Every time I think of criticizing Danny.
I always think of Joe Dumars...worst GM of the past decade.
Delivered them a title and came within a game of another.
A lot of GMs wouldn't mind those results.
He was fantastic, just golden at finding gems at the right price between 2000-2004. Since then, its been down hill for 7 years.
The good: drafting Prince as a late 1st and Okur in the 2nd, trading for Ben Wallace (when Hill was leaving anyway), Corlis Williamson, Rip Hamilton, and Rasheed Wallace; and signing Billups.
Amazing work.
Since then... drafting Milicic over Anthony and the signings of Villanueva, Gordon and an old Hamilton to big contracts comes right to mind.
He's been terrible since the title.
Don't forget Greg Monroe, Stuckey and Jason Maxiel. Those were solid aquisitions.
Maxiel's fallen off the planet, it seems, but he gave us fits back in 07-08.
I didn't name those players since they just met expectations for what position they were drafted at.
Drafting guys like Prince and Okur where he got them was outstanding work.
Good Point - but Max at 26 in the 1st round, Greg at 7th in 1st round and he's starting as a rookie...and Stuck at 15 in the first round were outstanding, too.
I love Shelden and what he did for us, but he was picked 5th.
Sorry to deflect the thread here.
Lets use the number 5 pick as an example to define categories: horrible, OK, and outstanding.
Shelden would be considered a horrible pick there. Jeff Green would be considered (kind of like Monroe) as an OK / met expectations pick - starter quality. And then Dwayne Wade or Vince Carter would be what I consider an outstanding pick - multiple all star selections.
Prince in the late 20's was considered just below all star level, and one of the best defenders in the entire NBA.
Okur was an all star picked in the 2nd round.
That is "outstanding" work in the draft.
