The 2003 NBA Draft went down in history because of the incredible amount of talent available, as well as the fact that a certain LeBron James was selected with the No. 1 overall pick. But 23 years later, the decision made by the Detroit Pistons with the No. 2 pick is still the one that generates the most debate.
With players like Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Carmelo Anthony still available, Detroit selected Darko Milicicthe Serbian center who would go down in history as one of the biggest draft busts ever: 6.0 points and 4.2 rebounds per game in 468 NBA appearances.
The pick still fuels one of the great “what ifs” in NBA history. Many fans believe that with Wade, Bosh or especially Anthony – who was selected immediately afterward at No. 3 – the Pistons could have won more titles after capturing the championship in 2004. And perhaps Melo would have found the championship ring that always eluded him in his career in Detroit.
One of the key figures from that team, however, sees it differently: Ben Wallace. The former Pistons center recently defended that decision, at least indirectly, explaining why Anthony’s arrival could have completely changed the team’s dynamics.
If we had drafted Carmelo, honestly, I don’t think we ever would have won a championship. Melo would have wanted to play right away and could have disrupted the chemistry of the team
Ben Wallace
Wallace’s words shouldn’t necessarily be interpreted as a shot at Melo and, of course, there can never be any way to prove what would have happened. The more interesting point is that they bring attention back to an aspect that is often overlooked, especially when discussing teams loaded with talent. Team chemistry.
Those Pistons didn’t have the NBA’s deepest roster of superstars. On the other side, in the 2004 Finals, the Lakers had four future Hall of Famers in Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe BryantKarl Malone and Gary Payton. Detroit, however, had found an almost perfect balance.
Talent is essential to reach the top, but winning also requires the unity of purpose that defined those Pistons. A team that, more than 20 years later, is still associated with the Milicic pick, but deserves to be remembered above all for one of the most unique championships in NBA history.