I wrote yesterday about the point guard position being the one weak spot on the roster. Today I read something that may have some bearing on filling that spot in a very unexpected manner. The Herald this morning has a quote from Doc that had me smiling.

The more Doc Rivers sees Darko Milicic, the more he appreciates the talents of the Serbian center.

Milicic had nine rebounds and four blocked shots in 19 minutes Sunday against Olimpia Milano. He also had three assists, and often kept the second unit in a flow.

“He’s been phenomenal, with his defense and passing,” said Rivers. “We were really using him as a point guard on the floor with that second unit, because we didn’t have a real point guard on the floor. He’s been wonderful.”

Of course we have the point guard who runs the offense. And thanks to former Celtics, Don Nelson, we have the point forward concept and Paul Pierce has filled that admirably at times. Now, it seems we have the point center. It's a novel concept, but Doc may make it as common as Nellie's point forward has become. But then, I can't talk about point centers without mentioning Big Bill Walton. He was one of the best passing centers ever.

But back to Darko. In just 2 games, he has proved that he is way better than the "bust" label he has worn since being made the #2 pick back in 2003. He has done everything that the Celtics have asked of him and then some. They expected some defense and rebounding, but this passing thing I think even took Doc by surprise. At the half on Sunday, Darko was the leading assist guy. Who would have thought that?

So far, the Darko experiment has been a smashing success. He is picking up the defense quickly but then with his size, if he just stood there he'd make people have to change a lot of shots. The guy is huge!! But he is playing defense very well and getting to the right spots on the court. And he is rebounding, you know, that concept that was pretty much foreign to the Celtics last season. And biggest surprise of all, he is making some impressive passes and creating a whole new concept for the Celtics. Darko Milicic: Point Center. Who would have thought?

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