Darko on the Fast Track

Well, Darko, I'm not sure how you did it.

You somehow managed to take my 5 Milestones for Evaluating Your Progress, which, at the time seemed slightly out of reach for you, and, quite frankly, I'm not sure you've even achieved one of them, and created your own path to success.

Where Lex thought it was reasonable to see if you could manage to lose weight, regain some of your mobility from 2 years ago, and possibly make the Boston Celtics active roster when the basketballs fly in November, you've leapfrogged your way to being named a strategic spot starter in games, gasp, long after the 2012-13 season kicks off.

Huh.

Who knew you were all that?

Still, if I might be so bold as to offer the 7-1, 300 pound giant one tiny bit of advice?

Make sure you show everyone you deserve what Doc has bestowed upon you. Earning the PT isn't the end. It's just the beginning. Helping the Celtics win games and becoming a presence in the pivot and on the high post, these are your goals. If you do that, you've finally found yourself a home.

Now go get after it.

Milicic too much for Duncan; Spurs forced to Double Team

 St. Paul Pioneer Press (MN)
Copyright 2010 Saint Paul Pioneer Press

November 25, 2010

The Spurs' comeback countered impressive performances from Kevin Love, who had game-highs of 32 points and 22 rebounds, and Darko Milicic, who is becoming one of the NBA's top comeback stories. Milicic, averaging 22 points and 10 rebounds in the Wolves' previous two games, followed up with 22 points, eight rebounds, five blocked shots and four assists.

Milicic might have done more if he hadn't fouled out 10 seconds into overtime. One of the highlights for Rambis was seeing the Spurs forced to throw double-teams at Milicic when veteran all-star center Tim Duncan was unable to defend Milicic by himself.

Doc Playing Shrink with a Deft Touch

Sometimes reading the tea leaves isn't all it's cracked up to be. I know Danny recently said something to the effect of no big has done anything but excel in Doc's system. Many of us begged to differ. Some of us rattled off, oh, I don't know, let's just say a dozen or so exceptions.

I'd like to focus briefly on one. Patrick O'Bryant, or POB for short. POB had a few older Celtics fans excited when the Celtics signed him. He started his career in Golden State. At 7-0 with a reach that went to the heavens, he had all the raw elements you could ask for in a big. Critics said that he lacked motivation and focus, that he lacked heart. No problem, we thought. He's coming to the Celtics, home of some of the great reclamation projects in NBA history. The name Robert Parish ring a bell?

Alas, it wasn't to be.

Why it didn't work out was always a bit of a mystery, to me anyway. It wouldn't have been unreasonable to conclude, until recent revelations, that Doc never gave him a chance. POB never played any meaningful minutes, and was discarded almost as quickly as he was acquired. "Doc doesn't know how to coach bigs" was a sentiment whispered among some fans and pundits alike.

Turns out we didn't know jack.

Darko Surely Must be Getting Sick of Me

Imagine that. Darko has gone viral . . . and in a good way.

By now, I'm sure you've all seen this video, posted roughly at the same time I was waxing and waning about the Dark Lord for 11th straight day since word broke that Mr. Milicic (how about that for my first foray into showing the Serbian Strongman some respect?) would soon be joining the C's for the 2012-12 NBA season.

All I can say is the video contrasts somewhat with other mental imagery floating around my brain.

I mean, come on. Two years ago, the dude weighed somewhere in the neighborhood of 250, 260 if ate too much starch.

The pictures from Media Day suggested 300, but only if he skipped breakfast and lunch.

So who's gonna blame you if you pictured this Mammoth parked on his couch with cheese curls in one hand, a beer in the other, and a cigarette dangling from his mouth?

Anyone remember my 5 milestones for evaluating Darko?

I think he just took a couple of steps toward passing the first two mileposts successfully.

The proof will still be on the court.

But I like what I'm seeing so far.

Meanwhile, enjoy the Darko Tomahawk.