| Magic prepared to gamble on Milicic |
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BY JOHN DENTON
In a matter of two very telling possessions, Darko Milicic gave a brief glimpse Wednesday as to why the Orlando Magic desperately want him to emerge as their starting power forward.
Milicic took the ball at the top of the key, and after noticing that rookie James Augustine had backed off, the sweet-shooting lefthander buried a 20-foot jump shot.
Seconds later, after his squad got the ball again, Milicic used his noticeably larger 270-pound frame to pin Augustine back helplessly beneath the basket. The 7-footer then sank an uncontested hook shot from point-blank range.
Dwight Howard, Grant Hill and Jameer Nelson are the unquestioned stars of the Magic, but no player has garnered more attention so far in training camp than the 21-year-old Milicic. That's because the Magic coaches and players view Milicic as a rising star loaded with gobs of talent and potential.
Finally, the player chosen second overall in the 2003 NBA Draft -- just behind LeBron James and ahead of Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh -- seems poised to explode upon the NBA. He added 15 pounds of muscle through an offseason weight program and loads of confidence from a solid showing in the World Championships.
Motivation certainly shouldn't be a problem. Quite possibly, no NBA player has more riding on this season than the 7-footer from Serbia and Montenegro. Not only are a starting position and the most significant playing time he's had as an NBA player available, but Milicic also has big money riding on his performance.
The Magic and Milicic's agent, Marc Cornstein, have agreed to put off talks on a contract extension until the summer. With an off-the-charts season, Milicic could feasibly demand an $80 million deal similar to the one Anthony signed with Denver. But if he fails to win a prominent role, Milicic could be looking at a deal that pays him little more than the $5.2 million he's due this year.
"In my experience in this league, the contract year is about the biggest carrot there is for most guys," Magic coach Brian Hill said. "Certainly that's something that we have in our favor because he has a lot to play for."
The Magic could change course and sign Milicic to an extension before Oct. 31, and general manager Otis Smith admitted the organization discusses the matter almost daily. Waiting until the summer, when Milicic will be a restricted free agent, could be a costly gamble for the Magic. For now, Smith said the feeling is to let Milicic play out this season and establish his true worth.
"Let's see what he is instead of what we think he's going to be," Smith said. "You're trying to get the best Darko you can get out there on the floor and be fair to everybody. By doing it this way, we're giving the kid a chance to get his value up and we have a chance to truly evaluate him."
Milicic is usually a man of few words, and to his credit he has said his focus is more on helping the Magic get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2003 than it is a new contract. He doesn't feel pressure to perform because he has so much riding on this season.
"I'm just going to give my best and see what happens," he said. "I don't think about it right now. I'm just thinking about having a good season with this team. Whatever they think my role is, I want to do that to help make this team better."
Milicic certainly made the Magic better late last season, playing prime minutes at power forward after hardly getting playing time in 21/2 seasons with Detroit. He was acquired in February, along with Carlos Arroyo, in a deal for Kelvin Cato. Asked how his mentality now differs from last season with the Pistons, Milicic had little to offer. He says he has purposely tried to strike the Detroit days from his memory bank.
"I don't remember last year. I don't remember what I ate this morning," he says bluntly. "I just know I'm happy to be here now, and I don't really remember what happened in the past."
In 30 games with the Magic last season, Milicic's vast potential finally began to surface. He averaged 7.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.07 blocks a game in 20.2 minutes a game. Project those numbers out as if he were playing 35 minutes a night, and Milicic could be on the brink of a breakout season.
Orlando's coaching staff and front office are even more excited when they consider how well Milicic meshes with Howard. Milicic is the shooter to Howard's low-post game, the finesse to Howard's power. Together, the two could give Orlando 14 feet of shot blockers.
Milicic laid the foundation for a solid season in the summer, lifting weights four days a week in hopes of adding strength to his previously wiry frame. He blew some away at the World Championships when he outplayed Pau Gasol and Yao Ming and averaged 16.2 points and 9.3 rebounds a game.
Now the player whose work ethic and love for basketball were often questioned in Detroit, is eager to start the most important season of his young career.
"I couldn't wait to get here to Orlando, couldn't wait to start up training camp," Milicic said, revealing the slightest of a smile. "And I can't wait for the games to come now."
Used courtesy of: Florida Today |
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