| Darko Talks To Grizzlies.com |
Going through the process of free agency, what appealed to you about the situation in Memphis?
Darko Milicic: I was just looking at the team. I saw Pau Gasol, I saw Rudy Gay, I saw Hakim Warrick and all these young, talented players, and I feel like I can help this team be better, get more wins and maybe make the playoffs. That’s what you play for, you don’t come into the league to go home early. Me personally, I want to be in the playoffs. The playoffs are the time that is the most fun.
You have the opportunity to come in and become a regular starter for the first time in your career. Are you anxious to finally get that chance?
DM: Yes, a lot. Everybody wants to start. Every player in the league wants to be a starter, it’s really big. It’s all going to start in training camp, I have to come ready. I’ll be in shape. I have to play good, I have to show the coach that I really want to be in the starting lineup. I have to show him that if I’m in the starting lineup, it’s going to be better for the team.
With that opportunity to start, and with this new contract, do you feel like this is a turning point in your career?
DM: It is, I’m going to give everything I have for Memphis. I really like the team, I like the people, everyone I’ve met is really friendly. I have to take this chance the Grizzlies have given me and show them that I’m the guy who’s really right for this team.
You’ve played with a variety of very talented big men with different skill sets - Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace, Dwight Howard - what are your thoughts about playing with another talented big man in Pau Gasol?
DM: Playing with Ben Wallace and Rasheed Wallace, they’re two great players. Playing with Dwight Howard, he’s a young power forward, and a player that gets a lot of attention and that’s when I could find spots for open jumpers. That’s what’s going to happen with Pau Gasol. He’s a guy who’s an All-Star, and he’s a guy who’s hard to guard. It’s going to give me room to become a better player.
In the press conference, coach Iavaroni said you and Pau could each alternate between power forward and center. Do you see the two of you creating matchup problems for opponents?
DM: I hope so. He’s already a player who everyone knows how good he is. Now it’s on me to show what I can do, show how I can hurt teams in the post and everywhere else on the court.
Much has been made of the struggles you’ve encountered in your career, and a lot of them have come under the microscope of the national media. Did Memphis being the smallest market in the league appeal to you when you were making your decision?
DM: I didn’t think about it. Maybe it’s because I’m not from here and don’t see if Memphis is a big or small market. I take everything seriously, so do all NBA players, everyone fights for something. Big market, small market, for me it doesn’t matter. I just can’t wait for (training camp) to start.
You’re going to play for Serbia at the European Championships this summer. How do you think the team will fare?
DM: We’re a very young team. Very talented, but real young. A lot of players play in the Serbian League, and it’ll be tough for them because they’re used to playing with players from the Serbian League, now they’re playing against players who are the best in the world. It’s going to be tough for them, so it depends on how they’re going to take the challenge.
Used courtesy of: www.nba.com |
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