I know he did most of his offensive work in the first half and struggled some in the second half, but the Hombre just looks like he belongs out there. To me, his two most impressive qualities are the way he picks and rolls and the fact that he holds his own on defense, both one on one in the post and helping out on others getting in the lane.
The guy just looks like he knows what he's doing in the pick and roll game. He sets a good screen, knows how to get set without fouling, and he rolls hard and purposefully after setting the pick.
He doesn't look elite as a defender. He was clearly undersized and under-athletic against a young stud like Valanciunas, but he held his own in there. He doesn't panic, doesn't commit stupid fouls, and doesn't give in easily. On the help D, he doesn't come over like a monster, but between the last preseason game and the first regular season game, I'm so impressed with the way he bothers shots with timing and quick hands. Half his blocks hardly look like blocks to the naked eye. He doesn't swat it into the second row, he just kind of gets a touch on it while it's still in the offensive player's hands.
The guy looks like an alert, aware, smart, skilled, seasoned pro out there. I'm not going to go predicting stardom for the young (well--middle aged, by NBA standards) Brazilian, but it sure looks to me like Danny found a keeper.
