Ujiri isn't perfect but he is a very good GM. He actually understands the importance of having people around him that understand the actual game of basketball at a high level but is willing to think outside the box. You can look at the hire of Nick Nurse for example. Ujiri recognized that the top rising coaches and new ideas surrounding fundamentals and plays were in the D-League. He understood the game well enough to recognize how innovative some of the young coaches were. So he went and plucked the guy with a lot of experience in a short period of time that also was able to network with other coaches in the lower levels; Nick Nurse. Ujiri has shown an ability to notice where the game is headed and be ahead of the curve. Is that because he can see it in guys like Nick Nurse or is it that he just sees it? Doesn't really matter.... but he is consistently ahead of the curve. You can see it in the selection of long rangy wings. He doesn't always pick well (he has some busts) but overall he does well and more importantly, he has surrounded himself with excellent player development coaches. That is a recipe for success long term. I look at Daryl Morey, and he has consistently been ahead of the curve as well and he does a very good job of surrounding himself with other people that see the future - but he doesn't do so well at surrounding himself with people that have incredible detail and an understanding of the game that allows for player development and discipline and innovation. If I have a criticism of Morey that is what it is. Now, before he left for the Sixers he tried to talk ownership into a large investment in player development with Ryan Pannone as head of all player development - but Fertitta stalled on it.
