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Re: Darius, a nice name

Well FWIW, the clips I'd heard (pre-draft) of Chris Wallace talking about looking for someone to stash in Europe for a few years contained a qualifier, that that was because their roster would be pretty much set **if they were able to sign their FA**. And like it or not, there are only so many roster spots, with other needs to consider. Gene's description makes Darius sound a lot like Rodney Rodgers insurance, and so it may be more a matter of there not being a roster spot now if they do sign Rodney paired with the idea that Rodney isn't going to play that many more years anyway. Or a similar situation with re-signing Blount (please please please no) or Walter (well.....) being the decider. I don't see where this is a kick in the balls to the guy, as someone put it, because Wallace was upfront that whomever it was they picked that was the planned scenario. So it's hardly a personal insult. Rather it's a bigger compliment than usual to Darius if he does make the team.

Kim

At 08:24 AM 6/27/02 -0700, gene kirkpatrick wrote:

Of the people who have seen Songaila play, and I mean
more than 5 second clips, they seem near-unanimous in
liking his size, toughness, shooting touch, rebounding
attitude and production.  Fourteen double doubles in
the ACC means that many of those came in conference;
that's something.  I will try to see how he did
against Duke, Maryland, etc.  But this was the big guy
that I thought could really help us.  I hope he shows
them that he can make the team and play significant
minutes, but with a van load of Europeans coming for
the Shaw experience he may have problems with court
time.

We really need leadership on this.  While most of the
talent seemed to go West last night, I agree that
several East teams helped themselves significantly.
And our weakness is down low.  Songaila may or may not
be able to make our rotation, but I'd be surprised if
he didn't.  Without Vitaly, I'd put him behind Battie
and before Blount.  If one of the other Europeans is
better, let him show it this summer.  But I hope we
are forced to give big Darius a chance.  I think he's
got the stuff to play for us.  Cheers.  Gene
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