Official Darko Watch

[Black Dynamite]

Lifted him off the ground? Darko's a big boy. That's a hard hit.

shawn bradley?

[Black Dynamite]

kudos to steve kerr for responding to the rabid fans.

[Fool]

shawn bradley?

Darko's got plenty more size than Shawn "all height, no weight" Bradley.

[Uncle Mxy]

Lifted him off the ground? Darko's a big boy. That's a hard hit.

Shelden was just trying to get Darko to pose for a picture with him:

[Zekyl]

Honestly, that man has the face of a pug with a giant forehead. It's just......strange. Then again, in a league with Sam Cassell, that's nothing.

[Glenn]

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/spo...g_term_de.html

No long term deal for Milicic, Magic

As expected, Tuesday’s NBA deadline officially passed without the Orlando Magic and Darko Milicic coming to a long-term contract extension. Talks can’t commence again between the Magic and Milicic until July 1, 2007, according to the league’s collective bargaining agreement.

Milicic originally signed with Detroit in 2003 after the Pistons drafted him at No. 2.

Milicic will now become a restricted free agent, meaning he can negotiate with other teams next summer. The Magic, though, will have the right to match any offer for the 7-foot, 278-pound power forward.

The Sentinel learned that the parameters of a contract were in place at one time since the season ended in April.

But Magic General Manager Otis Smith reiterated that the club wants to see how Milicic --- who arrived in a trade from the Pistons last season --- performs over the course of a season.

“I want to see if we have a player,” Smith said.

Milicic sat on the bench for two-plus seasons in Detroit before showing glimpses of promise during a 30-game cameo in Orlando. He has a lot riding on this season, with his long-term value fluctuating from $40 million to $80 million.

Smith touched base with Milicic’s agent, Marc Cornstein, on Tuesday. Cornstein called Milicic’s negotiations with the Magic “tricky,” given his client has not proven his potential.

“We understand. They want to see what they’re getting,” Cornstein said by phone from New York. “You do open the door to other teams, for them to say, ‘Hmmm, what would it take to make a run at Darko this year?”’

Smith said he realized that Milicic, 21, could turn in a great season, increasing his market value and thus, his asking price. “That’s a nice problem to have,” Smith said. “We’d have a player. I see that as a win-win.”

[WTFchris]

Lets sign Darko!

Ok, back to reality. Darko has a chance to lock up some serious money. In a world were big men are grossy overpaid, Darko is so young and has the skills to really dazzle some people (even if it is inconsistant) enough to get paid big time.

[Glenn]

Blakely

LMAO...

Monday, November 06, 2006

Darko's back (sulking) ...
12:20 p.m. 11/06/06

SALT LAKE CITY — Word out of O-town is that Darko's starting to pout about not getting as much playing time as he would have liked in this, a contract season.

Beating out Dwight Howard for minutes wasn't going to happen. Even Darko's not that dillusional. But being outperformed by Tony Battie?

It kind of makes you think twice about paying this guy a contract starting in the $8-10 million range, doesn't it?

No one has ever questioned whether Darko has skills. But the more you watch him play, and how he responds to not playing, the more you get the sense that this kid is never going to get it.

You earn minutes by playing, not pouting.

[Matt]

[Glenn]

More...Sam Smith

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.