darko-milicic
Miami Shopping For Big Men
Thursday , Aug , 30 , 2012 Featured Guest Journalist

Miami Shopping For Big Men

Miami shopping for a Big Man

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Whoever they get won't be able to cover Dwight.

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2003 NBA Draft class: Most Overrated?
Wednesday , Jul , 27 , 2011 J.N.

2003 NBA Draft class: Most Overrated?

This is the truth right now; the 2003 NBA Draft class is shaping up to be the most overrated draft class of all time. It’s been 8 years going until the 9th year for the group yet only one superstar won a ring (Dwyane Wade), the other rode the coat tails of the big three  to get one (Kendrick Perkins), and the last one got a ring for doing nothing (Darko). These guys had a lot of hype leading up to the draft especially LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony. 4 years into their careers and people were claiming that they had the potential to be the best class ever surpassing the God-like 1984 class and 1996 class. 

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Thursday , Jul , 15 , 2010 Hoopsvibe

Chris Webber to David Kahn: `we not talking about me and Darko in the same sentence`

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Things were just fine until Minnesota Timberwolves GM David Kahn - in an attempt to justify re-signing Darko Milicic to a 4 year, $20 million contract - compared The Human Victory Cigar to Chris Webber.

C-Webb, who was co-interviewing Kahn and sitting next to him, clearly took exception. And things got, well, awkward.

Fortunately, this was captured on camera for you to view over-and-over again. So click the video below and get at us with thoughts in the comment box.

-- Oly Sandor.
 
(Clip found on Yahoo’s Ball Don’t Lie blog.)

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Thursday , Jul , 01 , 2010 Hoopsvibe

Light the Victory Cigar: Darko Milicic re-signs for $20 million with Minnesota Timberwolves

Darko Milicic has agreed to a four-year, $20M deal with Minnesota.

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: No surprise here.
 
Reports had the Minnesota Timberwolves trying to re-sign Darko Milicic because he impressed during his 24 game audition with the club last year.
 
And those same reports had the left-handed Serbian staying in 'Sota because he felt he'd finally get regular minutes.
 
The real story is what happens next.
 
With Milicic returning, the Wolves can try to move Al Jefferson and his $40 million long-term contract. There's no rush, though. Milicic's salary is reasonable, so the club could platoon him with Jefferson and youngster Kevin Love.
 
Hopefully, Milicic - a well traveled and infamous second overall selection in the 2003 NBA Draft ahead of superstars Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh - finally gets his opportunity.
 
-- O.Sandor     
     
Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below!
 
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Saturday , Jun , 26 , 2010 Hoopsvibe

Rumor: Minnesota keeping Darko Milicic, trading Al Jefferson?

David Kahn admitted on Friday that he is exploring a trade of Al Jefferson and the likelihood of a trade increases if the Wolves re-sign Darko Milicic.

"It's the right time finally for us to explore this," Kahn said of a possible Jefferson trade. "I've met with Al and discussed this. If Darko comes back, there could be a need to create some playing time. We really need to get our front line settled."

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Minnesota wants to trade Al Jefferson, the power-forward who was supposed to be their lead wolf.
 
Remember, Jefferson was acquired from the Boston Celtics, as the key to the blockbuster trade involving Kevin Garnett. He initially responded to his new surroundings by posting 20-10 numbers in his first season with the Timberwolves.
 
Their relationship has suddenly soured, though.
 
Minnesota's new head suit, David Kahn, sees Jefferson as a guy who posts good statistics on bad teams. For instance, talented players should always be able to play together, but Jefferson struggles next to youngster Kevin Love.
 
And Jefferson seems to have lost faith in Minnesota. He probably sees the franchise as incapable of ever becoming more than the NBA's Siberia. For instance, lottery pick Ricky Rubio has stayed in Europe rather than joining the Timberwolves.
 
Of course, Jefferson's DUI charge in late February didn't help.
 
Unfortunately, club and player should invest in therapy or counselling because they're likely stuck together. Jefferson's contract - three years and $42 million - will be tough to move in this economy.
 
Re-signing Milicic, also known as The Human Victory Cigar, is an interesting development. Most thought the left-handed Serbian would catch the first flight back to Europe and sign in the ABC League when the NBA season ended.
 
Clearly, the Wolves believe Milicic's career can be salvaged. And he has a most intoxicating skill-set for a seven-footer. Hopefully, the former second overall pick gets a legitimate opportunity if he stays in the NBA.
 
However, Milicic might not stick in Minnesota because of Jefferson's big ticket contract can't be dealt.
 
Got thoughts?
 
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Wednesday , Jun , 02 , 2010 Hoopsvibe

Report: Brian Cardinal, Darko Milicic, and Adam Morrison to join Free Agent Summit

Last week, Wade told the Chicago Tribune that he planned to talk with fellow free agents LeBron James and Joe Johnson before making a decision on where he would sign this summer. A source told ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard that Bosh also would be part of those talks, and Amar'e Stoudemire, who is likely to opt out of the final year of his current contract with the Phoenix Suns, told AOL Fanhouse that he planned to be part of those talks, too.

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HoopsVibe's Quick Call:  Rumor has it journeyman Brian Cardinal wants in. Darko Milicic also plans on attending. And Adam Morrison, the dude permanently attached to the Los Angeles Lakers' bench, may also show - if the purple-and-gold don't offer the restricted free agent a one year deal for the minimum before free agency hits.

Seriously.

Jokes aside, this summit, or whatever it's called, is getting bizarre. Sure, Chris Bosh, LeBron James, Joe Johnson, Amar'e Stoudemire, Dwyane Wade, and Mother Teresa can meet and discuss their future or anything else they like. 

However, James and Wade are wasting their incredible leverage. As the game's best players, they should pick where they want to play, who they want to play with, who they want to play for, and then make the team they selected meet their demands.

Nothing else should be considered. After all, this is pro sports, not friends running together on the playground.

James and Wade have supposedly waited years for this summer. Instead of wasting time and energy consulting others, they should figure out exactly what they want and get it. 

What do you think of the free agent summit? Get at us in the comment box below with thoughts.

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Sunday , Apr , 11 , 2010 Hoopsvibe

Darko Milicic Wants to Stay in Minnesota

Lost in New York City and all but headed home to Europe only six weeks ago, Darko Milicic now by the day sounds more and more like a man who believes he has found a home in Minnesota.
 
"I like it here," he said after the Timberwolves practiced Thursday. "There's nothing they've done to not make me stay here, but you never know. If these guys want me to stay, be on the same page for next year, why not stay here?"

Of course, there's the little matters of negotiation and money for a 24-year-old center whose contract and $7.5 million salary expire after this season, which has only seven games left.

"You never know, it's the NBA," Milicic said. "You never know what will happen in the summertime, how things can go. Next year? Until I sign it, I can't tell you if I'll be here or not." 

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