Darko looking bigger and more impressive says Brown: Article

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">

PORTLAND, Ore. -- One of the hidden benefits of the Pistons' reacquisition of Elden Campbell is that it aids the development of Darko Milicic.

"It's a blessing for Darko," Coach Larry Brown said before the Pistons played the Blazers on Tuesday night. "Having Elden here every day, playing against him and working with him; Elden is the best teacher for him."

It actually will work both ways. Campbell, 36, has been largely inactive for more than a month.

"We are going to have to get Elden in shape fairly quickly," Brown said. "Now we have some guys -- like Darko, Horace (Jenkins), Darvin (Ham), Ronald (Dupree) - that he can work with after practice."

Brown said that while Campbell works himself back into shape, Milicic will continue to be the team's fourth frontcourt player.

"I think he's done pretty darn good," said Brown, giving Milicic a rare compliment. "He's only 19; people tend forget that. He's gotten bigger, stronger and he's getting better.

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If this is true I am expecting to see Darko get some playing time. Hopefully he will develop great low post skills and be an asset to the Pistons in the playoffs.

 

I seriously doubt he will get playing time in the playoffs. With the addition of Elden Campbell it moves his status lower. Come playoff time I can only see Larry Brown going to his veteran players more and not the second year foward.

 

Darko is still one or two years away from producing.

 

Darko has had his moments, but these moments have only come in garbage minutes. As long as McDyess keeps playing at such a high level, I don't see Darko getting any real playing time, and with Campbell coming back I definitely don't anticipate him becoming a factor for the Pistons in the playoffs. As for needing a few years to produce, there are rookies in the league right now who are younger and more productive than Darko is. He has yet to play in the summer league, and right now is when he needs to show he was worth the number two pick in a very deep draft. He may be a project, but if we give him three years to develop then he should be over halfway there by now. Is that where he is? Judging by the lack of PT, Larry doesn't seem to think so.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">Darko is still one or two years away from producing.</div>
yup. all these compliments should not fool anyone. he's not getting consistent PT this season.

things get interesting next season, if LB leaves and Dumars has to hire a new coach. Dumars might insist that Darko get some regular PT to the new coach.

 

People still call him a bust when he hasn't gotten any minutes on a championship team. I tihkn that mostly shows ignorance. If he was the 2nd overall pick, I'm sure there was something appealing about him.

 

noooooo

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AA13:</div><div class="quote_post">If this is true I am expecting to see Darko get some playing time. Hopefully he will develop great low post skills and be an asset to the Pistons in the playoffs.</div>
dont be ridiculous.. i believe he will be good but contributing this playoffs?! maybe if three, four guys get hurt...

 

I really want to see this kid get some minutes. Even though the Pistons drafted him for future Pistons basketball, I think that the Pistons starving him of minutes could alter his chance of developing into the player he could potentialy be. But on the other side when he practices with guys like Sheed and Ben Wallace that could really help him in the long run.