NBA News: Offseason

[Superbone]

Why was it depressing?

It is always depressing to hear about how the warriors (a perennial doormat for a long, long time) turned their franchise around, and did it with a lot of cast offs from us (offense, coaching, players--including the reneged trade). They took a lot of what we were building in 2005-2010 and did it right.

So? We have a rockstar GM and a coach everyone is dying to play for that is respected all around the league. We're in great shape.

True, true.

Bone, I know you and 'Dack are always competing for the most positive/rose-colored guys here, but there is no way you think Ryan is a rockstar GM, do you?

I'm just playing along with INF's attitude, Indy. No. And for the record, 'Dack and I have no such competition. I'll tell you right now though, nobody will be beating INF's disposition in the other direction. Even the ghost of Wormwood would struggle to compete.

[Superbone]

Bone, I know you and 'Dack are always competing for the most positive/rose-colored guys here, but there is no way you think Ryan is a rockstar GM, do you?

I think he's in the upper 1/3 of GMs right now. He's solid but not spectacular. He was one of the youngest GMs and is learning on the job. I'm willing to stick with him a couple more years.

I agree with all of this. Of course he's not a superstar at this point. But like carey said he's one of the youngest in the league. Can we give somebody some time in this organization to prove themselves? Please? Pretty please?

[Indy]

Someone already posted that agents were calling trying to get their guys to Phoenix because of Earl Watson.

And Ryan just had an amazing draft that was praised by all of the media and the majority of this board. Plus, in his infinite wisdom, he signed Knight and Bledsoe to deals that are bargains now.

Things are once again bright and shiny in the Valley of the Sun.

Who posted that?

At the post-draft presser, McD mentioned that agents of prospects were contacting them, saying they wanted to be in Phoenix, citing Watson's ability to connect with young players as a reason.

Oh, of course the organization will say that. They have to promote their brand. I thought INF was saying someone not paid directly/indirectly by the org said it.

[Superbone]

Someone already posted that agents were calling trying to get their guys to Phoenix because of Earl Watson.

And Ryan just had an amazing draft that was praised by all of the media and the majority of this board. Plus, in his infinite wisdom, he signed Knight and Bledsoe to deals that are bargains now.

Things are once again bright and shiny in the Valley of the Sun.

Who posted that?

At the post-draft presser, McD mentioned that agents of prospects were contacting them, saying they wanted to be in Phoenix, citing Watson's ability to connect with young players as a reason.

So? Is INF accusing him of lying?

[Indy]

Bone, I know you and 'Dack are always competing for the most positive/rose-colored guys here, but there is no way you think Ryan is a rockstar GM, do you?

I think he's in the upper 1/3 of GMs right now. He's solid but not spectacular. He was one of the youngest GMs and is learning on the job. I'm willing to stick with him a couple more years.

I agree with all of this. Of course he's not a superstar at this point. But like carey said he's one of the youngest in the league. Can we give somebody some time in this organization to prove themselves? Please? Pretty please?

I think very, very few people here were saying he should be fired. Of course he is learning. And I don't care at all how young he is, unless you are saying that because he is young you know he will get better with age. I don't think that is a truism, although I sure hope so with him.

And he has had 3 seasons so far. What is the average GM tenure? 4? 5 maybe? It isn't like he has had 2 summers and everyone is calling for his head.

[carey]

Oh, of course the organization will say that. They have to promote their brand. I thought INF was saying someone not paid directly/indirectly by the org said it.

INF doesn't like when they promote the team or players like that because it reeks of insincerity since it is unearned at this point. But you're right that they have to find positive things to say. You can't very well go up there and say "We suck! But we're trying to get better!" Everyone knows it. You just can't say it.

[Indy]

Someone already posted that agents were calling trying to get their guys to Phoenix because of Earl Watson.

And Ryan just had an amazing draft that was praised by all of the media and the majority of this board. Plus, in his infinite wisdom, he signed Knight and Bledsoe to deals that are bargains now.

Things are once again bright and shiny in the Valley of the Sun.

Who posted that?

At the post-draft presser, McD mentioned that agents of prospects were contacting them, saying they wanted to be in Phoenix, citing Watson's ability to connect with young players as a reason.

So? Is INF accusing him of lying?

GMs don't tell the truth in press conferences. They are marketeers. Is RJ Reynolds lying when they say "More doctors smoke Camels"? No, they are marketing.

[carey]

And he has had 3 seasons so far. What is the average GM tenure? 4? 5 maybe? It isn't like he has had 2 summers and everyone is calling for his head.

I already posted that chart for you! It's 7 right now.

[Indy]

Oh, of course the organization will say that. They have to promote their brand. I thought INF was saying someone not paid directly/indirectly by the org said it.

INF doesn't like when they promote the team or players like that because it reeks of insincerity since it is unearned at this point. But you're right that they have to find positive things to say. You can't very well go up there and say "We suck! But we're trying to get better!" Everyone knows it. You just can't say it.

Well it is insincere. But that is how the world works. I know INF hates it, but yeah, that is what he has to say (regardless of truth).

[Superbone]

Someone already posted that agents were calling trying to get their guys to Phoenix because of Earl Watson.

And Ryan just had an amazing draft that was praised by all of the media and the majority of this board. Plus, in his infinite wisdom, he signed Knight and Bledsoe to deals that are bargains now.

Things are once again bright and shiny in the Valley of the Sun.

Who posted that?

At the post-draft presser, McD mentioned that agents of prospects were contacting them, saying they wanted to be in Phoenix, citing Watson's ability to connect with young players as a reason.

So? Is INF accusing him of lying?

GMs don't tell the truth in press conferences. They are marketeers. Is RJ Reynolds lying when they say "More doctors smoke Camels"? No, they are marketing.

