Interesting philosophy

[steveb21]

I read an interesting quote about improvement from an NBA scout yesterday. He said (and I paraphrase) the best way to improve your team is through trades and free agency. He stated that you don't improve through the draft unless you get lucky with a Lebron type player.

It seems to me that we are set up pretty well to follow that philosophy. We've got an extra draft pick, cap space and an expiring contract in Miller. All are chips that can be used in a trade. It makes you wonder if we'll see something go down in the offseason.

Thoughs?

[dbodner]

I've said this a few times in various places, if you go back and look at the contenders, they have superstars whom they drafted. and almost always in the top 5.

I mean, let's look at the last finals:
This year will feature the Lakers. Technically, the Lakers traded for Kobe, but they did acquire him on draft night.
Last year was Spurs (duncan) vs Cavs (LeBron)
2006: Heat (Wade) vs Dallas (Dirk, Howard)
2005: Spurs (Duncan) vs Pistons
2004: Lakers (Kobe) vs Pistons
2003: Spurs (Duncan) vs Nets (Jefferson, Kmart)
2002: Lakers (Kobe) vs Nets (Jefferson, Kmart)
2001: Lakers (Kobe) vs Sixers (Iverson)
2000: Lakers (Kobe) vs Pacers (Miller)

The majority had great players that they drafted, most of which were near the top of the draft. That's a little skewed because of repeat teams, but if you look at the top teams in the NBA this year:
Boston, Detroit and Washington were build primarily through FA/Trades. but they're generally the exceptions. The rest of the playoff teams:
- Orlando (Dwight)
- Cleveland (LeBron)
- Toronto (Bosh)
- Philadelphia (Iguodala, Young)
- Atlanta (everyone)
- Lakers (Kobe)
- New Orleans (Paul)
- Spurs (Duncan)
- Utah (Williams, Kirilenko)
- Houston (Yao)
- Phoenix (Amare)
- Dallas (Dirk)
- Denver (Melo)

Now, that doesn't mean that acquiring good/great players through FA/trades isn't a requirement, as most teams have very good players they got through those means as well. But it's also very hard to build a contending team without getting a great player in the draft. Every team has someone on their team through the draft that's better than Iguodala, with the exception of Atlanta. We've still got some work to do in the draft.

[SendEm]

Yes and this is why we have to steal another teams restricted free agent because we have little chance at drafting an All Star with mid and late first round picks every year moving forward especially since foreign players are scouted so well. Monta Ellis please.

[freshie2]

Agree that getting lucky in stealing a young star is probably the best shot they have. I just am not sold on Ellis as the SG with another traditional/smaller PG. Defensively, whether Ellis is 6'3" or 6'4", I just don't like matching up small.

Most would hate this idea, but I probably could live with Ellis if they plan to slightly modify Iguodala's role to be more of a Point forward. Unless you have a great PG (Paul, Williams, Kidd) I think the biggest issue is matching up defensively, and Iguodala's offensive role would really not be altered that much from what he did this year. You could put Ellis on most PG, and Iguodala on the SG, and your not giving up too much.

If you tell me you can get a great deal for Iguodala, then that's an option to consider as well. I don't know what the relative value would be for him in the off season. My issue with dealing him and acquiring Ellis is that a backcourt of Miller/Williams and Ellis isn't a winning combination.

[bigdavid]

Yes and this is why we have to steal another teams restricted free agent because we have little chance at drafting an All Star with mid and late first round picks every year moving forward especially since foreign players are scouted so well. Monta Ellis please.

I agree. We are better off stealing a top of the line proven player than trying to develop a high draft pick............