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Darko alongside Pau could be interesting!
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2933472
Free-agent center Darko Milicic agreed in principle to a three-year contract with the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, the player's agent Marc Cornstein told ESPN.com Insider Chad Ford.
Darko Milicic
http://assets.espn.go.com/i/nba/prof...65x90/3705.jpg Forward-Center
Orlando Magic
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2007 Season StatsGMPPGRPGAPGFG%FT%808.05.51.1.454.613
Cornstein refused to disclose the amount of the deal, but the starting salary is believed to be for substantially more than the $5.3 million mid-level exception.
"We are extremely excited for this new opportunity," Cornstein said. "Darko's going to a team that really wants him. He's going to a young team with an exciting bright future much like his own. We're very excited Darko gets to learn from coach Marc Iavaroni. We believe he's one of the best big men coaches in the game. And we couldn't be happier that he has found a new home where he's appreciated."
Milicic was recently waived by the Orlando Magic to clear the cap room necessary to sign Rashard Lewis.
"Memphis has really pursued Darko since the moment he became an unrestricted free agent last week," Cornstein said. "And I'm grateful for the opportunity they'll be providing for Darko at this stage of his career."
Milicic was the second pick in the 2003 NBA draft. He was taken ahead of All-Stars like Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade and was widely regarded as a draft bust heading into his third season.
Milicic was traded to the Magic in February of 2006 and began to turn around his career. He averaged eight points and 5.5 rebounds in 23 minutes per game for the Magic last season. But he upped his averaged 12.3 points per game in the playoffs this year.
Magic general manager Otis Smith said that the team's top priority in the offseason was signing Milicic, but he reversed course after it became clear that signing Lewis would take all of their cap room.
Milicic should address the Grizzlies' biggest offseason need -- adding a center to play with Pau Gasol. His game appears to complement Iavaroni's up-tempo system.
Chad Ford covers the NBA for ESPN Insider.
Darko alongside Pau could be interesting!
No surprise that he goes for the team that offers the most $$$.
Dude has been an underachiever his entire career due to his inflated contract situation. I hope something other than money crossed his mind while choosing his new team or he's taking down the Grizz with him.
Good pick-up for them. Gasol and Darko will compliment eachother well.
I couldn't get past.the amount of the deal, but the starting salary is believed to be for substantially more than the $5.3 million I spit my coke all over. LMAO
Great Moments in NBA Draft History:
Settle down Piston fans, I'll save you the trouble:
you forgot the picture of the one mavs fan in a sea of fairweather GS fans with OWNED in large words. it won't register to them that you're making fun of the Mavericks unless you include a very obvious picture.Settle down Piston fans, I'll save you the trouble:
how crazy is it that Darko is getting ridiculous money? He'll be a decent addition but that's just stupid money they're throwing at him.
That team might not be half bad. Conley, Miller, Gasol, Darko.....they were a 50 win team just the year before, they could be on their way right back.
What's interesting is that tix prices for the Utah series went through the roof and the crowds weren't as loud or boisterous. Bandwagon took on lots of passengers awfully quick.
Besides, I prefer action shots for my collection:
http://flickr.com/photos/fashionable...7600256916409/
They're in the West. Somebody has to fill out spots 9-15.
Funny how quickly the celebrities started showing up at Warriors games as soon as the Lakers got their asses handed to them. Out of nowhere Jessica Alba became some lifelong friend of Baron's, but somehow failed to mention this to anybody until his teams stopped sucking ass.
California is full of s.
Don't forget ing Snoop making his way to NorCal. I thought he was a Laker fan as well. Long Beach is an awfully long way from Oakland.
Yeah, but at the same time, they were alot better than their record indicated. Gasol was out at the start, and by the time he came back the team was in full tank mode. With a healthy Gasol, this team could very well be in the 40-45 win range.
Here's how I see it, barring injuries:
Locks:
San Antonio, Dallas, Phoenix, Utah, Denver, Houston
Lottery Bound:
Seattle, Minnesota
That leaves 7 teams to fight over 2 spots. If Oden is as good as advertised, the Blazers could end up as one of the lower seeds. If Reggie Theus is a halfway decent coach and Artest can stay out of trouble, the Kings could be back in the mix. If Memphis is healthy, they don't look so bad either. The Clippers could bounce back too. The West is just so strong, and the bottom playoff seeds are basically a game of musical chairs.
I think the four years Darko spent overseas after Memphis drafted him in 2003 will actually help him be more prepared to contribute right away in the NBA ... oh hold up ....
Haha, that's funny. I think if he had gone late first/early second round, he wouldn't be such a punchline. When you're second overall, you have a bit more security. Being more of a bubble player needing to fight for a roster spot might have helped with the hustle/hunger factor. Going to a veteran le team and having to sit on the bench didn't help him either. Then again, he got a chance to play in Orlando and the Magic didn't want him back.
It's Official: The Otis Thorpe trade is now irrelevant.
Darko will be a great addition for grizlies... I saw him twice (live) playing... He can be a monster. Too psyhical, too strong... and lefty.
West wanted darko. Before and after the draft he was willing to trade Pau to the Pistons. He said he needed a star.
Denver was going to get stuck with melo no matter what.
Orlando looks a little less attractive today. In the past two years they have lost DeShawn Stevenson, Darko Milicic, and Grant Hill. Rashard Lewis does not deserve the contract he just received; they will be calling for his head within three years. Hedo Turkoglu will play out of position or Lewis will. Jameer Nelson was abused because of his size disadvantage by Chauncey Billups and the Knicks alone have enough point guards to make him ineffective. Worse yet, the team lacks a shooting guard to take pressure off of Nelson. The team's last five years of draft picks, outside of Dwight Howard, have had poor returns (JJ Re , Fran Vasquez, Dwight Howard, Reece Gaines, Ryan Humphrey). Pat Garrity is an excellent shooter, Carlos Arroyo a good passing option, and Keyon Dooling a tempo-changing guard but outside of that this team lacks quality players at every position.
In short, one of the most promising and deep rosters the NBA has seen in awhile--one that struck fear into the heart of the Eastern Conference if allowed to mature--is a two-man team.
In case you forgot, Darko was in this:Great Moments in NBA Draft History:
Settle down Piston fans, I'll save you the trouble:
I really dont see this as overpaying. 22 year old 7 footer who has improved with playing time, was pretty good against the Pistons, can block shots, rebound and run the floor. Memphis has a good future ahead of them. Conley, Warrick, Gay, Gasol, Miller, Lowry, they got some players
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