| Ex-Piston Milicic finds Magic touch in Orlando |
Gamble on big man is beginning to pay off; he's starting and his offensive stats are improving.
For nearly three seasons in Detroit, Darko Milicic provided hope for the future -- and little more.
The Pistons invested time, hoping he'd develop from a lanky, inexperienced teen into a smarter and stronger big man. Fans waited to see Milicic, a 7-footer and the No. 2 overall pick in 2003, reach stardom like draft peers LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade.
Instead, Milicic chafed under expectations and his own impatience, frequently demanding more playing time or a trade. The ordeal ended one year ago, when Milicic was shipped to the Magic.
But guess who's showing sustained flashes of promise
?
"I think Darko's starting to play assertively, and he's made good progress, especially in the last two months," Magic senior vice president Pat Williams said. "He's still really young and inexperienced. In a lot of ways, this is like a rookie season for him, as it's going to be the first full year he's really playing.
"I think he's starting to relish starting and knowing he's going to carry the load for us no matter what out there. We're pleased so far."
Milicic, 21, recently was promoted to starter when Tony Battie fractured his right thumb. Milicic has started five games, averaging 12.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 32.2 minutes.
He's also forming a good partnership with Dwight Howard.
"It's a pretty dynamic thing to see -- Dwight and Darko have looked pretty good," Williams said. "But the proof will be how things go the rest of the season."
Magic coach Brian Hill indicated Milicic's recent play might result in more than just fill-in starting duty. He scored a career-high 21 and added eight rebounds, against Portland on Feb. 14.
It's clear Milicic's demeanor has evolved along with his game. Once a sulking teen with goofy bleached hair, he's happier these days, and he looks and acts like a professional basketball player.
The peroxide and boy-band hair have been replaced by a close-cropped cut.
"I was so mad being there (Detroit)," Milicic told the Orlando Sentinel. "I was just so happy to get out of there. As soon as I got here, I tried to focus on Orlando."
Said Williams: "I think he was in a tough situation, under so much pressure. He comes here with a fresh start, a chance to learn on the job. He a nice kid, and he's coachable. We're now beginning to see who he really is and what he's capable of."
Milicic has a lot of incentive to play well -- his contract expires at the end of this season, and he could become a restricted free agent. Milicic and the Magic could have tried to work out an extension last fall, but team officials wanted to see how Milicic performed this year.
Perhaps Orlando's questions are being answered.
Said Hill: "If he can continue this, the franchise is going to get Darko taken care of."
Used courtesy of: The Detroit News |
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