a no. 2 pick...:nono:

One time, when the Pistons played the Celtics at the old Boston Gardens, a fan took a chainsaw to a laimbeer poster. Right on the sideline.

I missed that lol.

Oh yeah, Bballjay thanks for the joke. That's the closest you ever came to saying Darko didn't play well...you still didn't say it though. "Darko was nervous." Hilarious. That's what my mom would say if I stunk it up on the court. "Baby, it's alright.. you was just nervous." lol.

Magic are 2-4 with Darko starting. Watch out league...here comes the Magic! :pound: :pound: :pound: :pound: :pound:

Nice freethrows, Dorko.

Okay, I'm done rubbing it in. Thank you Pistons for making my day!

i don't think he played well. i also don't think he played bad. he missed a few shots but i think they were good shots. i think he rebounded decent and got a few calls that didn't go his way. he altered lots of shots and blocked a few.

basically darko and dwight will reach a new level when the magic get some real outside threats. they play differently with diener, arroyo and jj. i think jameer is too small and slow to be a shoot first pg. the bigs basically have to make thier own move at all times against the guy they are checking plus the outside defenders sagging down.

orlando needs a coaching change. there's no way you have two big athletic 7 footers and nobody can make an entry pass. they also play a slow down game to a big man who hasn't developed low post moves yet. if they are going to do that the offense should be ran through darko who can post and pass. let darko shoot and dwight can clean up the misses this can be very effective.

he missed a few shots but i think they were good shots.

Sorry Jay. A "missed shot" cannot be a "good shot". Not even for Darko. If it was a (good) high percentage shot and he missed it...that's even worse.

i don't think he played well. i also don't think he played bad. he missed a few shots but i think they were good shots. i think he rebounded decent and got a few calls that didn't go his way. he altered lots of shots and blocked a few.

basically darko and dwight will reach a new level when the magic get some real outside threats. they play differently with diener, arroyo and jj. i think jameer is too small and slow to be a shoot first pg. the bigs basically have to make thier own move at all times against the guy they are checking plus the outside defenders sagging down.

orlando needs a coaching change. there's no way you have two big athletic 7 footers and nobody can make an entry pass. they also play a slow down game to a big man who hasn't developed low post moves yet. if they are going to do that the offense should be ran through darko who can post and pass. let darko shoot and dwight can clean up the misses this can be very effective.

okay buddy.

why are most of the posts related to Darko?? I know it hurts that he was our second pick before wade, arenas and the rest. But we need to get over it. I did not watch the game and wanted to see more comments about how the pistons played in this game. All i see is comments about Darko. LET US GET OVER HIM.

why are most of the posts related to Darko?? I know it hurts that he was our second pick before wade, arenas and the rest. But we need to get over it. I did not watch the game and wanted to see more comments about how the pistons played in this game. All i see is comments about Darko. LET US GET OVER HIM.

The Pistons played well. They did an excellent job of neutrilizing Darko and did a good job of not playing as poorly as Darko did. Actually, I didn't see the game either. I'm just taking a shot in the dark.

On a more serious note, I'm sure you've heard of the game Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.
Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_Degrees_of_Kevin_Bacon)

Well, around here, it's One Degree of Darko Milicic. ANY discussion about ANY subject in ANY thread can be connected to Darko with 1 link.

Don't believe me? Try it. Start a thread about any subject you want and let Darko work his Orlando Magic...

Sorry Jay. A "missed shot" cannot be a "good shot". Not even for Darko. If it was a (good) high percentage shot and he missed it...that's even worse.
If you don't grasp the concept between bad shots and good shots that miss and go in, watch a few minutes of Flip Murray.

If you don't grasp the concept between bad shots and good shots that miss and go in, watch a few minutes of Flip Murray.

I don'' know if it's sad or laughable that all the DHOF has left is:

(1) Comparing Darko to the great Flip Murray to prove Darko belongs:nerd2:

and

(2) bragging that his MISSED shots looked good.:pound: