Tank World Order (6.0)

[720]

For those fans that will be in tears if the Raps end up in the play-in territory, its instructive to look at the top 8 teams in the NBA this year and review how they got there.

Nets - built through free agency

Bulls - Tanked for several years which created a team a tier below mediocre. They gave up on tanking last year and now are actually good.

Bucks - created championship team with middling "play-in" pick Giannis (2013-#15) and the under the radar trade for Middleton who was picked in the 2nd round

Heat - Core built through free agency (Butler) and "play-in" picks in Bam (2017-#14) and Herro (2019-#13)

Suns - This one is interesting. They did a hard core tank job for 4 years straight which produced ONE player in Ayton (2018-#1) and 3 scrubs Culver (2019-#6) , Jackson (2017-#4), Bender (2016-#4). The rest of their core is built around play-in picks Booker (2015-#13) and Bridges (2018-#10 - acquired by trading lower picks). With all that said, if they didnt trade for Chris Paul who NOBODY wanted at the time (age and giant contract)...this would be a treadmill team.

Warriors - Steph Curry (2009-#7). Tank Nation will take this as a win and ignore the fact (1) this wasnt a blatant tank job as they were actually trying to win with a veteran team of Magette-Harrington/Crawford-Jackson-Ellis but they were riddled with injuries that year and (2) the rest of their core was made through play-in pick Klay THompson (2011-#11) and a 2nd rounder in Draymond Green

Grizzlies - This is the only team in the list that was a blatant tank job. Morant (2019-#2) and Jaren Jackson (2018-#4).

Jazz - Built around middling picks and solid team building. Their core is essentially Gorbert (2nd rounder) + play-in pick Mitchell (2017-#13)

Looking at the above winning teams, (1) there arent many that were created by blatant tanking that some posters advocate for and (2) there are a surprising amount a core pieces picked in play-in territory. Perhaps the success and failure of teams actually has to do with scouting, development, asset management and a little luck rather than tanking for the highest pick possible?

I see the point you are attempting to make.

A lot of teams also sign big time free agents. Raps have not been able to do that.

So it comes down to building equity through the draft or signing free agents no one wants

Team mediocre keep acting like we want a Hinkie tank because that's the only way they can deflect from our core point which is...

Lottery picks = higher chance of getting a player with star potential.

(Example from the last few years: Scottie Barnes, Lamelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, Cade Cunningham, Trae, Doncic, Morant, etc)

[will]

For those fans that will be in tears if the Raps end up in the play-in territory, its instructive to look at the top 8 teams in the NBA this year and review how they got there.

Nets - built through free agency

Bulls - Tanked for several years which created a team a tier below mediocre. They gave up on tanking last year and now are actually good.

Bucks - created championship team with middling "play-in" pick Giannis (2013-#15) and the under the radar trade for Middleton who was picked in the 2nd round

Heat - Core built through free agency (Butler) and "play-in" picks in Bam (2017-#14) and Herro (2019-#13)

Suns - This one is interesting. They did a hard core tank job for 4 years straight which produced ONE player in Ayton (2018-#1) and 3 scrubs Culver (2019-#6) , Jackson (2017-#4), Bender (2016-#4). The rest of their core is built around play-in picks Booker (2015-#13) and Bridges (2018-#10 - acquired by trading lower picks). With all that said, if they didnt trade for Chris Paul who NOBODY wanted at the time (age and giant contract)...this would be a treadmill team.

Warriors - Steph Curry (2009-#7). Tank Nation will take this as a win and ignore the fact (1) this wasnt a blatant tank job as they were actually trying to win with a veteran team of Magette-Harrington/Crawford-Jackson-Ellis but they were riddled with injuries that year and (2) the rest of their core was made through play-in pick Klay THompson (2011-#11) and a 2nd rounder in Draymond Green

Grizzlies - This is the only team in the list that was a blatant tank job. Morant (2019-#2) and Jaren Jackson (2018-#4).

Jazz - Built around middling picks and solid team building. Their core is essentially Gorbert (2nd rounder) + play-in pick Mitchell (2017-#13)

Looking at the above winning teams, (1) there arent many that were created by blatant tanking that some posters advocate for and (2) there are a surprising amount a core pieces picked in play-in territory. Perhaps the success and failure of teams actually has to do with scouting, development, asset management and a little luck rather than tanking for the highest pick possible?

I see the point you are attempting to make.

A lot of teams also sign big time free agents. Raps have not been able to do that.

So it comes down to building equity through the draft or signing free agents no one wants

Team mediocre keep acting like we want a Hinkie tank because that's the only way they can't deflect from our core point which is...

Lottery picks = higher chance of getting a player with star potential.

(Example from the last few years: Scottie Barnes, Lamelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, Cade Cunningham, Trae, Doncic, Morant, etc)

Has anyone confirmed that lottery picks are a sure guarantee?

[will]

I see the point you are attempting to make.

A lot of teams also sign big time free agents. Raps have not been able to do that.

So it comes down to building equity through the draft or signing free agents no one wants

Team mediocre keep acting like we want a Hinkie tank because that's the only way they can't deflect from our core point which is...

