<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't know what it's going to cost them, but the Magic must match whatever (if any) offer they receive for Darko Milicic this summer. They have to re-sign Milicic because of his . . . defense. That's right. The Magic really didn't know what they were getting when they acquired him last season from Detroit. The most surprising thing is that the 7-foot Milicic, 21, has the innate ability to block several shots a game and changed at least that many with his length. He's also left-hander, meaning he doesn't have to reach across his body to bother most right-handed shooters. Darko is like Mr. Fantastic of the Fantastic Four, who can stretch his arms to unthinkable limits. Sure, he's inconsistent, but most young players are so consumed by offense that they forget defense. Milicic already has a grasp of the other end of the floor.</div> Source
His defensive capabilities and budding offensive skills are going to be the reason why we give him a HUGE contract this offseason.
He's a good shot-blocker, but that doesn't equate to being a good defender. He does have plenty of athleticism, legnth and quickness to be a very good defender though.
<div class="quote_poster">asdf Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">He's a good shot-blocker, but that doesn't equate to being a good defender. He does have plenty of athleticism, legnth and quickness to be a very good defender though.</div> I think he's a really good defender, because most of his blocks are on man to man defense, while Dwight's defense is overrated, because basically all of his blocks are on help defense. Darko is our shutdown defender in a big man. We don't know how good he actually is yet, since he doesn't get big minutes against the opposing teams best player, but he does show good ability against the weaker opponents.
<div class="quote_poster">asdf Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">He's a good shot-blocker, but that doesn't equate to being a good defender. He does have plenty of athleticism, legnth and quickness to be a very good defender though.</div> I have to agree to an extent. All in all I think Darko is very overrated. So many times I've seen him fumble the ball on offense, shoot up a jumpshot and brick horribly, and make stupid fouls. His hookshot also looks rushed and usually looks like it is never going in, hell most of the time it doesn't. He seems clumsy imo. He is incosistent as well which isn't exactly great. The only good thing about him is his blocking of shots but even then they are on pure length rather than insticts or good defense. Maybe I'm terribly wrong though, I just hope he is worth all this trouble.
Funny that you mention that Franchise4Ever. Me and my friend were talking about Milicic's offense and how it seems like he doesn't even look when he throws up his hook shot. He's still young though so I'm hoping he improves over time. I don't have any problems with his defense however. That's definently his strength and I've been happy with his production in that aspect.
darko's offense is whats pissing me off though, he needs to get tougher down low...take some lessons from dwights book
<div class="quote_poster">Franchise4Ever Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I have to agree to an extent. All in all I think Darko is very overrated. So many times I've seen him fumble the ball on offense, shoot up a jumpshot and brick horribly, and make stupid fouls. His hookshot also looks rushed and usually looks like it is never going in, hell most of the time it doesn't. He seems clumsy imo. He is incosistent as well which isn't exactly great. The only good thing about him is his blocking of shots but even then they are on pure length rather than insticts or good defense. Maybe I'm terribly wrong though, I just hope he is worth all this trouble. </div> Offense I agree on a lot of it. The only thing I disagree on is that Darko looks way more comfortable right now on offense. He is actually popping that 18 footer with confidence. I don't mind if it goes in or not right now just as long as he's not hesitating. He can hit that shot and eventually they will start dropping as long as he keeps his confidence up. On defense, I disagree about instincts. I think he has great instincts for someone that hasn't played much. Most of his blocks are on instincts, IMO. Most of the time he realizes when the other player is taking the shot or pump faking. He has an uncanny ability to stay on the ground on pump fakes, IMO.
Darko gets blocks, but his defense needs a lot of work. How many times have we seen him fall for a pump-fake and get driven right past? Or foul somebody on something really, really stupid. He's not bad though.
^Yeah. I remember one play where he stuffed the living bejesus out of one guy, only to have the very same person rebound the ball and swish in a jumper. ALthough that's only one play, it's a pretty good example of how his defence can be sometimes. I think it's all about understanding and just getting more minutes. The guy never played at all his first few seasons, so it's understandable that he'll have lapses.
