Probably because GS, OKC, Toronto and Cle all have high draft picks leading the way, or players acquired with high draft picks leading them to the finals? Even Portland, when we were great drafted Walton, Lucas, Drexler, Porter, Kersey, Uncle Cliffy. Even guys like Duckworth and Buck (Sam Bowie former 2nd overall and a draft pick) were acquired using former draft picks like People bring up the teams with Sheed and little Damon as a counter to this argument, but t was a different league back then, and frankly a different Paul Allen. Show me a championship team, or someone who is consistently vying for one, and I will show you a high draft pick most likely leading them. Exceptions to the rule? You bet. But in the end, they are exceptions. Players drafted by or traded for on draft day as part of the draft like Pippen or Roy are all over great teams. If you want to be a nice team that competes for the playoffs each year, but doesn't really have the horses to be taken seriously, then do what Portland has done. Does it work all the time? Obviously not. the Sixers are garbage and the Clips back in the day were too. But they didn't need to be Let's say the Sixers drafted Steven Adams instead of MCW from Syracuse, Of course, in 2013. in 2014 they draft Smart instead of Embid and in 2015 they take Porzingas or Winslow. Then people start saying, wow, what a great plan. They were shitty because of bad scouting, not a bad plan So, IMO, that's why people are so fixated on it. It's where the stars of the league come from. Our two best players, and our worst, ironically enough, were all lottery picks
Trade is obviously the best way to go. Who on our team do you want to give up for who...or is it whom? And would that person, or people be an upgrade over what we gave up? It's not like we have a ton of assets under contract
But you missed one very important thing. Those were all lottery picks. Do you think we are going to get a lottery pick this year some how and if so, how? If not, then isn't all that moot? Don't get me wrong. I totally understand the draft if your in the lottery, but we are not and would have to trade a key player to get one, if we even could. So my statement stands. This draft will not help us unless we use a pick in a trade. But to go for a low seed pick, that pick will not be a superstar in all likely hood and will not make an impact on the team next year. I'm not talking about history. We agree there. I'm talking about this year with this team.
Another thing you're forgetting: While it is true championship teams are mostly led by high draft picks. The caveat is that these high draft picks are usually winning championships on a different team than the one who drafted them.
I'm failing to see the appeal of GPII. I like him don't get me wrong, but does he bring more to the table than say Pat?
The additional caveat is that they have a supporting cast made up of players from all over. In my mind, it doesn't matter where the player comes from. Just get the best players you can. I would like to add 2 picks this summer (thinking the Clev pick + cash for a late first + mid second). If you draft right, these rookie contracts are increadable bargains in building your team.
He can steal, block, pass, shoot in the mid range, dunk, and provide that defense needed to stop curry. pat can't do any of that
My ideal draft day? Unless we're drafting someone for another team as part of a prearranged trade, I don't want a pick in this draft. Instead, I want Neil to work his usual something-for-nothing magic to acquire future draft picks. It may take multiple deals involving multiple teams with POR playing a facilitator role, but this is what Neil excels at. Why? I don't want to add more unproven youth to our roster. I want Neil to leverage those future assets into one, or more, proven mid-career players that can provide immediate help in next year's playoffs. A rim protecting big man and reliable 3rd scorer, for starters, a lock down perimeter defender and a back-up stretch 4 would also be nice. Ideally, a great 2-way player that meets multiple needs - like Paul Millsap. Teams that are blowing it up, overvalue future picks. They trade away proven players to clear cap space and want young payers on cheap contracts and future draft picks in return. There will be such players available this summer and at the trade deadline next February as some teams abandon playoffs hopes and start seriously tanking and looking to the future. If we have future draft picks, we can take advantage of their misery and get the proven NBA talent we need to help us win now, not more projects that may, or may not, pan out. Specifics? Who knows? It really depends on who decides to blow it up and when they decide to do it, but there will be proven players available that can provide immediate help. I'll let Neil and company figure out the specifics, but I'd rather acquire proven NBA talent than another 20-year old project. BNM
Me too. I know Lebron, Bosh, Shaq but who else? Duncan, Dirk, KD, Westbrook, Wade, Lebron, Steph, Klay, Pierce, Kobe even. All led their teams to title games. We have Dame, we need 1 more star, better than CJ.
Yes, they are. How many top 5 picks in the last 20 years have won NBA championships in the with the team that drafted them? Hint, not very many. Tim Duncan is the rare exception and he was drafted 19 years ago. LeBron, the biggest draft day prize since Duncan still hasn't won a title for the team that drafted him and he was drafted 13 years ago. Anthony Davis was supposed to be the next great superstar and he can't even get his team into the playoffs, let alone win a title. Shaq won 0 titles in ORL, but won 3 in LA and 1 in MIA. LeBron has won 0 titles in CLE, but two in MIA. Dirk won 0 titles in MIL, but 1 in DAL. Kobe won 0 titles in CHA, but 5 in LA. Garnett won 0 titles in MIN, but 1 in BOS. Bosh won 0 titles in TOR, but 2 in MIA. Aldridge won 0 titles in POR and 0 in SAS, etc. BNM
