Predict Darko's 2010-2011 Season

[Darko Miliminutes]

Oh, he's going to be working his a$$ off. The Serbian National team has very grueling training camp...up in the mountains running, and hardcore stuff like that. It's always been noted how much the NT training is major work. Both Chris Wallace and Otis Smith have commented in the past how uncomfortable they were with the chit was doing to prep for NT play. And, offseasons that he did not play NT ball, he's rented gyms and contracted trainers. He'll be working hard, feel assured of that.

And as another poster mentioned, so much of Darko's positive impact does not make the stats, with the altering of shots, and overall defensive presence that just keeps teams from being comfortable in the paint...Darko is on their mind. And the ball movement he sparks is often overlooked, including some very nice outlet passing...Klove beware.

[Ball Does Lie]

Oh, he's going to be working his a$$ off. The Serbian National team has very grueling training camp...up in the mountains running, and hardcore stuff like that. It's always been noted how much the NT training is major work. Both Chris Wallace and Otis Smith have commented in the past how uncomfortable they were with the chit was doing to prep for NT play. And, offseasons that he did not play NT ball, he's rented gyms and contracted trainers. He'll be working hard, feel assured of that.

And as another poster mentioned, so much of Darko's positive impact does not make the stats, with the altering of shots, and overall defensive presence that just keeps teams from being comfortable in the paint...Darko is on their mind. And the ball movement he sparks is often overlooked, including some very nice outlet passing...Klove beware.

Yeah, I remember hearing about the national team's grueling sessions where the whole team runs mountains. The thing is, running mountains is counter-productive to basketball since it's based on speed & quickness, not endurance. That's why, too me, Darko has gotten less athletic each year (he was pretty damn athletic in ORL). I realize the added weight has something to do with it, but too me, it feels as though instead of doing endurance training, he should be focused on getting much more explosive. One of my complaints stemming from his Memphis days that's continuing is his lack of dunks. He constantly attempts to be 'pretty' with his layups (i.e. finger roll) and manages to jack them up. If he starts dunking, his field goal percentage would climb up considerably.

[shangrila]

When has endurance ever been counter-productive to basketball? Unless you're Ryan Hollins, of course.

[Scal]

Running mountains is GREAT for basketball... endurance is GREAT for basketball..

If u become quicker and more explosive, but are too tired to jump, cut, slide your feel... it doesnt matter

For me in basketball I found I was decently explosive/quick.. but until my endurance improved.. I was significantly worse in the 2nd half of games, and my shot felt flat.

But, I do see where your coming from..

really.. if your in the NBA... 3-4 15 minute explosive workouts a week can help you... he should be able to improve on both

but if Darko can go balls out for 25-30 minutes... he'll be much improved

[Darko Miliminutes]

Oh, he's going to be working his a$$ off. The Serbian National team has very grueling training camp...up in the mountains running, and hardcore stuff like that. It's always been noted how much the NT training is major work. Both Chris Wallace and Otis Smith have commented in the past how uncomfortable they were with the chit was doing to prep for NT play. And, offseasons that he did not play NT ball, he's rented gyms and contracted trainers. He'll be working hard, feel assured of that.

And as another poster mentioned, so much of Darko's positive impact does not make the stats, with the altering of shots, and overall defensive presence that just keeps teams from being comfortable in the paint...Darko is on their mind. And the ball movement he sparks is often overlooked, including some very nice outlet passing...Klove beware.

Yeah, I remember hearing about the national team's grueling sessions where the whole team runs mountains. The thing is, running mountains is counter-productive to basketball since it's based on speed & quickness, not endurance. That's why, too me, Darko has gotten less athletic each year (he was pretty damn athletic in ORL). I realize the added weight has something to do with it, but too me, it feels as though instead of doing endurance training, he should be focused on getting much more explosive. One of my complaints stemming from his Memphis days that's continuing is his lack of dunks. He constantly attempts to be 'pretty' with his layups (i.e. finger roll) and manages to jack them up. If he starts dunking, his field goal percentage would climb up considerably.

His first offseason w/Orl. is when his size increased. It was documented that that is what the front office asked of him, which was to bulk up and get stronger. So he could back up Dwight, which just happened to be the most stupid effin thing that could've been done. He needed to play next to Dwight, which is how it was that 1st half season he was there when everyone was oooowing and awwing at his play. But then the next season he was 15 or so lbs heavier and backing Dwight up, which as we know brought back some of his sulking, because he and every frickin body knew that he should have been playing with him...not Battie. Even Battie said as much a few times.

I totally agree about the dunking, that will really make a difference. He's got to realize that he is stronger than almost all defenders, and he needs to be taking it hard to the rim for dunks. I suspect that a lot of euro's , including/mostly coaching staffs, make fun of American prospects and players because all they do is worry about the sweet dunks and chucking 3's. Euro coaches coach them to use touch around the rim. Just a theory...but not sound, because what coach with a brain wouldn't want the easy dunk.

I'd kill to see Darko back around 265. He had such speed and fine hops then. He's much stronger now, which is very helpful on D with denying position and such, and overall man D. And his lateral quickness is still off the charts (check out his switch to guards on the P&R, and his combine results from pre draft... They're out of this world #'s for a man his size) for a man his size. But he was much more explosive at his lighter weight. Now to get all that back at his current size would just make him an all world player. Which is what we'll hope for, as he grows/grown into his filled out frame. He's got the ability to play the 4 full time, at his lesser weight. I don't know that he could at his current 285+. I do know that this $5mil per is going to be the steal of the century, if he comes in with his head right. Which i believe is.

[Ball Does Lie]

When has endurance ever been counter-productive to basketball? Unless you're Ryan Hollins, of course.

