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darko's pouting has been overblown in the past (see his second game in orlando, all of the sudden our reporters had a field day).
also, blakely suggests tony battie is garbage. not true at all, he's been a solid bigman.
im wondering how much sam smith put into that comment? is that a guess, or is that the word. but based on that blurb, i'd say ss has no clue what he's talking about.
Quote:
Originally Posted by b-diddy
You had a good post with the exception of this giant shit B-D. He's average on D, often injured, and best used as a 4th bigman off the bench. Not the kind of guy who keeps franchise centers traded to a team supposedly ready and willing to provide that player with minutes on the bench.
took me four tries, but i now understand your last sentence and i agree.
look, im not saying he's nazr muhammed good, im just saying he's an adequate big man, and the fact that darko is struggling to get by him isnt like he's losing time to the towel boy.
hahahaQuote:
Darko Milicic spends most of his time frowning and loping around without much spirit backing up Howard in Orlando. No wonder the Magic didn't offer him an extension. He'll probably return to Europe.
http://chicagosports.chicagotribune....-bulls-utility
hahahaQuote:
Milicic, who will be a restricted free agent in the summer, meaning Orlando can match any offer, is hoping to sign an extension worth about $60 million.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/heat/co...kins_1112.html
stuff like this is why sports journalism shouldnt be considered real journalism. is there any source of darko or a rep saying they expect or hope 60?Quote:
Originally Posted by Uncle Mxy
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sport...orts-headlines
Quote:
Milicic finally starts to feel comfortable
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/media...05-07/8741.jpg
Brian Schmitz
MAGIC CONFIDENTIAL
November 14, 2006
Some "crazy thoughts" used to run through Darko Milicic's head when he was buried on the bench in Detroit.
He said the one he wrestled with the most was leaving the team, unannounced, and boarding a plane home to Serbia.
And maybe he'd just stay there and play for his country's team, bidding the NBA a not-so-fond farewell.
Milicic, the Pistons' No. 1 pick in the 2003 draft, was so upset during his third season of bench-warming and hearing fans' catcalls that he felt like giving up the money and supposed fame.
"I would just go to the airport and go home to Serbia. . . . .Not tell anybody nothing," Milicic said.
"I had a lot of crazy thoughts in my mind at that time in my life. Some I don't want to say."
Today, with the Orlando Magic, "It's 100 percent better," he said.
Monday night, against the Celtics in Boston, Milicic passed a dubious milestone of sorts since arriving via a trade from Detroit last season.
The power forward/center played in his 38th game with the Magic; the most he ever had played in a season with the Pistons was 37 during 2004-05.
Barring injury, Milicic expects to play 82 games, easily surpassing the total of 55 he played between the Pistons and Magic last season.
During a 30-game cameo, he excited Orlando fans, who no doubt dreamed of a Dwight-Darko Twin Towers. He created larger expectations with his play in the FIBA World Championship for Serbia during the summer and returned with more muscle, packing 278 pounds on his 7-foot frame.
But he couldn't beat out veteran Tony Battie for the power forward job and has been inconsistent as a reserve. He entered the Boston game averaging 7.6 points and 5.1 rebounds in a little more than 19 minutes a game.
Milicic had his best game this season Saturday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves, scoring a Magic career-high 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting with five rebounds and a block.
He also whirled around Kevin Garnett for an easy basket.
The Magic are waiting to see if Darko can become more than a tantalizing tease. So are other teams, with Milicic becoming a restricted free agent this summer.
Battie is starting and usually finishing games because of his defense and experience, but Milicic played about 24 minutes against the T'wolves and Battie had 14.
" I think I [can] show more," he said. "I'm just missing my shots I'm supposed to make. Right now, I don't know what's going on. . . . my confidence is not there. I'll be fine."
Bouts of waning confidence are typical for any 21-year-old, but especially in Milicic's case.
Imagine coming to America to play with the veteran Pistons at 18, being drafted ahead of Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade -- and then not meeting expectations.
Milicic became a mocking target for fans and media and took a mental and emotional beating as he was written off as a bust. He still has trust issues with the media, but he's coming around.
The Pistons, contending at the time, couldn't wait on him to develop the way the Magic can. Fact is, Magic fans should have even more patience with Milicic than they do with Dwight Howard.
Darko essentially is playing his first full NBA season.
And finally, the joy is back in his game.
"I'm just enjoying playing with these guys," he said. "I feel really good now."
[smilie=thatsfoul.g:
What are they talking about? Orlando can't wait on him either. If they blow a ton of money on him and he flames out there too...they are hosed for a long time.
I sortof feel bad for Darko. It's not his fault his heart is 3 sizes too small...
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/3...koheartok2.jpg
[smilie=jaw-droppin:Quote:
Originally Posted by WTFchris
[smilie=rofl3.gif]
[smilie=clappy.gif]
The Grinch has nothing on Darko.
