The Day that could of shifted the Balance of Power in the NBA

          It was June 26th 2003, The 2003 NBA DRAFT Live from the Madison Square Garden. The first selection belonged to Cleveland and it was obvious that they would select LeBron James. The second selection belong to the Detriot Pistons (by way of Memphis/ via (Vancouver)), and the Third belonged to the Denver Nuggets. The previous year the Pistons had a great team that made it to the Eastern Conference finals but lost. The top five prospects for the draft were Lebron James, Carmello Anthony, Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade and a little known Serbian named Darko Milicic. At the time of the draft Milicic was 18 years and 3 days old and was what people called a prodigy. He was raw, uncut but had so much potential that it made some NBA GM's estatic.At the time Larry Brown was the coach of the Pistons and wanted some raw talent. Carmello Anthony was also very young and raw being only 19. That was the day that accidently shifted the NBA.
             During the 2002-2003 season Anthony seemed to not be a "one and done" player. He was projected late first round. Then came the big east tournament where he improved his status to the draft lottery. Once came time for the NCAA Championship tourney, Anthony carried the Syracuse Orange to their first and only championship thus improving his draft status to "any year number 1, but not the same year Lebron James is around so basically he'll go #2"  Carmello was a great talent, who won a championship... and you can't teach winning. But then came along this guy named Darko. To be honest I do not know why Darko had all the hype but he did.
        So there was draft day 2003, Lebron went one. Then came #2 and Brown and the Pistons selected ... Darko Milicic. Mr. Anthony would then go number 3. Number four would have the Raptors land Chris Bosh and #5 would see the Miami Heat select Dwayne Wade.
        So what ... in 2004 The Pistons would trade for Rasheed Wallace and would eventually win the NBA championship that comming spring. But Darko Struggled and barely played, he had a bench role. While Anthony started all 82 games, was on the all rookie team and averaged 21 pts and 6 rebounds. Milicic would play 34 games and average just under 1.5 pts per contest. The next year Anthony would average just under 21 points but increased his FG percentage, while Darko only managed less then 2 pts per game. Midway through the following season 2005-2006 he would be shipped to Orlando, then eventually Memphis, then now finally NY where it seems he will end his NBA career following the conclusion of this season. Melo basically has been the opposite averageing about 24 points per game for his career, being named an allstar 3 times and winning an olympic Gold Medal. The #1,3,4 and 5 selections have all been named to the All NBA team atleast once while all four of them plus the #6 selection (Chris Kaman) have all been selected to the All-star game atleast once too. While Darko never even came anywhere close.
       Darko Never panned out to be anything close to what he could or should of been . While Melo has been more then expected, even though that was alot. Compare the teams now. Detroit although they won in 2004, currently have a losing record and are struggling in the EAST, while Denver is the 2nd team in the West and 3rd team overall, and are in great posistion to challenge the Lakers for their western crown. Its hard to say that this one draft could of changed the landscape of the NBA but it certainly did. Consider if Melo' would be in the east, think of the shift of power in the NBA and the rivalry their could of been between Lebron (Cleveland) and Wade (Miami). Denver would be most likely weaker while the Pistons would still be reaping the benefits. BUT instead Darko was drafted... Melo went to the west and the East is still in shambles cause of it...............

           Darko has been labeled one of the worst draft selections ever. In the final year of his contract he is currently slumping and slumming in New York City. He is making over 7 million dollars but has only appeared in 8 games for the Knicks while averaging 2 points per contest. The Knicks should buy Milicic out of his deal, he is just wasting a roster spot that could be utilized PLUS he plans to continue his career in Europe next season. The 7-footer has become such an afterthought that the Knicks did not even bother to reveal that he did not show up for work. Knicks president Donnie Walsh would not rule out the possibility that Milicic may not finish the season in New York but quickly added, "He practices hard and kept himself in shape.

Darko's Last game was November 13th....

his season stats

            G Min    R      A   Pts

Season 8 8.9    2.3 . 0.5  2.0