[Detroit Free Press] Darko calling it an NBA career

He's not complete garbage. Motivated Darko held his own against Duncan a few times before, and even when he's half-assing it he's a decent defensive player. IMHO Darko could have been a Pau Gasol as his absolute peak had he been a hard worker and gone to a good team. That's not too bad IMHO, unfortunately he will never realize his potential, seeing as how he already squandered most of it the past few years.

 

This is an agree to disagree thing.

You're wanting people to say Darko has the talent potential and upside of the top 10 players in the game. No one is going to say that.

Darko's lack of motivation and mental development has held back his progress. Definitely, we all agree on that.

What you want it to be is if Darko committed himself he'd be right there with the Yao Ming/Dwight Howard/Tim Duncan class. I say he's Andrew Bynum/Andrew Bogut. But thats just opinion. I didnt see the 2nd coming of young Arvydas Sabonis. Not a lot of people do or did.

What I did see was great shotblocking instincts, good footwork for his size on the perimeter, ability to run the court. Flashes of fluid movements on offense but not near refined enough. Doesnt show a "knack" for scoring except a left hook. So he's easy to gameplan against in the NBA. Darko's like that hard luck cousin you feel bad for and wish he'd get his head straight. The Serbian Wang Zhi Zhi.

 

So not completely garbage = potentially Pau Gasol?

 

yeah, Darko had the potential to be a decent starter. he couldve maybe been like pau gasol. but the fact of the matter is that he didnt. he had some good games against duncan. that doesnt say much considering the rest of his short lived nba career. players like gerald green and james flight white have enormous talent but can't make it to any nba teams. kinda the same thing as darko. he doesnt have what it takes mentally to make it. yeah, maybe if he had a decent coach, but that doesnt control whether or not you hit the gym and try to get stronger or work on your defense and rebounding. if you read what he said then that sums it up. he didnt want to put forth the work it takes to be a star. he felt he was entitled to being a star because of his hype. he wants to go to europe so that he can get more touches and have an offense run through him. basically like a dog running away with its tail between its legs.

and the point i make with oden and bowie is that they were both great talents who when healthy could produce. Darko couldnt even do it when he was healthy. People were even saying he was better than Yao. Yao got owned many times in his career, but he worked hard and adjusted. look at Yao and then look at Darko. look at Pau and look at Darko. hell like someone else said. look at Kaman and Darko. even Andersen compared to Darko. the guy is garbage. garbage with potential but garbage nevertheless imho.

 

Darko now = not complete garbage

Darko's Potential = Pau Gasol

Get the diff?