Strawter, and even Braun, are good examples of the need to build a supporting cast of not great but serviceable rotation players around a core of focal points. Part of the problem of judging our youth has been that they've been thrust into roles beyond their ability (at present at least) to thrive in them, i.e., starter or high-minute central focus. By way of analogy, when I started skiing in high school, my ski friends were all high-level skiers, who routinely took me on runs that were far beyond my ability to ski. Consequently, for years I never developed good skiing form, habits, or skills because I was always over my skis, so to speak. However, once I began to focus on skiing runs commensurate with my growing ability, I was able to develop the form, habits, and skills that have since allowed me to become an advanced skier.
How many games do you think an NBA team highlighting Braun, Stawther, Jaylen Wells, Cason Wallace, Aaron Wiggins, Lou Dort, etc. would win? Probably in the 20s, give or take, but they all play key roles on winning and playoff teams. It makes me wonder whether player development such as what the Jazz have done the last few years, i.e., throwing rookies and youngsters in the deep end in central roles without sufficient seasoning, is really the best way to develop young players. It's a great way to tank to increase lottery odds (how'd that turn out?), but perhaps not the best way to develop talent and evaluate whether the youngsters have a role and what that role is, whether central or supporting. I can't believe I'm saying this, but it's kind of along the same lines of Locke's "over dipped Oreo cookie" theory.
Anyway, I'm not sure this is anything new or profound, but it's a slow morning, and I'm putting off doing something I need to do but don't really want to. (Posting on boards is an effective procrastination method.)