Durant rules

[Ryan, Patrick S Maj RES USAFR 439 MSG]

Let me put it in the another perspective then - when building a team, the
best methodology is to work from the center position, then point guard, then
swingmen. Teams with great centers and great point guards win - there are
few exceptions.

Just like in football - a great QB can cover up a lot of holes.  A great
center does the same (on both ends of the floor mind you). There are few
other positions in sports like that where great players automatically make
the game easier for the other positions.

So since we are dealing with unknowables, and these are complete
unknowables, why would someone buck example after example where, everything
else being equal, where one position historically achieves ultimate success
to select someone from a position that is much more hit or miss? Everything
else is just gut guesswork (and to wit that's draft methodology in a
nutshell and why so many GMs make so many mistakes).

My method isn't foolproof either. I probably would've drafted Sam Bowie too
- he looked can't miss. So did Pervis Ellison (although many were blinded by
a great tournament), but I would've felt confident that at least I made a
decision based on a mountain of historical data that clearly showed the
impact franchise level centers have. If he turned into Michael Olowakandi
then I'd take my severance check after being fired and go home.

-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Ouellette [mailto:bosox18 at charter.net] 

Subject: Durant rules

This is my least favorite argument point in any sport. So-and-so isn't
really good because his team hasn't won. Kevin Garnett hasn't won a
championship, so he isn't a great player; Peyton Manning hasn't won a Super
Bowl, so he's not a great QB (oh, wait ...); Alex Rodriguez hasn't won a
World Series, so he's not a great player.

Kevin Garnett is a great player. Basketball is a team game, and I've yet to
see a title won by one guy, all by himself (Jordan came closest). Put Larry
Bird or Bill Russell in Garnett's place and the Timberwolves would still be
title free. If Durant is Garnett, you snap him up, unless Oden is Duncan or
Olajuwon.

It's a judgement call. My judgement is that Durant can't miss, and I'm not
sure about Oden (though "miss" is a relative term). 

Steve O