Except of course msot of those trades advanced our cause.
The Warriors leapfroging us, if indeed they have (last I checked they had 4 more wins than us) has far more to do with their ability to actually sign a major free agent (Lee) then any great develpment moves they made.
Basically here's how the cores were used:
Hi-Scoring Guard Who Predated 2009
Ellis --> Bogut, SJax
Martin --> Landry --> Thornton
2009 Draft
Curry
Reke
2010 Draft
Udoh
Cousins
There's really no problem there in those comparisons for us. If there is a gap for us its in the rest of the stuff. Our big free agent signing big man was Chck Hayes. There's was David Lee. We made two bad asset mistakes this summer with: Hawes --> Dalembert --> LET HIM WALK??; and Beno --> Salmons. But our core work hasn't been any worse thn theirs, and really still provides the hope for the future.
Brick, I suspect you meant to argue my point but I should thank you for helping make the point for me. You basically touched on many of the things that I was too lazy to bring up.
Yes, our BIG signing is Chuck Hayes. Their big signing is All-Star big man David Lee. Now, if you're going to argue that Chuck Hayes is as good as David Lee, go ahead. We know you won't, but thanks for bringing that up.
And yes again, Hawes -> Dalembert -> Nothing. That Dalembert wanted nothing to do with Sacramento surprises no one, not even our FO. Note that Petrie was at least smart enough to know that Dalembert would have pissed on a King's offer and only made one when it seemed he had no other options left. But in the end Daly walked, just like he would. I said the day Daly arrived that keeping him would be a challenge. I also said Hawes would become a solid starter in the NBA. You just don't give away Hawes for a one year rental. I know the Warriors wouldn't do that. They would never have traded Epke Udoh for a short rental. The Kings would. Again, thanks for making that point for me.
But I'd be interested in hearing you argue that getting rid of Beno and had Jimmer replaces him advances our course. And I'd also like to hear how trading our first round draft pick for JJ Hickson advances our course.
You want to talk about the draft? The Ws drafted Klay Thompson, one spot
after the Kings took Jimmer. Now Jimmer is not a bad player, but there's no contest here, Thompson is going to be a fantastic player while Jimmer is probably a bench guy. Thompson is the
reason Warriors felt comfortable trading away Ellis, so don't make light of this draft pick. It's may just proves to be one of several key moves that turn around their franchise.
But it's not just draft is it? The Warriors manages to pluck guys from the D-League and FA that are ballers while the Kings were busy playing with their thumbs. Brandon Rush is making 1/3 of John Salmons' money and giving 3X the production. And how come the Ws managed to find solid D-Leaguers to pluck their holes year after year? Anthony Morrow, Reggie Williams, Kelenna Azubuike, Dominic McGuirre, etc, etc.
These little moves probably means nothing to you, but they mean a lot when you add them up - the ability to pluck holes for cheap is a skill that good GM
must have. When Petrie wanted to fill the SF void he traded a post-injury declining player with a bad contract. When the Ws wanted to fill the same void they signed a young up and coming athletic freak with defense and shooting for half of Salmons' price. And chances are they will upgrade that position again this summer.
Don't pretend that the little things don't matter. They adds up to where we are now - the W is four wins better than we are. You act like four wins is nothing. As if being blown out by the Ws in our home court (without Curry and Ellis) is nothing.
This "nothing" Warrior team now basically has a team with two All-Stars and two potential All-Stars (Curry and Thompson). While the Kings are still small balling and still dont' have a starting five that makes sense.
Bottom line is that, next season this "nothing" Warriors is going to challenge for the playoff and I think they'll make it (if their starters stay healthy). The Kings will again be looking at the lottery if they keep going around in circle.
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