<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Brian Schmitz | Sentinel Staff Writer 3:47 PM EDT, July 1, 2007 In a surprising development, the Orlando Magic did not contact Darko Milicic's camp when NBA free agency officially began at 12:01 a.m. today.The Magic had said they wanted to re-sign Milicic, but by late this afternoon they had yet to call Marc Cornstein, Milicic's agent.Cornstein conceded he was surprised, because a team's call to a free agents after the courting period begins is seen as at least a good-will gesture, if not an actual precursor to negotiating.</div>http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orl-...0,3749293.storyThis is surprising, So the Magic haven't even attempted to speak to Milicic, or his agent. At the end of the article they say that maybe the Magic are attemtping a sign and trade for Lewis with Seattle. If so, that would be worth sending him out if we can get Lewis. He did show improvement this last season, and I wouldn't mind seeing him in a Magic uniform this season, but he is expendable. He still has alot of work ahead of him to be a more than solid player in this league.The only down side is, that if we send him out, who will we get to take his spot? The Magic was effectively a three big man rotation, with Howard, Milicic, and Battie being the rotation of big men. They will have to get someone to take his spot, maybe James Augustine steps up? That last pick in the draft takes his spot? This could be interesting at what happens with him.
I thought Darko was a good young player and I'm not really wanting him to leave Orlando. I don't see why Orlando hasn't tryed to contact him in anyway. Lewis is a nice player to come in but I'm hoping that we will still be able to keep Darko as well. I really think that in a few years Darko will be a starter the whole season and get at least 30 minutes a game.
If they are going to get Rashard Lewis or Gerald Wallace, I don't think they have enough money to re-sign him.
I am looking, and there are not alot of free agent big men out there in the world. With us not attempting to get back Milicic, I see a couple of oppurtunities for us. 1st there is re-signing Bo Outlaw to a veteran's minimum, and let him push Augustine for backup minutes. I believe, looking at the Rashard Lewis deal though, we can sign back him for the veterans minimum. Or I like Marc Jackson who was with New Orleands this year, for the veterans minimum. I think he will go for the veteran's minimum deal, and will get good playing time here, we just have to look into it. He has a good mid range jump shot, and can help to space the floor a bit when he is in, as well as he can help out defensively when Battie and Howard are not in. He has decent defense for a big man, and with Bogans/Ariza and Dooling on the bench and going in when he goes, they will help him out alot on the perimeter with their good defense. He would be a good person to have pushing Augustine for playing time.
I really hope Memphis goes after him. He's be the perfect player to come in and compliment Gasol's offense and give Memphis our fill for a front-court defender. Please Wallace, make a good first impression.
If the Grizzlies sign Milicic, or whoever signs with him, there are a few things they have to work with him on. First off, they will have to continue to work on his shooting form. The ball comes off of his hands well, but there are times when he will try to arc his back while shooting. The Magic staff worked with him on it alot, and Milicic got alot better at not arcing his back when he shoots, but from time to time he still does it. So they will need to keep him practicing on his form there. Another thing they will need to work with him on, is taking his time while making his offensive move. Milicic has beautiful foot work but gets excited out there sometimes, and trys to make his move to quickly. This usually results in him throwing the ball at the backboard because of how fast he is trying to do things, rather than laying up. When he took his time, made his move and layed it up, Milicic was on the money. If they can calm him down out there, he will be much better. Finally, they need to work on his rebounding a little bit. He is not very strong, he doesn't box out, and he doesn't go after the ball well trying to get it at his highest point. Instead he will jump with his arms in, and closer to his head almost, not getting the ball at the highest point which is fundamentally wrong. These are some area's he showed improvement in, but he still has a long way to go in those area's, as well as just being more aggressive on the offensive end.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Brian Schmitz | Sentinel Staff Writer 6:49 PM EDT, July 3, 2007 Power forward Darko Milicic never will play for the Orlando Magic this season or any other "as long as Otis Smith is general manager," an irate Marc Cornstein, told the Sentinel.Late Tuesday, shortly after the Magic withdrew their qualifying offer to Milicic -- whom Smith had said was a priority before the free-agent courting period began -- Cornstein blasted Smith for being a "liar." He called Smith's handling of his client "deceitful, disrespectful and a disgrace."Cornstein said Smith had indicated that the Magic wanted to re-sign Milicic, but then sent an e-mail to him Tuesday telling him they had withdrawn their qualifying offer and made him an unresticted free agent.</div>http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/bask...0,5552415.storyAnd now it's definate we are not signing Milicic back, as his agent has made it very public that Otis Smith will never be Milicic's GM. So now we can move on, and look for cheaper, perhaps more veteran Big Men free agents that we can sign for the veteran's minimum. Marc Jackson would be a good fit.
What makes Milicic look so promising is hes only 21, and hes already got some really nice skills as a player, but as you said he has some areas to improve on. If we do get Milicic, he will be in good hands. Iavaroni has a reputation for training bigs into the best they possibly can be. Im very excited about the idea of him working with Gasol, Hak and Rudy and only better if we can get Darko who has potential to turn into a low-post scorer.
