By FRED KERBER
There might be some spots for Mile Ilic to play this season.
But you don’t want to 7-footer out there right away. He is learning, trying to work his way through an NBA training camp. His lateral movement needs work for starters but his passing has impressed. There is no need to rush the big guy.
“He looks better every day,” insists fellow Serb Nenad Krstic. “He improve in the weight room. I think that’s the most important thing for him and he’s learning stuff like plays and everything. He passes the ball good. He did that in Serbia. He is a very good passer and he understands the game.”
If not the language. So how’s it going, Mile?
“Good.”
Now that you’re in the U.S., whaddya think of Verlander and Zumaya?
“Good.”
When you go home, do you go Route 17 or the Parkway?
“Good.”
You have no idea what we’re saying, do you?
“Good.”
Mikki Moore was chatting about his exotic pets again – reptiles, specifically pythons, boas and alligators. His right shoulder tattoo shows a cobra. Nice tattoo, bad pet. “Nothing poisonous. Just something that can squeeze you to death,” Moore said.
Hassan Adams, who has been impressing, sat out yesterday with a sore right foot. He’s coming back from a stress fracture, don’t forget, so Nets decided to take the cautious route.
Jason Kidd, baseball fan, was split down the middle of Yankees-Tigers Game 3. So, Kenny Rogers or Randy Johnson? “Whoa, the battle of the 40-year-olds. Seasoning’s no problem. If Randy’s back is right…
“But Detroit has the emotional advantage…”
Marcus Williams continues to make converts. He has shown all the usual point guard goodies. Then he wowed ’em with his shot. Now the raves are about his ability to get to the rim. But with a tint of caution.
“It’s very good,” insisted Richard Jefferson. “And the reason is, he shoots the ball so well. Now you have to get up on him and it makes things easier for him. But again, camp is one thing, you have to get out there in the bright lights, see how he reacts to different situations. But in practice, he’s played extremely well. He has a long way to go, but I think he has a bright future.”
Cliff Robinson likes this Net bench. He really does. He reiterated yesterday that last season had its share of gripers and unhappy campers. “Guys didn’t know what their roles were last year, they were upset about playing time. This year we have guys who know what they’re going to do,” the Net-thusala said.
And that has led to one big happy family. “What makes me happiest is the overall enthusiasm of everybody. Coming in everybody is in really good shape, everybody is trying to do what’s asked. That’s probably the biggest thing. you don’t hear guys talking, ‘Oh, I’m looking to do this or that.’ Everybody is looking to support each other,” Robinson said. -30-