They benefited from collusion and allowed it to make them look good. That's what all really good management does.
The question is what you are basing this on. We missed with several mid round picks (jury is still out on DMo and Jones) - but we found a lot more late/2nd round gems than any other team in the league (Brooks, Landry, C-Bud, Parsons...).
Rockets' fans are probably the only NBA fans who would prefer our GM have two second round picks instead of one low first round pick. :grin:
Morey's draft has been average. And I have no idea how their draft grade works. They have the Thunder only like 8 points ahead of the Rockets when they are probably the best drafting team in the league and they have us ahead of the Spurs barely.
What economic model is going to stop guys with 100mil shoe deals from leaving NBA money on the table to play with each other?
The Thunder's one good pick that wasn't in the top 5 was Serge Ibaka at 24th, (Eric Bledsoe was at 18th but traded immediately). Morey is more known for working magic with late 1st, early 2nd rounders like Parsons, Budinger, Brooks, and has never really had the opportunity like the Thunder had (2nd, 4th, 3rd picks for Durant, Westbrook and Harden) in terms of higher picks.
Our management ranking used to be 2nd, close behind the Spurs. I'd wager our drop in ranking had something to do with losing 2 top minds in Hinkie and Rossas to rival franchises.
None...that's not the point. A proper collective bargin that is truly egalitarian would, in my view, pay players more. Especially if they have won championship.
Think about what you are saying. Average? That would mean there are roughly 11, 12, 13 teams better than Morey. Care to name them?
I have nothing but confidence in the Rockets front office but they haven't won anything yet. Regardless of how they did it, those teams above us are perennial title contenders.
Miami front office is underrated. You can say they should not be given credit when Wade passed on the collusion info to Riley for Lebron to join. But the way they built that team around them was quite good. The ability for management to put a supporting cast around its stars is important. Of course, I do believe Morey's number 1 in this(see 2008-2009 team). But plenty of teams have screwed this part up. This. Obviously the success didn't get worse by being able to lure Dwight here. And you must be doing something right if teams are poaching your people.
I think Riley had a huge impact on getting the big 3 (I think they wanted to join together, but Riley convinced them to make it Miami as the spot), and changing Cleveland Lebron to the Lebron of now. If I'm right, putting the Heat near the top just because of Riley makes sense to me. If the 3 guys just colluded and planned to join Miami no matter what way in advance, and Lebron just found himself, then Miami's management should be near the bottom, completely useless.
Draft grade is based on future draft picks, so it is based on where already acquired and own picks fall in the draft order.
