Im very interested in who Ainge would have picked at 4. Everything about his history suggests it indeed would have been Winslow, and if not, would probably not have been Porzongis. But I'd pay to know the answer.
Winslow was a very possible target at no. 4. And I believe that Ainge only made the Godfather offer to Charlotte, when Winslow had dropped all the way to that spot (because that was what Danny would have offered to get him at the fourth spot).
Probably right.
As I've noted a number of times lately, it irks me. I very much like Winslow and was eager for Ainge to move to 9 to get him. But 4 was too high for him -- not because he may (or may not) turn into a great player, but because Ainge would have reached for him well before other teams. And in doing so,
he loses both value, and the opportunity to uncover a potential star.
I think Danny has a tendency to overreact to the personal make-up of the prospect (remember when he signed Scal to a 5 year deal?). By all accounts Winslow is a smart, tough sono****un who really wants to win, and that's great -- combined with excellent physical tools, he could be excellent. But once again, Ainge would have passed on a player who almost certainly will be a better player and building block for one that he's more comfortable with from a due diligence perspective (and therefore is lower risk). And for me, he's done that too many times. Among other things, the Cs recent record of understanding European talent is dangerously poor.
So that no one can accuse me of revisionist history, I'll use the example of Rozier, our latest pick. It's early, but I think he was a major reach. There was just too much talk about his toughness, his speed, his defense, for me. Makes me think of Marcus Banks. The guy might fit a role in time, but he's not much a basketball player. We're going to see a couple of good young players emerge from picks behind him in the 2015 draft. Grant is an early candidate in my eyes (yes, I know he's 23).
I really worry about the Cs ability to make the right pick at a crucial moment, especially with the likelihood we'll see picks from the Nets in the mid-to-low lottery in coming years.
Or JR Giddens, a pick no one thought made any sense in the first round. And the consensus was correct.
Of course, that approached worked with Rondo. Not sure he has a good hitting percentage though with his reaches.
Sure. As everyone knows that pick should have been DeAndre Jordan, who at that point in the draft, was a highly logical risk. Instead he went with a 4 year college guy he felt was safer. The result was poor. The same could be said for the JJJ pick. Ironically, Ainge's best pick was one he bought (the only time I can remember him doing so) -- Rondo.
Ainge is an excellent general manager. But the Cs scouting and drafting has been its weakest link, and it shows on this roster. I'm sure Ainge felt finding a star thru trade would be easier, but without that, we have a horizontal (I.e. flat) roster -- and that's not exactly the formula for success in the NBA, either on the floor or in pursuing trades.
The Cs most valuable assets are not players, but picks (received on trade, where Ainge absolutely shines).
Topic: Zach Lowe with details on failed Winslow deal - suggests Melo as target (Read 9688 times)