Hey Wes, other than the Thunder who was the last team to rise to prominence through draft picks???
I disagree with this logic. I have a hard time seeing good organizations like the Jazz screwing up good draft picks the way Golden State & LA Clippers have. The losing culture of these organizations comes from ownership & management, & is in place before the talent comes into play.
There's no way I could root for the Jazz if I visioned them screwing up acquiring Anthony Davis last summer to pair with Favors, then adding Damian Lillard and trading Kanter for a stud wing to go with Hayward. The Jazz are not LA Clippers; they can tank a season under the right circumstances and come out ahead.
*Edit to add an example: Deron Williams following an awful season (that was fun as hell to watch).
Boston didn't draft Rondo (draft day trade)
and Kobe + agent threatened everybody ahead of the Lakers, allowing his slide.
Rose went #1
Might as well add Boston's horrific years as example of what a good program can do with high draft picks.