Darko is a Beast!

[BASS_THUMPER]

wow

thats huge for us!!

[MJohnnyboy]

He'll be better, without a doubt, than Mikki Moore, Ryan Hollins, Paddy O'Blount or Troy Murphy.

he should be -- that's a pretty low bar to clear

He'll surely be better than Stiemsma, JO(due to his injured self), Semih Erden or Scott Pollard.

Pollard yes, only because Pollard never played.  Steimsma and JO when healthy, probably not.  They could defend and score.  Semih, maybe, but Semih played hard and showed some promise.

He could be better (as a backup C) than Big Baby, Nenad Krstic or PJ Brown.

BBD or Krispy, no way.  PJ, probably--he had one really big moment but the rest of the season was eh.

The Celtics have only had 3 Centers in the last 5 years that are out of his league: Rasheed, Shaq and Perk.

if he stays more durable that Shaq, that would be a major help.  Sheed and Perk are out of his league.

What?! PJ gave us VERY valuable minutes on interior defense in the playoffs. That jumpshot was just the stamp on the great effect he had on the team. Without him, we lose to the Cavs in the second round.

[gar]

If he can give us PJ Brown type minutes that would be a dream come true. But considering all he has to do is beat out Wilcox and he is starting center he could be seeing more that 10 min. a game.

Hope his knee is OK no more JO's please.

[slamtheking]

He'll be better, without a doubt, than Mikki Moore, Ryan Hollins, Paddy O'Blount or Troy Murphy.

he should be -- that's a pretty low bar to clear

He'll surely be better than Stiemsma, JO(due to his injured self), Semih Erden or Scott Pollard.

Pollard yes, only because Pollard never played.  Steimsma and JO when healthy, probably not.  They could defend and score.  Semih, maybe, but Semih played hard and showed some promise.

He could be better (as a backup C) than Big Baby, Nenad Krstic or PJ Brown.

BBD or Krispy, no way.  PJ, probably--he had one really big moment but the rest of the season was eh.

The Celtics have only had 3 Centers in the last 5 years that are out of his league: Rasheed, Shaq and Perk.

if he stays more durable that Shaq, that would be a major help.  Sheed and Perk are out of his league.

What?! PJ gave us VERY valuable minutes on interior defense in the playoffs. That jumpshot was just the stamp on the great effect he had on the team. Without him, we lose to the Cavs in the second round.

you've made my point for me.  PJ didn't produce much during the season.  We need Darko to produce all year

[aporel#18]

He'll be better, without a doubt, than Mikki Moore, Ryan Hollins, Paddy O'Blount or Troy Murphy.

he should be -- that's a pretty low bar to clear

Well, Troy Murphy hadn't played a minute here and quite a few celticbloggers were expecting big minutes from him. Unfortunately, they were wrong.

He'll surely be better than Stiemsma, JO(due to his injured self), Semih Erden or Scott Pollard.

Pollard yes, only because Pollard never played.  Steimsma and JO when healthy, probably not.  They could defend and score.  Semih, maybe, but Semih played hard and showed some promise.

If JO could stay healthy, he'd be in the Shaq category. Stiemsma could be a very good shotblocker if healthy, but he wasn't healthy, and he can't give you a lot more on D. Semih was a rookie, had language troubles... yes he played hard, and I hated to see him go to make room for the great Troy Murphy, but in the end he couldn't contribute when it matters, the playoffs.

He could be better (as a backup C) than Big Baby, Nenad Krstic or PJ Brown.

BBD or Krispy, no way.  PJ, probably--he had one really big moment but the rest of the season was eh.

Other than defending Howard very well, BBD was "turrible" at the Center slot. His best minutes as a Celtic were in the 2009 playoffs, starting alongside Perk. Krstic didn't have playing time in the playoffs. He's a skilled offensive player, but he couldn't defend as Doc asked him to. PJ was great for limited minutes, and he brought mostly good D and some great points when it matters most, but KG-Perk-Powe-Posey were the key players back then.

The Celtics have only had 3 Centers in the last 5 years that are out of his league: Rasheed, Shaq and Perk.

if he stays more durable that Shaq, that would be a major help.  Sheed and Perk are out of his league.