I really don't believe that he just made it up.

[Indy]

And he has had 3 seasons so far. What is the average GM tenure? 4? 5 maybe? It isn't like he has had 2 summers and everyone is calling for his head.

I already posted that chart for you! It's 7 right now.

Sorry, Carey, with my crazy life right now, I don't get to read every post anymore. I am curious what the average averages. 7 seems pretty high. But I guess that lets them fire the coach they inherited, then hire AND fire their first coach.

[carey]

I really don't believe that he just made it up.

Me either, but... it could have been some 2nd round prospects that called trying to get a work out. "Hey we really like Watson and hear good things about him. We'd love to come play for him. Give us a call."

That's easily spun into what McDonough said, no?

[Indy]

Who posted that?

At the post-draft presser, McD mentioned that agents of prospects were contacting them, saying they wanted to be in Phoenix, citing Watson's ability to connect with young players as a reason.

So? Is INF accusing him of lying?

GMs don't tell the truth in press conferences. They are marketeers. Is RJ Reynolds lying when they say "More doctors smoke Camels"? No, they are marketing.

I really don't believe that he just made it up.

I didn't say he did. I am saying that there is a kernel of truth in there, even if it is just a small kernel.

[Indy]

I really don't believe that he just made it up.

Me either, but... it could have been some 2nd round prospects that called trying to get a work out. "Hey we really like Watson and hear good things about him. We'd love to come play for him. Give us a call."

That's easily spun into what McDonough said, no?

Thank you.

[INFORMER]

I think very, very few people here were saying he should be fired. Of course he is learning. And I don't care at all how young he is, unless you are saying that because he is young you know he will get better with age. I don't think that is a truism, although I sure hope so with him.

And he has had 3 seasons so far. What is the average GM tenure? 4? 5 maybe? It isn't like he has had 2 summers and everyone is calling for his head.

Thank you. I've never heard of developing a GM while currently is employed as a GM. If you hire someone as a GM, that individual needs to be ready and qualified to do the job and do it well. You don't expect perfection,or miracles, or win it all overnight, but you don't give him carte blanche to continue to make critical errors year after year after year due to some erroneous believe that time automatically breeds improvement or that stability automatically yields progress and/or success.

[Indy]

I think very, very few people here were saying he should be fired. Of course he is learning. And I don't care at all how young he is, unless you are saying that because he is young you know he will get better with age. I don't think that is a truism, although I sure hope so with him.

And he has had 3 seasons so far. What is the average GM tenure? 4? 5 maybe? It isn't like he has had 2 summers and everyone is calling for his head.

Thank you. I've never heard of developing a GM while currently is employed as a GM. If you hire someone as a GM, that individual needs to be ready and qualified to do the job and do it well. You don't expect perfection,or miracles, or win it all overnight, but you don't give him carte blanche to continue to make critical errors year after year after year due to some erroneous believe that time automatically breeds improvement or that stability automatically yields progress and/or success.

My biggest problem is that you need someone teaching you the ropes to learn this job. Especially the stuff you can't learn by looking at stats or video. That is about who to invest in for your team. For your vision of the team. I know I keep saying this, but we aren't playing fantasy basketball here. If we had an elder statesman in the FO that had been there and done that job before, I would be fine with it. But we cleaned house a couple times and expect him to learn on his own. We certainly wouldn't expect a player to reach his potential without a dozen people around him developing him in all aspects of his job. But we somehow think Ryan can do that on his own.

[INFORMER]

I think very, very few people here were saying he should be fired. Of course he is learning. And I don't care at all how young he is, unless you are saying that because he is young you know he will get better with age. I don't think that is a truism, although I sure hope so with him.

And he has had 3 seasons so far. What is the average GM tenure? 4? 5 maybe? It isn't like he has had 2 summers and everyone is calling for his head.

Thank you. I've never heard of developing a GM while currently is employed as a GM. If you hire someone as a GM, that individual needs to be ready and qualified to do the job and do it well. You don't expect perfection,or miracles, or win it all overnight, but you don't give him carte blanche to continue to make critical errors year after year after year due to some erroneous believe that time automatically breeds improvement or that stability automatically yields progress and/or success.

My biggest problem is that you need someone teaching you the ropes to learn this job. Especially the stuff you can't learn by looking at stats or video. That is about who to invest in for your team. For your vision of the team. I know I keep saying this, but we aren't playing fantasy basketball here. If we had an elder statesman in the FO that had been there and done that job before, I would be fine with it. But we cleaned house a couple times and expect him to learn on his own. We certainly wouldn't expect a player to reach his potential without a dozen people around him developing him in all aspects of his job. But we somehow think Ryan can do that on his own.

I was speaking in general terms, but if you want to address Ryan in particular, my first response is that Ryan had exactly that in Boston with Danny Ainge. He was supposed to learn from him. When you pluck Ryan from Boston and hand him the reins, you're not starting a developmental endeavor.

[Indy]

I would agree. But how long did he have with Ainge? I find it hard to believe Ainge would let him leave without a fight if he was the right guy to succeed him.

[Cap]

My biggest problem is that you need someone teaching you the ropes to learn this job. Especially the stuff you can't learn by looking at stats or video. That is about who to invest in for your team. For your vision of the team. I know I keep saying this, but we aren't playing fantasy basketball here. If we had an elder statesman in the FO that had been there and done that job before, I would be fine with it.

Jerry Colangelo offered his services in that regard. Sarver declined. Then JC signed with the Sixers.

[Superbone]

...due to some erroneous believe that time automatically breeds improvement or that stability automatically yields progress and/or success.

Who said that? I'd really like to know.