<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Franchise4Ever:</div><div class="quote_post">Yes d00d, Nate Huffman is god. Don't question him ever in my presence again. But more seriously Nate Huffman and Bo Outlaw are two different cases. Nate can't play as good d as Bo, as well as not bringing what Bo can bring. The guy is only getting 11 minutes tops when coming off the bench, for the numbers and intangibles he brings in those 11 minutes I think its perfectly fine that he stays. He only comes off when Dwight, Darko, or Battie get benched and thats no problem at all. You never ever want a raw team with almost no veteran leadership. This isn't to say that Battie isn't a veteran however. Regardless you act as if his 11 minutes ,which I am thinking will go down a lot this season, is killing our young guys severly. It's not like he is dead weight on the court. Granted he doesn't get the ball on offense much if at all but he does like I said, intangibles. I remember him creating a lot of opportunities last season from him doing something so simple such as boxing out his man, playing good d, grabbing an offensive rebound, etc. I remember BKS and Brian had a similar arguement about Aaron Mckie on the Lakers board.</div> I can actually see where you're getting at with this and I guess I agree for the most part. Well, the point I was originally trying to making was that Bo Outlaw sucks if he's given substantial playing time and shouldn't be relied upon to come off the bench as a part of the second unit, but maybe as a guy that comes in once in a while is good. I still stand by my statements earlier that Darko could be a lot more effective if used properly if he came off the bench to play against the second unit big men.
I hate when guys get drafted too high or get traded for a good player. Tyson Chandler got traded for Elton Brand. It isn't his fault he got traded. It doesn't mean Tyson's a bust. It also shouldn't mean that Darko's a bust. European players always get high expectations to be the next Dirk. I actually hate when that happens. But Darko is a solid shooter and and a good defender. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Bo Outlaw can still do "something". He did a lot of dirty work last season as well as grabbing an ocassional board. He also played good d in the time he got. Not to mention his veteran leadership that is invaluable especially with these young guys. I've also heard he helps Dwight on his post moves and defense in practice.</div> Couldn't agree more. Nice to see you around Ramen. Anyways, Bo is a good defender and does something that even Dwight doesn't do.........get dirty. This man will give picks, get a rebounder, dive for a loose ball, etc. Sure the guy can't make freethrows to save his life, but neither can Shaq who is dominate. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">asdf: Yes, but read what I said earlier, Dwight needs to be spoonfed early as possible to help boost his confidence, and even if Darko takes only 7 to 11 shots a game it still detracts from developing Dwight's offensive game regardless. You also make it sound like Dwight Howard actually has an offensive game at this point. He's shown signs of doing some things in the post and hitting the occasional jumper, but most of his points come off of rebounds, tip-ins, or dunks. In order to help develop that, getting him involved early will greatly boost his confidence. You didn't prove anything with that last post, you're just re-hashing what you said and saying that Darko will need to guard the likes of Tim Duncan and Amare Stoudemire is absolutely crazy. Considering that Darko has hardly seen any playing time the past few years, he'll need to work his way up to develop his defensive game and help his shot blocking game progress. Throwing him head first into the likes of the best power fowards in the league isn't going to help with that. So you honestly believe that Bo Outlaw can still do something? Wow, you definitely have faith in those guys. Not really suprised there. I still don't see the point you're making, you're just throwing stuff up there hoping that I'll be convinced. By the way, Steven Hunter kicks ass. HAHAHA. THANK you asdf... i would have said it all myself, but i knew someone else would. Best post in this thread thus far.</div> Mickey, how is this the best post so far?? First off, I never said that Dwight has an offensive game. The man doesn't. Just because he makes spectacular dunks doesn't mean he has offense. But why should Dwight be shooting jumpers then?? If Darko can make jumpers, let him shoot and let Dwight be inside and make short hooks. If that is his limitation, then why try to make him something he isn't? Dwight Howard is not a good defender so why should HE guard Tim Duncan and Amare? Darko is better suited because of his awareness. Dwight has no awareness on the defensive side even with his freakish ability. By the way, Steven Hunter is a scrub and hasn't done anything in the last so many years he's played in the NBA. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The way I see it, the only way for Darko to shed his 'bust' label is to be more than just a solid big man. While 12/7 and 2 blocks are good numbers for a big man, you have to take into consideration his draft position: 2nd overall. It gets even worse when you factor in three players he was taken over - Anthony, Wade, and Bosh - are already on the All-Star level. Granted, no one knew those three would be this good, but all three were rated higher than him during the draft. Since the Pistons were already solid at every position, they should have just drafted the best available talent or trade the pick. Unfortunately for Darko, this means the success of the '03 class combined with his lack of playing time for the Pistons will make him a bust in the eyes of most. Even if he somehow manages to average big time numbers, it is highly doubtful he can match the success of a Wade, Bosh, Anthony, or even a Josh Howard. So is Darko a bust? Yes, but you also have to remember he's also a good player too.</div> He was drafted 2nd overall. Will Darko ever be an all-star?? Maybe. Time will tell. It took Kobe some time to become an all-star. It also took Jermaine O'Neal time. The Pistons drafted him for what reason, personally I don't even know to be honest with you. I really don't like Europeans players because you don't know how they are going to turn out. I rather would have picken Carmelo to replace Tayshaun. Josh Howard isn't really an All-Star. He is a role player. There's a big difference. You don't know if Darko will have better success than Josh has. Darko isn't necessarily a bust until he retires or leaves the NBA. He hasn't had many opportunities to show his game and now he's getting a chance to show it with the Magic.