| Milicic wants bigger role |
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - When Darko Milicic met with Orlando general manager Otis Smith just before the playoffs started, he not only reiterated his desire to re-sign with the Magic, but he also made a bold promise.
The Magic haven't seen half of what Milicic can do.
"I would like to do more things and show them how they are going to see me next year if I stay here," Milicic said confidently. "They make the decisions on how much I'm a part of the games, but I'm happy to be here and a part of this team. But what I think is they've got to use me more."
Milicic has been pining for more of a role all season, especially one that allows him to show off his passing skills and shooting range from the perimeter. The Magic insisted that Milicic bulk up last summer and head coach Brian Hill has demanded, for the most part, that the 7-foot-1, 270-pound Milicic anchor himself on the lowblock.
"It's all a part of a process, and he's never really taken those shots on a consistent basis at the NBA level," Hill said. "I don't mind him shooting those shots, but I just don't want him starting out as a jump shooter. I have no problem with him taking those shots, but it has to be the right time and score."
Milicic will be a restricted free agent this summer, meaning the Magic can match any contract offer he gets from another team. He said he plans to play this summer for the Serbia and Montenegro national team, and when he comes back next season he'll prove himself to be a multidimensional forward.
"I play different back home in the European championships," he said. "I shoot 3s and stuff because that's what the coach wants me to do. I was shooting out there at the beginning of this (NBA) season, but coach wants me on the block using my size. I lost my confidence (shooting), but I'm trying to work on it."
Free throws
Milicic, who spent the first 21/2 seasons of his NBA career stuck on Detroit's bench, was asked if he would consider the Pistons this summer when he becomes a free agent. Milicic frowned and then said: "I can't say no right now, but I don't know about that." . . . Smith said the thing that infuriated him most about the start of the series was the way the Magic played right into the Pistons style of basketball. Said Smith: "You let Chauncey (Billups) walk the ball up the court and let them get in their offense you are playing right into their hands. You have to push the ball and get them out of their comfort zones." . . . Pat Garrity is the only Magic player left who was on the active roster four years ago when Orlando blew a 3-1 lead and lost in seven games to the Pistons. Garrity was hobbled by a painful sports hernia (torn muscles in the lower abdomen) and needed a cortisone shot in the groin just to play in the series. Said Garrity: "It's kind of amazing that in four years we have all new players and all new coaches." . . . The series now shifts to Orlando where Games 3 and 4 will be played in Amway Arena. Approximately 1,400 tickets remain for Thursday's 8 p.m. game and 2,500 are left for Saturday's Game 4. Games 5 and 7, if necessary, would be in suburban Detroit, while a Game 6 could be in Orlando.
Used courtesy of: Florida Today |
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