ESPN: "Finding Darko" (former celtic Darko Milicic is now a cherry farmer)

[CelticsElite]

http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/20211833/nba-bust-darko-milicic-finds-success-back-home-serbia

Espn interviewed darko. Its a really interesting read into how he laughs at himself for being a bust, lied as a rookie about his favorite player being KG, and how he's a cherry farmer now because it's a lucrative business. He seems like a genuine, nice and smart guy


Btw he was signed to the Celtics a few years ago and never played. I always wanted to see if rondo could bring the best out of him but it never happened

[kozlodoev]

The Chetniks were a group of Serbian nationalists during World War II, and history doesn't quite agree on how cooperative, or combative, they were with the Axis forces during the war. In an effort at clarity, I ask Darko to describe himself politically -- like, why does he have those men tattooed on his stomach? -- and Darko says he is a nationalist but adds that the label doesn't mean the same thing in Eastern Europe as it might in the United States.

Yeah, we know very well what "the label" means out there: first, rabid hate for your neighbors, even more so if they happen to be from a different religious denomination, and second, unshakable love for Russia, the savior of the Slavdom.

Also, the author conveniently forgets to mention that the Chetnik movement made quite a comeback during the Yugoslavian wars and were instrumental in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

[alley oop]

He has 125 acres filled with apple trees and exports the apples to Dubai, Russia and countries in Africa.

Cherries, though, are his vision. The financial return on cherries is tremendous, Darko says, and the market is wide open. When Darko talks about cherries, his eyes get wide. He gets passionate. He gets animated.

[fairweatherfan]

A lot of times big (relatively) athletic guys get pushed into professional ball almost by default - how are you going to turn down fame and multi-million dollar salaries? - but never develop much passion for the game.  Glad Darko found something he seems to genuinely love.

[Moranis]

I've always wondered what might have became of Darko if he had ended up in Denver, Toronto, or Miami and not in Detroit on a win now team.  Maybe his career just ends up much longer and better had he not had such unrealistic expectations placed on him.  I've also wondered what might have become of the East in general had Anthony been drafted onto Detroit.  Do they still acquire Rasheed if they have Anthony?  Do the end up with that title still, or do they end up winning multiple ones?  Does Anthony end up in the discussion with James as an all time great or does he still end up about where he is (but with a bit more team success)?  Does Larry Brown stick around longer as coach of the team (since presumably Anthony gives that team a much larger window)?  Do they prevent the Shaq/Wade Heat from winning the title, so that Shaq ends up with just 1 and Wade isn't sitting there with a title when James comes to town (I assume that still happens but maybe not)?

that draft was absolutely fascinating at the top and the what ifs are incredible.  maybe more so than any other recent draft.

[ZoneD]

It's too bad that he didn't love playing basketball. Sounds like he was just an immature kid from a bad part of the world that just took the opportunity because it was a way out. I can't say I would've done anything differently if I was him but he really had some potential to be an impact player in the league and it just didn't work out.

What's amazing is the number of second chances this guy got. Shows the inherent risk in "reclamation projects" and how they don't always work out. Some of these value players are cheap and/or available for a reason. Makes you think twice about taking a flyer on the Gerald Greens, Evan Turners, etc. of the world.