Darko Milicic Signs With Memphis

Bosh was good in his rookie year, but not Sheed-good. So it's a tough thing to predict. But I don't think anyone will disagree that drafting either Wade, Melo, or Bosh would put the Pistons in a better situation now than they are in reality.

Do you really think that Wade/Melo/Bosh would have got minutes ahead of Prince/Rip/Billups? If Milicic couldn't get minutes in his position, the other three wouldn't have either because the Pistons were at least two deep at each guard/forward position (from memory).

Hell yes. Prince, though good, was still young and hadn't yet proved himself. And everyone knew what Melo was capable of. Wade and Bosh, maybe wouldn't have gotten minutes right away, but both are talented enough that they would have worked their way into the rotation. And doesn't Prince seem like a dream 6th man?

And isn't a roster of Ben Wallace, Billups, Prince, Hamilton, and Bosh/Wade/Melo in much better position to compete for a title than a lineup of Sheed, Billups, Prince, Hamilton, and who Nazr Mohammed?

If they hadn't traded away Darko, wouldn't the Pistons be in a better position with Sheed, Billups, Prince, Hamilton. Who's to say that Melo/Wade/Bosh wouldn't have disappeared into nothingness like Darko? As I've said before, you're thinking of those three players as they are after they landed on teams that needed them and could afford to give them shots, touches and minutes. Think about if they were drafted by Detroit and never got a chance to play. Would we know them as we know them now?

I depends on what you think of players mindsets. I think most guys are what they are, no matter the situation. Melo, as stated, was a well known commodity. everyone knew he'd be a big time scorer and a half-assed defensive player. Bosh's quickness and outside jumper would have given him opportunities to play, for sure. And Wade? Man, Wade could have easily knocked Rip or Prince to the bench, no questions asked. And no, I'm picturing these players as they were in their rookie seasons, and not how good their stats were then or now.

And it's not like Joe D knew Darko wouldn't live up to expectation and that he'd be trading for Sheed. So it was kind of a happy mistake.

What expectations didn't Darko live up to? It wasn't like he was drafted to contribute right away. He was a project drafted on potential. Both Detroit and Darko decided to end their relationship prematurely. Unfortunately, that bit the Pistons back up the ass when Ben Wallace left for the Chi.

Man, you don't draft someone #2 overall, even a "project" and not expect him to even crack the rotation in 2 and a half seasons. Like I said, Dumars had no idea he'd be trading for Sheed when he drafted Darko, so I'm not even convinced that he saw Milicic as a project. if he did, I don't think he'd have given up on him before his 3rd season, which is usually when players come into their own.

Hell yes. Prince, though good, was still young and hadn't yet proved himself. And everyone knew what Melo was capable of. Wade and Bosh, maybe wouldn't have gotten minutes right away, but both are talented enough that they would have worked their way into the rotation. And doesn't Prince seem like a dream 6th man?

Melo might have become Detroit's sixth man. Yes, everyone knew Melo was good. I think a reason why he wasn't taken second was because Joe D thought a 7 footer with Darko's skills and 'potential' was rarer than a player like Melo. As for Bosh/Wade, people knew they were good but didn't know how good. Still, being drafted onto a team like Detroit would have hindered all of their development just like it did to Darko's.

I think most guys are what they are, no matter the situation.

Not if they don't get their minutes and opportunity to play. I can't say if Bosh, Wade, Melo would have knocked the other guys off the starting five. I'm not sure any of them would be starting on the Pistons at the time... getting into the rotation. Maybe. However, I'm still iffy on it considering Larry Brown's reluctnece to play his rookies.

Man, you don't draft someone #2 overall, even a "project" and not expect him to even crack the rotation in 2 and a half seasons. Like I said, Dumars had no idea he'd be trading for Sheed when he drafted Darko, so I'm not even convinced that he saw Milicic as a project. if he did, I don't think he'd have given up on him before his 3rd season, which is usually when players come into their own.

They did see him as a project. Sitting at the end of a bench for 2 and a half seasons made Milicic less motivated in Detroit (unforutnately). Both parties effectively gave up on eachother.

