Derek does not pick his partners, and who would of ever thought Ricki Lake would turn out to be such a good dancer? Derek is the most amazing dancer and choreographer I have ever seen. He deserves anything he wins, he works very hard for it. But you are right Max has never got a really good partner, but he said last year he would like to dance with Hope Solo thinking she would be a great partner and it has not turned out that way. She is way too stiff and masculine.