I say the Kings. They drafted Peja at 14 in 1996, Turkoglu at 16 in 2000, Gerald Wallace at 25 in 2001. Peja's an All-Star and Turkoglu and Wallace could be starters on many other teams. I mean those were not exactly hyped prospects but still turned out to be very talented and productive players. No wonder they have such a deep team. Rockets need to do a better job with non-lottory draft picks if they want to catch up with the NBA elites.
They're just going through a good stretch right now...The Kings had some horrendous draft picks... Pervis Ellison Lionel Simmons Billy Owens Bobby Hurley Corliss Williamson
Whoa. Corliss wasn't a bad pick. He's a more than solid player and he wasn't a top 5 pick. The Kings have had a huge organizational change since the Hurley, Simmons, Owens years. They've been consistently good at finding talent late in the draft recently.
This is a joke right? What a find in that Tim Duncan fellow right? You also might put in Salmons, Holcombe, Brian Bracey, Chris Carrowell, Leon Smith, Felipe Lopez, and Derrick Dial along with the distinguished Scola. In truth the best scouting team the last 10 years is obvious. It isn't the Rockets, Kings, or Lakers--who have pulled some pleasent surprises. By far the most consistent team at pulling gems from mediocre to bad picks is the Phoenix Suns. Stoud at 9, Jacobsen at 22, Tskaliades at 25, Marion at 9, Stephen Jackson at 43, Nash at 15, Finley at 21 and Person at 23. Nobody is even close in terms of relatively consistently doing more with their oppertunnities.
DS; I didn't know this was about the "last 10 year" I thought maybe it was about wich scouts have done the most for their rosters RIGHT NOW. Spurs have drafted 25 or later since Duncan (notice I didn't list him); and have netted a starting pg, another 2 starting & playing well for Orlando, a 2 who will be starting for the Spurs from the 2nd round. Stop hating; of course its not a joke. Sure Phoenix has done well, but look at their pick position; every year in front of SA.
An Salmons was drafted FOR Philly; and Spurs got Claxton in return; juries out on Speedy (again I didn't list him).
Spurs must have excellent international scouts. Without Parker and Ginobii, Spurs won't be in the hunt for the title this year.
Toronto has had a pretty good draft history, but not one of the best. 95 draft, #7 overall: Damon Stoudamire 96 draft, #2 overall: Marcus Camby 97 draft, #9 overall: Tracy McGrady 98 draft, #4 overall: Jamison traded for #5 Vince Carter and $1m 99 draft, #5 overall: Bender traded for Antonio Davis 00 draft, #21 overall: Morris Peterson 01 draft, #17 overall: Michael Bradley 02 draft, #20 overall: Kareem Rush dealt for Chris Jefferies
Toronto...not bad... BUT THE Rockets must have some of the mediocre or lazy or just blind scouts. The Pheonix Suns made some nice draft picks...
Sure Ginobili and Parker were nice picks, but that is hardly enough for a trend. Further, it wans't like those guys were unknowns, the Spurs were in a position where they didn't need help immediately so they weren't worried if there were some contract difficulties or it would take them a while to be able to play here--especially in Ginobilli's case. But again both guys were already highly respected. The title of the thread is who has the best scouts. I think in finding diamonds in the rough it really is no contest over the last 10 years, or 5 years if you want to see who has added the most to their current roster. I mean look at Phx even within the last 4 years--you don't even have to go back to the Nash, Finley, Person gem of picks, adding Stoud, Tskaliades, and Marion (9) where they were able to (9,25,9) is phenomenal scouting. What SA has been able to do just isn't comparable to that.
Huh? The Rockets are right up there with Phoenix and Jerry West. Cassell, Horry, Mobley, Harrington, Kenny Thomas, etc. Their drafting prowess led directly to the acquisition of Francis. Scar: I don't know if I'd put Tsakalidas up there just yet. Person isn't anything special either.
You know, I've always been impressed with the way the Sonics draft, their picks usually become solid NBA players. However, let me stress draft, because they've been terrible at signing FAs, especially Centers (*shudder*). The Suns & Hornets seem to draft well, too. The Blazers draft well, but they're all headcases so who cares.
Agreed they are not in the class of Stoud, Marion, Finley & Nash picks, but historically those are pretty good players for picks in the mid 20s. I should also add my comment on the Spurs picks is appliable to the Tskalaides pick. Many other people in the league knew Tskalaides (as with the Spurs guys) was a good prospect, much higher rated than where he was drafted. The Suns were set on being patient about when he could actually come over and play here (not worried about immediate return), turned out they got him out of his Euro ball contract obligations sooner than expected.
