I don't imagine Stone is the type of GM that goes to many of the college games or fly to Europe or Africa to look at prosepcts; think he relies on the scouting deparatment to do that. Perks of being the boss, also now you're relying on your scouts. If I'm not mistaken Daryl did went to some of the games to see the talents with his own eyes. Eli, to me is one of those that help crunch the numbers and is one of the analytical brains, which ever team needs. Stone, negotates the contracts and make the calls, which are also important part of a GM's day-to-day. Don't think fans have issues with the draft itself, the top 5 picks we had were consensus, then Stone/Eli found guys in the middle: Tari and Sengun, which are still good finds. The critique right now is the wheeling and dealing, and that is Stone's department. Did he win at the margins on specific trades. Has he accumulated enough assets for not just he next trade but the trade two or three moves after that. And with the current core under-performing, that lack of cushion and flexilbility is showing. The not so talked about is the development staff: I really think the development staff here either needs to step their game up or be replaced. The current coaching staff might be too many "former players", we need to add some actual thinkers and expierience to that development crew. Prospects who look good before coming in, is not growing at the pace of their peers (same draft class). Even if Eli picks the right guy, if Silas/Ime/Stone can't grow them properly then the talent is spoiled or plateaus. If they need former players to guide them, that's what vets like Jeff Green and FVV are for. We need actual strategist on the coaching bench. If I need surgery, I need a real doctor, not a former patient "who's been through it", give me a qualified doctor.
