NewsFlash!

[da ThRONe]

Do you not think Portland does not regret not taking Michael Jordan in 1984. They did not need a shooting guard they had a young star named Clyde Drexler. Like now in 1984 Jordan was just a young kid with a lot of potential. So was Sam Bowie. Drexler became a 10 time all-star and Hall of Famer. As you know since then, you draft the best player available. If they find Exum or Smart is the bpa that does not mean Burke is gone. Right now Burke is our PG of the future, but you have leave your options open. Maybe you draft Exum then a team like the Fakers want him so bad, you trade him in a trade that the Jazz come out way ahead. Maybe you start with Burke as your starting PG and let the rookie back him up. Maybe you run a two point guard starting line-up. Maybe after a year, you see the rookie is not a bust you see what trade options you get for either one. Maybe you learn Exum is heads and shoulder better and you trade Burke. Just don't limit your options.

This is very selective. 1st hindsight is great. Of course if you had to choose Jordan knowing he'd be the consensus best player ever you take him no matter what. You don't have that luxury while drafting. Sam Bowie didn't help because of the injuries but he was thought of to be a dominate big man.

I think smart GM's do a little of both. Understanding that if there's a big difference in grades between to players you take the higher graded player regardless of fit. However if the grading is relatively close than you draft for fit. Building a team isn't just about putting the best athletes out there unless you can get Garnett/Pierce/Allen, James/Wade/Bosh, Bryant/O'Neal, or Jordan/Pippen. It's about fit, chemistry, and balance along with talent. Most markets aren't going to be able to snag crazy win it all with talent over fit type players unless they luck up and draft them.

 

[Stifle Tower]

This is very selective. 1st hindsight is great. Of course if you had to choose Jordan knowing he'd be the consensus best player ever you take him no matter what. You don't have that luxury while drafting. Sam Bowie didn't help because of the injuries but he was thought of to be a dominate big man.

I think smart GM's do a little of both. Understanding that if there's a big difference in grades between to players you take the higher graded player regardless of fit. However if the grading is relatively close than you draft for fit. Building a team isn't just about putting the best athletes out there unless you can get Garnett/Pierce/Allen, James/Wade/Bosh, Bryant/O'Neal, or Jordan/Pippen. It's about fit, chemistry, and balance along with talent. Most markets aren't going to be able to snag crazy win it all with talent over fit type players unless they luck up and draft them.

Agree. It wasn't like the Blazers had Gordon Hayward at SG. They had Clyde "The Glide" Drexler. He went on to have 10 all-star appearances, was also named one of the 50 Greatest of all-time. How did Drexler do in the season that MJ was drafted: 17/10/6. Portland also had a young all-star guard in Paxson. In many ways that Portland team was like the Stockton/Malone years for the Jazz: just one player away from a championship. Bowie was a great center in college. And he's just come out and admitted he hid the severity of his injuries from the Portland team doctors. Medical science has advanced a LOT in 30 years. MRI technology was in its infancy back in the early 80's. I'm no medical doctor, but I'll bet Bowie's brittle bones would be caught in today's world. As for Portland, it was ABSOLUTELY the right pick. And I'll bet had they even chosen Sam Perkins (taken 4th by Dallas) instead of Bowie, Portland would have won a title.

So yes, BPA trumps everything if there is a wide difference. If not, you do take need into consideration. Which is why I think the Jazz will take a long look at A. Gordon. I don't think he's the 5th best prospect, but I think he's very close to a handful of others. And if he CAN play SF, well, that's the Jazz' greatest need seeing as they have ZERO SF's on the roster right now.