Still a new trend and TRob could have been one had we kept him. Vonleh now. Time will tell but let a crappy team give a rookie some experience then sign them in year 2 and be ahead of the game. Just makes sense to me.
notice the new trend part of that statement..I'm sure there are examples but I'm too lazy to go look for them
That's the feel i got from your posts (better picks=more chance of getting stars). I still believe we can do smart moves in FA.
To ME, there is a HUGE difference between high draft picks that make it big for the team that drafted them, and high draft picks who became stars for other teams. The old Clipper used to basically be a farm system for the big city teams. It didn't matter how many high talent draft picks they chose, those players went on to help other teams. So, Method 1: Draft a dude, surround with all-star talent Examples: Miami: draft Wade, got Shaq, later got LBJ, Bosh Boston: drafted Pierce, got Allen, KG Dallas: drafted (more or less) Dirk, been rotating players in and out ever since. Houston: drafted no one of consequence, got Beard, Howard Method 2: Hit with low draft picks Examples: Blazers: Drafted Drexler, Porter, Kersey, got Duck, Buck SA: Drafted Timmy, Manu, Parker, Leonard... GS: Drafted Curry, Thompson, Green Blazers seem to be doing, more or less, method 1. I definitely approve of this method.
We also signed Wes Matthews in free agency. Yes he is no longer on the team but a few months ago he was a top5 SG in this league.
Fair enough, but you can always trade those guys. I don't want Olshey to sign Kanter (Or bring Morris) because he can win us championships, i want Kanter because MAYBE you can trade him for value later on while keeping a winning culture while you wait. Sometimes the draft equals Greg Oden and Michael Olowokandi. Nothing is perfect.
The Rockets were also rocking that mediocrity treadmill until OKC was dumb enough to give them a superstar for FUCKING KEVIN MARTIN. And it's not all about championships for me, i enjoy a good winning season.
BTW, interesting news lately: DJ is not so sure about signing with the Mavs and Cuban already said they would have tanked if they hadn't secured DJ
I agree. I just think for a team like ours, we should focus on building through the draft, rather than having a billion dollars that no one wants because its Portland. All of our great players...with the exception of a couple were acquired via the draft...either our own pick or a draft day trade for a pick like LA
I agree the only way to turn this team around is through the draft. No big free agents are coming here until this team becomes a legit title contender. Next year will be brutal and should mean a lottery pick then see if you can land another pick somehow. Hope and pray the pick turns into something special and maybe one or two of our kids on the current roster turn into good/great players. Being a middle of the road team is horrible idea!!!!!! Yes I hate losing and don't condone losing on purpose but there is a benefit in that we should have pretty good idea of what kind of players we have on roster by end of next year.
Again I say to those who say that getting the 8 seed would be a bad thing, I completely disagree. If this group as presently assembled--plus one or two more young "potential" guys--is able to win 45 games and make the playoffs, that would portend great things for the future. 7-8 seeds that are full of veterans (like Dallas) are in bad shape, but 7-8 seeds that are full of youth (like New Orleans) have a lot to look forward to. Sure, a top-3 seed would be great, but an unexpected playoff team would certainly be better.
