Empty the Bench

Or so he says. Given his history as an underachiever with a poor work ethic, it’s a little difficult to believe Darko’s recent statements about his playing time and impending restricted free agency. Today in the Florida Times, Detroit’s ex-human victory cigar said he is not overly concerned with surrendering his temporary starting spot back to Tony Battie, and that he’s only focused on the playoffs:

Darko Milicic lost his job in the starting lineup because of injury, but the Orlando Magic power forward said he doesn’t fear the demotion will hurt him this summer when he becomes a free agent. Milicic said he’s tried all season not to think about his pending contract status, and he hopes losing his starting job won’t affect his free-agent appeal.

“It just happens that I couldn’t play the same night that Tony was coming back because of my back injury,” Milicic said. “I’m starting to get my minutes back now coming off the bench. I’m not worried about (the demotion). I just want to help this team get into the playoffs. That’s all I’m thinking about now.”

Uh huh. Everyone knows by now that an air of privilege surrounds the talented seven-footer. He’s always carried an attitude that he deserves minutes on the court no matter what. We can’t help but feel that wherever he ends up next season, Darko’s game will still be nowhere near where it should be. Let’s be honest: what is Darko most concerned about, playoffs aside: working hard to achieve a level of consistency both offensively and defensively, and finally making good on all that natural talent, or cashing in with a nice, fat contract?

ETB knows there’s a serious shortage of skilled big men in the NBA right now, and that if Orlando doesn’t pony up the dough for Darko that someone else will be happy to roll the dice and gamble on the 21-year-old’s potential. But if I’m an NBA general manager considering Milicic for my team, I would exercise a good deal of caution and be absolutely certain this enigma’s head is in the right place. He could still be a force in this league, but he has to want it.