When Darko Milicic flew into Kennedy Airport last month, he did not experience the typical awe that accompanies one's first trip to the big city. He was not overwhelmed by the stream of traffic or the soaring line of skyscrapers.

All Milicic wanted was directions to the gym.

"Give me the ball," he said.

Milicic, a 7-0, 245-pounder from Serbia, is playing a different type of transition game.