Carmelo Anthony on the Pistons and his draft, “We would have done the back-to-back if I had been there”

Drafted third in the 2003 draft, Carmelo Anthony saw the Cleveland Cavaliers, for LeBron James, and the Detroit Pistons, for Darko Milicic, called a player before him on the night of the selection. An exceptional result but which, with hindsight, must leave Pistons fans a lot of regrets. Just like in Carmelo.

After 10 All-Star Game selections, tenth place on the list of best all-time scorers – very provisional as he chases ninth place – and three Olympic titles, Carmelo Anthony has still not won an NBA ring. That’s what he went to look for in Los Angeles and the Lakers this year. However, according to him, the absence of a ring in his closet is also due to the Pistons’ choice not to select him with the second choice in the 2003 draft and to choose Darko Milicic in place. For the result that we know from the Serbian side from an individual point of view. Because from a collective point of view, Milicic obtained in 2004 what ‘Melo’ still hopes to win, a champion’s ring.

“I think if I had been there they would have won another one. I won’t go so far as to say a three-peat. I think we would have done the back-to-back if I had been there. They (the Detroit players) were all veterans, I would have learned from these guys. And the second year, I would have been a totally different player coming back. ”

At the end of a magnificent year with Syracuse, concluded by the NCAA title, Carmelo Anthony was announced in the top 3 of the draft for a long time. Only the position really left room for doubt. And already, during his interviews with the Pistons, some questions were not unanimous.

“They were like” You’re going to split the playtime with Tayshaun (Prince). and I was there in “Cool, I’m gonna come in and do my stuff, but I don’t know how long I’m going to have to split the playtime with him.” And then they win the title and I think it was luck. ”

However, Carmelo is convinced that he will land at the Pistons. Even more after going to a meeting in Philadelphia.

“I drove from Baltimore to Philly to see the Detroit vs Philly game. And Larry Brown had just taken over as a coach in Detroit while still coaching Philly. We were back a little bit and he was like “We take you, we take you.” So I drove on Hwy 95 back and said, “We’re going to Detroit”. ”

A form of betrayal that still follows ‘Melo’ today. And the feeling doesn’t have to be easy to take when LeBron, Wade Where Bosh, his draft mates, have already won one or more rings.

“This stuff is still chasing me today.”

To see if this season, contested with the Lakers from October, will have the desired effect on the career of Carmelo Anthony who is still waiting to know if he will end his career without a ring.

Via All The Smoke Podcast