Thank god that ended early. As for Darko, the guy could be a high reward for whoever signs him next. Last season was only the first time he got consistent playing time and you could say it was his rookie season. He has shown potential, has a good skill set for a guy of his size and is still VERY young - he still has the potential to become a real nice player. If it takes the full MLE, you still have the LLE to get a Joe Smith, Malik Allen, etc., plus have a guard or two you can trade to get another front court player to add depth.
Only Charlotte and Memphis could sign him, unless Detroit doesn't resign Billups. Charlotte doesn't need him with Okafor and May. Memphis might take him to help Gasol. He'll have to sign for the MLE or go to Memphis.
http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070702/SPORTS/707020330/1002/SPORTS Seems like Darko is asking for a whole lot. What team in the league can/would pay him that?
For a 22 year old I think he has done remarkable in the NBA. And as playlife insightfully pointed out, he should be compared to rookies coming into the NBA THIS YEAR, not three years ago. One of the reasons I am glad JVG is gone is that he wouldn't play rookies. The Rockets did a great job of developing mid and late first round rookies under Tomjanovich. Horry, Cassell, Dickerson, Mobley, Kenny Thomas - none of them expected to do anything, but all got enough minutes early on to develop - UNLIKE DARKO.
I'm really curious about that too. he certainly pulled one over on us and the media reports for the draft. maybe he has something comparable planned. fwiw my anger with his draft decisions has turned into patience after seeing the videos on these guys. the picks are certainly intriguing now that I have calmed down.
No one will, that's just ridiculous. Of course Vince carter was asking for 20 million a year and settled for 15. If you can knock down Darko's pay by about 4 or 5 million then maybe we can think about it.
Darko needs to except the MLE,Forget the max dollars right now because he is tailor made to play in rick's system. He'll put up vlade divac,brad miller and Chris webber numbers with a better defensive game to go along with it.
Darko needs work, he needs a system that fits his skills, Morey and adelman need to sell him on the idea that his skills fit with the rockets perfect. He is tailor made to play in the type of offense that rick adelman is bringing to houston.
Darko was unfortunate to have Larry Brown as his 1st coach. He's just like JVG in terms of they don't feel like developing nor playing rookies or any young player for that matter unless it's their only option. Every team out there knew Darko was going to be a project when he declared for the draft. All big men are projects, but the fact remains he has skills and that's why he was the #2 overall pick. At the time Detroit didn't need him and Larry Brown probably knew he'd leave anyways by the time Darko developed. I remember a couple Pistons saying he had skills and great potential since they would scrimmage against eachother. Anyways, i think he'd make a great PF next to Yao and was just held back on his development a couple years because he as drafted by the Pistons. Yao and Darko would definitely clog the lane and increase our rebounds and blocked shots, that is if people would still bother trying to drive to the basket knowing they have to get past 14 feet and 7 inches.
The Florida Today newspaper link also mentions the Timberwolves as under the cap, also. I wonder if they meant Memphis.
Yeah he is tripping with the 10 million dollars only averaging 8 pts and 6 rebounds a game. He needs to work for that 10 milllion,The rockets will be a perfect fit for his game right now.
well we will agree to disagree. to me this guy has overpaid disappointment written all over him. when I have watched him I was always underwhelmed by his feel for the game. size and athleticism can't make up for that.
Ouch, 5 years $75 million. The Magic will be kicking themselves for the last two years of that contract. Rashard is not worth that much, even though right now he is a nice complement to Howard's inside game. There was no way we could even come close to matching that. Unfortunately it seems that Darko will ask for Nene money. Hopefully he will get it from nobody, and then we can nab him for a reasonable amount.
