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[Desertfox]

To be fair McD was good at some things (trades), ok at others (drafting), but absolutely abysmal at everything else. Blanks wasn't good at anything.

[WeekapaugGroove]

McD is an example of both nepotism and the peter principal. Nepotism from his dad got him in the door and made him a hot coaching name, it also shielded him some heat while a GM because he had allies like Woj. Hes classic peter principal because I do think he was good at understanding assets/trades so would have been fine as an assistant GM. But he got promoted past his ability, as a GM you need to understand how to manage big picture and that includes player relationships, culture, and managing your owner all of which he was a complete failure.

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[Desertfox]

Basically McD would have been perfect as JJ's assistant.

[lilfishi22]

McD is an example of both nepotism and the peter principal. Nepotism from his dad got him in the door and made him a hot coaching name, it also shielded him some heat while a GM because he had allies like Woj. Hes classic peter principal because I do think he was good at understanding assets/trades so would have been fine as an assistant GM. But he got promoted past his ability, as a GM you need to understand how to manage big picture and that includes player relationships, culture, and managing your owner all of which he was a complete failure.

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Completely agree and thanks for teaching me about the Peter Principle!

[WeekapaugGroove]

McD is an example of both nepotism and the peter principal. Nepotism from his dad got him in the door and made him a hot coaching name, it also shielded him some heat while a GM because he had allies like Woj. Hes classic peter principal because I do think he was good at understanding assets/trades so would have been fine as an assistant GM. But he got promoted past his ability, as a GM you need to understand how to manage big picture and that includes player relationships, culture, and managing your owner all of which he was a complete failure.

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Completely agree and thanks for teaching me about the Peter Principle!

Ha I work in executive search recruiting and it's a very real thing. Sales especially, often the traits that make you a good sales person can make you a poor sales leader.

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[lilfishi22]

McD is an example of both nepotism and the peter principal. Nepotism from his dad got him in the door and made him a hot coaching name, it also shielded him some heat while a GM because he had allies like Woj. Hes classic peter principal because I do think he was good at understanding assets/trades so would have been fine as an assistant GM. But he got promoted past his ability, as a GM you need to understand how to manage big picture and that includes player relationships, culture, and managing your owner all of which he was a complete failure.

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Completely agree and thanks for teaching me about the Peter Principle!

Ha I work in executive search recruiting and it's a very real thing. Sales especially, often the traits that make you a good sales person can make you a poor sales leader.

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I totally relate. Not in the recruiting field but being the guy who's looking for his next move. Every role which is a step up feels like I'm stepping into my own professional incompetency, a bit of imposter syndrome.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Completely agree and thanks for teaching me about the Peter Principle!

Ha I work in executive search recruiting and it's a very real thing. Sales especially, often the traits that make you a good sales person can make you a poor sales leader.

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I totally relate. Not in the recruiting field but being the guy who's looking for his next move. Every role which is a step up feels like I'm stepping into my own professional incompetency, a bit of imposter syndrome.

Man that's completely normal, I've been successful in my industry for over 15 years and still have moments I feel like a fraud.

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[bwgood77]

McD is an example of both nepotism and the peter principal. Nepotism from his dad got him in the door and made him a hot coaching name, it also shielded him some heat while a GM because he had allies like Woj. Hes classic peter principal because I do think he was good at understanding assets/trades so would have been fine as an assistant GM. But he got promoted past his ability, as a GM you need to understand how to manage big picture and that includes player relationships, culture, and managing your owner all of which he was a complete failure.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

Completely agree and thanks for teaching me about the Peter Principle!

Ha I work in executive search recruiting and it's a very real thing. Sales especially, often the traits that make you a good sales person can make you a poor sales leader.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

Like this guy doesn't seem like a great sales leader? McD probably tried to motivate guys like this:

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[bwgood77]

Ariza was inexcusably terrible for us and threw in the towel. He has no room to complain. Bender at least tried here. That said, he's still super young and failed in other places so it's as much on him as Phoenix.

McD was still way better than Blanks. At least we got Booker and Ayton (even if we passed on Luka to do it).

