<div class="quote_poster">Quoting :</div><div class="quote_post">Is this why he's a worse pick at two than Darko? You are just telling me why they drafted him but not really agreeing or giving facts as to whether it was a good move or not.</div> Darko was drafted as a project. He's a 7-footer who shows flashes of greatness. Give the guy a break, he is the youngest player in the league still trying to get used to the American culture/game. The Pistons already have a great team, he doesn't even need to play right now. Larry Brown is doing a great job in his development. He needs to be brought along slowly, and develop his game more. He's VERY raw but i'm not too worried about him. Give him a few years before the talks of "busts" come up. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting :</div><div class="quote_post">I still don't know....Darko over Carmelo??? Can someone please tell me that he will be better than Carmelo???</div> We won't know that until Darko gets more minutes; he's still learning. Carmelo was a sure thing for the Nuggets. He already has the experience and knows what it takes to win ballgames. You can't compare the two players because Melo is purely a scorer. I haven't seen Darko play much but his game is more than scoring. Would the Pistons be better with Carmelo? Yes, but they took a chance on Darko. The eastern conference doesn't have a legit 7 footer and Darko could eventually dominate the conference. Had they drafted Carmelo, they would have their first option on offense. That would raise some questions regarding Rip though, because he has played great for them.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Would the Pistons be better with Carmelo? Yes, but they took a chance on Darko. The eastern conference doesn't have a legit 7 footer and Darko could eventually dominate the conference. Had they drafted Carmelo, they would have their first option on offense. That would raise some questions regarding Rip though, because he has played great for them.</div> But having three options on offence(billups, hamilton, anthony) would be dangerous. Noone in the Eastern conference could match the Pistons defensively and offensively. I think adding Carmelo would make them pretty unstoppable. This is all speculation but I'm sticking with my opinion that Carmelo looks like the real deal, while looking at Darko leads one to just speculate period.
How about this one? http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=extrordinary The point is that there is an a in it. And Ice Breaker said basically what I have been saying for the past two days. Although, I'm not sure if Carmelo would be the number 1 option.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting CourtVision:</div><div class="quote_post">But having three options on offence(billups, hamilton, anthony) would be dangerous. Noone in the Eastern conference could match the Pistons defensively and offensively. I think adding Carmelo would make them pretty unstoppable. This is all speculation but I'm sticking with my opinion that Carmelo looks like the real deal, while looking at Darko leads one to just speculate period.</div> They would, but don't you understand why Darko was drafted? He is purely a gamble, and the Pistons were willing to take it. They don't really need anything else on their roster; they have great defense, a strong bench, a consistent scorer, and a great rebounder. Read his NBAdraft.net profile. http://nbadraft.net/profiles/darkomilicic.htm His potential is endless. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting :</div><div class="quote_post">Although, I'm not sure if Carmelo would be the number 1 option.</div> Yeah, Rip would still probably be their top option. He inked a new deal with the Pistons as well, so he's not going anywhere.
Carmelo would of been the 3rd option and therefore not as effective.As I have said before Melo would not of made this team a championship team,which is why waiting for Darko to produce was the best option.Sure the Pistons team could make the finals but can they win the title? No I don't think so,so why not wait on a forward who could easily become an inside force,a 20,10 and 3 player? Joe Dumars knows what he is doing.He has helped build a east contender,his decisions that could bring a title to Detroit could work out for the better. Unless you are Michael Jordan you aren't winning a title without a big man in the middle. Remember that.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting PyroManiac:</div><div class="quote_post">How about this one? http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=extrordinary The point is that there is an a in it. </div> Damn, I used it in microsoft word and it worked out, I guess you win the justbball spelling bee Not a championship team? I don't know if you can say that for sure. With Melo they would have a solid team up and down the roster and given a few years with Wallace manning the paint and Melo developing they could have been contenders for years. Number 1 option maybe not this year, but having that much firepower along with defensive intensity could have put them over the top. But I'm just speculating along with everyone else on views about Darko and Melo. Is this five not worth fighting for though? pg- Billups sg- Hamilton sf- Melo pf- Wallace c- Okur bench- Prince, Campbell, Sura, Atkins, Rebraca Solid from 1 to 5 and the bench is mad potent as well. Could Melo make them a championship contender? IMO I honestly think so, maybe not this year(being his rookie year) but this team is one that would contend for years. Is Darko going to be more of a superstar than Melo? Maybe, but not in the next two to three years. I'm just speculating, but I guess everyone else is at the same time. But I know this for sure....Melo is going to be a superstar in this league, and Darko....could be.... <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Unless you are Michael Jordan you aren't winning a title without a big man in the middle. Remember that.</div> You can never say never. You can't win a ring without a quality centre in the NBA(and okur and Wallace are not capable??)? I'm pretty sure that you can win....even IF you ain't Jordan
