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**kamego** · 10-08-2005, 07:39 AM

http://www.freep.com/sports/pistons/...e_20051008.htm

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"If he came here as a boy," assistant coach Igor Kokoskov said, "he's a grown man now, that's for sure."

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And that has Milicic -- back from a summer playing with his national team -- looking stronger and more confident -- happier than ever to be playing in Detroit.

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"This year I feel more comfortable," Milicic said. "The coach is trying to let me know that I just need to play and everything will be OK. They all know that I have two bad years behind me, and they let me know that those two years are over."

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Every so often, Milicic spoke out about his frustrations in the media. And it wasn't Brown's constant chirping that bothered him.

"That was nothing for me," Milicic said. "My coach from Serbia was 10 times worse."

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"For those who forgot, he didn't come to a lottery team," Dumars said. "He came to a world championship team. And most rookies are not going to come to a world championship team and break into the lineup, break into the rotation, and play."

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For two months this summer, Milicic did two-a-day sessions, lifted weights, played in exhibition games and lower-level tournaments, and even ran through the mountains.

"That was tough," he said. "I thought I was going to throw up."

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But Milicic made an impression. He was the star of one game, scoring 11 points and making numerous key defensive stops against Israel.

"But it wasn't just about those four games" in the European Championships, Kokoskov said. "It was two months that he played hard. He had two sessions everyday and worked on his abilities. He did great lifting weights and running and basic preparation."

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"He's been better than I thought he would be," Saunders said, "and I thought he was going to be pretty good."

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Saunders complimented Milicic's defensive rebounding, his versatility and his basketball IQ, saying it was higher than he expected. He plans to use Milicic all over the court, rather than have him simply stake out the block every play.

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"Right now, there's not a lot of guys who are 20-years-old who are predominantly low-post players," Saunders said. "One of the reasons (Phoenix center) Amare Stoudemire had a breakout year last year is because they moved him around. ... He became less predictable, and he became more effective. I think Darko is similar, in that, you can't say just go to this one spot and play there."

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Dumars said he hasn't ordered Saunders to give Milicic playing time.

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"I think he feels like he has a weight lifted off his shoulders," Billups said. "He's playing freely. He's playing a lot more aggressive. He's going to be great, man."

I didn't put this in the other thread because it was a little differant. Covers some better details on his summer. I am glad to hear he got into great shape for the season.

The only major question I ask is how did Darko make the cover when Michigan has a game today? Someone screwed up here lol

ian · 10-08-2005, 09:04 AM

Man, how long have we waited for this... a blessing in disguise that LB got canned

**KJay** · 10-08-2005, 09:12 AM

watch Darko hit a career high every time he plays the nets.

casebeck22 · 10-08-2005, 09:17 AM

First off, I like how he says his Serbia coach was 10 times worse than brown. Then Flip says he was better than he actually thought he would be. I can't wait to see this.

**Austin Kent** · 10-08-2005, 12:16 PM

Anytime a Darko article pops up I say the exact same thing, so I will spare you guys.

**kamego** · 10-08-2005, 12:18 PM

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Originally Posted by Lope31

Anytime a Darko article pops up I say the exact same thing, so I will spare you guys.

There is a reason why now even the Detroit News and Free Press have started becoming pro-Darko. 3 weeks ago they were bashing him for how "underwelming" he played in the ECs.

casebeck22 · 10-08-2005, 01:52 PM

Darko hype is a good thing, it is actually positive things we are hearing now. I like it.

**kamego** · 10-08-2005, 01:53 PM

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Originally Posted by casebeck22

Darko hype is a good thing, it is actually positive things we are hearing now. I like it.

It's better then hearing negative things about him. I already ordered my darko swingman jersey for when the pistons come to chicago again.

casebeck22 · 10-08-2005, 01:54 PM

Haha. I'm there. That will be the first Pistons away game I have ever been to. I am looking forward to being one of the only people there with a Piston jersey on.

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