Darius Songaila appreciation thread

[Jose]

I think we don't give enough credit to this guy. With all the hoopla about the rookies, the injuries, the DC/Cat trade, the Peja/Webber thing, etc., we tend to take the quiet, hardworking Darius Songaila for granted.

This is the guy who works hard, never complains about play time/touches/shots, comes ready to play every time and gives a full effort every time. This is the guy who gets better and better every day. The one who signed a 1-year deal with the Kings, for less $$ than he would have gotten elsewhere (and on a longer term contract) because he likes what we've got going here (and because he knew he could prove his worth and get a better contract with the team after the year was up and the Kings had Bird rights on him).

With all the injuries and the changes in the roster, Darius has been a consistent performer and has made the absence of CWebb a lot less painful. Even though he may not be the star of every game, I'm sure we would have lost quite a few more games if we didn't have him.

THANK YOU, DARIUS!!!!

 

[Kingsgurl]

Word.

Sure glad Ainge didn't have a clue as to what he had in Darius.

 

[bibbyweb]

Yeah Darius needs to be thanked for his quite but very important contributions.

 

[Folsom Al]

Truly Deserves Our Appreciation

This guy gets it .... he shows it .... and he has it !!!

I've been drawn to Darius since we got him last year .... Boston didn't know what they had when they let him go.

Thank You Geoff for snagging this guy before the rest of the league even knew what hit 'em.

I especially like his commercial with the IMPOSTER POPCORN VENDOR !!!

Great Stuff ... go get 'em Darius

 

[Kingsgurl]

I've told this story before, but I've been impressed with Darius since I saw him play with Wake Forest in ARCO at the NCAA Tourney. He was tough and always around the ball, constantly making things happen on sheer hustle. I think I saw 3 games that day, and after it was over, he was one of the few who stuck out to me. I thought the Kings had a chance to nab him in the draft, since he slid to the second round, but the celts snapped him up before we got the chance. I heard some rumors that Petrie wanted him, which look to be true, since he pursued him. Maybe Petrie was at the Tourney too

 

[OHSacFan]

Darius has been an incredible contributor, and it really is surprising there isn't more fanfare given to him, as far as the media goes.
I love that commercial with the popcorn vendor, too!

 

[Bricklayer]

Well, I mean he's kind of our 7th man so its kind of hard to have too much fanfare. Only so much fanfare to go around, you know?

But Darius is rock solid and fits our system beautifully (albeit as a shooter rather than a creator). For a cheapee non-star level backup, you would be hard pressed to find a better guy to fill in for Webb/Miller when they are out. I do think that there is an unresolved issue with having he, Brad and Webb as our frontcourt trio, because none of them are really able to shut down the lane on defense and Darius is really pretty much a pure PF -- not big enough to play C, not quick enough to play SF.. But that's more a question of the overall contruction of the team than it is of Darius.

 

[vj9999]

If VF21 posted this thread it would go something like this:

Title: Darius Songaila

Any questions?

 

[webberfan]

another steal by petrie ... i love darius' attitude and contributions.

 

[tienchi3x]

I've always been a big Darius fan. He always shows hustle on defense, takes it too the hole, rebounds, and despite only being a 2nd year NBA player has become one of the teams most important bench players. All successful NBA teams usually have players like him. He isn't a true center, but good ones are hard to come by and he plays better than many of the leagues centers. Also notice that lately he's been getting steals.

 

[coolhandluke]

I think we don't give enough credit to this guy. With all the hoopla about the rookies, the injuries, the DC/Cat trade, the Peja/Webber thing, etc., we tend to take the quiet, hardworking Darius Songaila for granted.

This is the guy who works hard, never complains about play time/touches/shots, comes ready to play every time and gives a full effort every time. This is the guy who gets better and better every day. The one who signed a 1-year deal with the Kings, for less $$ than he would have gotten elsewhere (and on a longer term contract) because he likes what we've got going here (and because he knew he could prove his worth and get a better contract with the team after the year was up and the Kings had Bird rights on him).

With all the injuries and the changes in the roster, Darius has been a consistent performer and has made the absence of CWebb a lot less painful. Even though he may not be the star of every game, I'm sure we would have lost quite a few more games if we didn't have him.

THANK YOU, DARIUS!!!!

So true. This guy is just amazing with his consistency, smart play and attitude. It surprises me why he is so underappreciated, especially considering the usually glowing words people here use for other Kings players. Being the only player on the Kings that is willing to bang in the paint and actually box out for a rebound itself deserves a special mention. Kings have got themselves a solid, reliable role player. Good work, Petrie.

