Might 2002 end up being the best rookie class since 1984?

There is definitely something to the philosophy Twardzik espoused (promulgated by smart GMs and imitated poorly by others, just like how Fratello and Riley's coaching schemes are now in use by every single bad team). Today, two teams come to mind who are far from the teams they could be: the Warriors and Bulls. The problem comes from up top (who gets x minutes at x position) despite the fact that they have an athletic guard rotation and quality forwards who can spread the floor. The most unbalanced offenses like those of the Sixers and Lakers are the best, however, because of A) the slowed pace of the NBA and B) isolation basketball. If the Warriors had landed Allen Iverson, he would attempt at least a fourth of his team's shots and would make mediocre players better by finding them on the penetration, whether on the low-blocks or the corners. If they had landed Kevin Garnett, defenses (late double teams usually) would collapse on him on the box, opening up cutters and set-shooters on the perimeter. Then come specialized role players, who can fill the lanes in transition, who can rotate well on defense, etc. I don't see any such catalyst on current Warriors roster, except for superstar reserve Oscar Torres.

Anyhow, the Warriors were succeeding with great talent in the early '90s and had plenty of opportunities to improve through drafting. They could have landed several franchise players, even after Nelson's legacy. Just one of them could have turned the sorriest franchise around considering the diluted state of the league. I can see why he passed on Garnett and Bryant (wasn't Fuller considered the best center of his class?), but gutting a rebuilding roster doesn't make sense. The only explanation was that this guy was trying to derail his franchise and torture loyal fans like yourself