"You're a foul one... Milicic..."
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sport...orl-sports-col
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/media...05-07/8741.jpg
Quote:
Salary-cap gamecould get tricky
Published November 21, 2006
The Darko-Meter was all over the place last week.
The Orlando Magic's Darko Milicic was OK against the Boston Celtics, bad against the Denver Nuggets and very good against the Charlotte Bobcats.
He was so good against the 'Cats that you could have ruled out the club having enough money to sign a prize free agent this summer.
Why follow the bouncing ball from week-to-week with Darko?
Because Darko's yet-to-be-determined worth has a colossal impact on the Magic's salary-cap situation, their upcoming free-agent search and their future.
If he proves he has the potential to become a starting power forward, the Magic have the option to pay Darko big money (a contract starting at a minimum of $7 million-$8 million per year), which will eat up a majority of their available projected cap dough for next season.
This effectively would end any long-shot chance of signing free agents such as Vince Carter or Rashard Lewis to maximum deals this summer. The Magic don't want to pay the punitive luxury tax that affects over-spenders.
They once figured that they could be in play for a star free agent if Milicic was not worth re-signing, Grant Hill retired and the league cap number was bumped up.
Now a big year for Milicic not only precludes them from signing a Carter or a Lewis, but the Darko factor also affects their re-signing of Hill.
Hill's seven-year deal ends this season. Grant has indicated he wants to stay and would play for the veteran's minimum of $1.2 million. While that's a commendable goodwill gesture, things might change if he stays healthy.
Now, let's say Milicic doesn't ever displace veteran Tony Battie as the starting power forward and he has so-so numbers this season. Then what? What is his fair-market value?
The Magic will let other teams decide that. They allowed Milicic to become a restricted free agent after not signing him to an extension last month, meaning they still can match any offer. The team could have signed him last month, but didn't.
They want to see more, and who can blame them?
There are few teams that have the cap room to go crazy for Darko. But if one did, don't expect General Manager Otis Smith to overpay -- even for a 7-footer.
If they let him go -- parting with a young, versatile big man is tough -- they obviously would have more cap room available.
The Magic always could execute a sign-and-trade with Milicic to another team, too, and receive players. Or if they can get him for less and have money left over, they could go after affordable veteran free agents, such as Jerry Stackhouse or Michael Finley.
The Magic, whose payroll is around $60 million this season, also are looking at handing extensions to Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson next summer that go into effect for the 2008-09 season. The luxury-tax threshold this season is $65.42 million, but that changes every season.
Daily Dime
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dailydime
Quote:
http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/nba/pr...65x90/3705.jpg
Monday's Worst
Magic forward Darko Milicic: First, the good news. He had three blocks. But his 18 ineffectual minutes included misses of all five shots and a couple of sleepy-looking plays in a loss to the struggling Grizz.
he does look rather sleepy-looking in that pic.....
Daily Dime
:swayze:Quote:
Have you noticed how many guys who play regularly are shooting under 50 percent from the line as we approach the season's second month?
Most of them reside in the East, too. Charlotte's Emeka Okafor (.476, 36-for-74), Washington's Etan Thomas (.467, 14-for-30), Orlando's Darko Milicic (.452, 14-for-31), Washington's Brendan Haywood (.375, 12 for 32), Miami's Antoine Walker (.345, 10-for-29) and Boston's Kendrick Perkins (.294, 5-for-17) join the two big names you expect on the list: Miami's Shaquille O'Neal (.444, 8-for-18) and Detroit's Ben Wallace (.450, 18-for-40).
Unless I missed a joke, that article says Detroit's Ben Wallace. Sorry, you can't blame us for that percentage anymore.
And Antoine Walker? Good lord. Two funny things about that: He still shoots worse from 3, and he's taken more than twice as many 3s as FTs.
Great stuff.
http://www.hoopshype.com/interviews/milicic_nebojsa.htm
Quote:
Darko Milicic: "We think we can win the title this year"
by Nebojsa Petrovacki / December 6, 2006
After everything that happened to you in the last three years of your NBA career, does everything that’s going on right now in Orlando feel like a new beginning for you?
Darko Milicic: That’s definitely true, I agree. I didn’t have any playing time in Detroit, which changed when I arrived in Orlando. I feel really nice, you know, night in, night out coming to games knowing that you’re going to play. You’re not coming to the game thinking whether you’re going to play or not. Everything that’s expected of you is to be focused and ready to play when asked. That’s the best part of being here in Orlando.
How do you like it as a part of the Magic?
DM: I really like playing with the guys here. We have a young, talented team here which didn’t make the playoffs last season. This year, everybody expects a great deal from us, including ourselves. It’s really interesting being a part of this team right now.
How is this mix of youth and experience on Orlando’s roster working out so far?