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting CourtVision:</div><div class="quote_post">Damn, I used it in microsoft word and it worked out, I guess you win the justbball spelling bee Not a championship team? I don't know if you can say that for sure. With Melo they would have a solid team up and down the roster and given a few years with Wallace manning the paint and Melo developing they could have been contenders for years. </div> Well, I guess I do win the JBB spelling bee. Never trust Microsoft Word. You said the Pistons point in your reply. "Given a few years with Wallace manning the paint and Melo developing they could have been contenders for years." Replace Melo with Darko and you have the reason that the Pistons drafted Darko. It just sounds a lot more enticing to have a great PF/C over a great SF. AllNet, I agree. Melo would be the 3rd option and he would not have as many minutes. His contributions would be limited this year.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting PyroManiac:</div><div class="quote_post">Well, I guess I do win the JBB spelling bee. Never trust Microsoft Word. You said the Pistons point in your reply. "Given a few years with Wallace manning the paint and Melo developing they could have been contenders for years." Replace Melo with Darko and you have the reason that the Pistons drafted Darko. It just sounds a lot more enticing to have a great PF/C over a great SF. </div> The difference is that Melo's contributions would start right away, instead of wondering when/if they will come
Let me see what you think. Melo averages 35.8 minutes per game and scores 19 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.22 SPG. Now, say he was in Detroit. What stats do you think that he could have as the 3rd option on the team? You know that his minutes would not be nearly as much, maybe 25 if he is lucky. Tell me what you think, we'll see how good his contributions would be on the Pistons.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting CourtVision:</div><div class="quote_post">The difference is that Melo's contributions would start right away, instead of wondering when/if they will come</div> I haven't read through this whole thread so forgive me if someone already said what I said but... Darko was the right pick at #2. Some scouts even said he was worth drafting over Lebron, but that would be a terrible PR move considering the Lebron hype...Imagine the heat if Darko became a bust... Dumars goal was to build a pistons team that was full of very good players and no superstars...that was his motive in trading Stackhouse for Hamilton... Finally, <u>a good big man is a rare comodity</u>...Quality small fowards come into the league in hoards....The Pistons are already a good team so they can take a chance and take their time...the bigger the risk, the bigger the payoff...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting PyroManiac:</div><div class="quote_post">Let me see what you think. Melo averages 35.8 minutes per game and scores 19 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.22 SPG. Now, say he was in Detroit. What stats do you think that he could have as the 3rd option on the team? You know that his minutes would not be nearly as much, maybe 25 if he is lucky. Tell me what you think, we'll see how good his contributions would be on the Pistons. </div> I'm not saying he would be seeing the same kind of shots he is seeing in Denver. But I'm saying he would help the team immediatley as well as in 5 years. We ain't wondering if he's gonna be good, WE KNOW already. I'm not talking stats in up in here, I'm talking about adding a bigtime talent that would help the team make it to the big dance almost immediatley.
Okay, well if he doesn't have as many shots/points his contributions don't matter as much do they? He is not a great defender so that isn't a contribution. With Melo there would still be no guarantee that we would win the championship. On the other hand, if Darko develops then it would be very likely for the Pistons to become the champs. Making it to the big dance isn't worth anything if we get swept. notMuchgame: Good points about Dumars' goals. You also need to remember that Denver said that they would have taken Darko with the #2 pick too. I did mention the point about a big man being more important than a SF, but it is still a great point. Darko needs playing time. I'm dissapointed in how his rookie year is turning out. I don't believe that if he plays 10 minutes a game, that he could ruin it for the Pistons. Those 10 minutes would let him develop and get used to the pace of the NBA. Also, they would let people see why the Pistons drafted Darko over Carmelo. This has been a fun thread, it is hard defending an argument when you have no real hard facts.
