While we fret over our rosters, let's switch gears and look at other good teams. It seems some teams can always find nice talent that make you go, "Where do they find that guy"? Some examples: that Bass guy in Dallas, where do they find them? Jason Maxiell in Detroit, is a 27th pick. Navarro in Memphis, is a second round pick. No to mention guys on GS Warriors like Matt Barnes. Oh well, I guess we have our own Hayes to write home about. List your pick of "where's that guy coming from" in this thread please.
For me Kevin Martin fits that mold. He was a late first round pick but I dont think they planned on him being their leading scorer, which he is now.
Gerald Wallace was a late first-rounder. No hype around him. Ditto on Josh Howard, and of course there was Cuttino Mobley.
I think it's a little more than just teams knowing who to pick. A lot deals with the coaching staff. A good coach knows how to bring in a young player (Rudy, Nelson, etc.) and some don't (Brown, JVG, etc.). You put a lot of stars on teams where they don't get a chance or have a bad coach and they never become a great player. I'm sure some of the lottery busts could have become good roleplayers or even allstars if given the right fit. In other words, nature vs. nurture.
Everyone knew about Bass. The guy was SEC player of the year before entering the draft. I did think he was a bust in New Orleans. My friend is huge on LSU so I've seen him play and definitely know what he's capable of. I was really excited when he signed with Dallas because we never had a proper PF to back up Dirk. I expected him to be a physical force, but never a damn beast. I don't know why NO gave up on him. 61-67 FT so far this year in 19 games 12-16 FT last year in 21 games
Ginobili, Parker, all overlooked. Teh Rockets got lucky with Yao and Francis, that's why they are a good team but it's obvious that if we didn't get the #1 pick we would be in the lottery every year. We don't grow talent, we trade for existing talent.
barbosa, head, cassel, rashard lewis, john stockton (15th or 16th pick), ben wallace, agent-0, scola (?), richard jefferson. some teams are very good, either they are lucky, or their coach knows how to develop good players. for example, the spurs. scola, oberto, ginobli, parker, barbosa (spurs picked him, but traded him to spurs), udrih ? (that point guard that is in kings now) rockets, these past years, have been looking for "immediate" help. i liek the spurs strategy. you keep draft picks, and you get "immediate" help by trading and signing.
I guess it's just good cycle for some team. They are good teams, which forces them to go out to scout those not so hyped talents, and because they are good teams they can afford to bring some guys along slowly if nothing works out immediately, unlike a team like, say Rockets, who are still constantly looking for missing pieces. And coaches make a big difference too.
Luis Scola, Chuck Hayes, Luther Head. All qualify as "Where did they find that guy?" type players. Aaron Brooks just might one day fit the bill too, but the verdict is still out on that.
Wait... I know the deal was unpopular at first, but are there actually still Rocket fans that think the Rockets got ripped off in the Memphis trade?
yes. it still is unpopular... especially with an offensive minded system now. who trades a lottery pick for a role player? not even for a weakspot like PG but for a SF where Tmac should play.
I disagree. Rookies who play for ****ty teams have a better chance to get playing time and do well. In the case of Jason Maxiell and Brandon Bass, sure, Detroit and Dallas are good teams, but they were both in need for poweforwards at the time, and they worked hard in practice, so that's how they got playing time. It's just a matter of luck if you get drafted by a good team. I can guarantee you Aaron Brooks would be averaging 15 points 10 assists on Golden State right now. We just have too many pg's so he can't play. Also, very rarely are coaches involved in draft decisions. Unless they're the GM, they have almost no say whatsoever, since it's the GM, Assistant GM, and all of basketball ops doing the scouting, and consequently decision-making.
Baron Davis. Baron Davis He might keep AB from averaging 15 and 10, but he could probably get aboout 3 to 6 rebs, maybe 10 to 12 pts.