No way Darko can give the Celtics the offensive presence Shaq did, but he can be helpful. If he could contribute in the playoffs like PJ Brown did, I would be ecstatic. But if he can play for 10-15 minutes in the regular season, and 8-10 in the playoffs, that would be a steal for his price tag.

Since KG came to the Celtics, they haven't got contribution from a great Center due to age/injuries (Shaq/Sheed), but they had a very good role player who could defend one on one Howard, set picks for Ray Allen, and be a solid player. IMO, Darko (and Melo if/when he learns his role) could contribute to the team in the way Perk did, but he has to show he can do it. By doing that, he'd be in the top 5 of celtics centers in the Garnett era. It's not that hard.

[mctyson]

At this point in his career Darko needs to make his best Kwame Brown impression and try to become a serviceable role player in the league.  I think Kwame eventually got over the fact that he was a massive bust, found out that he still had some skills that translated to the NBA level, and he now has a semi-productive career. 

Darko can do the same thing: he is huge, he is somewhat coordinated, and he can block shots.  He just needs to put his past behind him, accept who he is, and become a 5-10 min a night guy who can body the post and get a block or two.

[chambers]

I can't believe anybody thinks this guy will be better than Stiemsma. You do realize that Stiemsma, as a backup center, put up better numbers last season than Darko EVER DID IN HIS CAREER?!

The guy is the definition of a bum. As long as he is delegated to 3rd/4th string emergency big man who is only used to physically take up space on the court, then he can't hurt us.

Hopefully, he can at least produce like he did in Orlando and his second year in Memphis (his best seasons, by the numbers). Even then, at his best, he is still just a backup.

Sure - in your particular example (that is, the season when Milicic averaged 6.1 rebounds, while "playing more than 20 minutes"), his rebounding per 40 minutes was 10.5, which puts him pretty much exactly as Kevin Garnett's from last season.

That's false. First of all, it's per 48 minutes, not 40, because that's the length of a basketball game. KG last season had 12.7 rebounds per 48 minutes. Darko had 13 per 48 his rookie year, but in only 159 minutes of court time, so that's a small sample size and can't be trusted. For the rest of his career, he has averaged 11, and has never got higher than 12.3. For the record, the average center pulls down 12.7 per 48 minutes.

So basically, in his prime Darko was still a worse rebounder than KG at the tail end of his career. Next time, don't make up numbers.

But see I dont think that means this is a bad thing.  We are paying this guy the vet minimum and what is he?  According to your numbers a slightly worse rebounder than KG and slightly below average.  Average Centers in the league make way more than this and this guy is currently our 12th-15th man.  He blocks shots, and is prob a better rebounder than Ryan Hollins or Jason Collins or whoever else we would be throwing out there.  I mean he's not Dwight Howard but, what's a reasonable expectation this late in the game and for this little money?  Is there tangible evidence that an old broken down KMart would really be that much better?  It's pretty much a tossup, and why not go for the guy in his physical prime?

He's a banger.  Has decent ability.  Def gets fired up and has that Perkish anger factor. 

So what that he's not an all-star or lived up to a #2 overall draft position?  He's a legit 7 foot 275 pound 27 year old average or slightly below average player.  And we get him for pretty much free and at no risk?  What's not to like?  I don't get it.  People are acting like this guy is the worst player in basketball and its definitely not true.  He's ok, and why isn't that ok?

When he played as starting center in SOTA in 11-12 he average 8 points and 5 rebounds in 24 mins per game. That's 6 mins a quarter.
I think it's very possible he could average 10 points 8 rebounds and patrol the paint in our defensive scheme with KG next to him and be quite effective.
People are forgetting how good Rondo makes big men look. He made a grandpa Shaq look great. He saved Ryan Hollins' NBA career. He'll probably make Darko a much more valuable player with the amount of drive and dishes that he'll receive.
We got him for the veteran minimum, I can't see why people are acting like we just signed Luke Walton for 10 million.
He's still 26 years old too I think.
Have just a little faith in Doc and the veterans, and our DEFENSE. Those I just mentioned got Kendrick Perkins a monster contract and look at his rotting corpse in OKC.
We are the perfect system for Darko to become a great role player. Once again, we signed him for the minimum. Bargain gamble with a lot of upside for the price. If he sucks, stick him on the end of the bench.

