The Biggest Bust of the Greatest Draft Ever: Who Was Picked Between These Two?

No doubt the Detroit Pistons have been a terror in the Eastern Conference for many years in recent history. Chauncey Billups and Co. are title contenders every season they step foot on the hardwood, and it is hard to deny them the respect they deserve as an organization for the fact that, no matter how they do it, they just win.

But think back to a part of history that is not too long ago for many people to remember. LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh all available in the same draft. It was a scout's dream because, as long as you had one of the early picks, you would get to keep your job for at least another year. Well, except for maybe one.

The Detroit Pistons had the second overall pick in the 2003 draft. With James going first overall to Cleveland, the Pistons had a decision to make with whom to take. So many good prospects, they just had to pick Darko Milicic.

The mediocre big man from Serbia has had a less-than-stellar career to say the least. Sure he has a championship ring, which would be all that anyone would want. The Pistons knew they were taking a gamble on a guy that stood at 7'0" at age 18 when they drafted him.

Milicic's career stats include 5.5 points per game with 4.0 rebounds. Chris Bosh does that by the end of the first quarter in a game.

The 2003 NBA Draft was one of the best ever. Outside of the top five, you also have Kirk Hinrich, David West, Jarvis Hayes, Michael Pietrius, Boris Diaw, Kendrick Perkins, Nick Collison, Chris Kaman, T.J. Ford, Leandro Barbosa, and Josh Howard going in the first round, which accounts for six All-Stars (not to mention almost every one of those players emerged as a reliable starter).

The second overall pick played 70 games last season, averaging nearly twenty-four minutes per game with 7.2 points and 6.1 rebounds. Let's compare that, shall we?

James has never averaged less than 20 points per game. Anthony averages about 24 points and six rebounds for his career. Wade averaged over 24 points last season and has an NBA Finals MVP award under his belt. Bosh averaged over 22 points and nearly nine rebounds per game last season.

You win some, you lose some. But I would be hard-pressed to say "no thanks" to any of the top five drafted players, except No. 2!