Lottery picks = higher chance of getting a player with star potential.

(Example from the last few years: Scottie Barnes, Lamelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, Cade Cunningham, Trae, Doncic, Morant, etc)

Has anyone confirmed that lottery picks are a sure guarantee?

Needed to confirm to make sure, because that seems to be an argument being made.

No one by any means has ever said high lotto picks are a guarantee. Does it increase the likelihood of landing a big time player?

Hell yeah.

[KL78192020]

For those fans that will be in tears if the Raps end up in the play-in territory, its instructive to look at the top 8 teams in the NBA this year and review how they got there.

Nets - built through free agency

Bulls - Tanked for several years which created a team a tier below mediocre. They gave up on tanking last year and now are actually good.

Bucks - created championship team with middling "play-in" pick Giannis (2013-#15) and the under the radar trade for Middleton who was picked in the 2nd round

Heat - Core built through free agency (Butler) and "play-in" picks in Bam (2017-#14) and Herro (2019-#13)

Suns - This one is interesting. They did a hard core tank job for 4 years straight which produced ONE player in Ayton (2018-#1) and 3 scrubs Culver (2019-#6) , Jackson (2017-#4), Bender (2016-#4). The rest of their core is built around play-in picks Booker (2015-#13) and Bridges (2018-#10 - acquired by trading lower picks). With all that said, if they didnt trade for Chris Paul who NOBODY wanted at the time (age and giant contract)...this would be a treadmill team.

Warriors - Steph Curry (2009-#7). Tank Nation will take this as a win and ignore the fact (1) this wasnt a blatant tank job as they were actually trying to win with a veteran team of Magette-Harrington/Crawford-Jackson-Ellis but they were riddled with injuries that year and (2) the rest of their core was made through play-in pick Klay THompson (2011-#11) and a 2nd rounder in Draymond Green

Grizzlies - This is the only team in the list that was a blatant tank job. Morant (2019-#2) and Jaren Jackson (2018-#4).

Jazz - Built around middling picks and solid team building. Their core is essentially Gorbert (2nd rounder) + play-in pick Mitchell (2017-#13)

Looking at the above winning teams, (1) there arent many that were created by blatant tanking that some posters advocate for and (2) there are a surprising amount a core pieces picked in play-in territory. Perhaps the success and failure of teams actually has to do with scouting, development, asset management and a little luck rather than tanking for the highest pick possible?

yea cause guys like KD/Kyrie/Butler are clamoring to come here as free agents.

[Los_29]

For those fans that will be in tears if the Raps end up in the play-in territory, its instructive to look at the top 8 teams in the NBA this year and review how they got there.

Nets - built through free agency

Bulls - Tanked for several years which created a team a tier below mediocre. They gave up on tanking last year and now are actually good.

Bucks - created championship team with middling "play-in" pick Giannis (2013-#15) and the under the radar trade for Middleton who was picked in the 2nd round

Heat - Core built through free agency (Butler) and "play-in" picks in Bam (2017-#14) and Herro (2019-#13)

Suns - This one is interesting. They did a hard core tank job for 4 years straight which produced ONE player in Ayton (2018-#1) and 3 scrubs Culver (2019-#6) , Jackson (2017-#4), Bender (2016-#4). The rest of their core is built around play-in picks Booker (2015-#13) and Bridges (2018-#10 - acquired by trading lower picks). With all that said, if they didnt trade for Chris Paul who NOBODY wanted at the time (age and giant contract)...this would be a treadmill team.

Warriors - Steph Curry (2009-#7). Tank Nation will take this as a win and ignore the fact (1) this wasnt a blatant tank job as they were actually trying to win with a veteran team of Magette-Harrington/Crawford-Jackson-Ellis but they were riddled with injuries that year and (2) the rest of their core was made through play-in pick Klay THompson (2011-#11) and a 2nd rounder in Draymond Green

Grizzlies - This is the only team in the list that was a blatant tank job. Morant (2019-#2) and Jaren Jackson (2018-#4).

Jazz - Built around middling picks and solid team building. Their core is essentially Gorbert (2nd rounder) + play-in pick Mitchell (2017-#13)

Looking at the above winning teams, (1) there arent many that were created by blatant tanking that some posters advocate for and (2) there are a surprising amount a core pieces picked in play-in territory. Perhaps the success and failure of teams actually has to do with scouting, development, asset management and a little luck rather than tanking for the highest pick possible?

tWo in shambles.

Now they are saying they aren’t actually tWo despite some of them routinely being in favour of trading FVV and Siakam for picks.

Keep it coming guys.

[Parataxis]

Team mediocre keep acting like we want a Hinkie tank because that's the only way they can't deflect from our core point which is...

Lottery picks = higher chance of getting a player with star potential.

(Example from the last few years: Scottie Barnes, Lamelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, Cade Cunningham, Trae, Doncic, Morant, etc)

Has anybody seriously argued otherwise?

[720]

Watch on YouTube

Despite his suspect efficiency numbers thought I’d post some Baldwin highlights because the kid still is a tall shot creator.

