Darius Songaila appreciation thread

[BigWaxer]

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.

Well the Kings already have heart.

Darius is what he is and like brick said a great fit for our team. Great role player and every team that is in the hunt for a title needs that type of player.

 

[iheartBrad]

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.

^mmm i agree...he almost always has at least 1 steal a night...and ya know what ive noticed he like never goes to the FT line...i think he went in last nights game and i actually said to myself "wow i don't remember a time when i saw Darius go to the FT line"

 

[Bricklayer]

You know, here's the thing with Darius. I do NOT think he is actually an ideal reserve, because he only plays one position and is not a dynamic, quick impact sort of player. But I DO think he is about as good as you can hope for as a fill in starter. Kind of reminds me of the kinds of major minute guys we had back in our lottery days -- undersized, undertalented, but capable of giving you competent major minutes if you have nobody better.

Its kind of a quandry though -- his steadiness as a fill in guy gives us nice insurance against the inevitable injuries to Webb/Miller. Can play a similar style of game, albeit less forceful, and hold his own. But for a guy coming off the bench when everyone's healthy, especially with our starters, you'd really like a little more pop and dynanicism, as well as the ability to play multiple positions and create matchup issues. You'd like a difference maker who gives you a big shot in the arm.

 

[Folsom Al]

you'd really like a little more pop and dynanicism, as well as the ability to play multiple positions and create matchup issues. You'd like a difference maker who gives you a big shot in the arm.

I couldn't pass this one up (heh-heh) ...

Those guys are retired or dead aren't they ???

MJ, Bird, Magic, Big O, Pistol Pete, Walt, Willis, Ice Man, Silk, Cousy, Havlicek, McHale, KJ, and on-n-on ...

I look at it this way .... we can probably count on one-hand, the number of players in the similar position that can mismatch/dominate Darius ... yet, another King flying under the radar.

 

[Bricklayer]

I couldn't pass this one up (heh-heh) ...

Those guys are retired or dead aren't they ???

MJ, Bird, Magic, Big O, Pistol Pete, Walt, Willis, Ice Man, Silk, Cousy, Havlicek, McHale, KJ, and on-n-on ...

I look at it this way .... we can probably count on one-hand, the number of players in the similar position that can mismatch/dominate Darius ... yet, another King flying under the radar.

We're hardly talking about that level of player. We're talking about Stormile Swift, or therabouts. Somebody who comes in and *pow* the other team is aware of his presence and the game changes. Not even a question of the person being better than Darius, but it is something where a different skill set, bigger energy, more forceful player is better off the bench. Smooth players who let the game come to him are better as starters. But off the bench in limited minutes, its the Bobby's of the world who are the real weapons. Make a difference, and quickly.

 

[Folsom Al]

You Know I Was Kiddin' .... right ???

But off the bench in limited minutes, its the Bobby's of the world who are the real weapons. Make a difference, and quickly.

Good analogy !!!!

 

[SIR HENRY 8]

D-SONG def. a key player,very consistant.

 

[HndsmCelt]

We're hardly talking about that level of player. We're talking about Stormile Swift, or therabouts. Somebody who comes in and *pow* the other team is aware of his presence and the game changes. Not even a question of the person being better than Darius, but it is something where a different skill set, bigger energy, more forceful player is better off the bench. Smooth players who let the game come to him are better as starters. But off the bench in limited minutes, its the Bobby's of the world who are the real weapons. Make a difference, and quickly.

I'll beg to differ on a subtly. As I noted earlier it is easy to look at a Bobby Jackson and appreicate what he does, score big and dramaticly, harrass one one defense and make some nice passes, and some flying rebounds. Darius is not flashy his buckets are not as impressive and niether are his numbers, but watch what happens to the other team and the rest of the Kings when Darius enters a game. By analogy the planet Neptune was not discovered by telescope, it was predicted by aplying the universal law of gravation to the observed orbits of the know planets... in short it was compleetly unimpresive in it's own right but it's presence could be felt by observing the others arround it. Darius is like Neptune, watch what happnes to Millers assist numbers when Darius come in, wathc how the defense focus shifts allowing Darius to get clean looks or great passes out to the open shooter. Watch how over confidnet players get beat to loose balls and boards and watch how all but the quickest opponents frequently end up setteling for jumers when they have troube gettng inside. Im not saying Darius is a better all arround player thatn Bobby, just that his game is much more subtle and his roll is easly under estimated and under valued.

 

[slugking50]

Darius is doing great.. Keep it up!!!

Be nice if some people can pronounce his name correctly though...

: sighs :

 

[KingKong]

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!!!!

Word!!!!

 

[Elise10]

Be nice if some people can pronounce his name correctly though...

: sighs :

Very true.

I'm very happy he's a King. Works hard, doesn't complain(even if it means wearing fishnet stockings and a collar for Webber's birthday).

WTG Darius

 

[KP]

I'll beg to differ on a subtly. As I noted earlier it is easy to look at a Bobby Jackson and appreicate what he does, score big and dramaticly, harrass one one defense and make some nice passes, and some flying rebounds. Darius is not flashy his buckets are not as impressive and niether are his numbers, but watch what happens to the other team and the rest of the Kings when Darius enters a game. By analogy the planet Neptune was not discovered by telescope, it was predicted by aplying the universal law of gravation to the observed orbits of the know planets... in short it was compleetly unimpresive in it's own right but it's presence could be felt by observing the others arround it. Darius is like Neptune, watch what happnes to Millers assist numbers when Darius come in, wathc how the defense focus shifts allowing Darius to get clean looks or great passes out to the open shooter. Watch how over confidnet players get beat to loose balls and boards and watch how all but the quickest opponents frequently end up setteling for jumers when they have troube gettng inside. Im not saying Darius is a better all arround player thatn Bobby, just that his game is much more subtle and his roll is easly under estimated and under valued.

So is Darius' new nickname, Neptune? I like it!

 

[HndsmCelt]

Neptune works for me!

 

[iheartBrad]

aww Neptune...im feelin it

there is nothing better than coming up with a good nickname sometimes

 

[Rowdyone]

Perhaps the biggest compliment we can give him in conjuction with all of the above is that he's only a second year player. And that he still has an upside. Yet even at this tender NBA age he's a valued contributor that makes no demands on the team and is willing to, litterally, do whatever it takes to win.

 

[iheartBrad]

Darius woohoo!!

 

[Bricklayer]

Perhaps the biggest compliment we can give him in conjuction with all of the above is that he's only a second year player. And that he still has an upside. Yet even at this tender NBA age he's a valued contributor that makes no demands on the team and is willing to, litterally, do whatever it takes to win.

Well remember though, he's a second year player only a year or two younger than Peja. He's already 26. Much like Mo Evans, I think the extra seasoning is really helping thier value to a team like ours -- fully formed players rather than 20 year olds still tried to figure it all out. Of course the flip side is that there is not as much potential to get better -- pretty much already formed and in the mid part of their careers. But for us with our aspirations, and this coach, really no time to be developing guys right out of high school.