http://www.nba.com/kings/news/Dariusrsquo_Diary041204-105936-58.html

   Darius’ Diary-04/12/04 

  Throughout the season,  Kings.com will be profiling the rookie campaign of
  Darius Songaila with Darius' Diary, a personal reflection of his first NBA
  season. This is his fourth installment...

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  I can’t believe my first season in the NBA is almost over.

  I really  don’t have  anything  to compare it to.  It’s hard  because in
  college, there’s a second year and a third year. And you have the previous
  year to compare that to.  But this year, I’ve been very pleased. I didn’t
  have any expectations. So, I just hit it right on the spot.

  I think  I’ve bonded well  with everybody.  There are some players that I
  hang around with more,  like Vlade.  They kind of took me under their wing.
  They took care of me.  So, I hang out with some players  a little more than
  others. Chemistry-wise, I think I get along with Doug and Bobby pretty well.

  It’s also been great to be able to play with Chris Webber finally. When he
  first came back,  I didn’t get to share the floor with him that much.  But
  lately,  in a stretch of  three or four games,  I got to play a little more
  since Brad was out.  He’s a great player. He draws a lot of attention. And
  he makes things happen on the floor.  Over the last few games, that’s what
  he did.  He drew a lot of attention.  He’s a very good passer, better than
  I thought he would be.

  With him back in the rotation, I’m not going to be able to play that much.
  But I don’t see a problem with that with him  being an All-Star power for-
  ward. But with Brad being injured and Vlade being sick recently, I’ve been
  able to play a little bit.

  It’s the same thing as it was during the first games of the season. Just
  be ready for every game. Any chance I get out there to be called up, I’m
  going to be ready for it. The playoffs are coming right around the corner
  —it’s going to be something different and something new to experience—
  I’m definitely looking forward to that.

  I think every single person on this team has gone through some playoff pre
  -paration. So, I don’t know what we’re going to do or what kind of prepa
  -ration the team is going to go through. I can’t tell you exactly what is
  it that we’re going to  have to do.  Personally for me,  it’s going to be
  pretty much the same thing. I’m going to be ready for every opportunity in
  every game to be out there.

  It’s almost become summer here in Sacramento a nd it’s been great. I’ve
  beenenjoying living here. It’s kind of the same as North Carolina weather.
  Maybe not as humid. But it’s still great, and my dog likes it.

  His name is Deac.  Like my college mascot – Demon Deacons.  He’s a crazy
  little dog.  He’s a Bull Terrier (like Spuds MacKenzie)  and he’s almost
  two years old. I spend a whole lot of time with him because he’s the kind
  of dog  that requires  a lot of attention.  You can’t  leave him alone in
  your apartment  unless you want to  find your furniture  in shreds.  So, I
  spend a whole lot of time with him.

  Speaking of Wake Forest,  I was very happy that they made it to the Sweet
  16 in the NCAA Tournament. But I thought they could have done better. And
  when they lost to St. Joe’s, I was a little disappointed. Because I knew
  they could  have done  better.  I think  with the team  they had,  and the
  bracket they were in, and the schedule they had, I thought they could have
  made it to the Final Four. Oh well though.

  Talk to you soon.

  #25-Darius Songaila