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By InsideHoops.com

Detroit Pistons rookie Darko Milicic was the second pick in the first round of the 2003 NBA draft. The Pistons are loaded up front with experienced players, and so Darko, just 18 when drafted, has barely played this season. InsideHoops.com presents an exclusive interview with Milicic from Tuesday night in Madison Square Garden. Questions are by Jeff Lenchiner and Pascal Giberne.

Question: Talk about practice, and what the team focuses on developing with you?

Darko Milicic: It's getting better. Now they're trying to teach me a lot of things, and I'm trying to listen and take everything in. It's getting better.

Question: What in particular is getting better?

Darko Milicic: Everything. I learn a lot of things about the game. I think it's better.

Question: What's been surprising about the NBA, as far as the level of competition, your ability, etc.?

Darko Milicic: Nothing's surprising. Everything is like how I think.

Question: With this team, obviously you're talented, but the team is very deep.

Darko Milicic: They're all good players. They're all my friends, and I like everybody here. Good guys.

Question: What has the coaching staff worked on with you in particular?

Darko Milicic: Everything, everything. Play one-on-one, and all this stuff. Post-up moves.

Question: Is practice heping? What is focused on with you in practice?

Darko Milicic: Playing five-on-five, but there's not a lot of practice, because there's a lot of games. We don't have a lot of practice like five-on-five, it's just working on shooting, because the guys, they're tired. And that's why I don't have a chance to play against these guys.

Question: Is Mehmet Okur giving you advice on what to do, how to prepare, be ready maybe not this year but next year?

Darko Milicic: Everybody's trying to help me.

Question: Is it hard?

Darko Milicic: So-so.

Question: Do you feel strong enough right now to be out there a lot?

Darko Milicic: Yeah. I'm ready. I want to play.

Question: But you know you will play next year, if you don't this year.

Darko Milicic: You'd hope.

Question: But you feel ready to play right now.

Darko Milicic: They know best, the coaches. Everything is up to them. I can't do anything now.

Question: Do you regret coming into the NBA this year?

Darko Milicic: I can't do anything. It's up to the coach. I cannot do anything, I just can wait.

Question: Do you think it would have been better to stay one more year in Europe?

Darko Milicic: No.

Question: So this is definitely where you should be right now, the NBA.

Darko Milicic: Yeah.