[Bison 49Participant]

We always hear all of this talk about strong/weak drafts, but more recently, teams seem to have been able to do a lot more with what they get.  Does it not seem that the past 5/6 drafts have all produced a lot of servicable to good players over time? 

I do not have time to go into a lot of detail on this, but it seems that NBA development programs have really improved to the point that some teams such as the Spurs (the list is growing) can develop moderate talent into good/great talent.  Team front offices on average seem to be much smarter in developing their players, and building their teams. In saying this, some teams still really suck at team building (GS; Charlotte)!

Does the approach taken to the NBA draft seem to be moving much closer to that taken by the NFL, where development, not prospecting seems to be the driving philosophy? Teams like the Colts, Patriots, Ravens, and Steelers seem to get it right a lot with both strong and weak prospects. Does this increase in developmental ability decrease the impact of draft strength?

[rileymcshea3Participant]

 Well if you look  at those teams you listed most of them have that superstar that is all about winning and they have that head coach that knows how to use there players .Look at the teams who have won the most championships in the 21st century so far(since 2000) the Patriots and Spurs .Superstar winner?check(Tim Duncan and Tom Brady) .Amazing coach that turns nothing into something?check(Gregg Popovich and Bill Belichick) 

[rileymcshea3Participant]

 Well if you look  at those teams you listed most of them have that superstar that is all about winning and they have that head coach that knows how to use there players .Look at the teams who have won the most championships in the 21st century so far(since 2000) the Patriots and Spurs .Superstar winner?check(Tim Duncan and Tom Brady) .Amazing coach that turns nothing into something?check(Gregg Popovich and Bill Belichick) 

[Bison 49Participant]

Definately.  The teams have had the stars, but some of the stars have been supported to get where they are at.  Usually a top 5-10 pick in basketball will get every opportunity to be a star, but for the other guys it is a crap shoot.  (using the example of Brady) he could have been cut a few times before he even played a snap for a team. 

For the Spurs, yes Duncan is an amazing talent/contributor to the team, and the type of guys who would be good (high intangibles) but how much of that was a product of a system that makes lots of guys better than they would be in most other situations.  Think of what they did with Parker, and Ginobli.  These are they types of guys who could easily be playing at a Udrih/Delfino level as opposed to where they are playing at.

As far as the coach, they are a big part of the system.  It has been a long time since a coach was acquired through a draft pick (trade of a pick back in the day).

[Bison 49Participant]

Definately.  The teams have had the stars, but some of the stars have been supported to get where they are at.  Usually a top 5-10 pick in basketball will get every opportunity to be a star, but for the other guys it is a crap shoot.  (using the example of Brady) he could have been cut a few times before he even played a snap for a team. 

For the Spurs, yes Duncan is an amazing talent/contributor to the team, and the type of guys who would be good (high intangibles) but how much of that was a product of a system that makes lots of guys better than they would be in most other situations.  Think of what they did with Parker, and Ginobli.  These are they types of guys who could easily be playing at a Udrih/Delfino level as opposed to where they are playing at.

As far as the coach, they are a big part of the system.  It has been a long time since a coach was acquired through a draft pick (trade of a pick back in the day).

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