I'm also very concerned about Smith at this point. I realize Kaminsky has played well of late, but for all of last season and the first 12 games or so this season, he was arguably the worst player in the NBA. Smith was a very high pick in a value draft around our draft slot. He should be able to beat out Kaminsky and Damian Jones for a team lacking quality bigs beyond Ayton and an injured r. I fear that passing on Haliburton and Vassell will haunt us.

I think Jones may have been too cute and planning on Smith replacing Ayton if Ayton is moved for another star. If Smith was seen as a 4, I think we would've seen him more than we have when Kaminsky was still terrible.

Too cute...I find that saying always funny....maybe overthinking it..though I don't think he thinks like that. I think he decides who he likes based on character, work ethic and skill.

Smith was sick, he had no training camp, no summer league. Sure some rookies have played but these are more ready guys and usually on worse teams.

It's WAY too small of sample size to make any judgements on Smith. He's made some good plays, shown he can hit the 3 and make defensive plays, and while out, Kaminsky knowing the system already and having chemistry with the guys has shown he can hold his own.

The judgement of rookies and guys on rookie contracts with only a year or two in college is always way too fast here...even if it's in 1 1/2 years and sometimes 2 depending on how raw they are.

Obviously Ayton being as raw as he was with only 1 year they started immediately and he's been the only big to do much since he can hold his own but few will develop that quickly unless they are 4 year guys like Bridges or Duncan or Nash or 3 year guys, and on occasion 2 year guys that are evident like Haliburton.

[bwgood77]

https://www.nba.com/news/kia-mvp-ladder-feb-12-edition

[Saberestar]

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The Rockets can be out of the race for the playoffs pretty soon.

[bwgood77]

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The Rockets can be out of the race for the playoffs pretty soon.

I notice they have 1-2 of Wood, Dipo or Wall out every game...lately it seems like 2 are usually out. It's kind of amazing their record is as good as it is with that and the way they had to start with Harden and then so many players not playing during the trade process.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Ariza was inexcusably terrible for us and threw in the towel. He has no room to complain. Bender at least tried here. That said, he's still super young and failed in other places so it's as much on him as Phoenix.

McD was still way better than Blanks. At least we got Booker and Ayton (even if we passed on Luka to do it).

I'm also very concerned about Smith at this point. I realize Kaminsky has played well of late, but for all of last season and the first 12 games or so this season, he was arguably the worst player in the NBA. Smith was a very high pick in a value draft around our draft slot. He should be able to beat out Kaminsky and Damian Jones for a team lacking quality bigs beyond Ayton and an injured r. I fear that passing on Haliburton and Vassell will haunt us.

I think Jones may have been too cute and planning on Smith replacing Ayton if Ayton is moved for another star. If Smith was seen as a 4, I think we would've seen him more than we have when Kaminsky was still terrible.

Too cute...I find that saying always funny....maybe overthinking it..though I don't think he thinks like that. I think he decides who he likes based on character, work ethic and skill.

Smith was sick, he had no training camp, no summer league. Sure some rookies have played but these are more ready guys and usually on worse teams.

It's WAY too small of sample size to make any judgements on Smith. He's made some good plays, shown he can hit the 3 and make defensive plays, and while out, Kaminsky knowing the system already and having chemistry with the guys has shown he can hold his own.

The judgement of rookies and guys on rookie contracts with only a year or two in college is always way too fast year...even if it's in 1 1/2 years and sometimes 2 depending on how raw they are.

Obviously Ayton being as raw as he was with only 1 year they started immediately and he's been the only big to do much since he can hold his own but few will develop that quickly unless they are 4 year guys like Bridges or Duncan or Nash or 3 year guys, and on occasion 2 year guys that are evident like Haliburton.

Yeah way too early to have much of any opinion of Smith. Like you said between the injury and covid it's been a tough go.

I said it when they drafted him that's he's a really raw prospect, both physically and polish on his game. He was picked for his traits, a 3pt shooting big who can protect the rim is a useful achitype of a player.

Now if someone wants to argue that Hali should have been the pick I can't disagree because I too liked him better as a prospect.

