2010-2011: Milicic vs. O'Neal

[Klomp]

Every now and again I get it in my head to place some kind of embarrassing public wager.

I usually lose, which can be painful.

So, let's do it again!

Here's the deal: The Celtics have reportedly come to an agreement with Shaquille O'Neal, which is generally being seen as a good, or at least potentially good, thing.

Meanwhile, just about everybody agrees that about the dumbest move of the offseason was the Timberwolves' four-year, $20 million contract for Darko Milicic.

Here's my bet, or prediction: Milicic will help his team more than O'Neal will this upcoming season.

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_ ... icic-a-bet

[big3_8_19_21]

I'd take that bet if I were him, too.

[walchy]

ive not heard people say the darko was the dumbest signing. not many agree with it, but ive not heard the dumbest. especially in the same offseason as JJs contract, and Amir Johnson getting that monstrosity he got.

but i would definitely take that wager, he will help us more than shaq will (i hope)

[cpfsf]

Meanwhile, just about everybody agrees that about the dumbest move of the offseason was the Timberwolves' four-year, $20 million contract for Darko Milicic.

I would have said signing Rudy Gay to a max contract when they could match any offer was the stupidest move. This is a stretch, but If draft picks count, than I would have said GSW drafting Udoh over Monroe was a mistake as well.

[Devilzsidewalk]

yea, whats this "everybody agrees" nonsense? Every half-conscious role player got between 4 and 6 mil a year. Brad Miller is 35 and played like a bottom 5 center on both sides of the ball and got the same salary as Darko. Other minimally accomplished young role players with an ounce of potential got way more than Darko. Lowry, Amir Johnson, Tyrus Thomas, Wes Mathews, Outlaw, etc

The only good free agent deals were Wade, Lebron, Scola, Morrow, and R Brewer. imo.

[Vindicater]

Darko will be much better than O'neal this season. Plus he will likely play more than 60 games

[jade_hippo]

I don't think Shaq plays more than half the regular season nor play 24+mpg. I peg Darko for 70+ at nearly 30mpg. Shaq only shows up for the playoffs.

[shangrila]

If by "everybody agrees" he means "Simmons, Ford and Woj like to think" then sure and I'd hope he'd take that bet up with someone like that, especially Simmons.

[southern wolf]

I was hoping when I opened this thread that there would be an awesome Darko quote saying he's going to screw Shaq's mother and daughter, and he can't wait for their first match-up... I'm disappointed.

[Fire Mchale]

Meanwhile, just about everybody agrees that about the dumbest move of the offseason was the Timberwolves' four-year, $20 million contract for Darko Milicic.

I would have said signing Rudy Gay to a max contract when they could match any offer was the stupidest move. This is a stretch, but If draft picks count, than I would have said GSW drafting Udoh over Monroe was a mistake as well.

I agree with your take on the Rudy Gay signing - but the Joe Johnson deal has to be looked at as even crazier. What's the over/under on when Atlanta starts shopping his deal? December?

[TyKixx]

From a statistical standpoint Darko will probably average more everything than Shaq. On a side note, I have heard a lot of bashing of the Darko signing, but most people haven't even seen what he did with us and just assume its the same ol Darko.

[eyeteeth]

Don't worry, though. Kahn will always be a KRaZee idiot for signing Darko, pretty much no matter what happens. Just go ahaead and carve it in stone.

[jade_hippo]

Don't worry, though. Kahn will always be a KRaZee idiot for signing Darko, pretty much no matter what happens. Just go ahaead and carve it in stone.

He's 7ft tall, he alters shots, and he actually takes up a lot of space on the defensive end. Ervin Johnson being the best center in Wolves history being excluded, what other point in our teams history have we had a player with these 3 qualities to play the center position. This is a good gamble.

[C.lupus]

From a statistical standpoint Darko will probably average more everything than Shaq. On a side note, I have heard a lot of bashing of the Darko signing, but most people haven't even seen what he did with us and just assume its the same ol Darko.

except wins.

[Ball Does Lie]

Are the guys (particularly Darko) still training in Minnesota (or wherever the video took place a couple weeks back)? I want to see if Darko is in much better shape and I want some practice footage!!!

[eyeteeth]

Don't worry, though. Kahn will always be a KRaZee idiot for signing Darko, pretty much no matter what happens. Just go ahaead and carve it in stone.

He's 7ft tall, he alters shots, and he actually takes up a lot of space on the defensive end. Ervin Johnson being the best center in Wolves history being excluded, what other point in our teams history have we had a player with these 3 qualities to play the center position. This is a good gamble.

Sorry, thought my sarcasm was obvious there. I was at Darko's first game with us, and was one of the loudest "We want Darko" chanters in the building.

[eyeteeth]

Henry Abbot, today:

The bet is as follows: Loser has to write some flowery rhetoric about the other guy's player. So if O'Neal is the better performer, I'll be writing about how great he is. And if Milicic proves the more productive, Ziller will sing his praises.

OOOOH, I so hope Darko tears it up this season. Ziller was one of the worst in dogging Darko. Also, from what I see in writing, is just a pompous twit. I will sssssoo look forward to him eating crow at the end of this season.

[Klomp]

Sorry, thought my sarcasm was obvious there.

It was. Not sure what the fat hippo was thinking...

[Saltine]

Sorry, thought my sarcasm was obvious there. I was at Darko's first game with us, and was one of the loudest "We want Darko" chanters in the building.

I can vouch for that, though you were the loudest one.