For years, athletes have endured countless challenges to reach the heights of their careers. From late-night training sessions to early morning conditioning drills, the hard work to achieve greatness is undeniable. Some players become all-time greats, while others fall short, leaving fans wondering what could have been.<\/p>\n
When athletes don\u2019t reach their full potential, it sparks the \u201cwhat-if\u201d game. In the NBA, every passionate fan has played it. What if the Phoenix Suns<\/a> or Sacramento Kings had drafted Luka Don\u010di\u0107<\/a> over Deandre Ayton<\/a> or Marvin Bagley III<\/a> in 2018? How different would the Philadelphia 76ers be today if they\u2019d chosen Jayson Tatum<\/a> instead of Markelle Fultz<\/a> in 2017?<\/p>\n This \u201cwhat-if\u201d game has been ongoing for Detroit Pistons<\/a> fans since 2009, with several missed opportunities in the draft. A few notable ones include:<\/p>\n Fans often wonder how different the franchise\u2019s direction would be if those draft picks had gone another way. The biggest \u201cwhat-if\u201d in Pistons history was the 2003 NBA Draft when the team selected Darko Mili\u010di\u0107<\/a> over Carmelo Anthony<\/a>, Dwyane Wade<\/a>, and Chris Bosh<\/a>. Anthony, in particular, went on to have a Hall of Fame-worthy career lasting 19 seasons, and remains the focal point of this debate.<\/p>\n Could Anthony have sustained the Pistons\u2019 early 2000s dominance? Or was there more to the story? Let\u2019s dive into the most significant draft decision in Pistons history.<\/p>\n Anthony is among the greatest scorers in NBA history, with over 28,000 points<\/a>. Defensively, while his 108.6 defensive rating<\/a> was respectable, it didn\u2019t elevate him into the ranks of elite defenders. This raises a crucial question: how would he have fit under Larry Brown<\/a>, a coach known for his defense-first mentality?<\/p>\n Brown demanded total buy-in to his defensive schemes and was notoriously hesitant to give rookies significant minutes. This was evident in Milicic\u2019s rookie season, where he averaged just 4.7 minutes per game. Although Anthony likely would have adapted to Brown\u2019s defensive philosophy and earned minutes, the real question is, would it have been enough?<\/p>\n Coming off an NCAA national championship<\/a> and used to playing a starring role, Anthony might have wanted more playing time. Would his competitive nature and desire for a more prominent role have clashed with Brown\u2019s slow integration of young players?<\/p>\n Anthony\u2019s potential under Flip Saunders<\/a> is a different story. Saunders, known for his offensive creativity, could have tapped into Anthony\u2019s strengths more effectively. In his three seasons with the Pistons, Saunders kept the team\u2019s defense strong while elevating their offense, finishing in the top 10 in offensive rating each year.<\/p>\n Under Saunders, the Pistons\u2019 offense was more free-flowing, a welcome change for fans accustomed to a more methodical style of play. This shift caused some friction with Ben Wallace<\/a>, who felt the team was moving away from the defensive identity defining their success. Ultimately, Wallace left for the Bulls, but the dynamic could have changed with Anthony now inserted in the lineup.<\/p>\n\n
The Truth About Carmelo Anthony\u2019s Fit With the Pistons<\/h2>\n
Could Anthony Embrace “Playing The Right Way”?<\/h3>\n
Carmelo Anthony Pistons Fit Better With Flip Saunders<\/h3>\n