<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Q: Have you been to Detroit yet and what do you think about Detroit? Milicic: I've been there twice and each time I've been there, I felt great. The folks have treated me tremendously. Q: Have you met Larry Brown? Milicic: I met with him and Joe Dumars a few days ago and we discussed my playing style, my position and where I best fit in. Q: What were your impressions on your trip today to the New York Stock Exchange and what do you think of the New York Stock Exchange? Milicic: That's all new to me. I didn't realize how important it is, but nevertheless, a great experience. Q: Carmelo came in here saying that he wished that there was more mystery, more intrigue, more suspense to make him more excited about the draft. How do you feel about the draft, or is it easier being from another country, knowing where you're going to be? Milicic: I feel like I'm going to feel it tomorrow night for the first time, but it's a lot easier knowing where I'm going to go. I'll still wait till tomorrow for the real feeling and opportunity to be the top European selection in the Draft. Q: How much English do you speak and how much do you expect the language barrier to affect the early years of your career? Milicic: I feel like I understand everything and can communicate but I just don't feel very comfortable talking. I feel a little funny, but for now, I have a translator, so I'm happy with that. (Laughter). Q: What is the Serbian style and how does it differ from the Croatian style or other styles of basketball in your region of the world? Milicic: I just feel like it's a lot of one-on-ones and two-on-twos, while in Yugoslavia and the rest of Europe, there's a lot more collective team game. And as far as defensively, they play team defense. Q: How did you celebrate your 18th birthday and you talked yesterday, you posed for GQ; is that correct? Milicic: I celebrated my birthday with my dad and my agent, who came from Yugoslavia a few days ago, nothing out of the ordinary. I did take photos with GQ, which was a lot of fun. I don't take it as seriously as some of the other people have, but for me, it's fun. Q: A lot of American fans know your name, but not many of them have seen you play. Are you excited about the opportunity to prove yourself to them or do you feel you have to show something to them to prove that you're the No. 2 pick in the draft? Milicic: I'm not afraid of anything. I want to show myself in the best light possible. I came here to work hard and to show people what I can do and what I'm capable of. Q: You said you talked with Coach Brown about your role on the team, what do you think that will be and what do you think that you can do in your first year in the league? Milicic: I don't really know my role. I know I'm going to get my time and it's up to me to take advantage of it. So, it's in front of me to see what's going to happen. I'm really not sure. I'm just going to take advantage of my opportunity. Q: What would you say would be your big challenge that you're going to face for the upcoming season? Milicic: First, I think that with the change of time and climate that I feel like my physical conditioning is going to be my biggest challenge up until now. After that, I don't really -- I can't think of anything else. Q: Talk about the fact that your father has come all this way to share an experience, and maybe you could tell us about the differences between Novi Sad and New York. Milicic: Well, my dad feels a little uncomfortable here because he's around an American society and he doesn't speak any English like me, so he feels a little uncomfortable. It's good to have him here. As far as the difference between Novi Sad and New York, it's the city I grew up and the city I love. But New York is New York. It's the best city in the world, so it's hard to compare the two. Q: Did you talk to Rebraca and how important that relationship is going to be; you may take minutes away from him but also he can be a great mentor for you. Milicic: Last time I was in Detroit, I spent some time over at his house. Certainly, he's going to be a great support to me. In some respects, it's true, playing the same position, it will take time away from each of us, but off the court, there's nothing other than a good relationship and a good friendship. Q: With a kind of interaction have you had with LeBron in the last couple of days and what are your first impressions of him, and how much do you think that this draft is the LeBron James draft, how do you feel about that? Milicic: I've never met him and never seen him play, not on videotapes. From what I've heard, I've heard nothing but great things. He's a mixture of Jordan and Magic Johnson. All of the hype pretty much justifies where he's being selected. Q: Have you followed over the years the NBA and who are the players that you always liked to watch, if you ever watched from Yugoslavia? Milicic: Like 90 percent of Yugoslavia, I watch the Sacramento Kings play because of Vlade Divac and Peja Stojakovic. Primarily, I watch them play. Q: How would you define your popularity status in Yugoslavia? It seems like you have more fame here than in Yugoslavia. Milicic: In Yugoslavia it is a little different than it is here because while people know that you are famous and well known, they don't approach you on the street and ask you for autographs. They just take it for granted, you are who you are. Here it is a little different. People who see you approach you because of your name. I'm getting used to it here but it will take a little time. Q: Are you planning on playing in the Orlando Summer league and also, you talked about the difference between Novi Sad and New York, how about the difference between what you've seen of Novi Sad and Auburn Hills? Milicic: First question was regarding the Summer League. I'm not sure yet whether I'm going to play or not. As far the difference between Auburn Hills and New York, obviously Detroit is a lot smaller than New York, so there's an obvious difference there. But if it feels like I'll probably be living in Auburn Hills in that area, which is better for me because it will give me an opportunity to concentrate on basketball and relax after the game, but strictly focus on what I have to do on the basketball court. Q: Given that you are the top European athlete in the draft, what do you think sets you apart from the other European players? Milicic: Well, I would rather not comment about myself, but the other guys, I feel like Aleksandar Pavlovic is the top guy, that he can really do well and fit in in the NBA style. I see a lot of good potential for him. Zoran Planinic, who is Croatian, at least that's almost ours, he's a really good player as well. And Slavko Vranes an issue, he has good hands, quick feet and I feel like each one of those guys will find their role and find their place on an NBA team. Q: With all of the fuss that's made about LeBron James' big sponsorship deal and Carmelo with his sponsorship arrangement, can you give us an idea of who you have seen with and a general idea of how much the contract was worth? Milicic: My only contract right now is with And1, and it doesn't compare to LeBron's deal, but there are some others that are on the horizon, but nothing as of yet. </div>