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[SunsRback4Good]

Ariza was inexcusably terrible for us and threw in the towel. He has no room to complain. Bender at least tried here. That said, he's still super young and failed in other places so it's as much on him as Phoenix.

McD was still way better than Blanks. At least we got Booker and Ayton (even if we passed on Luka to do it).

I'm also very concerned about Smith at this point. I realize Kaminsky has played well of late, but for all of last season and the first 12 games or so this season, he was arguably the worst player in the NBA. Smith was a very high pick in a value draft around our draft slot. He should be able to beat out Kaminsky and Damian Jones for a team lacking quality bigs beyond Ayton and an injured r. I fear that passing on Haliburton and Vassell will haunt us.

I think Jones may have been too cute and planning on Smith replacing Ayton if Ayton is moved for another star. If Smith was seen as a 4, I think we would've seen him more than we have when Kaminsky was still terrible.

Too cute...I find that saying always funny....maybe overthinking it..though I don't think he thinks like that. I think he decides who he likes based on character, work ethic and skill.

Smith was sick, he had no training camp, no summer league. Sure some rookies have played but these are more ready guys and usually on worse teams.

It's WAY too small of sample size to make any judgements on Smith. He's made some good plays, shown he can hit the 3 and make defensive plays, and while out, Kaminsky knowing the system already and having chemistry with the guys has shown he can hold his own.

The judgement of rookies and guys on rookie contracts with only a year or two in college is always way too fast year...even if it's in 1 1/2 years and sometimes 2 depending on how raw they are.

Obviously Ayton being as raw as he was with only 1 year they started immediately and he's been the only big to do much since he can hold his own but few will develop that quickly unless they are 4 year guys like Bridges or Duncan or Nash or 3 year guys, and on occasion 2 year guys that are evident like Haliburton.

Yeah way too early to have much of any opinion of Smith. Like you said between the injury and covid it's been a tough go.

I said it when they drafted him that's he's a really raw prospect, both physically and polish on his game. He was picked for his traits, a 3pt shooting big who can protect the rim is a useful achitype of a player.

Now if someone wants to argue that Hali should have been the pick I can't disagree because I too liked him better as a prospect.

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Payne will outshine Hali in the coming years.

[Saberestar]

LaMelo Ball is gonna be great. He is special.

[SunsRback4Good]

Blazers are now 15-10 winners of their last 6 of next 7 games. They're winning and playing great without McCollum the past 3 weeks and Nurk has played only 12 games and should be back in a month after his wrist injury. Think I had the Blazers 6th or 7th in "predict your standings thread" but might see them nab the 4th seed and Phoenix 5th. They have playoff experience and know how to close out regular season in fashion just like last year in the bubble. We might see Suns-Blazers first round.

[SunsRback4Good]

LaMelo Ball is gonna be great. He is special.

Was not expecting that. Maybe I would like the Balls better of it weren't for their annoying father. But Lamallo has impressed me with his shooting and elite passing.

[sunskerr]

Blazers are now 15-10 winners of their last 6 of next 7 games. They're winning and playing great without McCollum the past 3 weeks and Nurk has played only 12 games and should be back in a month after his wrist injury. Think I had the Blazers 6th or 7th in "predict your standings thread" but might see them nab the 4th seed and Phoenix 5th. They have playoff experience and know how to close out regular season in fashion just like last year in the bubble. We might see Suns-Blazers first round.

Gary Trent Jr is really good and is only 22. Also off contract (RFA though) at the end of the year so in a crowded Blazers back court, if we want some more scoring he's a good target. Plays SG unfortunately which is our best position and he might be looking to start, but he's also slid up to the F and has run a little point for the Blazers in the past.

[Kerrsed]

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[Saberestar]

There are three teams in the West getting faster and faster out of the playoffs race lately. Big for us because we need to get some solid separation and we could not get it until now.

The Wolves, worst team in the league. Terrible at everything.

The Thunder. They FINALLY are showing signs of a tanking team, but they keep fighting every game.

The Rockets. Injuries and lack of chemistry and depth are giving them big troubles.