| Even Brown admits Milicic is getting better |
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By Joanne C. Gerstner
Progress has come slowly, hidden from the world behind the closed doors of numerous Pistons practices.
Day by day, drill by drill, coaches and players have been working with center Darko Milicic. Some of the lessons have been hard for the 19-year-old, such as learning how to play with bigger, stronger and more experienced men. Others have been more subtle, such as Larry Brown adjusting a drop-step or the position for an elbow on a spin move.
But it appears that the lessons are sinking in to Brown's satisfaction, as evidenced by Milicic's recent increase in playing time.
"I think he's really trying, and from what I've seen, he's looking like he belongs out there for the first time," Brown said. "He's getting more confident, and I think you can see that when he's confident he's not thinking as much. He's still got a lot to learn, but he's taking steps. He needs to keep up the hard work he's shown in practice, and then carry that all over to the games.
"I've said many times, this is not an overnight process." Milicic is picking up small chunks of minutes, coming off the bench to spell big men Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess. Sometimes Milicic gets called in because of foul trouble to the starters, or he's part of the crew trying to defend tough players such as Shaquille O'Neal.
Milicic is averaging 5.9 minutes, and less than one point and one rebound. He played 14 minutes in Saturday's 92-69 blowout win over the Hornets, the most he's played in a regular-season game in his career.
The reality is that Milicic is not yet counted on to deliver big points or rebounds. He's in the game to show what he's learned and to continue expanding his experience base.
Milicic has shown moments of brilliance in practice, according to teammates, but now it's time to transfer those skills from practices to games.
"I work hard and I try. That is what I do because I want to play," Milicic said. "I am feeling confident when I play. I know what I am supposed to do, and I will try hard to do it. I like playing. I want to play more and help the team win."
Milicic's emerging confidence sometimes gets trumped by timidity. He's shown he won't back down from larger centers, such as O'Neal. Milicic knows he's quicker, so he uses that to an advantage.
Brown still is screaming Milicic's name a lot from the sidelines, trying to verbally nudge him into action or the right spot.
Milicic seems to take Brown's at-times pointed criticisms better this season, a sign that the teenager is maturing. Or perhaps Milicic has learned a better poker face to deal with Brown's barrages.
"I think I have grown up, I know more of what I am supposed to do," Milicic said. "I feel better out there. I do think I belong, I can play. The more I play, the better I feel."
Milicic has made a few additions to his still-slender highlight reel. Against Miami on Nov. 26, he stole a pass from Damon Jones near mid-court, then ran the floor for a dunk. He had a huge smile after blocking one of O'Neal's shots in the same game. And he made a nice move Saturday against the Hornets, leading to a dunk.
Milicic's teammates are taking notice of his growth. They are his biggest cheerleaders, jumping off the bench when he makes a good play.
"Darko is getting more comfortable," Richard Hamilton said. "He's gotten a lot stronger and I think that helps him feel like he can do more.
"I think we all love it when Darko has a big play or a dunk. It's like you're cheering for a little brother."
Used courtesy of: The Detroit News |
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