AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- ''We want Dar-ko!"
Detroit's fans chant those three words tirelessly whenever the Pistons have a big lead in the fourth quarter, hoping coach Larry Brown will give them a rare glimpse of Darko Milicic.
The player drafted No. 2 overall two years ago -- after LeBron James and ahead of Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade -- is more embarrassed than proud when he hears the crowd plead for him to play.
''It doesn't make me feel good at all," Milicic said. ''It's nice that people like me, but if they have to cheer for me to come into the game, that's not good."
Before Detroit played the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 of the NBA Finals last night, Milicic said his second year in the league was more discouraging than his first.
''It's been worse because I was expecting to play," he said. ''I've said it 10,000 times, the best way for me to improve is to play. All the work in practice and individual workouts can only help me so much.
''I can't say how good I am or how bad I am because I haven't played to show myself, or anybody."
The 7-foot, 245-pound center from Serbia-Montenegro played in 37 regular-season games and averaged 1.8 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 6.9 minutes. As a rookie, he played 34 games, averaging 1.4 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 4.6 minutes.
Milicic often looked unimpressive when he did play.
''When I come in the game at the end, it's hard because people are expecting me to jump over my man for a dunk or something special," he said. ''It's hard for me because I feel like I feel when I wake up in the morning."
With Detroit's playoff position secure, Milicic started the final two games of the season and responded with 25 points and eight rebounds.
''It was good, but it's hard for me to get too excited about two games out of 82," said the man sometimes referred to as ''the Human Victory Cigar."
Milicic has played sparingly in a handful of postseason games, just like last year.
Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars told anybody who would listen that Milicic would not play early in his career, but that hasn't stopped many from declaring him a bust.
Dumars insists he still believes Milicic will help the defending champion Pistons contend for titles for the rest of the decade.
''Darko is a big part of our future here in Detroit," Dumars said. ''Darko is big, young, and very talented and you have to allow young big guys the time to develop."
Brown said Milicic, who turns 20 Monday, has been hampered by the NBA's system.
''I see the problem that our league is facing by not allowing young kids to go to developmental leagues or a minor league," Brown said. ''It's not fair to them to sit on the bench. There's so many kids like that.
