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Former Utah Jazz Scout Would’ve Picked Darko Over LeBron

Ryan Aston|
Nov 5, 2014; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) dribbles the ball while defended by Utah Jazz guard Gordon Hayward (20) during the second half at EnergySolutions Arena. The Jazz won 102-100. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2014; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) dribbles the ball while defended by Utah Jazz guard Gordon Hayward (20) during the second half at EnergySolutions Arena. The Jazz won 102-100. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

A former Utah Jazz scout was quoted as favoring Darko Milicic over LeBron James before the 2003 NBA Draft.

The 24-hour news cycle is a crazy thing. Stories break, the internet goes bananas and final verdicts are issued in the court of public opinion in a matter hours. Then, before you know it, the next scandal comes along and the villains of headlines past fade into the background.

Such is the nature of modern media.

Still, certain stories break the mold, coming back to haunt the poor souls involved time and time again. Former Utah Jazz scout Alberto Dal Cin is the subject of one such story.

Thanks to the internet sleuths @OldTakesExposed on Twitter, a 2003 story where the team’s former head of international scouting made public some dubious player evaluations continues to resurface. Dal Cin’s assertion at the time: Darko Milicic looked like a better prospect in the 2003 NBA Draft than LeBron James—

Yeah, that happened.

In a story by the AP’s Larry Lage, Dal Cin was effusive in his praise of Milicic, going so far as to say he would select Darko over the future King James with the No. 1 overall pick.

From the Argus-Press—

"“Personally, I would take Darko over LeBron James, because he has more skills and can play more positions. There are very few can’t-miss players, but I have no doubt Darko is a can’t miss player.”"

Can’t-miss player; let that sink in for a moment.

Dal Cin continued–

"“I think Darko can play center, power forward or small forward. Nobody knows if LeBron is a point or a shooting guard.”"

James went on to win multiple championships and is arguably the greatest player in the history of the league, while Milicic played for several teams, failing to establish himself as an NBA player, and has since retired.

Next: Jazz Get Back to Winning Ways vs. Timberwolves

Obviously, hindsight is 20/20 and Dal Cin was far from the only scout that was high on Milicic at the time. Still, the international scouting efforts of the Jazz have clearly come a long way since 2003.

h/t the Deseret News.

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