What If Series #1 - Pistons Drafted Carmelo Instead of Darko

[key2win]

This is something new I am trying to get some discussions and opinions going. I will post a new What If Series once a week. Hope everyone enjoys these discussion threads and feel free to post your opinons on the topic. So the first What If Topic is

What if the Detroit Pistons drafted Carmelo Anthony in the 2003 NBA Draft instead of Darko Milicic?

From a trade with the Vancouver Grizzlies way back in 1997, the Pistons traded Otis Thorpe to them for a future first round pick. Unless the pick was #1, the Grizzlies would have to send it to the Pistons per 7 year rule. Because Joe Dumars drafted Tayshaun Prince the previous season, he passed on Carmelo because he had faith in Prince from his play in the previous playoffs. What is your take on this? With Carmelo and Billups on the Pistons, Detroit would have a totally different team today.

[gladdyontherise]

Please don't remind me, we could've had Wade or Bosh as well, in the short term it was a good decision, long term, its come around to bite the team

[pistonsfan9826]

we probley would have won 2 championships instead of 1 and we probley wouldnt be in this bad place right now.

[gladdyontherise]

I'd say we win 3 in the time frame of all the ECF appearances we had, thats assuming Ben stays and doesn't sell out to the Bulls though. We could've beaten the Spurs with Carmelo and we could've defeated the Heat in the ECF and gone on to beat the Mavs

[pistonsfan9826]

we deffinitly would have done better. thats really the main point of it. i also read that darko blames the pistons for him not doing good.

[key2win]

If they drafted Carmelo, Prince would have either came off the bench or have been traded. Seeing the way Denver is playing right now, they also would have never traded Chauncey Billups away.

[pistonsfan9826]

i wish we never traded chauncey

[Sports Collector]

The Pistons would have won the series where the Heat beat the Mavs but other than that, nothing

So basically the move cost them 1 championship more than likely

[gladdyontherise]

The Pistons would have won the series where the Heat beat the Mavs but other than that, nothing

So basically the move cost them 1 championship more than likely

2004-05 where they took the Spurs to 7 games, they could of taken that. Also i think its 2005-06 where LeBron smacked them in the ECF, would've helped to have Carmelo/Wade/Bosh there

[Sports Collector]

shoulda coulda wooda...obviously that's what the thread is about but I don't think it would have mattered

The Spurs were not going to lose that series. nuff said

[gladdyontherise]

They took them to 7 games with less talent and if i recall lost by 7 points, they easily could've won game 7, heck they just about did with less talent than there would've been

[Sports Collector]

It's an interesting debate but we will never know for sure

My opinion is that the move only cost them 1 title.

[key2win]

I think the saddest part of all this, is even with drafting Darko they still killed the Lakers for the Championship that season.

[Sports Collector]

I feel your pain Kerwin...I was in astonishment after every game that we lost...except game 2 that we only won because Kobe is so clutch

[gladdyontherise]

Pistons were the better team, clearly.