Milovan Rakovic

[drsd]

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There has been a lot of discussion regarding the PF slot, so let's start a discussion on a PF asset on the Magic roster: Milovan Rakovic.

Rakovic, 22, has spent most of his life on the basketball court. One of the most physical centers in the Serbian League, he will probably shift to power forward at the NBA level, as he has the athleticism and aggressive court presence to battle on the boards.

Rakovic began his basketball career as a small forward for KK Sloga during the 1997-98 campaign. The following season, he shifted to power forward for KK Partizan, eventually moving to center during his five seasons with that organization (1998-2003).

Rakovic suited up for KK Polet keramika in 2003-04. He was later picked up by KK Atlas, competing for that team from 2004-06. In 22 regular-season games during the 2005-06 campaign, he averaged 10.6 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. He shot 66.6 percent from the field (94 of 141) and 80.8 percent from the charity stripe while blocking 31 shots. He spent the 2006-07 season with Mega Ishrana, but the team managed just a 3-11 record

CBS link: MILOVAN RAKOVIC

A defensive minded guy who rebounds and is energetic, sounds like a great bench guy to me.

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[BassMaster]

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There has been a lot of discussion regarding the PF slot, so let's start a discussion on a PF asset on the Magic roster: Milovan Rakovic.

Rakovic, 22, has spent most of his life on the basketball court. One of the most physical centers in the Serbian League, he will probably shift to power forward at the NBA level, as he has the athleticism and aggressive court presence to battle on the boards.

Rakovic began his basketball career as a small forward for KK Sloga during the 1997-98 campaign. The following season, he shifted to power forward for KK Partizan, eventually moving to center during his five seasons with that organization (1998-2003).

Rakovic suited up for KK Polet keramika in 2003-04. He was later picked up by KK Atlas, competing for that team from 2004-06. In 22 regular-season games during the 2005-06 campaign, he averaged 10.6 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. He shot 66.6 percent from the field (94 of 141) and 80.8 percent from the charity stripe while blocking 31 shots. He spent the 2006-07 season with Mega Ishrana, but the team managed just a 3-11 record

CBS link: MILOVAN RAKOVIC

A defensive minded guy who rebounds and is energetic, sounds like a great bench guy to me.

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Great you want the Magic this time to draft Darko II, just what the Magic don't need.

[MitchellUK]

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Great you want the Magic this time to draft Darko II, just what the Magic don't need.

Magic already drafted him last season with the final pick of the second round, acquired from Dallas. They are leaving him overseas to develop before making a decision on him.

[BassMaster]

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Magic already drafted him last season with the final pick of the second round, acquired from Dallas. They are leaving him overseas to develop before making a decision on him.

Then if they are smart just let him go as I said the Magic do not need Darko part II.

[drsd]

Then if they are smart just let him go as I said the Magic do not need Darko part II.

Expectations for a late second round pick include a deep bench role. Milicic at #2 is supposed to start and be an All-star level of talent.

If Rakovic evolves into a Hammer (DeClercq), then this was a very good trade for the Magic.

[MitchellUK]

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Then if they are smart just let him go as I said the Magic do not need Darko part II.

You're making that judgement based on one review of him posted in a forum. How do you know he is anything like Darko, other than being Serbian? For a start, he plays physical, which is the exact opposite of Milicic. He's much closer to being a Gortat kind of player, which isn't a bad thing to have.

[eyriq]

Interesting. He is 22 so it sounds like if we are going to bring him over, it will have to be soon. I'd still rather we see Fran.

[Optimus_Steel]

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Then if they are smart just let him go as I said the Magic do not need Darko part II.

Someone sounds bitter about Darko.............


Seriously man move on with ur Darko bitterness. The only thing Rakovic and Darko have in common is that they are both tall and Serbian. The guy may never make it to the NBA but the Magic have Rakovic's rights so its in our best interest that he turns into a legit NBA player. Who knows, if he improves he could be a decent 2nd/3rd stringer.

[NBAChamps2010]

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There has been a lot of discussion regarding the PF slot, so let's start a discussion on a PF asset on the Magic roster: Milovan Rakovic.

Rakovic, 22, has spent most of his life on the basketball court. One of the most physical centers in the Serbian League, he will probably shift to power forward at the NBA level, as he has the athleticism and aggressive court presence to battle on the boards.

Rakovic began his basketball career as a small forward for KK Sloga during the 1997-98 campaign. The following season, he shifted to power forward for KK Partizan, eventually moving to center during his five seasons with that organization (1998-2003).

Rakovic suited up for KK Polet keramika in 2003-04. He was later picked up by KK Atlas, competing for that team from 2004-06. In 22 regular-season games during the 2005-06 campaign, he averaged 10.6 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. He shot 66.6 percent from the field (94 of 141) and 80.8 percent from the charity stripe while blocking 31 shots. He spent the 2006-07 season with Mega Ishrana, but the team managed just a 3-11 record

CBS link: MILOVAN RAKOVIC

A defensive minded guy who rebounds and is energetic, sounds like a great bench guy to me.

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Thanks for digging this up drsd. I say kudos to the Magic. This is a team that has an abyssmal draft history once you get past the 1-5 picks. The only 2nd rounder I can think of in Magic history that looks to be productive is Gortat. So if the last pick in the draft "Mr Irrelevant" can become a bench palyer who can give us 5-8 minutes and a few hard fouls for a low slaary...Greaaaat!!

