as of this moment, could i do either better? no. assuming i had some sort of time to work at it: a) coaching: well, since you pretty much need some sort of credentials to get respect from NBAers, i'd be dead before i even started. combine that with the fact i'm a fairly shy person, i'm even more screwed. as far as X's and O's, i don't see why i'd be that much better or worse as i don't think it's as much rocket science as people would like to think. of course, chemistry and motivation play big parts and that goes back to the first two things so i still don't think i'd have a chance in hell at being a good coach really. even if i had the X's and O's, i don't have the personality. b) GMing: hell yes i could do it as well as the average GM (ok not hell yes but i give myself a solid shot). even though i'm no aelliott, NIKE, or GATER, i've got a pretty good grasp of the CBA. give me a year or so to learn it and get acquainted with how deals go down and such, and i'd love the job. the job seems so analytical, which is why i'd love it. lets see, playing around with numbers all day (whose making what, when does each players contract end, who can i get for what but still fit in with what i'm doing capwise, how much should this guy get) would be heaven for me and then evaluating talent, making trades, drafting and such, figuring out how every players fits it, planning long term and short term, trying to screw other teams in trades, i'd love it all. essentially, i'd love the job. as far as knowing talent, if it was my job all day to constantly look at prospects and players around the league i don't think i'd do any better or worse than any other GM. i'm sure i'd have some good moves, some obvious ones, some stupid ones. i think i could be an average GM. in fact, on the talent evaluation side of it, i think lots of fans who watch lots of basketball and understand if, if watching bball was their whole job and not something they only got to do when they have time would be good GM's. again, it's not rocket science knowing who's good or not. you'll get some right, some wrong just like all the GM's do right now.
Unlike most of the posters here, I've seen Van Gundy's playbook and Dennis Lindsay's office. I think I know a lot about basketball - been watching the game since 1980, played high school, went to several high level basketball camps (UCLAs with Jim Harrick, UNLVs with Tark/Tim Grugrich); I coached summer league basketball in high school, so I thought I knew all the terminology and sets. And I still think that I probably know as much as any non-professional. I didn't come close to making heads or tails of the playbook- out of curiousity, I looked through a few pages of JVG's playbook, off one set, they had about 100 different options. And that's not an exaggeration. And the explanations for each play/counter play etc. were really complicated. Much much moreso than any layman would know - and I didn't understand it. Again, with the player evaluation - the stuff scouts look at is so different than the player analysis that people put forth here, and the player personnel team spends so much time looking at videotape, and I really wouldn't know what to look for on tape - heck I saw Yao Ming play live in China many times, and I thought he'd just be mediocore in the NBA - it's a much more difficult job than sitting around and pitching trade proposals - the pressure is you're making million dollar decisions. Do you make million dollar decsisions at your place of employment now? I have to ask my boss to sign off on anything over $1,200. The white boards all over Lindsay's (old) office were filled with players and terminology that I didn't really understand. To hammer home a point I can just point out that I really thought that Harold Minor would come in and light up people in the league. (Of course, so did the Miami Heat GM of the time)
Speaking of this subject, what kind of degree would I need to pursue in college to be able to become a GM one day (longshot I know, but I'd like to be in the front office of a sports team or agency)?
My Vote Goes to REIT, Rockets2K, SA Rocket, and others. Collectively, or individually, I don't see how any of them couldn't serve well as a GM insofar as sheer knowledge. That said, I DO think your modern day GM is subject to more pressures (e.g. filling the seats) than what we're privy to as fans. Best example would be what Jerry Buss is going through right now. One Sportscenter analyst seems to think that Buss went with Kobe, in large part, b/c Kobe can fill seats for many more years than Shaq. Alternatively, that's the kind of garbage that compromises a GM's objectivity, and where a lot of great posters on this board have a fresher take on things. From a business standpoint, your average GM also has to have a business-mind in finding the right players and negotiating for salary. That domain is totally foreign to me. I guess my answer to this thread is that I'd probably best serve the Rox org as a good scout. theSAGE
GM? sure, why not...if we're just going to go by wins, I already have a 50-50 shot...and look at younger type GMs like Brian Cashman or Theo Epstein, these guys weren't even 30 when they took over; it's not like they have advanced degrees from GM school or anything. My big problem though is that I'd just end up going to the games and getting hammered all the time though, so maybe I'd suck at it.
No. Its if they are a GM with NBA experience, they should get the benefit of the doubt over 20/20 hindsight (which 99% of the criticisms are based on). Jeff's theory/point has been eloquently proven by the poll results.
I know better than most of the GM's on this board and I know enough to know I couldn't do a better overall better job than CD. Anyone on this board who thinks they can is delusional. You have no clue what goes on behind the scenes.
All you would do is ask me for advice……. As GM, I would trade CD for Steve Patterson and then step down as GM.
Maybe I should clarify... I don't mean if you grew up, studied what it takes to be a GM and then worked your way up the ladder. I don't doubt that many of us have the brain power to do that. What I'm asking is could you do it RIGHT NOW? You leave your job, you take over the team.
This is an important clarification IMO. I think if any of us were to: a) Spent time working in the NBA over a period of years b) Spent time developing relationships with other GMs and agents c) Spent time getting to know the intricacies of talent evaluation from a seasoned NBA scout d) Spent time studying all the legalities and provisions of the CBA e) etc. etc. etc. Then yeah, I think some of us could masquerade as a GM and not be totally indept. However, for anyone to assume that they could quit their job today and step right into CD's shoes and instantly make moves to make this team matter ..................well, its arrogant beyond any shadow of a doubt IMO.
I feel the same way.. GM - Definately. Coach - No Way. I read somewhere that being a GM is more art than science. Putting the pieces together dont always work the way you hoped but it seems most GM's consult with their head coach and owners anyways. so if all im doing is calling around and trying to make deals others recommend hell yes I can do that. J
what does it seem like CD does? hes kind of Les A's right hand man making the deals that Les wants.. maybe working on contracts but alot of GM's work closely with the owners. J
Man...I love this blow from Realgm wiretap: http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap.php#1089789344 "The fact that Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak didn't bother to look at Odom's contract before finalizing the trade comes as a surprise to many, as his trade kicker is considered common knowledge by basketball fans and is very clearly stated on RealGM's trade checker. Read Article Related: # http://lakers.realgm.com # http://heat.realgm.com"
So Pasox. How come Ive never heard you or hottiedoddie post about these trade kickers when you propose trades that work under RealGM?? Since it is "common knowledge by basketball fans" afterall.
I think people don't give GM's the credit they deserve. There's more to putting together a team than fantasy stats. You also have to balance a budget, work with marketing, and things like that. From a business perspective, it may not always be the best thing to spend the most money to get the mose talent. Think about it... Moochie was one of the most popular players to the casual fan when he was here. That had to be part of the equation.
