Milicic: "I Want To Stay Right Here"

[Klomp]

In the middle is Darko Milicic, the well traveled No. 2 pick of the 2003 draft, who was selected by the Detroit Pistons ahead of current All-Stars such as Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh.

After languishing on the bench in New York, Milicic averaged 8.3 points and 5.5 rebounds in 24 games for the T'Wolves last season after being acquired in a February trade at the deadline.

In a move that shocked many, Minnesota re-signed Milicic this summer to a five-year $20 million deal early in free agency to solidify their frontcourt, making Jefferson expendable.

Milicic didn't view Minnesota's offer as a surprise.

"We talked about it (the deal) before the end of last season," Milicic explained to HOOPSWORLD. "They really want me to be a part of this team. So that's why they did it. We talked this offseason that it'd be good for me and them for me to stay here and play. They're willing to give me a chance and they believe in me so it's good stuff."

The T'Wolves front office initially received plenty of flack for the agreement because the common misconception about Milicic's new contract is that it's fully guaranteed for the full $20 million. In actuality, it's a three-year deal worth $16 million, with a $2 million buyout team option in year four.

Milicic's base salary for the 2011 campaign is $4.3 million and he's currently averaging 5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per contest this season.

It is a known fact that 7-foot centers with potential are routinely overpaid since they're not as easy to find like 6'2 combo guards. So to keep Darko's contract in the proper perspective, consider that the Sacramento Kings are paying center Samuel Dalembert over $13 million this year and the veteran is producing 5.6 points, 8.3 boards and 1.9 blocks. Further, Charlotte Bobcats reserve center DeSagana Diop is slated to earn $6.5 million with averages of 0.9 points, 2.4 rebounds and 0.9 blocks.

The true surprising aspect of Milicic's recent journey is the fact that he's still even logging minutes in the NBA. Last season, while riding the pine in New York, Milicic insisted that he'd prefer to play over in Europe where he wouldn't be labeled as solely a "defensive guy" and could flourish as a complete player.

However, the T'Wolves' swift decision to lock him up and the prospect of steady playing time has altered Milicic's outlook

"The only reason I said I want to go back to Europe is because I really didn't think anybody was going to give me a chance to play," Milicic told HOOPSWORLD. "Don't play for three years, play for one year, and not play for half year is tough. It's just tough when you play and then don't play. That's why I said it (about going back to Europe). It wasn't like I was mad at the league or wanted to leave the league. It wasn't about that. It was just that the only chance I'd have (to play) would be in Europe."

Additionally, T'Wolves head coach Kurt Rambis raves about Darko's rebounding and passing ability and how those skills fit smoothly into his up tempo scheme.

"Minnesota came from nowhere and gave me a chance," Milicic continued. "That's when I said, there's no reason for me to leave. I want to stay right here."

Based on the current chemistry being developed in the locker room, Milicic is optimistic about Minnesota's future and to start he's very high on the talents of Beasley telling HOOPSWORLD that "he's a great player. A real talented young guy," set to lead the club into the future.

Milicic also was quick to point out that it goes beyond natural talent on the court. Great teams are able develop tightness long after the lights at the gym are shutdown for the night.

"In Detroit we had veterans, older guys on the team but they also had a lot of fun and I had a lot of fun being around them," stated Milicic. "I enjoy this team. We have a lot of good guys, we need to work hard, play hard and learn how to win. I think I can say we're better than last year. We'll see when the season ends how good we really are. We're still a young team and have plenty of new guys, so we're trying to get to know each other on and off the court."

Milicic's shooting woes early in the season (29 percent from the floor) are cause for concern after connecting on 49 percent of his attempts in 2010. But Milicic is confident his shooting stroke will reemerge.

"I just got to keep shooting," explained Milicic to HOOPSWORLD. "Those are my shots. If I can't make those shots, then I can go fishing. I'm working on those shots and I'm going to start making them soon."

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=17915

[Devilzsidewalk]

good, play kickass defense and everybody's happy

I thought this part was kinda funny:

"The T'Wolves front office initially received plenty of flack for the agreement because the common misconception about Milicic's new contract is that it's fully guaranteed for the full $20 million. In actuality, it's a three-year deal worth $16 million, with a $2 million buyout team option in year four."

yea you morons, its not 4 years of Darko at 20 million, its 3 years of darko at 16 million and then we can choose to pay him 2 mil in the last season for nothing if we want

[Breakdown777]

"I just got to keep shooting," explained Milicic to HOOPSWORLD. "Those are my shots. If I can't make those shots, then I can go fishing. I'm working on those shots and I'm going to start making them soon."

I miss McHale and his ability to teach post moves....maybe this is a secret cry for help.

[younggunsmn]

Actually the 2 million is included in that 16 million figure.

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key= ... SXc&gid=19
According to this
He's guaranteed 14,329,500 over the first 3 years of the contract.
2010: $4,325,000
2011: $4,776,500
2012: $5,228,000

The 4th year is:
2013: $5,670,000
With only 2,000,000 of that guaranteed.

There are technically no "buyouts" written into NBA contracts, when writers speak of this they are referring to a contract that has unguaranteed money in it. They can cut the player and only be responsible for the amount of guaranteed money left on the contract.

When the news of the contract first broke they said 16 million guaranteed.
According to wyn's database he's guaranteed exactly 16,329,500.
Which is bargain basement for a starting center,
considering Dallas is paying Tyson Chandelier 12,600,000
and Brendan Haywood 52 million over 6 years to back him up.
If anyone should be ripped for a free agent signing it should be Cuban for the Haywood signing.

[TheProdigy]

"I just got to keep shooting," explained Milicic to HOOPSWORLD. "Those are my shots. If I can't make those shots, then I can go fishing. I'm working on those shots and I'm going to start making them soon."

