The Pistons aren''t through with Milicic yet. After lunch with Dumars and Co., Milicic is back at the workout facility receiving his homework assignments from strength and training coach Arnie Kander.

Kander isn''t taking the usual approach to tall, skinny Europeans. Over the few hours since Darko''s audition, Kander has been devising a workout plan for the kid that will get him up to speed for minicamp.

Milicic and his agent, Semi Pajovic, have asked for the help. Until now, Milicic has been living on a steady diet of 200 push-ups and 300 sit-ups per day.

Kander''s plan calls for no weight lifting, fewer push-ups and zero protein supplements. Kander is blown away by what he calls "Darko''s tremendous gift of speed."

"He''s got a naturally strong body," Kander says. "I don''t want him to bulk up. If he does that, he''ll lose that quickness he''s been blessed with. I just want him to get a little stronger, work on his base and improve his flexibility. I love his body for a 17-year-old. I just want to let it grow."

Kander prescribes a number of exercises meant to give Milicic upper body strength, better balance and more explosiveness in his jumping ability.

He also gives him a tip or two about rebounding by pulling a page out of Ben Wallace''s book. The key to Wallace''s rebounding prowess, according to Kander, is the way he always keeps his arms bent. It allows him to free himself from defenders and get to the ball quicker. Kander shows Milicic exercises that will get him in the right position to rebound. Nothing like learning from the best.

"He has all of the physical tools to exceed," says Kander, who has been testing draft prospects for the Pistons the last 10 years. "My job is to teach him how to use them."

Kander lectures Milicic on everything from posture to shooting form to push-up positions. Darko eats it up. He had nothing even remotely close to this in Yugoslavia. Kander promises that if Milicic faithfully follows the regime four times a week, he''ll be in NBA shape by the start of summer league.

After the workout, Milicic measures out bigger than expected: 7-foot-1, 253 pounds.

Robinson has found religion.

"I''ve seen a lot of kids come through here in my day," Robinson says. "And none of them have ever played like that. That kid''s going to be a star. He''s a 7-footer that plays like a point guard. That kid''s something special."

From the looks on the faces of the rest of the Piston brass and assistant coaches, they''re on the same page.

"Welcome to the Pistons, young fella," Robinson tells Darko after the workout. "Ain''t youth a wonderful thing?"

Yes it is. Like just about anything else Robinson says, it''s awfully hard to argue with 92 years of experience.

In a league that can be swayed by the whims of trends and fleeting success stories, it''s nice to have an anchor that keeps the ship from straying too far beyond shore.

Will Robinson is sold on Darko Mililic. The question, for the unbelievers still out there, is why aren''t you?