Thank you, Darius. Your contributions are appreciated by this fan.

 

[SacKings384]

These injuries may have a silever lining... Guys are getting to show that they really can play! I don't think Adelman will be so worried to rest Webb a little more now.

 

[LilMissDiva]

I totally concur. I am making Darius my favorite this year. I love him.

 

[PFFFT!!]

I thought he played a great game. He's becoming a solid bench player. Thankfully, he gets more opportunities as Webber sits out.

 

[NoBonus]

Darius gives the Kings heart. I like to think back fondly to the Bobby Jackson/ Darius offensive system. Those two guys could have their own team.

 

[iheartBrad]

oooo im so happy someone started a thread for DSong

he's really stepped up throughout the entire year whenever Chris isn't in the line up...and he has big nights and people know that he is having a big night yet still he does it so quietly that he doesn't get any attention for it....love Darius

Go Darius

 

[Dave McNulla]

i was disappointed the spurs didn't draft him and josh howard. i'd have thought they would have a good assessment on both those guys since tim duncan probably played ball with them in the summers. i guess even the good front offices miss some things.

dave
spurs fan

 

[Twix]

Great thread Jose..and thanks for starting it! Darius deserve a thread of his own.

I completely agree with you, Jose! We are very fortunate to have a player like Darius who wants to be a King, goes out and try hard, never complains and willing to be a King for less money. Sometimes I think some Kings fans forget how lucky we are to have a player like Darius. I hope we keep him after this season.


Go Darius!!!!!!

 

[OptimusRhyme]

Darius is everything a player should be, no Complaining, Hustle, Heart!

 

[PFFFT!!]

i was disappointed the spurs didn't draft him and josh howard. i'd have thought they would have a good assessment on both those guys since tim duncan probably played ball with them in the summers. i guess even the good front offices miss some things.

dave
spurs fan

Man, your team is good enough as it is. What gives? Not happy your team has won championships and is always rated no less than #2 in the last 5 years? Wow....amazed.

 

[Brewer16]

Darius is already a solid roleplayer, and only 26..cant wait to see how he turns out in a few years

 

[VF21]

These injuries may have a silever lining... Guys are getting to show that they really can play! I don't think Adelman will be so worried to rest Webb a little more now.

I think Rick Adelman has known all along what he had on the bench and what guys like Darius were capable of doing. If anything, I think it's some of the fans who have been pleasantly surprised.

We have a GOOD, GOOD team. Hand-picked by Geoff Petrie, every single one of them was brought here for a reason. I just wish we didn't have to suffer injuries before finding out what Petrie and Company have known all along.

WTG, Darius! Another rock solid performance!!!

 

[LMM]

darius, WTG!

i'd gladly take darius on my team any day! he is such a nice guy to have.. he's ready when you need him.. and does a very solid job

 

[fishgirl]

Awesome thread!

I

Darius!

I've always said how I love his intensity and his work ethic, that he's always ready to go out there and give 110% and just try to help out however he can. He's got HEART and a whole lot of it! Man, I'm so glad - and proud! - he's a King.

 

[Twix]

Love the quotes in your signature, fishgirl!
I didn't know Brad said something like that. Haha.

 

[iheartBrad]

Love the quotes in your signature, fishgirl!
I didn't know Brad said something like that. Haha.

i was just about to say that...i really like that Peja one....lol...i don't think ive ever seen or heard Peja laugh

 

[fishgirl]

Thanks. That Brad quote was from an old ESPN article (I digged out) that came out when he moved to Sac.

 

[SaCKiNgS24]

songaila is dat dude! i would love to see him get 20-30 mins a game! hes an awesome shooter like brad.

 

[iheartBrad]

i don't really get the Brad Miller quote..."pick AT people" whats that mean?

 

[HndsmCelt]

oooo im so happy someone started a thread for DSong

he's really stepped up throughout the entire year whenever Chris isn't in the line up...and he has big nights and people know that he is having a big night yet still he does it so quietly that he doesn't get any attention for it....love Darius

Go Darius

You and me both. I have been impressed with D Song for some time now and have frequently mentioned this in posts. His contributions are so easy to ignore, no monster dunks, few if any brilliant well timed 3 balls, no huge steals or blocks, just hard noesd paly and hustle every second he is out there helping for force TO's, taking open shots, and in general making his team mates look good. Heck even when Brad makes his nightly dish to him down under most of the attnetion goes to Brad's great pass. Darius may be the most under rated King and beceause of it he gets good mismatches.