TrueHoop’s Henry Abbott asked Idan Ravin (a private trainer) a few questions about the Minnesota Timberwolves, who just had him in for a few workouts. Abbott asked about how the team was looking and Ravin mentioned a familiar name:
And Darko Milicic — he’s way more talented than anyone ever gave him credit for. He has been beat up in his first six years in the NBA. I wish I could sneak you into the gym so you could see what he can do. He really is seven-feet-plus. He’s really bouncy. He’s really running. You can see why it was a debate who should be first, second or third in that draft.
And your’e a Carmelo guy!
Carmelo’s my guy. But Darko’s ta-len-ted. They’re doing something smart here by welcoming him openly, and making him feel a part of what’s happening. He’s a good kid. There’s nothing bad about him. What’s the point of all the yelling and screaming and cursing and insulting that he has endured? Once you have lost your dignity and self respect, it’s hard to be professional. Now he’s somewhere where they are acting like they’re happy to see him, and it’s awesome.
For all his struggles, Milicic is just 24 (a year younger than ’07 draftees Aaron Brooks and Acie Law) and has been through a lot of adversity in his career. Some of it was his own doing, and some of it was being unfortunate enough to start his career under Larry Brown. In 2005-06, the year he was traded to Orlando and got decent minutes, he had a PER of 15.21 (which is above average) and shot 51%. He was solid (13.88) in his second season in Orlando as well.
Even though he’s getting 20+ minutes in Minnesota, Milicic still plans to abandon the NBA and head overseas to play professionally.