Oh yeah, I totally forgot about Larry Brown's anti-rookie stance. But you also have to consider that Prince, Hamilton, and Billups are all much better today than they were 4 years ago, Prince in particular. I definitely think all 3 guys (Wade, Melo, Bosh) would have made it really difficult for Larry Brown not to play them.

ot saying I would trade the Pistons 1 title for a slightly better chance at a few more, but it would certainly put them in a better spot now.

Well, I could criticize a lot of the Pistons moves. I was just saying that if they don't draft Darko, they've changed the makeup of the team, so the other moves they made that won them a title they may not have. So the title they won, would not have happened. (I mean, they almost lost to the Nets, Pacers and Lakers had injuries that hampered them. It wasn't like they steamrolled to the title. 34-24 before that trade.)

Hell yes. Prince, though good, was still young and hadn't yet proved himself. And everyone knew what Melo was capable of.

Well, Brown had guaranteed him the starting spot after Brown stupidly tried to guard him with McKie in the playoffs the year before. And Brown hated Anthony, as shown during the Olympics. I don't know if Melo could've easily taken a starting spot from Prince. Larry Brown isn't the most logical coach. (Plus rookie Melo gives the Pistons a gaping hole on defense in Okur-Melo-Hamilton that doesn't exist with Sheed-Prince at the forward slots.)

Who's to say that Melo/Wade/Bosh wouldn't have disappeared into nothingness like Darko?

Well, I don't think they could've. They may had been labeled as reserves so it would be until Brown was gone that they could come out. Wade would probably mean Billups leaving the team.

nd isn't a roster of Ben Wallace, Billups, Prince, Hamilton, and Bosh/Wade/Melo in much better position to compete for a title than a lineup of Sheed, Billups, Prince, Hamilton, and who Nazr Mohammed?

Personally, I don't want either lineup. Neither one is very flexible. You have two max players on the first one and two others who are overpaid.

Wade is fantastic, but I personally myself basing on anything the Pistons could have would prefer Okur, Bosh and Billups to Ben Wallace and Wade. But I'm a lunatic.

What expectations didn't Darko live up to?

Chad Ford's.

would have made it really difficult for Larry Brown not to play them.

How do you explain the Athens Olympics? Melo, Bron, Wade barely got court time. Sure, they were on a team with other 'star NBA players' but as a coach, you would expect Brown to see through the experience and play guys because of their skillsets.

Well, I don't think they could've. They may had been labeled as reserves so it would be until Brown was gone that they could come out. Wade would probably mean Billups leaving the team.

Maybe these guys would have been more strong willed than Darko was. Darko wasn't very professional by the end of his tenure. He was sort of 'forgotten' at the end of the bench. Darko got lazy and didn't really care by the end of his time in Detroit. I guess you have a point that Bosh/Melo/Wade would have stayed working harder. But you never know. With Darko, the fact he didn't do anything in Detroit made everyone think he was capable of nothing, and/or give up on him. It was hard for him to sway people's minds.

Anyways, Darko 'fit' in the plan for the long run in Detroit. Too bad he didn't stick around long enough... I think Darko, Sheed, Prince, Rip, Billups would have done fine last season.

Well. Darko was from a foreign country and younger than all those guys. (Double strikes in Brown's book too.) Plus he's also quite a bit lazier than those guys. He's my favorite player but he doesn't have that drive to harness his skill. Brown was wrong for wanting him to be Bill Russell, but he's also wrong for wanting to be Toni Kukoc.

Now, I wonder if he'll ever do it. He won't have impetius with a nice contract already.

Well. Darko was from a foreign country and younger than all those guys. (Double strikes in Brown's book too.) Plus he's also quite a bit lazier than those guys. He's my favorite player but he doesn't have that drive to harness his skill. Brown was wrong for wanting him to be Bill Russell, but he's also wrong for wanting to be Toni Kukoc.

Now, I wonder if he'll ever do it. He won't have impetius with a nice contract already.

I think he can be a good player who can average about 20 points and 10 boards. This season maybe he will get closer to 15 and 8... you can't tell.