[NEM]

he won't come to the nba...the guy is too raw, and averges horrible numbers in a couple of minutes there

[Optimus_Steel]

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Thanks for digging this up drsd. I say kudos to the Magic. This is a team that has an abyssmal draft history once you get past the 1-5 picks. The only 2nd rounder I can think of in Magic history that looks to be productive is Gortat. So if the last pick in the draft "Mr Irrelevant" can become a bench palyer who can give us 5-8 minutes and a few hard fouls for a low slaary...Greaaaat!!

Well the Magic did draft Verajao and Zaza in th 2nd round only to give them away.....but i wont get into that, no point since it has been discussed many times.

[Optimus_Steel]

he won't come to the nba...the guy is too raw, and averges horrible numbers in a couple of minutes there

Thats what was said of Gortat as well. You never know. Lets see what Rakovic shows in the summer league, where Gortat showed he could play. Like Gortat he was the last pick of the draft too.

[macdalejax]

I had forgotten all about this guy...thanks for the info

[drsd]

The only 2nd rounder I can think of in Magic history that looks to be productive is Gortat.

Relative to the roster at the time, here's a small list:
Michael Ansley
Chris Corchiani
Zaza Pachulia
Travis Diener

... and Anderson Varejao was a Magic pick.

[NBAChamps2010]

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Relative to the roster at the time, here's a small list:
Michael Ansley
Chris Corchiani
Zaza Pachulia
Travis Diener

... and Anderson Varejao was a Magic pick.

Collective memory is a good thing, I had forgotten about Varejao because we traded him so quickly. Zaza is a solid player as well. That doesn't redeem the Magic as a poor drafting franchise though. ESPN rated all teams about a year ago and the Magic were near the bottom in drafting proficiency. By contrast SA routinely drafts at the bottom of the 1st round and they get very productive players. Ditto even for several of their 2nd round choices. My fingers are crossed that Otis will do something good at 22 or trade up for an impact PF.

[BassMaster]

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Someone sounds bitter about Darko.............


Seriously man move on with ur Darko bitterness. The only thing Rakovic and Darko have in common is that they are both tall and Serbian. The guy may never make it to the NBA but the Magic have Rakovic's rights so its in our best interest that he turns into a legit NBA player. Who knows, if he improves he could be a decent 2nd/3rd stringer.

No bitterness over Darko, just that this other guy plays like and acts like him, our Brit friend is incorrect about his statements about him. And Darko II statement came from one of the many basketball websites I thought it was funny.

Here is what Mitchell UK didn't post:

Needs to mature on the court, as he tends to let his emotions get the best of him, taking him off his game...Must learn to accept responsibility for his mistakes (gets frustrated and blames others when he makes a bad play and gets vocal with the refs when charged with a foul)...Lacks an offensive game, as he is a marginal mid-range shooter and needs to improve his release...Has a long wing span, but needs to play with better control, as he tends to get too wide with his hands on pressure defense, resulting in costly fouls...Has soft hands, but they are smaller than what you'd expect from a forward (causes him problems when keeping the ball on the floor)... Lacks great vision as a passer and can't be relied upon during crunch time (has too inconsistent of a shot and limited range).

[Optimus_Steel]

You also didnt post his streghts which are inside post play, free throw shooting and rebouding and having a big body. Not bad for a backup big man. So he he has poor court vision? Who cares he is not a PG, its not like we would be expecting this guy to be a top option on offense, just a backup bigman to rebound and be tough.

[magicmamma]

Needs to mature on the court, as he tends to let his emotions get the best of him, taking him off his game...Must learn to accept responsibility for his mistakes (gets frustrated and blames others when he makes a bad play and gets vocal with the refs when charged with a foul)...Lacks an offensive game, as he is a marginal mid-range shooter and needs to improve his release...Has a long wing span, but needs to play with better control, as he tends to get too wide with his hands on pressure defense, resulting in costly fouls...Has soft hands, but they are smaller than what you'd expect from a forward (causes him problems when keeping the ball on the floor)... Lacks great vision as a passer and can't be relied upon during crunch time (has too inconsistent of a shot and limited range).

There are parts that describe a certain 22 year old big man we know, but not Darko. Darko seldoms displays emotion (or even interest) on the court, has no particular problem with fouls, and is an excellent passer.

[Magiclee]

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There are parts that describe a certain 22 year old big man we know, but not Darko. Darko seldoms displays emotion (or even interest) on the court, has no particular problem with fouls, and is an excellent passer.

I was going to say about the same thing. Absolutely none of that sounds like Darko. And let's get serious here, Darko is not a bad player. He's a bad player for the #2 overall pick. If Darko were picked with the last pick of the draft the GM would be labeled a genius!

[ilikebeer]

Our bench is horrible. We need some QUALITY bench guys to compete.

The only decent guys on our bench: Battie, Cook

Dooling can defend but should never touch the ball on offense.

Gortat could be okay. I just can't understand why a guy like Gortat would only play like three games all season then play significant minutes in every single postseason game. I can't help feeling like if Gortat would have gotten some of minutes we wasted on Foyle he could have contributed more in playoffs.