Round 1 - Pick 1
May 12, 2020 15:38:16 GMT
Post by Aeon on May 12, 2020 15:38:16 GMT
It's been 14 years since the New Jersey Nets have been champions. Once upon a time, the team never missed the playoffs. But in the last decade, the Nets have turned out unimpressive team after unimpressive team, spinning golden lottery picks into straw. New Jersey has become the last place a GAH player wants to spend their career.
After another dismal year, the Nets possess the number one pick. It's the third time the team has picked #1 since 1990, and fans bemoan curse the team seems to have been operating under. #1 pick Shawn Kemp, gone in free agency. #2 pick Dikembe Mutombo, traded away before he could sign elsewhere. #1 pick Dennis Scott, not even a starter on the Nets last season. #3 pick Bryant Reeves yet to show the promise the team saw in him. With this pick, the Nets choose their 5th top 3 player in 7 years. With a competent front office, that should equate to an All-Star team, yet here we are. The worst team in the league.
The team needs a turnaround. Rumors from the front office suggest the entire scouting department has been replaced since last season, new analytic software developed, and a new team philosophy in place. The question remains, will this pick follow in the tradition of underwhelming talents like Scott and Reeves, or true stars who refuse to spend their time losing in New Jersey? Or is it time finally for something different?
Regardless, there seems to be little question from the front office about this pick. With no hesitation, the GM walks to the podium and announces
"With the 1st pick of the 1997 draft, The New Jersey Nets select ...
Tim Duncan, from Wake Forest."
An anonymous team scout was willing to share the reasoning behind the pick. "This was a no-brainer. While the team needs help everywhere, there is an absolute void at PF on the team. Though Scott and Reeves have not had the careers we would have wanted from such high picks, they are still talents, and we believe Reeves is still developing. Putting Duncan alongside Bryant Reeves should really make up for some of Bryant's shortcomings and allow him time to develop. And the shooting that Scott provides will work well alongside a dominant player in the paint. However, obviously we don't have the talent to pass up a great player at another position. But Duncan also provided the intangibles the team felt they needed. After the disasters we experienced losing both Kemp and Mutombo, we were looking for a team leader, a player who would be willing to be as loyal to the franchise as the fans and front office were to him, and to help create a new story for this franchise. We think Tim is that guy, a tireless worker, a team player, and someone who other players love to play with. That's the kind of guy we need in the locker room here and we think he can be the first step toward a New Jersey Nets championship again."
After another dismal year, the Nets possess the number one pick. It's the third time the team has picked #1 since 1990, and fans bemoan curse the team seems to have been operating under. #1 pick Shawn Kemp, gone in free agency. #2 pick Dikembe Mutombo, traded away before he could sign elsewhere. #1 pick Dennis Scott, not even a starter on the Nets last season. #3 pick Bryant Reeves yet to show the promise the team saw in him. With this pick, the Nets choose their 5th top 3 player in 7 years. With a competent front office, that should equate to an All-Star team, yet here we are. The worst team in the league.
The team needs a turnaround. Rumors from the front office suggest the entire scouting department has been replaced since last season, new analytic software developed, and a new team philosophy in place. The question remains, will this pick follow in the tradition of underwhelming talents like Scott and Reeves, or true stars who refuse to spend their time losing in New Jersey? Or is it time finally for something different?
Regardless, there seems to be little question from the front office about this pick. With no hesitation, the GM walks to the podium and announces
"With the 1st pick of the 1997 draft, The New Jersey Nets select ...
Tim Duncan, from Wake Forest."
An anonymous team scout was willing to share the reasoning behind the pick. "This was a no-brainer. While the team needs help everywhere, there is an absolute void at PF on the team. Though Scott and Reeves have not had the careers we would have wanted from such high picks, they are still talents, and we believe Reeves is still developing. Putting Duncan alongside Bryant Reeves should really make up for some of Bryant's shortcomings and allow him time to develop. And the shooting that Scott provides will work well alongside a dominant player in the paint. However, obviously we don't have the talent to pass up a great player at another position. But Duncan also provided the intangibles the team felt they needed. After the disasters we experienced losing both Kemp and Mutombo, we were looking for a team leader, a player who would be willing to be as loyal to the franchise as the fans and front office were to him, and to help create a new story for this franchise. We think Tim is that guy, a tireless worker, a team player, and someone who other players love to play with. That's the kind of guy we need in the locker room here and we think he can be the first step toward a New Jersey Nets championship again."