What’s the Deal With Darko?

Is Darko Milicic, the second pick in the 2003 NBA draft, a developing superstar or the second coming of Sam Bowie? You know, Sam Bowie, the guy who was picked ahead of Michael Jordan and once broke his foot on the lay-up line before a game.

There is no doubt that Pistons GM Joe Dumars is a great evaluator of talent. His trades for super-fro-wearing Ben Wallce and his partner under the boards, Rasheed Wallace, have lifted him in the Jerry West category of great hoops executives. He also stole "Rip" Hamilton for the selfish Jerry Stackhouse and gave Chauncey Billups a permanent home for the first time in his short career.

Many NBA lovers scratched their heads when the Pistons passed over the braided wonder, Carmelo Anthony, in favor of Mr. Milicic. Anthony went on to average 21 points a game, lead the Denver Nuggets to the playoffs, and was selected to play on the U.S. Olympic team (although almost every decent player decided to stay home).

I used the Michael Jordan comparison all year in telling Detroit fans that Joe D. made a mistake in passing over Carmelo. Portland picked Kentucky center Sam Bowie over "His Airness" because the Blazers already had a two-guard in Clyde "The Glide" Drexler.

Note to GMs: DRAFT THE BEST PLAYER AVAILABLE! Can you imagine Jordan and Drexler on the same team? Boy, that would have been a real nightmare for the rest of the league trying to matchup with that aerial assault. To his credit, Sam Bowie was a nice guy, though, and injuries weren't his fault.

So, is Darko Milicic today's answer to Sam Bowie? I'm going to go out on a limb and say he's not a bust. First of all, he was severely hamstrung by Larry Brown's old-school stance against playing rookies. Darko grew a few inches and gained the weight of a half-a-model during his rookie year The lanky lefty reminds me of Tony Kukoc, who won a few championships with the Chicago Bulls and is still playing with the Milwaukee Bucks.

While I will never suggest that Darko will be a better player than Carmelo, he will most likely become a productive force this year for the defending champion Pistons. With Mehmet Okur signing with the Utah Jazz, the door is open for Darko to get some major minutes this year. I watched him played last year and was impressed with his game. He could probably develop into a poor man's Dirk Nowitzki with time.

Now that it appears that the Pistons will resign Rasheed Wallace, the Pistons will need additional help in trying to hold the Heat's Shaquille O'Neal under 30 points and 20 rebounds. Who knows, the 19-year-old Milicic might still be growing and by the time the season starts, he could be the size of Shawn Bradley.

The final analysis is that Darko Milicic will have an impact in his second season in the league. I wouldn't select him for my fantasy hoop team, but he will make a great backup center for Ben Wallace. Nonetheless, I still can't help but imagine Carmelo wearing a number 15 Pistons jersey.