Given that our team is about as bad as we've been this whole millenium it is tempting to think we should try to lose a bunch of games and get a good draft pick out of the lottery. While that may be tempting, and I enjoy imagining thabeet or griffin in a pistons uniform as much as the next guy, the lottery would be horrible for us.
First off, the lottery has been horrible for us. With Dumars at the helm the draft has given us 2 nba starters, one of which is playing in utah. Maybe if you add in another 3 more people that are playing on the bench. Thats about 5/16 of success out of the draft. Before we give guaranteed money to the next rodney white, mateen cleaves, or the human victory cigar (Dumars' choices when picking higher than 15), we should take a second and think about the benefits of getting into the playoffs instead.
If we are a playoff team then our new players like stuckey and afflalo will get experience in games that matter playing with teammates that will push them. I imagine this is the difference between young point guards like rajon rondo and mike conley.
Another big reason is that the free agents that we are going to be spending all of this money next year are going to want to go to a winning team. If Detroit can't even do better than seven other teams in the eastern conference, we'll have to hope the new MGM grand casino will go along way towards attracting a big man to the D.
Most importantly, we can actually get into the playoffs. The bottom 60% of the eastern conference is as soft as jello and after this terrible road trip that is most of who we are going to be playing. If Curry is hoping to have a recovery he has a pretty solid month and a half to do it. I'd much rather hope for Curry to get it together, than hope for us to burn another draft pick.
3 comments:
I still have enough blind optimism in this team that I hadn't even considered the idea of tanking for a lottery pick. At this point they're ranked 5 in the east, which means they'll start the playoffs against a team like philly or miami, and have a good chance. Even Orlando, the likely opponent if we end with a 6 seed, would have me pretty confident. Then we're just one series away from the conference finals, and with a little luck, maybe an upset, maybe some palyers really stepping up (there are plenty of contenders) we're right back in there fighting for it. I know it's ridiculous, but i still feel like they're going to turn it around any day now, and if they hit the playoffs with momentum, anything's possible.
you're right about one thing: it is ridiculous.
underlying your optimism is the assumption that this team still gives a shit. they don't. the immovable objects--sheed and tay and rip--don't care. after so many years at or near the top of the league, how can they muster enthusiasm for something mediocre? iverson doesn't fit (never was expected to) and the NBA will not permit the pistons to beat either the celtics or the cavs, and probably not even the magic--too much young star power on those teams. this year's NBA finals will be cavs v. lakers, kobe v. lebron. that's what the NBA wants--and the NBA gets what it wants, if there's even a sliver of chance it could happen.
that said, no reason to tank this year. there's no clear incrediplayer available in the draft. what would we even argue detroit needs more than anything?
this post just got relevant again. how's life my friend? summer plans? i need a travel buddy.
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