Milicic still trained as hard as before, but Brown didn't seem to notice these performances. He was not included in the team's main rotation drill tactics. He seemed to be a player under inspection. Seeing the approaching season
The preseason is an opportunity to examine them. The Pistons do not plan to send out their main lineup in the preseason. Although they will have the opportunity to play in the preseason, Milicic still feels uncomfortable. After all, he is already a second-year player.
Moreover, he entered the team as the second overall pick and had just won the Olympic gold medal. Preseason games are usually played by fringe players who travel between training camps. They are fighting for a chance, maybe a flash.
It will allow me to get a contract with a basic salary, but do I still need to inspect it?
But no matter what, it's good to have a chance to perform. After all, Milicic is too familiar with the NBA. His total playing time in a season may not be as much as that of the guy who wipes the floor at home.
Dumas also talked to Larry Brown about Milicic's position in the team, but Larry Brown still cited the gap between European basketball and American basketball, and he believed that Milicic's appearance would
Destroying the existing chemical reaction of the team. Dumas naturally admires this big man from Serbia and Montenegro, otherwise he would not have chosen him over Anthony, Wade, Bosh and others, but it turns out that Larry Brown did not
Milicic also won the championship, and Dumars can't criticize Brown's approach. After all, the team's results are the most important. You can't win a championship because he didn't let a young player play.
Let’s criticize him severely. So Dumas just reminded Brown through Milicic’s popularity and the international market, and tried to give Milicic as much playing time as possible.
Facing the Bulls in the first game of the preseason, the Pistons' starting lineup was:
Center Dixon, power forward Milicic, small forward Dupree, shooting guard Delfino, point guard Parker
Bulls starting lineup"
Center Eddie Curry, power forward Noccioni, small forward Luol Deng, shooting guard Ben Gordon, point guard Chris Duhon
It can be said that the Bulls gained a lot this year. In the draft, they got future All-Star small forward Luol Deng, Best Sixth Man Ben Gordon, Duke University's top student Chris Duhon and free signings.
The Argentinian strongman Nochioni, the lineup they harvested this year is more effective than the lineup the Bobcats have accumulated for nearly ten years.
Since it was a preseason game, the atmosphere was not very tense. Delfino also went over to say hello to his fellow countryman Nocchioni. Milicic also said a few words to Nocchioni, so naturally he went over to meet him.
Noccioni looked at Milicic and said to Delfino: "This big man in your team is not easy to deal with. He has made us suffer a lot in the Olympics. You must remember his information during team training.
We have to get the championship back at the next World Championships."
Milicic smiled and said to Nocchione: "There are still two years before the World Championships. Delfino is closer to me now. I will ask him for your information later. Today we are
Two counterpoints!"
Delfino was still a little restrained in front of the "veteran" Milicic, so he joked about Nocchione: "He is a big or small thing, very hard! I have revealed enough!"
Milicic looked at Noccioni with a scrutinizing gaze and said playfully: "It looks a bit similar! I should have brought a cheerleading team to make him smaller. Delfino, you know too much."
Little Shark Eddie Curry also came over and participated. He said to Milicic: "Darko, you were quite popular in the Olympics. I said it was wrong that the Dream Team did not choose a pure center like me.
, if I go, it will be enough for you."
"Don't be too boastful. There is a guy in our team who is as powerful as you. You beat him first and then talk about it." Milicic said and pointed to Dixon beside him. Dixon saw everyone looking at him and their eyes met.
There was still a bit of a silly smile on his face.
After the game officially started, the whistle sounded, and Milicic moved the ball to the Pistons' half. After landing, Milicic said to Curry, his opponent for the ball: "Brother, you should lose weight, otherwise you will have to lose weight sooner or later.
Go play CBA."
Smush Parker is actually a good point guard. His physical fitness is abnormal even among NBA point guards. In addition, his experience in Europe has given him some maturity that American point guards do not have. When facing Duhong,
With the solid defensive skills honed at Duke University, he did not choose to attack. Instead, seeing that Noccioni did not go around to defend Milicic, he passed the ball directly to Milicic.
Milicic has not had a break throughout the offseason, and has undergone a transformation after being baptized by old players in the Olympic and international competitions. Even if you look at the NBA, no matter how good your defensive skills are, can you still be better than Duncan? No matter how skilled you are,
How comprehensive can you be compared to Gasol? No matter how good your acting skills are, can you be better than Scola? With them at the bottom, Milicic has also established a position for himself. At least he has the strength to average 12+7 per game.
, if it was his first year playing in the NBA, he could still be ranked among the top three in the rookie rankings.
Players like Nocchione, big or small, have some advantages in offense. They are flexible enough and can pull out to shoot three-pointers, but they do suffer a lot on the defensive end. Milicic's hit on him is completely out of position.
The ball was backed against him, swaying to the left and then turning to the right. Nocchioni was blocked behind him. Curry, who came to help defend, tried to block Milicic, but Milicic had already passed the ball.
He handed it to Dixon under his arm. Dixon dunked successfully. After the dunk, the entire basketball stand was shaking. This man was 2.01 meters tall but weighed 150 kilograms. He was as boxy as a door panel.
Just as strong, it is the Pistons' weapon against O'Neal.
Curry has really met an opponent. Looking at the NBA, I am afraid that only O'Neal, Curry, Buffalo White of the Wizards, and Bashen from the CBA are in the same weight class as him. I am afraid that everyone else will look at "Shen" Mo.
and.
When the Bulls switched to attack, Milicic watched Curry and Dixon push each other to get stuck. He really felt that these two came to the NBA purely to work hard. As a result, Curry held the ball for a long time without pushing it out.
What effect did it have? When the time was about to expire, Ben Gordon passed the ball to the outside. Without hesitation, Ben Gordon directly threw a three-pointer and hit it in the air.
Milicic had to admire how this boy really dared to shoot, and his shooting ability was stable and his mental quality was good. Even in China, he would be a little otaku who contributed to the country's paper industry.
Curry and Dixon, who had been stuck here for a long time and were trying to fight for rebounds, was in vain. They looked at each other angrily. Curry thought to himself: This guy is crazy! Why do you have to be so hard on me when I show my performance during the contract year?
.
Dixon also thought to himself: Is there something wrong with this guy? Why are you serious about asking for a minimum-salary contract like me?
Noccioni thought to himself: I'd better return to the third position as soon as possible. NBA insiders are all mentally twisted! They play preseason games at risk!