But playing alongside a hard-working forward like Pau Gasol, with similar background and having had past success should help Darko a lot. And having another experienced European player in Navvaro might help Darko settle in Memphis too.

Memphis has a balanced and talented team... Darko should thrive depending on what role he is given.

Last edited by Fresh8 on Tue Sep 04, 2007 2:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I feel asthough Darko's so far underwhelming career is due to his battles with depression and alcohol.

well that fact is very big surprise for me! I don't know how Milicic will play in Memphis but it is nice chance for him despite that Grizzlies have such great player like Pau!

Against Greece.

17 PTS, 6 REB, 3 ASS, 3 BLK.

Against Greece.

17 PTS, 6 REB, 3 ASS, 3 BLK.

very good work by Milicic against such strong team like Greece!!and what about Jaric?

What's going on here? Suddenly this is a "Darko Milicic" fan thread, with updates on his stats.

Well, everyone is entitled to a great game once in a while, and I'm sure Darko is no exception. I didn't watch the game, so I don't have quite a good idea of what the game was like. It's safe to say that however good Greece is, it still isn't as good as the average NBA team, so don't get too pumped up if he averages 20 a night.

What's going on here? Suddenly this is a "Darko Milicic" fan thread, with updates on his stats.

And you have problem with that because..?

It's safe to say that however good Greece is, it still isn't as good as the average NBA team, so don't get too pumped up if he averages 20 a night.

It's safe to say that you're making a complete ass out of yourself. Greece kicked your Dream Team's ass last year in the WC semis. Let me remind you. Not good as average NBA team.... Dear God.

If Darko's shots were dropping against Russia, he woulda had around 20 points. 16 points against Greece is pretty good, not awesome or anything.

And JT-55, Greece were 2nd in the World last year and they are reigning European champions...

What's going on here? Suddenly this is a "Darko Milicic" fan thread, with updates on his stats.

And you have problem with that because..?

Did I ever say I had a problem with this? I just simply stated the truth that this thread is now a Milicic fan thread. I never meant any offense at you for posting his stats on recent games. You may have jumped to that conclusion a little bit too quickly...

As for the other, I'll just take it as yet another reminder for me to research before posting. I was never a person to salvage something I know is a losing battle. Yes, I admit defeat.

Against Greece.

17 PTS, 6 REB, 3 ASS, 3 BLK.

I laughed.

AST is the preferred abbreviation to avoid that.

Memphis should deffinately improve defensively with Darko around.

Against Israel.

18 PTS, 13 REB, 1 ASS*, 4 BLK.

*

Another good game from Milicic...

Bad thing though... Serbia has been knocked out with a 0-3 record

Darko Goes On Tirade
September 5, 2007 - 8:11 pm
Detroit Free-Press -
Darko Milicic apparently went on a profanity-laced tirade after a Serbia national team game at the FIBA Europe tournament this week.

Serbia lost Wednesday to Israel. Milicic scored 18 points and had 13 rebounds, but his team is now out of the tournament.

ESPN reported that Milicic was fined 10,000 Euros.

Someone should inform Darko he's not good enough to have an attitude problem.

Hah, that reminds me of a Raptors game I was watching last season. Darko went up for a hook and got brutually raped by Bosh on a block and then he dropped a major f-bomb that could be heard from the television. I think that was the first time I've ever heard an NBA player scream the word fuck loud enough to be heard from the television and on the replays when they showed the play again.

At least he shows he has some fire in him and drive in the games. If only he put all this into working on his game back in Mo-town... As the leader of the Serbia team, I guess it's good that he has some heart.

Reminds me of the 2002 World Championships when Serbia got knocked out, the whole Serbia-Montenegro side turned on each other... I think...

Someone should inform Darko he's not good enough to have an attitude problem.

RealGM has reported that Darko's profanity tirade including finding the referees, killing them, and raping their wives and daughters (if any.)

He raped their sons as well. Darko swings both ways, why wouldn't he? Who says Gods have to have one sex?

He also vowed to destroy "those meddling Time Lords" and stated that he had already seized control of the TARDIS.

I knew he was Espada from his haircut.