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Finestrg
Posts: 27296
Alba Posts: 1
Joined: 1/1/2006
Member: #1069
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Donnie talked about changing the culture of the club, which suggests OVERHAUL to me and trust me, Mike D'Antoni's not an idiot - despite what he told Bayless when he took him out to dinner, "I have all the tools, I just need an engine to run it..." - he's just trying to sell the kid that he'd be a good fit here - but he knows damn well he doesn't have nearly enough tools in place on this roster (although you can make a case that Steph & Zach are real "tools"!!!).
Anyway, point being DO MULTIPLE THINGS on draft night and before the season to improve this team's outlook. Even though I'll have to settle for it and move on, I don't wanna see them just go into next season having done nothing else but draft at #6. Although they need to be responsible (monitoring the cap and free agency in the summer of 2011 must remain important) they must also remain creative and explore as many options as they can to add young talent.
In my mind this team may only have 1 solid piece in place for the future and that's Wilson Chandler at the 3 spot - and even he's still not a sure thing. The rest of this roster is comprised of headaches we're dying to sever ties with (Marbury & Zach Randolph), a few talented but woefully flawed players that will never realize their full potential (Crawford & Curry), only 1 real trading chip (David Lee) that's a solid role player but someone I maintain we need to trade now because he's got value, he's at his ceiling and will command too much money for a player of 2nd/3rd-tier caliber, and the rest are just role players that round out the roster - although guys that could be extremely useful (Robinson, Collins, Balkman) once the rest of the team is built and finally takes shape.
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In my mind these are the biggest needs right now - and I want all young guys that are hungry and cost-effective that will grow with this team:
(1) A consistant lead guard - could be a pure point or a offensive-minded combo. that can still run the offense. Doesn't matter to me if he's a scorer himself just as long as he's not a guy that's shooting at 38-40% - gimmie 45% or better.
(2) A starting 2 that has some size, defensive ability and can knock down shots - again I want a guy shooting 45% or better.
(3) A active defensive presence under the basket that can rebound and alter/block shots. Wouldn't matter to me if we made a sensible trade for a player like this (Shelden Williams, Hilton Armstrong) or take a chance on a player like this with a summer league contract (Justin Williams).
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I agree with some that have stated that we need to do as much as possible to make this club as attractive as possible for those top FAs in couple of years. Be creative and active in building this team now. MAXIMIZE THE REBUILDING EFFORT and start now.
--- Regarding our pick: Trade up for Bayless, trade down for multiple picks like with NJ for #10 & #21, or just make a solid pick at #6.
--- Use a David Lee package to push for a trade with either Portland for Sergio Rodriguez and their pick or with Sacramento for Shelden Williams and their pick.
--- Look to purchase as many additional picks as possible.
--- Consider a MLE signing but be responsible and mindful of the cap - I do like JR Smith and Sasha Vujacic as big 2s who have a chance to be better than what they are now.
--- Comb the D-league and summer league for players - offer contracts to guys that are hungry and who can play. Justin Williams & Louis Amundson are two guys that fit the bill and would make everyone forget all about David Lee trust me.
Bottom line - if we draft Russell Westbrook at 6 and do nothing else before next season I'm gonna be very disappointed. Anyone else feel me on this?
[Edited by - finestrg on 06-20-2008 1:00 PM]
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6/20/2008 11:03 AM