Ettore Messina reveals how he is going to utilize Nikola Mirotic in Milan / News - Basketnews.com

Ettore Messina plans to use Nikola Mirotic also as a small forward since Milan lost Luigi Datome due to retirement and since Mirotic has already played this role both in the NBA and in Barcelona.

Credit: Irina R. Hipolito/AFP7 via ZUMA Press Wire, Savino Paolella/IPA/SIPA - Scanpix Credit Irina R. Hipolito/AFP7 via ZUMA Press Wire, Savino Paolella/IPA/SIPA - Scanpix

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan opened the new chapter of Nikola Mirotic's decorated career by bringing the EuroLeague star on a three-year deal.

Nikola Mirotic

Position:PFAge:32Height:208 cmWeight:102 kgBirth place:Podgorica, MontenegroProfileNewsStatistics

Head coach Ettore Messina expressed his excitement about Mirotic's arrival and revealed plans to utilize him as a small forward since Milan has eight big men in its rotation.

"Nikola's arrival is a great thing for the team, and a love gesture from Mr. Armani to the club," Messina told La Repubblica. "When you add a player of that caliber, you have to raise the bar even more. It has to be an encouragement for everyone. Since we lost Luigi Datome [due to retirement], I'll use Nikola also as a small forward, a role that he has already played both in the NBA and in FC Barcelona."

While from first sight, it might not make sense for Mirotic to join Milan due to their already loaded roster, Thomas Walkup and Errick McCollum believe that his skill set and adaptability would allow him to thrive.

"Luckily for Mirotic, he can play anywhere," Walkup said in a URBONUS podcast. "He is probably above everybody else. You can put him on any team, and he will fit in. If you need a guy who plays low post, he can play low post. If you need a guy that can play on the perimeter, he can play there. If you need a guy that can pass, he can do that. He's so versatile. He can also play as a five. You can really put him anywhere."

In his statements, Pinar Karsiyaka scoring ace McCollum stressed that Milan had difficulty generating points and finding consistent scoring opportunities in 2022-23, especially after Shavon Shields got injured. He thinks Mirotic will help make their life easier on the offensive end with his pick-and-pop and post-up action.

"I like it. I think too many times [last season], their share offense lagged," McCollum pointed out. "They struggled to manufacture any points, to get consistent looks, especially when Shields got hurt. ... I think they need someone to kind of anchor their offense, and I think he [Mirotic] is the guy who puts Shields in that No. 2 option where he can really thrive, where we were seeing him when Milan made the Final Four run."

URBONUS podcast with Thomas Walkup and Errick McCollum:

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