Donnie Darko 2

#31 Darko Milicic
Pronounced: DAR-ko MILL-a-chich

Born: June 20, 1985
Novi Sad, Yugoslavia

Drafted: 2003, 1st round, 2nd pick by Pistons

Current PPG: 7.8
Career PPG: 3.2

Ok so I don't quite get it. He's the guy you don't know about. The one who was taken in that famous 2003 draft admist Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh (4 all stars who all made Team USA, not that Darko qualifies). He sat on the bench during the Pistons run at the title as if he was just trade bait (which makes you wonder why they even drafted him or didn't trade him away). And now he plays for the Orlando Magic, but not as well as any of the 4 previously mentioned players.

So the question becomes why are NBA analysts and fantasy analysts saying he's so great? Potential is nice, but the stats to back it up are better. Granted he just hasn't had opportunity to play, but if he's good the numbers should show it. There should be something in him that convinces coaches to make him their star/go-to-guy. Does he really need more time to develop? He's around the same age as the other players. Does he need time to adjust to the game? Well he's 7 feet tall, and has been in the league as long as 3 of those guys above who are definitely playing better than him. Anthony has just 1 year of college experience, Lebron is straight from high school. D-Wade and Bosh had a little bit more college time, but not 4 years. European players may need more time to adjust to the league.(Dirk, Pau Gasol, etc)

It makes me seriously question Darko being placed at #5 on John Hollinger's "Top 25 free agents in 2007". To me he is still a project and if a GM, I'd take many a proven veteran over someone with a few flashes of brilliance to their name. For now Darko remains in the dark in the league, but maybe we will see him emerge soon.