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting CLos:</div><div class="quote_post">Mickey, how is this the best post so far?? First off, I never said that Dwight has an offensive game. The man doesn't. Just because he makes spectacular dunks doesn't mean he has offense. But why should Dwight be shooting jumpers then?? If Darko can make jumpers, let him shoot and let Dwight be inside and make short hooks. If that is his limitation, then why try to make him something he isn't? Dwight Howard is not a good defender so why should HE guard Tim Duncan and Amare? Darko is better suited because of his awareness. Dwight has no awareness on the defensive side even with his freakish ability. By the way, Steven Hunter is a scrub and hasn't done anything in the last so many years he's played in the NBA.</div> as soon as i read that i knew i was dealing with a lost cause... btw... it wasn't me that told you how it is, that was asdf... he knows what he is talking about and THAT is why it was the best post so far. i also found his post very funny because he was trying to slap some logic into you kids. That dwight howard comment is ridiculous.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MickyEyez:</div><div class="quote_post">as soon as i read that i knew i was dealing with a lost cause... btw... it wasn't me that told you how it is, that was asdf... he knows what he is talking about and THAT is why it was the best post so far. i also found his post very funny because he was trying to slap some logic into you kids. That dwight howard comment is ridiculous.</div> He isn't a very good defender, YET. He gets the majority of his blocks on help defense on pure athleticism alone, but he overpursues too much on help defense that allows his man to get an easy layup or dunk. He really isn't a good man to man defender either. His man normally gets above their avg when matching up against Dwight. Do I think he will become a good defender? Yes, eventually I think he will be a good defender. It will take time. I mean the kid is still 20 years old and he's still developing a lot. Right now though to be honest with you I would say he's an average defender at best. I understand your point about bringing Darko off the bench, but I feel we would be better just starting Darko, so that Dwight can mainly just focus on his offensive game and rebounding at the beginning to get his confidence up, while Darko guards the best offensive player on the other team. This also will "protect" Dwight from early foul trouble. Darko will get his fair share of minutes against the 2nd team, but I just think Darko is best suited starting for this team and let Battie be the backup with his energy off the bench. About Darko being a bust. Quite frankly I don't care. The Magic didn't draft him, so why should we worry about if he's a bust or not. We should just compare him to Kelvin Cato and whoever the pick ends up turning out as and not Wade, Lebron, Melo, Bosh, etc.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting CLos:</div><div class="quote_post">He was drafted 2nd overall. Will Darko ever be an all-star?? Maybe. Time will tell. It took Kobe some time to become an all-star. It also took Jermaine O'Neal time. The Pistons drafted him for what reason, personally I don't even know to be honest with you. I really don't like Europeans players because you don't know how they are going to turn out. I rather would have picken Carmelo to replace Tayshaun. Josh Howard isn't really an All-Star. He is a role player. There's a big difference. You don't know if Darko will have better success than Josh has. Darko isn't necessarily a bust until he retires or leaves the NBA. He hasn't had many opportunities to show his game and now he's getting a chance to show it with the Magic.</div> You have a good point with Jermaine O'Neal (not really the case with Kobe). Still, what separates O'Neal and Darko is their position where drafted. Darko was drafted second over the likes of three all-star caliber players. Jermaine O'Neal was drafted 17th overall so even if he did become a bust it wouldn't be nearly as bad. Even if Darko becomes a good player, it's safe to say he won't enjoy as much success as Wade, 'Melo, Bosh, or even Josh Howard. Howard might be a role player, but he still is very solid averaging 16/6/2.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MrJ:</div><div class="quote_post">You have a good point with Jermaine O'Neal (not really the case with Kobe). Still, what separates O'Neal and Darko is their position where drafted. Darko was drafted second over the likes of three all-star caliber players. Jermaine O'Neal was drafted 17th overall so even if he did become a bust it wouldn't be nearly as bad. Even if Darko becomes a good player, it's safe to say he won't enjoy as much success as Wade, 'Melo, Bosh, or even Josh Howard. Howard might be a role player, but he still is very solid averaging 16/6/2.</div> I see what you mean MrJ that Jermaine O'Neal was drafted as high as Darko. He still had high expectations as high schoolers & European players are ranked really high coming out of their respective field. Hopefully, MrJ you didn't think that I said Josh Howard sucked or anything he just isn't on the level of LBJ, Melo, Wade, and Bosh yet. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting GatorsowntheNCAA:</div><div class="quote_post">I didn't mean to claim that Josh Howard like sucked or anything. Hopefully you don't think that MrJ. Anyways, you have a right that Jermaine O'Neal was only drafted 17th instead of 2nd overall. I can say this though..........we all agree that Kwame Brown is a bust! That man has had enough time to develop and still hasn't had a chance to. He isn't a very good defender, YET. He gets the majority of his blocks on help defense on pure athleticism alone, but he overpursues too much on help defense that allows his man to get an easy layup or dunk. He really isn't a good man to man defender either. His man normally gets above their avg when matching up against Dwight. Do I think he will become a good defender? Yes, eventually I think he will be a good defender. It will take time. I mean the kid is still 20 years old and he's still developing a lot. Right now though to be honest with you I would say he's an average defender at best. I understand your point about bringing Darko off the bench, but I feel we would be better just starting Darko, so that Dwight can mainly just focus on his offensive game and rebounding at the beginning to get his confidence up, while Darko guards the best offensive player on the other team. This also will "protect" Dwight from early foul trouble. Darko will get his fair share of minutes against the 2nd team, but I just think Darko is best suited starting for this team and let Battie be the backup with his energy off the bench. About Darko being a bust. Quite frankly I don't care. The Magic didn't draft him, so why should we worry about if he's a bust or not. We should just compare him to Kelvin Cato and whoever the pick ends up turning out as and not Wade, Lebron, Melo, Bosh, etc.</div> You have literally said everything that I was going to say. No joke. Now this is the best so far in the thread!!!