[720]

Team mediocre keep acting like we want a Hinkie tank because that's the only way they can deflect from our core point which is...

Lottery picks = higher chance of getting a player with star potential.

(Example from the last few years: Scottie Barnes, Lamelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, Cade Cunningham, Trae, Doncic, Morant, etc)

Has anybody seriously argued otherwise?

Yes, last year they did. A few posters brought up perennial loser franchises like the kings and their bad drafting history. We have Tolzman, Bobby and Masai so that never made sense to me.

One guy brought up the odds of landing an allstar player in the top 8 (regarding the low chances), conveniently ignoring it’s still higher odds than not picking in the lottery.

Some posters brought up the raptors draft history and that we shouldn’t aim for the lottery because we can find amazing players in lower draft spots or not in the draft at all (Siakam and Fred). To which I argued this is a argument for a lotto pick because imagine the type of players our front office can draft with a top 5 pick (then Barnes happened).

A couple posters argued that we should not go for the lottery because star players sometimes drop lower in the draft (Jokic, Draymond). Pointless argument because again, the higher the pick the better odds. Of course people slip sometimes (OG slipping to us for example because of his injury).

[Los_29]

Team mediocre keep acting like we want a Hinkie tank because that's the only way they can't deflect from our core point which is...

Lottery picks = higher chance of getting a player with star potential.

(Example from the last few years: Scottie Barnes, Lamelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, Cade Cunningham, Trae, Doncic, Morant, etc)

Has anybody seriously argued otherwise?

Exactly. Not only that but he says he doesn’t want a Hinkie type team and yet suggests trading for FVV and Siakam for draft picks.

tWo needs to pick a lane.

[720]

Watch on YouTube

[Son Goku 25]

Who is an OG, Scottie, Siakam esque player in this draft? I'd look at those if I was to guess who we take.

[PhilBlackson]

Who is an OG, Scottie, Siakam esque player in this draft? I'd look at those if I was to guess who we take.

If we're talking about measurements, somewhat similar play styles & potentially within our range...from least likely available to most

Kendall Brown
Keegan Murray
Tari Eason

[720]

Who is an OG, Scottie, Siakam esque player in this draft? I'd look at those if I was to guess who we take.

There are a few. Most of them are all in the top of the draft where we currently aren't in.

In our range 10-14 there could be any combination of Mathurin, Griffin, Baldwin, Brown available. If we go in that 15-17 range then there is Nikola Jovic. Jovic doesn't seem like a Raptors kind of pick to me though. Jovic might even drop in the draft as the college season goes and more and more players start to impress.

[720]

Who is an OG, Scottie, Siakam esque player in this draft? I'd look at those if I was to guess who we take.

If we're talking about measurements, somewhat similar play styles & potentially within our range...from least likely available to most

Kendall Brown
Keegan Murray
Tari Eason

You don't think Keegan is going top 8?

[will]

Who is an OG, Scottie, Siakam esque player in this draft? I'd look at those if I was to guess who we take.

If we're talking about measurements, somewhat similar play styles & potentially within our range...from least likely available to most

Kendall Brown
Keegan Murray
Tari Eason

You don't think Keegan is going top 8?

I believe that the age thing could potentially work against him. Not saying that is right nor wrong.

Based on his play this season, he certainly deserves to be in the top 10.

[will]

Who is an OG, Scottie, Siakam esque player in this draft? I'd look at those if I was to guess who we take.

There are a few. Most of them are all in the top of the draft where we currently aren't in.

In our range 10-14 there could be any combination of Mathurin, Griffin, Baldwin, Brown available. If we go in that 15-17 range then there is Nikola Jovic. Jovic doesn't seem like a Raptors kind of pick to me though. Jokic might even drop in the draft as the college season goes and more and more players start to impress.

True.

If March Madness proceeds, that tournament always swings for and against prospects.

[will]

Who is an OG, Scottie, Siakam esque player in this draft? I'd look at those if I was to guess who we take.

If we're talking about measurements, somewhat similar play styles & potentially within our range...from least likely available to most

Kendall Brown
Keegan Murray
Tari Eason

That Kendall Brown, though.

Athleticism, attacks the bucket and gets to the line.

[will]

Watch on YouTube

Strong tournament from him could vault him up quite a bit in the draft.

[720]

If we're talking about measurements, somewhat similar play styles & potentially within our range...from least likely available to most

Kendall Brown
Keegan Murray
Tari Eason

You don't think Keegan is going top 8?

I believe that the age thing could potentially work against him. Not saying that is right nor wrong.

Based on his play this season, he certainly deserves to be in the top 10.

I think his end of the season performances will determine is real position in the draft. Especially if he performs well in the tournament. I think some scrub team that needs a scorer will just take him if he's there.

[will]

You don't think Keegan is going top 8?

I believe that the age thing could potentially work against him. Not saying that is right nor wrong.

Based on his play this season, he certainly deserves to be in the top 10.

I think his end of the season performances will determine is real position in the draft. Especially if he performs well in the tournament. I think some scrub team that needs a scorer will just take him if he's there.

Son is silky smooth with his offense.

What happened to him before? This is his second year of college, yet he is 21 years of age.