We Need to Talk About Kevin
- Thread starter margodydek
- Start date
freakazoid
Well-Known Member
Kevin doing work as one of 5 confirmed GM's at the EuroCamp.
Mixed emotions about this ... lol.
jazzfan1971
Well-Known Member
Most times we hear a rumor about the Jazz making a deal it's all ready a dead deal. Most of the ones that happen come out of blue sky.
So, if I hear a rumor from a guy with a source on a message board, I usually just assume that it's not going to happen.
So, if I hear a rumor from a guy with a source on a message board, I usually just assume that it's not going to happen.
I think 99% of message board rumors don't happen, regardless of the team.
Stifle Tower
Punch Bowl Re-Filler
Exactly. And good points by vslice. KOC had to rebuild the team after Stockton and Malone left. Give him credit for finding hidden gems like Raja (in his 1st stint with the Jazz), Arroyo, etc. A team that was projected to have perhaps the worst record EVER nearly made the playoffs. Granted, some of the credit goes to coaching. But the Jazz didn't take a nosedive lioke the Celtics post-Bird, the Bulls after Jordan, the Pistons after the Bad Boys era, etc. Then, after being rebuffed by a few FA's, KOC goes out and gets Okur, Boozer and trades up for Williams. Jazz make it all the way to the WC Finals.
Just imagine what might have been had Larry H. allowed O'Connor to trade a whiny, oft-injured AK for assets or at least an expiring to free up salary.
And now, once the Jazz realized the Boozer, AK, Okur and Williams had serious flaws (injuries, attitude and an aversion to playing defense), KOC has undertaken a major rebuilding task again. And yet, while this is underway, the Jazz have remained competitive for all but 1/2 season, when the Deron mutiny destroyed the team.
KOC is EASILY one of the top-5 GM's in the league. I'd rank the work of Buford in SA (although a lot of the credit probably belongs to Popovich) and Presti in OKC ahead of him. Pritchard had some great years in Portland, but also made some HUGE mistakes: drafting Oden and trading the #3 pick to Utah. Who else? Kupchak in LA? Please, the Laker titles are a result of Kobe and a league-assisted trade for Gasol. Now, West I would have rated ahead of KOC. The guy in Miami? The real GM's are Wade and LeBron, with Riley wielding the real personnel power.
I'm sure I've overlooked a few. But outside of the perennial champions like Boston, LA and San Antonio, most teams have a few good seasons and then fade. Even Dallas with Nowitzki was a one-and-done show. The Jazz will NEVER have guys willing to accept the league minimum for a shot to compete for a title. Deron realized that, despite his proclamation he was going to recruit players to come to the team.
In a small market, KOC has done a fantastic job.
Yes, I hope he can make some positive changes to the roster. Losing out on the GS pick this year was unfortunate. But a decent foundation is in place and the Harris and Jefferson contracts will be off the books soon...even if he can't make good trades. I'd love to see the Jazz win a championship. But so would 25 or so other franchises. Let's not slight KOC for what he's been able to do.