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By Krista Latham
The Pistons have insisted for two years that they are committed to developing Darko Milicic.
They backed that up Thursday by picking up his option for a fourth NBA season.
Milicic, 20, is now signed through 2006-07, when he will make $5.2 million.
"I think what this shows is a tremendous vote of confidence from the Pistons and especially from Joe Dumars," said Milicic's agent, Marc Cornstein.
"Even in the first two years, which have been difficult years for Darko, Joe especially has been very supportive publicly and privately, and I think this is just another tremendous sign of that support."
Since joining the Pistons as the much-hyped No. 2 overall draft pick in 2003, Milicic has received little playing time. He appeared to grow frustrated coming off the bench for meaningless minutes when Larry Brown was the coach.
Milicic, a 7-foot center from Serbia-Montenegro, averaged 1.6 points and 1.2 rebounds in the past two seasons and sometimes complained that he hadn't received an opportunity to succeed with the Pistons.
New coach Flip Saunders' arrival last week should be a welcome sight for Milicic.
Saunders has said he rewards hard work with opportunities and responsibilities for young players.
At Minnesota, he developed Kevin Garnett straight out of high school into one of the league's superstars.
Now he has Milicic to mold for at least two seasons.
"His whole take has been, he just wants an opportunity to play," Cornstein said. "And certainly, it sounds like, with Flip, he'll have that opportunity.
"I don't think he's ever had a sense of entitlement. Never in the last two years have I heard Darko mouth off and say, I deserve to play over player X or Y. He's just looking for an opportunity."
Used courtesy of: Detroit Free Press |
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