[scaryjerry]

Im embarassed for those of you excited and who think this move warrants any kind of excitment and KG will just "whip him into shape!" yeah like he did with Patrick O Bryant.
sorry folks, he'll try but the second darko sulks he will quit trying, fact. it will be up to darko and I just done see him or his career numbers improving one iota

[scaryjerry]

This better be for the vet min. Otherwise its just stupid.

Seems people are living in never-neverland with this guy.

Doesnt matter what team or situatiuon this guy is in, hes not gonna play better than his usual low level.

Hes a bum and always will be one.

Stop hoping for some miracle like some people did with hollins last season, these things dont happen, if your been a scrub your entire career your gonna stay a scrub, I cant believe people think otherwise.

--------------


You're entitled to your opinion, but don't label and attack the opinions of those who feel differently. - RH

flyofchange - so you don't think this is a win-win for BOS?

Darko IS here on the Vet Min, I believe.

I guess you can count me as one of those guys in "Never-Never Land" lol, about Darko.



J/K

The vast majority of Bigs to play here in BOS over the years have looked GOOD, at the very least, and helped the team:

1. JO - (Yes - when he was healthy).

2. Shaq - BOS looked unbeatable when he manned Center back in 10-11.

3. Perk - Next to KG he played well, despite his limitations.

4. Sheed - Granted, Sheed appeared to mail it in during the regular season, but he was key for us in the playoffs in 09-10.

5. Hollins - Yes, even with his limitations, he played well in spot minutes.

6. PJ Brown - I hated to see him retire. Loved his play.

7. Stiem - Hated to see him go, too. He played well in BOS.

I just don't think that Darko will come here and wash out. I'm optimistic about him.

All those players just were what they were, they didnt play better because of some green pixie dust, Patrick o Bryant? ohhh what about Darius Miles! hes really going to get it together because of KG! and Mikki Moore? pssh doc will figure it out

[Roy H.]

Im embarassed for those of you excited and who think this move warrants any kind of excitment and KG will just "whip him into shape!" yeah like he did with Patrick O Bryant.
sorry folks, he'll try but the second darko sulks he will quit trying, fact. it will be up to darko and I just done see him or his career numbers improving one iota

If we get Darko's career numbers -- 6 points, 4 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 1.3 blocks in 18 minutes -- I think we should all be very happy.  That's solid production for a minimum contract player.

[GreenFaith1819]

Don't ever underestimate what the power of being in a winning organization can do for a player.

As long as he plays whatever role Doc has for him, be a good teammate and plays hard, Darko Millicic will help BOS.

I have no doubt about it.

[GreenFaith1819]

All those players just were what they were, they didnt play better because of some green pixie dust, Patrick o Bryant? ohhh what about Darius Miles! hes really going to get it together because of KG! and Mikki Moore? pssh doc will figure it out

scaryjerry - my point in listing those players is that - with the exception of perhaps PJ Brown - every one on that list had some concerns attached to them...Shaq's age and weight...Sheed's desire...JO's health and attitude...Hollins' and Perks' ability....Stiem's experience.

At their best, every single on of those players helped BOS advance - whether in the regular season or playoffs.

I'm believing that Darko will figure it out in Green, too.

[dark_lord]

darko is a straight up bum.  this signing sux

[Clench123]

I don't have any expectation when it comes to Darko.  That's why it's going to be ten times sweeter when he suprise us all this coming season.  Danny and Doc obviously sees something in him

[nickagneta]

If he can give us PJ Brown type minutes that would be a dream come true. But considering all he has to do is beat out Wilcox and he is starting center he could be seeing more that 10 min. a game.

Hope his knee is OK no more JO's please.

I'm not getting where you think Chris Wilcox is this team's starting center. KG is the starting center and will be playing 25-30 MPG. After that the C's need Darko, Collins and Melo to fill in for the remainder of the game at center without causing the C's to go negative on the scoreboard.