Le Basketbawl

In the Summer of 2003 the number one selection in the NBA Draft was a lead pipe cinch but there was a lot of discussion who would be selected at number two. The hapless Cleveland Cavaliers won the number one selection in the Draft Lottery and they would take the young man who is arguably one of the two best players in the NBA today reigning NBA MVP LeBron James. However the team with the second pick in that Draft the Detroit Pistons were hesitant to make up their minds.

Most NBA observers thought that Detroit should select forward Carmelo Anthony who played one year at Syracuse and led that team to an NCAA Championship. However there was another intriguing player out there that had piqued many folks interest. The young man was from Eastern Europe very young and unpolished but said to have a tremendous upside. His name was Darko Milicic he was 7′1″ tall and allegedly had the ball handling abilities of a small forward.

What little was known from him was from scouting reports and film and nobody could really be sure if his skill-set would transfer over to the NBA. However the Pistons Brain-Trust at the time Team President Joe Dumars and head coach Larry Brown decided to roll the dice. They passed on Anthony who was taken with the third pick by the Denver Nuggets and chose the Euro-Player Milicic; they would soon regret the choice.

New York Vinnie certainly does not have to relate the success that James has had with Cleveland or that ‘Melo has had with the Nuggets. As for Milicic the word that comes most quickly to New Yorrk Vinnie’s mind is Disaster; make that an Utter Frickin Disaster especially after Darko revealed his plans for next year to the “New York Post.”

To say that Milicic is a disappointment does not even begin to scratch the surface of how bad this young man has been. You could use the word bust but even that might be far too kind. Because it turns out that not only does Darko Milicic lack the talent to play in the NBA; even more embarrassing he lacks the “Frickin Stones” to play in the NBA. Despite the fact that Darko is 7′1″ tall he is a” little Wussy”; a crybaby who has decided the NBA is too tough for him so he is going to run home to Europe next season. He will head back home a failure with his Frickin tail between his legs!

Milicic told the paper “Whatever happens, I’m going back next year. It’s 100-percent certain. I have to be real and not lie. I’m not going to get it done in the NBA. I’m not going to get another opportunity and there’s nothing wrong with going back to Europe. I don’t want to create a bad atmosphere here, but it’s not working in the NBA.”

Yo Darko; New York Vinnie has two words for you “Good Riddance!” The NBA is a league for men which you are obviously not one of. You see Darko “Real Men” don’t just take their ball and go home. “Real Men” make the situation work or die trying. Little spoiled babies and “Wussies” run home when the going gets too tough! You just showed your true nature.

Here is another question for you Darko; why would you make the announcement in December? Do you somehow believe that some NBA executive is going to say to themselves that they will make it their mission to get you on their team next season? Because if you do that fantasy will never play out anywhere but in your head. Your career totals stink and with this announcement the entire NBA know that your attitude stinks too!

So enjoy your last few months in the States Darko! New York Vinnie would suggest you take a lot of pictures so when you go back to your drab life in your drab little homeland at least you will have proof you were “Almost Somebody Once!”