Darko Milicic is one of the biggest draft busts in history! Take a look at the Highlights of Darko Milicic’s Career
Video Rating: / 5
April 19, 2005 – After nearly two full seasons spent waiting his turn, 19-year-old Darko Milicic finally got an opportunity to showcase his talent and potential in the penultimate game of the 2004-2005 regular season. With the Central Division and No. 2 seed already in tow, Detroit Pistons head coach Larry Brown unleashed Milicic upon the world. After picking up three first quarter fouls, Milicic bounced back in the second half, playing 30 minutes in all and finishing with 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 blocks in a 95-68 win over the Atlanta Hawks.
Shooting 7-of-11 from the field, Milicic spent much of the evening operating against the likes of Tom Gugliotta, Josh Smith, Jason Collier, and Michael Stewart. This contest also marked the first and only time as a member of the Pistons he’d finish in double figures. Darko’s desire to operate from the perimeter is on display throughout, connecting on three jumpers in the win, the last of which (at 6:05) seems to have a touch of modern wing flavor.
By February 15, 2006, the Darko Milicic experiment was over. The Pistons sent Milicic and Carlos Arroyo to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Kelvin Cato and a future first round draft pick (Rodney Stuckey). After averaging just 1.8 points per game in Detroit, Milicic was finally afforded an opportunity with the Magic, thrust into a semi-impact role off the bench, averaging 7.6 points and 2.1 blocks in 21 minutes of action through the remainder of the 2005-06 season.
Milicic spent the final seven years of his NBA career bouncing between various teams, vacillating between spot starter and bench contributor before abandoning his role with the Boston Celtics one game into the 2012-2013 season to return to his native Serbia.
For his career, Milicic played nine seasons (10 if including the one game appearance with Boston) and averaged 6.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 468 games.
Recommended 20-minute mini-doc, Finding Darko: https://vimeo.com/254213884
Commentary: Fred McLeod & Greg Kelser (Fox Sports Detroit)
Special thanks to Derek M. for the lookout.
Video Rating: / 5
Blake Griffin’s dad
This video just reminds me of how I miss the old nba
a contender drafting a 17 year old foreign player who needs time to adjust living in the country let alone improving, was a terrible move. They should of moved this pick. I'm sure carmelo also wouldn't last on that Detroit team. They were contending and had a super tough coach in larry brown who wanted toughness and defense. Something that just wasn't in melo's game.
He's a bust because he didn't get to play that much in Detroit, and the draft was loaded with HOFers and all-stars at the top. But he played decent at times with Magic, Grizzlies, and the Wolves and he seemed to be better on defensive end. Still better than Anthony Bennett.
The worst thing to happen to him was being drafted second overall, ahead of Carmelo, Bosh and Wade. If he had been taken 10 picks later I think his career would have been totally different as the high expectations were too much for him. As it is he had a 10 year career as an average center with occasional flashes of his high upside. He was a much better defensive player than anything, which when looking at raw stats often gets overlooked.
Carmelo
He was i rhe conversation as being the number 1 draft pick the same year Lebron James entered the NBA.
What’s the song name?
According to this Darko is a Timberwolves legend
This is the worst highlight reel I’ve seen for an NBA player 😂
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MUTOMBO AND MILICIC… MILICIC WON A RING 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Darko the 🐐
If the league knew then what it knows now, he would have been a star…. a jump shooting star.
blake griffin being bullied
The Pistons is just a bad fit for him. He is not suit to be in the bench of his career when drafted. This guy averages double2 in Europe. When you sit on the bench the first 3 years of your career where he should have more playing time as the no.2 draft. If Darko was on the loterry team he could be legig big man in the NBA. Pistons is not just the right team to showcase his talent as the team is stack with big men. Mcdyess, Rasheed and Ben Wallace eat his minutes and they are a championship team already. There is not time for him. At least he has one ring and had a successful career outside the NBA.
Glad he was taken in the second round cause had he been a lottery pick he would be a bust
Appreciate it man!
worst nba top 10 plays ive seen lol
Dikembe Mutombo was the biggest crybaby piece of shit to ever play in the NBA.
That #1 play shows off the potential that had scouts drooling.
No denying his talent here it’s just that he played in the wrong era. He thrived around the perimeter rather than down low. Personally, I think he’d be exceptional in todays game.
He coulda been great and not a complete bust. In 2022 hr would have been better developed as a person and player. Darko was a tough MF, not enough support for growth.
Considering that he was probably only 19 in this game makes me think that he had the potential to be a good player. I think Larry might have destroyed his confidence.
Greatest game of Darko, the pistons should retire his jersey because of this performance.
Detroit failed Darko Millicic.
What could have been
I rooted for him back in the day. I hate seeing high draft picks not meeting the hype.
In today's league he would be a solid player he can shoot and today big man are shooters
Darko could've been developed long term or traded after he got drafted
Is this seriously his best game? Lol
TF is wrong with the damn hawks?
Only cost us Otis Thorpe and Carmelo Anthony
Larry Bird stunted his development honestly
Drako had game we just bad at developing
I appreciate your channel, I subscribe with pleasure.
Back in the day, I had great hope for Darko.
Best regards.
Pistons will be picking him number 1 today
Nice
If he played longer he had been probably a good rebounder scorer not a superstar.