Ben Wallace and the Detroit Pistons won their last title in 2004, despite drafting Darko Miličić over Carmelo Anthony.
The Detroit big man believes that if they had drafted Anthony, it would have ruined team chemistry and they would not have won the championship.
“If we would’ve drafted Carmelo, I honestly don’t think we would’ve ever won a championship. Melo would’ve wanted to play right away. It would’ve had the potential to disrupt the team chemistry,” Wallace said, via 2 Bright Guys.
On the other hand, Millicic came to the team with a different role, allowing them to work as a team, unlike drafting Anthony, adding another superstar role.
“By him accepting his role, it allowed us to build and grow, get stronger and stronger, and eventually win a championship. If he would’ve came in saying, ‘I want to play. I need to be playing.’ He would’ve called his agent. His agent would’ve been calling Joe [Dumars]. Darko would’ve been talking to the media…,” he explained.
Wallace also highlighted the development of former swingman Tayshaun Prince, who got a chance to showcase during their championship campaign.
“If we would have drafted Melo, Tayshaun [Prince] would’ve never blossomed to be the type of player that he became. We won a championship off the back of the best block that I ever seen in my life. And I’ve blocked a lot of shots. That’s the type of grit and grind that that team was about,” Wallace added.
In the 2003 draft night, the Pistons selected Millicic with the second overall pick, while Anthony was picked third by the Denver Nuggets.
