darko's body language in the last pre-game to coach d'toni screamed, start me coach! now with this supporting article on the front page of uk "Milicic shows promise in fresh start with Knicks"-- its clear darko is angling for the center job, and promises to be the aggressor ny needs.

Here's the article:

Google Darko Milicic and the words "draft bust" and you launch a never-ending Internet debate on where his selection by the Pistons with the No. 2 pick in the 2003 NBA draft ranks among the league's all-time worst picks.

The 7-foot Serbian hasn't exactly had the kind of career that anyone expected when Joe Dumars picked him over Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. This goes a long way toward explaining why there was little fanfare when the Knicks traded Quentin Richardson to obtain him from Memphis this summer.

Yet a couple weeks into training camp, and it's looking like that trade could pan into a fairly savvy move. Milicic has played for a variety of coaches in Detroit, Orlando and Memphis. His best season was in 2006-07 when he averaged 8.0 points and 5.5 rebounds. This marks the first time, however, that Milicic has played in a system that fits him as well as Mike D'Antoni's up-tempo one.

"I'm still trying to adjust to all the freedom I have," said Milicic, whose clashes with control freak Larry Brown in Detroit were legendary. "I'm having a great time playing the way Coach wants me to play with all the freedom that I have."

D'Antoni, who coached Serbian players in Italy, said he likes what he sees.

"He's a smart basketball player," D'Antoni said. "He sees the floor, he knows the game. That's almost impossible to teach. We just need to get him involved and feeling good."

There's a chance that the 7-foot Milicic may have been miscast when he was drafted by the Pistons as a teenager. Milicic is now 24, recently became a father and seems to have a new sense of seriousness about him. He also seems to have the kind of toughness that can help the Knicks on defense.

"He's in a different place in his life right now," D'Antoni said. "He was so young in Detroit. I think he was a different guy back then."

The question, of course, is whether he will be a different player now. Or different enough to be an important player for the Knicks.

Said Milicic: "I'm still learning the team and my teammates. But I think this is a good opportunity for me."

I will say this about Darko, I like his defensive presence. He got his hands on some balls in the Celtic game. I think as the season moves on and he get's more comfortable and his teammates more trusting of him, the guy can have a nice role for this team. It's not just his being 7 ft, but his overall skill level in terms of playing in a team game. He's thinking a bit too much right now, but when he's got it more down, he'll be an effective player. Let's face it we really need his size and length.

I don't know about starting him just yet tho. Against a team like the C's yeah, cuz they have such great size, but there are some teams we can get away with just starting Lee and Jared.

Sorry, I don't see it - at least not yet. He's a good, not great defensive player. He's a pretty good rebounder. Offensively, he struggles. Who do we sit to give Darko more minutes - Harrington, Chandler, Gallo or Hughes? He's not as good as any of those players.

My biggest problem with Darko is that he's slow footed. He doesn't move well. I don't care about athleticism, but I like to see a big man who reacts quickly on defense and moves well on offense. Darko doesn't do these things.

Posted by Ira:

Sorry, I don't see it - at least not yet. He's a good, not great defensive player. He's a pretty good rebounder. Offensively, he struggles. Who do we sit to give Darko more minutes - Harrington, Chandler, Gallo or Hughes? He's not as good as any of those players.

My biggest problem with Darko is that he's slow footed. He doesn't move well. I don't care about athleticism, but I like to see a big man who reacts quickly on defense and moves well on offense. Darko doesn't do these things.

You haven't seen it cuz he hasn't had the opportunity he has now. He's not slow footed and he is a decent passer. when has he had a shot to really play. He played well in Orlando but I believe they blocked him out along with not keeping him around cuz of dwight. In Memphis they would follow a huge number day by giving him a dnp.

He's here now. D'antoni will allow guys to prove they belong. I'd Darko is ready "the best. 5 will start.

Coach: Darko, give me what you gave the Magic during your "career year" and you WILL start. Otherwise, GTFO Chris Wilcox style.

Posted by franco12:

Wait- is the question do we start Darko or Jefferies at the 5?

That's a dumb question.

Darko fills a hole for this team. he may not be one of our five best players, but the fact is he is our only true center.

He fills a gaping hole...but Jeffthrees can shoot the 3 point bucket, so.

why not have all three on the floor same time darko jeff and lee-- its not inconceivable.

If they let him go because of Howard, how come they matched Gortat's contract? All right, it's only been a few games. We'll get a better idea how he looks over the next few weeks. I'll keep an open mind, but I'm not as impressed so far.

They didn't let him go because of howard. They let him go to overpay Lewis. And Gortat is better than Darko, so what? Doesn't mean he shouldn't start. I'd really like to see Lee playing his natural position.

Darko--how about a lay up or a dunk? The coach is calling you a smart ballplayer but what 7-1 C is taking 25 footers?

Posted by BRIGGS:

Darko--how about a lay up or a dunk? The coach is calling you a smart ballplayer but what 7-1 C is taking 25 footers?

Okur.

But...he can make them.

Posted by knicks1248:

Why doesn't mike D get heat for changing his starting line up just as many times as larry B did.

It is preseason. The time when you're supposed to experiment. Kinda like college.