I miss McHale and his ability to teach post moves....maybe this is a secret cry for help.

I miss McHale as well. The coach though, not the GM.

It sounds like Darko is starting to believe in himself which is great news. Right now, he's above average for centers in all aspects of his game except scoring. If he can get that hook shot falling at a 50% clip... We're looking at a true center without any major weaknesses in his game.

Major props to Rambis and Kahn for helping to resurrect the careers of Darko and B-Easy.

[Peezo]

I love the positivity about this guy because he is only 25! Look at Bogut, his first few years in the league Buck fans were calling him Pube! Now they believe him to be probably the third best center in the entire league. The big difference there is that Bogut was actually playing his first few years. I actually see more than a few similarities in each of these guys game, but the biggest one is that it has taken them a few years to develop.

However Bogut is more of a brute on offense than Darko. I would love to see our guy develop some post moves going towards the hoop instead of just settling for that hook every time. Or if he could develop a little 5 foot bank. Anything to throw defenses off a little bit would help him draw more fouls.

Solid article.

[Krapinsky]

Most of that article is rehashing old quotes.

[Peezo]

Most of that article is rehashing old quotes.

But you can never have too much Darquote

[cpfsf]

I think he made it pretty clear when he resigned on the first day of free agency.

[Ojmayo]

"I just got to keep shooting," explained Milicic to HOOPSWORLD. "Those are my shots. If I can't make those shots, then I can go fishing. I'm working on those shots and I'm going to start making them soon."

I miss McHale and his ability to teach post moves....maybe this is a secret cry for help.

I miss McHale as well. The coach though, not the GM.

His GM skills were pretty decent.

[Esohny]

His GM skills were pretty decent.

Based on his 5% success rate with basketball decisions?

[Ojmayo]

His GM skills were pretty decent.

Based on his 5% success rate with basketball decisions?

-Drafted Garnett(Best wolf)
-Hired Flip(Best wolves coach)
-Kevin Love(31 and 31)

[Yes We Kahn]

His GM skills were pretty decent.

Based on his 5% success rate with basketball decisions?

-Drafted Garnett(Best wolf)
-Hired Flip(Best wolves coach)
-Kevin Love(31 and 31)

What did that ever get him? 435345 consecutive 1st round exits and one Western Conference finals?

He also:
Wasted the best wolf.
Fired Flip as the fall guy for his failures.
Signed JOE SMITH to an illegal contract, causing the team to lose 3 first round picks and crippling the franchise.
Fired Dwayne Casey and installed Randy Wittman as coach.
Traded Sam Cassell AND a 1st round pick for MARKO JARIC... and that is still owed. McHale will still haunt us 2+ years later.

[Ojmayo]

What did that ever get him? 435345 consecutive 1st round exits and one Western Conference finals?

He also:
Wasted the best wolf.
Fired Flip as the fall guy for his failures.
Signed JOE SMITH to an illegal contract, causing the team to lose 3 first round picks and crippling the franchise.
Fired Dwayne Casey and installed Randy Wittman as coach.

-Garnett signed the contracts not Mchale.
-He gave the wolves no title in his 8 years of coaching.
-Okay
-Casey is an assistant now.

[Worm Guts]

-Garnett signed the contracts not Mchale.
-.

Huh? Somebody had to offer Gernett that contract, and even with that contract Taylor spent more than enough money on other players to be successful.

[Yes We Kahn]

-He gave the wolves no title in his 8 years of coaching.

Didn't you just say he was the best wolves coach?

[shangrila]

-Garnett signed the contracts not Mchale.
-.

Huh? Somebody had to offer Gernett that contract, and even with that contract Taylor spent more than enough money on other players to be successful.

I always wondered why exactly they gave him that large of a contract. I understand they had to lock up their future star but why did they even offer him the most in league history?

[Calinks]

Additionally, T'Wolves head coach Kurt Rambis raves about Darko's rebounding and passing ability and how those skills fit smoothly into his up tempo scheme.

Haha. Ok Kurt. And yea Dalembert gets is over paid but right now, he's still a lot better than Darko.

[Breakdown777]

-Drafted Garnett(Best wolf)
-Hired Flip(Best wolves coach)
-Kevin Love(31 and 31)

What did that ever get him? 435345 consecutive 1st round exits and one Western Conference finals?

He also:
Wasted the best wolf.
Fired Flip as the fall guy for his failures.
Signed JOE SMITH to an illegal contract, causing the team to lose 3 first round picks and crippling the franchise.
Fired Dwayne Casey and installed Randy Wittman as coach.
Traded Sam Cassell AND a 1st round pick for MARKO JARIC... and that is still owed. McHale will still haunt us 2+ years later.

I want in on this...
The Garnett and Love pickups just show that McHale was an egomaniac obsessed with his Namesakes...(and guys named Mark, Marko, Marcus, Marc...you name the Mark and he was on our team).

-I think McHale agreed to be the fall guy, but Taylor's willingness to go under the table is what caused the issue ( I believe).

- And yes that Marko Jaric trade is probably the worst in T-Wolves history.

[Worm Guts]

-Garnett signed the contracts not Mchale.
-.

Huh? Somebody had to offer Gernett that contract, and even with that contract Taylor spent more than enough money on other players to be successful.

I always wondered why exactly they gave him that large of a contract. I understand they had to lock up their future star but why did they even offer him the most in league history?

They started lower, then KG's agent declared that he wouldn't play for Timberwolves after that season so I think Taylor agreed to up the offer. I really don't blame anyone for that situation. It was KG's first big contract, so he's got to try to get what he can and considering what KG ended up becoming I can't blame the front office for doing what it took to lock him up. It was just the way contracts were headed at that time. It could have been worse, we could have been the team that gave Juwan Howard a 100 million dollar contract.