It's Official: Darko is a Bust

There is but one authority on decisions related to when European NBA prospects have reached official bust status, as he is the singular promoter of these mysterious and European children. His name is Chad Ford, and he is ESPN's foremost draft expert. This just happened (in an ESPN.com chat via FD's comments):

Nick (NYC): Is now the appropriate time to label Darko Milicic a bust?

Chad Ford: Yes.

Can't you hear Chad's voice cracking with despair? I adore Ford's work, as any devoted draft nut should. But Chad could not afford another monumental bust after Nikoloz Tskitishvili went thumbs-out. And Darko, as the #2 pick of Joe Dumars -- ahead of Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade -- well, his bust has been monumental.

Of course, Ford isn't alone in Darko's dank shadow. Hell, Dumars is among the premier executives in basketball, and he was fooled by sketches. (And I'll admit I figured Darko was well worth the $21 million for three years Memphis shelled out this summer.) But again, Ford's position as the Eurokind expert took a major hit with this one. At least he admits defeat.