This year's draft class was so incredibly deep that it was hard to go wrong. From what I hear about Milicic, he was a great pick and with conditioning and speed training, should develop into a phenomenal player. On the other hand, Carmelo Anthony is already a phenomenal player and should continue to improve into a superstar. He was snubbed this year, but considering his stats and the influence he's had on his team this year, he's an all-star to me already. Although it's hard to say that passing up on Melo in the draft is ever a good idea, the Pistons chose the right player. Unlike the Nuggets, Detroit didn't need immediate star power. What they're trying to do is pick up a big man that can develop into a dominant force in the future.
Very true, all we are really talking about is pure speculation and what ifs. But it was pretty fun to mash it out. No matter what.....DETROIT MADE A BIG MISTAKE
CourtVision, you will be hearing from the Piston fans whenever Darko gets on the court, soon! 3-pt.-gunner: The only reason you like his side of the argument is because you are a Pacers fan. You are scared of what will happen if Darko develops into a dominant force. Also, you agreed with CourtVision, yet you restated basically all of my points of why Darko was a good pick. Thanks. Pacer fans are so kind and thoughtful.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting PyroManiac:</div><div class="quote_post">CourtVision, you will be hearing from the Piston fans whenever Darko gets on the court, soon!</div> Bring it on Pistons fans! jk <div class="quote_poster">Quoting PyroManiac:</div><div class="quote_post">3-pt.-gunner: The only reason you like his side of the argument is because you are a Pacers fan.</div> No, I honestly have to agree that Carmelo is better than Darko and it's usually better to pick an immediate star than a possible future star. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">You are scared of what will happen if Darko develops into a dominant force. </div> I can't really deny that. Darko has scary potential. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Also, you agreed with CourtVision, yet you restated basically all of my points of why Darko was a good pick. Thanks. Pacer fans are so kind and thoughtful. </div> I definitely like both sides of the argument really. Darko should have a bright future, but you just don't know. The Pistons really don't need a player like Carmelo who would oust Prince from the starting lineup. Actually, I'd thought I had read the whole thread when I had only read the first page. I didn't realize I was restating what you'd already said. Oops.
It's fine that you restated what I said, just proves that I was right. Especially since it was coming from a Pacers fan, they usually will try to twist everything to win the argument. (But, so will Piston fans....) Oh, and don't worry. The Piston fans are coming to destroy you! Don't worry about me saying you just agreed because you are a Pacers' fan. I was just kidding around. The sad thing is that Darko's current faults will never be fixed if he never plays. You don't get used to the pace of the NBA game during practice. I would much rather have Darko out there for 10-15 minutes a game, than seeing Rebraca standing around providing no purpose. I don't like the "he would make mistakes" argument because other rookies are making mistakes, yet they are getting better. Darko needs playing time to get better.
Pyro: I completely disagree with your statement that you can't get used to the pace of the game in practice. If that was true, why would teams scrimmage so often? On the other hand, Darko definitely needs to get out on the floor in games that matter, not just mop up minutes. Real NBA game experience is extremely valuable. Even if he did make some mistakes, all players do, like you said so the Pistons need to get him on the floor, as long as they can avoid sacrificing wins by giving him playing time.
I think you misunderstood what I meant by that statement. I'm saying that the conditions of a real NBA game are different than practice. This cannot be denied, because conditions such as the crowd, etc are not present during practice. Darko isn't used to the pace of the NBA game, so the best thing is for him to play during a NBA game. From what we are hearing, he is doing well during practice. Another thing is that you just can't simulate everything that happens in a real game during practice. That is why it is so valuable to get real NBA game experience. Combine all of these and you will understand what I meant by pace of the game, perhaps it would be better if I said "conditions for playing" but then I would still have to explain myself.
I still maintain that Darko will benefit a lot from more practice and scrimmages with the Pistons and if he just played some pickup games over the summer, he would be much more acclimated to playing American-style ball which is just more fast-paced than what he's used to. I doubt Milicic is bothered by the crowd considering he played professionally in Europe before he came to the states, so what you call "conditions of playing" shouldn't be a factor in his lack of effectiveness.
