Agreed.
Joe D. miscalculated. He
partly got rid of him to be sure the team had enough $$$ to resign Ben Wallace ... oops!
But, as Joe D also stated, too much had happened in Detroit for it to have worked for Darko. Expectations were too high, and patience was too low. No one was willing to allow him to mature, develop and become comfortable with the culture of the NBA and America. LB was also the absolute worse coach that he could have had for his first 2 years.
He may never live up to a #2 overall picks perceived ability/value/worth, but I still to this day believe he's going to be a very good player for a number of years. He should be a 4, not a 5 like LB wanted him to be, and what he's often playing in Orlando. He's not physical enough to battle down low on a consistent basis. Other than his blocking ability, he'll always be somewhat lacking defensively. He still thinks too much instead of reacting. Which tells me he's still not comfortable with his role.
But he's only 21. His first 2 years were completely wasted by LB ... a coach who notoriously has failed to develop any young player as he simply wants veterans who already know how to play.
Since day 1, I always said he's going to be a J Oneal type of player who is going to take time to grow and learn to play. For those who don't remember, in JO's 4th year, he averaged 3.9pts and 3.3rbs
And it looks like he's starting to come around. His last 3 games (including tonights) he averaged:
28minutes 15.6pts 6rbs 2blks 1ast FG-53% FT-68%
I'd love to see the Pistons go after him this year even though there is absolutely zero chance he'd agree to come back
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