DM: It is really great! Tony Battie and Grant Hill are the older statesmen who are trying to keep us young kids at bay. They’ve been through so much in this league that they can really help and push us when there’s need both on and off the floor. They can calm us, which we need sometimes, having such great expectations and all. They know that there are a lot of ups and downs throughout the season, but that it is important to know that our talent level is high and what our ultimate goal is for this season and how to reach it.
If Dwight Howard continues to play like this, he will be in the narrow circle of MVP candidates for this regular season. If elected, he would be the youngest NBA MVP ever. Do you think Dwight can do this?
DM: Absolutely, he is a terrific player! He deserves every bit of that award. He starts every single game with unbelievable focus and determination. He gives it all on the floor.
How do you two function as the so-called Twin Towers of Orlando Magic?
DM: I’m enjoying the time we spend together on the court. His style of game fits me very well. We get along outside of the court, too. He’s a really cool guy. Winning the games helps in all that a lot. It feels really good to relax and unwind a bit after the games.
The Eastern Conference being what it is right now, and your team playing well against the likes of Utah and Seattle from the Western Conference, do you think it is a realistic goal for your team to win the Eastern Conference and perhaps even get into the race for the NBA championship?
DM: We really try to think positive all the time. We think we can win the title this year. That’s how we prepare and get into every game we play, both on the road and at home. We think that we’re the best, and I think that this type of thinking is very good for a team like we are right now. We expect all the best, but we’ll see how it all will pan out in the end.
When you think of Orlando, can you imagine yourself staying here for long term?
DM: I’d like that, yes. I think we have enough talent to become a really good team. However, I’m really not thinking about what’s going to happen over summer. That’s just too far to think about right now. I would sincerely like to stay and play here for a long time, and I hope something like that can pan out in the summer. It would really be very interesting to stay in Orlando for the long term.
How important for you it is to sign this big contract over the summer?
DM: It’s just too far to think about right now. However, considering how great it is to be a part of this team, sometimes a player needs to balance his options; sometimes the money is not really the first priority when it comes to what I want to accomplish as a basketball player…
Can you compare the coaching styles of Larry Brown, Flip Saunders and Brian Hill?
DM: I’m not so sure that I’m competent enough to talk about basketball coaches. Larry Brown came to Detroit when the Pistons had a championship caliber team, while Brian Hill inherited a young team that needed a lot of teaching and improving. We’re just kids who need experience and Coach Hill seems to know how to make us all better as individual players and as a team. I’m glad that I have a chance to work with him.
Is there more trust between you and your team’s management now in Orlando comparing to the years you spent in Detroit?
DM: No, I think that the level of professionalism in both organizations is the same. The one thing I didn’t understand in Detroit is that Joe Dumars, as Detroit’s GM, didn’t want to influence the coaching decisions of Larry Brown and Flip Saunders. I just can’t buy that story that the GM is telling me that, if it is up to him, I would get more minutes, but since Flip is the coach, it’s his decision that I was benched almost all the time. Regarding Orlando, you probably know that I was offered a new four-year contract which I liked and I wanted to sign, but the very last day before the signing, they withdrew the contract. That’s all business, I know. For me, just one more reason to focus only on this year and strictly on basketball issues and leave this business side of it all aside.
A lot of American and international NBA players still feel the consequences of dedicating most of their summers to playing for their national teams at World Championships in Japan. How do you feel after leading the Serbian National Team to the Round of 16 last September?
DM: Realistically, the playing conditions in Japan were tough. Humidity was really bad over there. Of course, I haven’t played the NBA playoffs last season, and after two and a half months of resting, it was really great to play for the Serbian National Team. The other thing is that I honestly enjoy playing for the National Team, which is definitely not just a cliché. It’s just different from playing for your club here in the NBA or anywhere else.
Nebojsa Petrovacki is the editor of Sportska Centrala, a sports news agency from Serbia
Why do i doubt Darko said "Elder Statesmen," "inherited" and "cliche"? Wheres all the ummmmmm i just want to play and stories of limos full of High School girls? Very fishy interview. Igor Koskokov must not be far away.
I thought the same thing^.
I'm guessing that the interview was done in Serbia-talk and then translated.
Check out the author's bio at the end.
i wonder how much a bible thumper like howard and a ummmm, insert your own word here--->, _________ thumper like darko have in common.
its been a few months, so i should probably just mention my displeasure over the darko trade, still.
Quote:
Originally Posted by b-diddy
goat thumper? Wait, you aren't talking intercourse.
Darko against us tonight:
4 points (2-5 shooting)
5 rebounds
2 blocks
Quote:
Originally Posted by Some Yahoo! fantasy expert
What's the over/under on him getting a $10 million/year contract?
I don't know about 10million$ but he'll get a nice chunk of money from either Orlando or some team that thinks he can blossom in their system or some crap like that. He's got all the skills, he just doesn't seem to have the mental toughness to put them to use.
