Carmelo Anthony to Motown Makes Sense

Detroit Pistons General Manager Joe Dumars has only made a few mistakes—one of those could go down in history as the biggest draft bust in NBA history.  But now, Dumars has a chance to make amends for that mistake.

Dumars has already admitted to his mistake from the 2003 NBA Draft. He admitted it when he traded away Darko Milicic for tickets to the Michigan State Fair and five coupons to Applebees.

Dumars is reportedly looking to come full circle by trading for the player that he passed on—Carmelo Anthony. 

Anthony was supposed to shape the league for the next generation with fellow 2003 Draftees, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh.  His talent is unquestioned, but it is his lifestyle that has him dubbed as one of the "Thugs of the NBA".

Over his career he has a DUI, has been suspended for punching an opponent, and has been linked to a Baltimore gang.

Dumars has made it a habit of bringing in cast-offs and turning their careers around. (See Chauncey Billups, Rasheed Wallace, Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, and Ben Wallace.)

Anthony is far from a cast-off. He is only 24 years old and has his prime ahead of him.

Dumars was able to manage Wallace for four years, which is longer than anyone else can claim. Anthony is still young and wants to be considered in the upper echelon of the league with the Kobe Bryant’s, LeBron James’, and Chris Paul’s of the NBA.

He has the talent and the drive, now he needs the right environment—a winning environment.

The Pistons have been the elite team of the Eastern Conference over the last six years. The team concept has come and gone, and now they need a guy who can take a game over, get special treatment calls, and make other superstars work on the defensive end.

The trade for Anthony makes too much sense—now it just has to get done. The Pistons need a superstar to remain in the elite class of the Eastern Conference, which as of right now only includes the Boston Celtics.

Anthony can be that superstar.

Anthony needs the Pistons and the Pistons need Anthony.

Dumars passing on Anthony may have been the best thing to happen to both parties—now the only question is will they unite to keep the Pistons in the Championship conversation.