When it makes you slow & unable to jump.

Running mountains is GREAT for basketball... endurance is GREAT for basketball..

It's healthy, yes. For basketball? No.

If u become quicker and more explosive, but are too tired to jump, cut, slide your feel... it doesnt matter

Developing speed & quickness will help with endurance. Developing endurance will not help with speed & quickness. Trust me, I know. I've spent years working on my vertical jump & using countless training methods\supplies. You don't go jogging for 30 minutes & expect to get more athletic in the traditional basketball form (jump + speed). You do plyometrics and/or powerlifting. If someone wants to lose weight & get more explosive, you don't recommend jogging, but rather, sprinting. It burns more calories & makes you faster.

For me in basketball I found I was decently explosive/quick.. but until my endurance improved.. I was significantly worse in the 2nd half of games, and my shot felt flat.

But, I do see where your coming from..

really.. if your in the NBA... 3-4 15 minute explosive workouts a week can help you... he should be able to improve on both

I agree. 15 minutes of balls to the wall is definitely the way to go. But, endurance training needs to go.

but if Darko can go balls out for 25-30 minutes... he'll be much improved
Doubt it. He smokes in the off-season. Why not be moderately explosive for the 35 minutes of action while 'saving' yourself like the rest of the NBA?

[Scal]

Both. is the correct answer... and dont tell me its counter productive..

for football you may be right... when plays only last about 7 or 8 seconds

but your basically saying endurance is bad for basketball players

= dumb

[bball_jay]

i always pick darko on my fantasy teams. he's a stat filler at the center position. i expect his stats to increase with consistent playing time and a little respect from the refs. his biggest impact will not be in stats. most improved player and all nba defense mention.

12 pts
9 rebs
2.5 assists
1 steal
3 blocks

i also predict he will have a few absolutely monster games.

20pts
15rebs
4 assists
6 blocks.

[Ball Does Lie]

Both. is the correct answer... and dont tell me its counter productive..

for football you may be right... when plays only last about 7 or 8 seconds

but your basically saying endurance is bad for basketball players

= dumb

You've got to be kidding me! You need to realize guys exert all-out energy for a second or two and spend most of their time standing in offensive sets. Take Robin Lopez, for instance. I watched him vs. the Lakers, and he stood in one spot for about 12 seconds half the time he was in the game while Amare & Nash ran a pick & roll.

You didn't understand what I was trying to say, by the way. By working on explosiveness, you're also improving endurance because you're pushing your body to up its capacity for maximum workload (force), while during jogging, you're encouraging your body to strengthen (grow) its slow-twitch muscle fibers, which will make you slower & less athletic in the traditional sense.

[Scal]

Ok, I hear ya, and see what your saying.

I too wasnt suggesting Darko should jog all summer and come back a force either. I just thought it was nice to hear he sounds like hes getting after it this summer.

All my point was is that basketball is a kind of sport where you need to cross both aerobic and anarobic training though..

explosiveness is best gained with low rep drills that emphasize quick power

some cleans, box jumps and sprints are great, but you still need some type of endurance training to be able to go hard for 25-30 minutes. I think its best to combine the two in one workout, but it can be done seperatly too.

More things than muscle break down when your tired too.. like your focus.

you have to practice that situation before you can get better at it. That is why people always shoot when their tired -- because its game like.

Anyway this is getting really stupid and off topic, I think we maybe just heard each other wrong but whatever. Cheers to Darko being a monster next year no matter how he gets there

[Grits n Gravy]

http://www.sportando.net/eng/national-t ... nship.html

this has probably been posted and alreayd known by all, just thought i'd post just in case

seems darko will have to do his own training which might be good, might be bad

[Klomp]

http://www.sportando.net/eng/national-teams/national-teams/10413/serbia_darko_milicic_won_t_play_fiba_world_championship.html

this has probably been posted and alreayd known by all, just thought i'd post just in case

seems darko will have to do his own training which might be good, might be bad

Just made a new thread on it.

[Dewey]

I'm a little nervous about the offensive production coming from Darko, but I am somewhat content that he will have the mindset to provide improved defense and passing. We really need him to contribute in a variety of ways for how this team is being built...

MPG ... 27
PPG ... 11.3
RPG ... 8.2
ASST ... 4.6
BS ... 1.9

Darko will not put up points and rebounds like Al, but become a more functional team player. If he cannot average close to 5 assists and a double-double, then it could be a bust situation.

[Jackattaq]

So far, Darko is coming in at:

26.8 minutes, 9.1 ppg, 42.5% FGs, 6.2 rpg, 2.1 ast. 2.3 to, .6 stl, 3.4 pfs.

If not for a horrendous start to the season, Darko's numbers would be much better. I bet by season's end, they round out quite nicely.

Any interest in guessing how he finishes this year?

I'm gonna go with 13.5 ppg, 47.1% FGs, 8.2 rpg, 3 ast, 2.4 to, .8 stl, 3.6 pfs.

[wilt]

why the heck do you have to bring up every single Darko related topic ? I love the guy as anyone, but some of you guys have a real obsession with him ... And you make it very tough for regular users here to not get annoyed by the Xth "Darko is great, told you so" post and kind of in a reflex get defensive on the subject.
Some of the guys active here did the very same thing back when he was in Orlando...

[Klomp]

why the heck do you have to bring up every single Darko related topic ? I love the guy as anyone, but some of you guys have a real obsession with him ... And you make it very tough for regular users here to not get annoyed by the Xth "Darko is great, told you so" post and kind of in a reflex get defensive on the subject.
Some of the guys active here did the very same thing back when he was in Orlando...

If you don't like it, ignore it. Eventually it will go away (until the next bump)