Anyone notice Arroyo is shooting 12-52 (%23) in his last 10 games?
Hopefully our cast offs sabatoge the team just enough to get us a good pick.
He got a potential game winning block on Pargo last game
Darko being shopped?
Just saw this in the WTFDetroit.com NBA Rumor Mill
Paul Silas said when the Pistons traded Darko that he felt that Darko would be a "career journeyman".Quote:
Could Magic float Darko trade balloon?
The Magic's biggest asset in the trade game is Grant Hill's expiring contract.
Then it drops down to an extra point guard and a warehouse of wing players.
What about Darko Milicic?
Now the Magic like the 21-year-old Darko's potential, plus they are also looking for another big man to go with Milicic, Dwight Howard and Tony Battie. So, on the surface, floating a trial trade balloon for Milicic might not make sense.
Except for this:
He's a restricted free agent at the end of the season, meaning teams can offer him deals inwhich the Magic can match.
And if some team with money (think Atlanta) has big bucks, they could try to pry him away. If it's too big a deal, perhaps the Magic have to think about passing.
But before it gets to that, could the club see what he might be worth before the February trade deadline?
Orlando needs another scorer, preferably a go-to guy. While one of the no-nos in the NBA is trading small for big, the Magic might need to take a look if they believe that the up-and-down Darko might command a hefty salary this summer.
The Magic can't get, say, a Ray Allen, for Milicic, because they would need to throw in others to make the deal work. Stars like that can only be had if the other team is rebuilding and wants Hill's contract for cap relief.
But what about Pau Gasol of Memphis? He wants out. What about swapping a big for a big? Again, the Magic would have to include others with Milicic to the Griz to make the salaries work.
I doubt the Magic pull the trigger on any kind of major deal. But they might have to at least look and see what Darko might bring them.
Maybe he'll turn out to be right.
Reverse that.Quote:
While one of the no-nos in the NBA is trading small for big
Back problems.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sport...tory?track=rss
Quote:
Lower back pain sidelines Milicic
Brian Schmitz | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted March 15, 2007
Magic power forward Darko Milicic missed his first game of the season Wednesday night, complaining of lower back pain.
Milicic, 21, was laboring through portions of Monday night's road game at Charlotte, N.C., and was trying to stretch out after the shootaround.
Averaging 8.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.78 blocks per game, Milicic replaced Tony Battie in the starting lineup after Battie fractured his right thumb Feb. 6.
Arnie Kander > Darko Milicic
Pall Malls > Darko MilicicQuote:
Milicic, 21, was laboring
I've been saying for years that I think European basketballers are soft. Nowitzki took it up a notch a bit last year, but ran into the Dwanye Wade Free Throw Shooting Marathon.
The only one I might take if I was building a team is Genobli, but I'd have to tell him to stop acting like a soccer player all the time, otherwise I'd line up the other twelve players on my team to kick him in the junk (I'd probably do that anyway).
Milicic, fuck him. He sucks.
Stop me if this sounds familiar.
"He has to be somewhere where he’s going to be allowed to do what he can do."
LMMFAO!!
Also, he's "injured" and will possibly miss the playoffs.Quote:
Here's an update on the Magic-Milicic contract situation I wrote before he got hurt:
While Magic General Manager Otis Smith doesn’t foresee a problem re-signing power forward Darko Milicic, Milicic’s agent said Tuesday that the biggest issue might not necessarily be financial.
Marc Cornstein, Milicic’s agent, says Milicic’s decision also depends on which teams will allow him to display more of his his shooting and passing skills. He has been used more as a post-up player with the Magic.
"I know Darko," agent Marc Cornstein said by phone from Philadelphia. "Wherever he winds up for his second contract, it has to be somewhere where he’s going to be allowed to do what he can do. That’s extremely important to him.
"I think that has to be part of the recruiting pitch. That, to me, is the key to this summer, to find somewhere where he is a central figure or can maximize his talents."
Milicic said he hasn’t played as well as he can, but also feels his skills could be utilized better.
"I still don’t think we’ve tapped into what Darko can do," Smith said. "He’s still learning how to play. He’s 21."
Cornstein hasn’t talked about Milicic’s contract status with Smith since October, but Cornstein said he’d "a little surprised" if Milicic isn’t re-signed.
So if he wants to play outside, he better find a team with a post up PF. Maybe someone like Brand, Gasol, etc on the team. Trouble is he's either going to have to take the MLE or play on a team that doesn't have that post player already.
DNP = Darko No Play
But he just vants to play.
Its really ridiculous how much of a Mehmet this kid has become. To think we had both those two on the same team. What a weird front line that would have been. Billups and Tay posting up on the low block and Memo and Darko floating to the elbows with Rip running all over the place.Quote:
Originally Posted by WTFchris