Simmons at the Draft
by Stop-n-Pop on May 8, 2009 9:24 AM CDT
39 comments
With all of the talk about Bill Simmons and the Wolves GM job, I thought it would be an interesting idea to take a trip back to his Draft Diary column series to see what he had to say about the Wolves and Wolves-related draft picks:
2008:
4:48: Minnesota takes Ovinton J'Anthony Mayo at No. 3 as Bilas tells us Mayo is "NBA-ready." You mean, from a fertility standpoint? Nope, he means "ready to step in and play right away." Got it. Maybe Mayo was the most talented prospect available (note: I argued Mayo's strengths in my back-and-forth with Marissa Cooper's Dad on Tuesday), but poor Mayo and his entourage look like they're consoling each other at a wake right now. Bad sign.
...
4:50: Normally, Mayo is disarmingly winsome and charming in interviews, to the point that part of me wants to legally adopt him. (I wish I had thought of this 10 years ago.) Not right now, not when he's coming to the realization he will be spending the next five years shoveling snow in Minnesota. Even Stephen A. can't get a rise out of him. Is it too early to list O.J. as the top free agent of the summer of 2013?
...
5:01 And now, the most exciting words in sports: "Chris Wallace is on the clock!" Anything's possible for Memphis here -- he could take Candace Parker and I wouldn't be surprised. I'm prepared for anything. Hold on, here's Stern ... and Memphis takes ... Kevin Love!
(Searching for an insult ...)
(Gulping ...)
Did Chris Wallace just make a good draft pick? I think he did! The Grizzlies have good point guards and athletes who can run the floor, now they have a great rebounder and outlet passer ... I mean, they have some stuff going. Plus, Bilas loves his "pick and popability." So there's that.
2007:
5:11: You have to love the T-Wolves -- they waited a year too long to trade KG, then frantically shopped him for the past week, and while all this was happening, owner Glen Taylor headed to China for his honeymoon. Hey, Kevin, good luck dealing the most important player in franchise history, I'll be in Beijing with my fifth wife! Anyway, they just grabbed Corey Brewer at No. 7. Another well-done, logical pick. We're 5-for-7 right now.
2006:
8:10 -- And with the sixth pick, Minnesota somehow ends up with the best player in the draft: Brandon Roy. Funny how it always works out that way. With the new rules and his hesitation move alone, he's good for 16-18 points a game next season and 3-4 All-Star appearances down the road. Of course, Stephen A. thinks Minnesota just solved their point guard problems, even though Roy is a natural two-guard. Let's just move on.
As a quick side note, and as mentioned by the editor on that last link, not only was this the beginning of Foye/Roy, but it was the pick given to the Wolves because of the Mark Madsen tank game....a game in which the big dope took 7 three pointers and allowed Brian Cardinal to...well, Madsen committed a crime and he should never be forgiven for it. The day when Madsen is off the Wolves can't come quickly enough. Every second he occupies a Minny uniform is a slap in karma's face. Do you think he teaches kids how to throw games at his basketball camps? Back to the action:
8:35 -- Tony Bennett reports that Minnesota and Portland are swapping draft picks -- Roy to Portland, Foye to Minnesota. That's it? That's the trade? None of the ESPN guys seem remotely fazed. I knew Kevin McHale couldn't just pick the best guy in the draft without somehow screwing it up. I would have bet my Ndudi Ebi rookie cards on it.
2005:
8:35 – Just talked to my Dad, who's officially in "We might end up with Danny Granger at No. 18!" mode.
,,,
8:55 – Hoping to replace Latrell Sprewell's scoring, explosion and overall insanity, Minnesota takes Rashad McCants at No. 14. This leads to the funniest moment of the draft – McCants taking so long to hug his family and posse that Stern zoned out on the podium, followed by McCants having to tap him on the shoulder for the obligatory handshake. Fantastic. That could have earned this telecast "Save Until I Delete" TiVo status for at least three weeks.
8:59 – Poor Gerald Green – he has a "If I drop four more spots, I'm going to have to return that Hummer and the three Plasmas" look on his face right now.
By the way, here's my McCants question – everyone was writing that his stock was dropping as teams kept doing background checks on him. Well, what were they finding? Did he kill a litter of puppies? Did he appear in a snuff film? Or was it something as innocent as "His favorite movie is 'Scarface'"? As I'm mulling over the possibilities, McCants gives us the quote of the night: "My passion for winning is very misunderstood – it took us three years to win a championship, sometimes it takes guys 10 years."
...
9:13 – Indiana takes Granger, the only guy in this draft other than Paul who could have played in last week's Spurs-Pistons series – now he's going to one of the most talented teams in the league? Yikes. My disappointed father (a Granger fan) immediately brings up the '85 Draft when the Pistons took Joe Dumars one spot ahead of the Celtics.
2004 (otherwise known as the draft where BIll went nuts for Okafor over Howard):
8:46 -- Here's a doozy: Portland takes Sebastian Telfair and his 100-person entourage at No. 13. Unbelievable. Horrendous pick. I'm speechless. ESPN smartly cuts to Jameer Nelson, a mortal lock for the Jumaine Jones Memorial "Last Guy Left In The Green Room" Award.
8:56 -- With the Celtics on the clock, ESPN runs footage of the Johnson-Brown-Forte picks from 2001 just to torture me. Thanks, guys. You forgot to show Lenny Bias trying on the green Celtics hat. I feel sick.
8:57 -- Boston takes ... high schooler Al Jefferson. Good pick. Other than Kirk Snyder, he was the best guy on the board, and we didn't need Snyder. Dad and I exchange nods of approval. "I'm surprised he lasted this long" says Bilas, adding that he's "relentless" and has "upside." I think we're about two years away from somebody creating an NBA Draft Cliché Karaoke Machine.
You may recall that the Wolves forfeited their pick that season.
2003:
6:47 -- Last two picks: Carlos Dellino to Detroit, Ndidu Ebi to Minnesota. I have absolutely no opinion whatsoever, other than Ebi's first name is pronounced "Doody." That's right, "Doody." Where are Spaulding Smails and Carl Spackler when you need them?
Just for kicks and giggles, let's see what Bill has to finish out the round:
6:50 -- Picking for the Celts, Memphis takes ... high school center Kendrick Perkins. 6-foot-10, 285. Nice. There's some Eddy Curry potential there. Then again, there's some Thomas Hamilton potential. "He has a tremendous upside," Danny Ainge tells Tirico. That's good to know. I was worried he just had upside.
6:57 -- Some Brazilian guy just went to the Spurs ... according to Katz, the Brazilian guy's stock rose because there was a "tape circulating about him" that everyone was trying to get their hands on. He doesn't elaborate. Was this like the Tommy Lee-Pamela Anderson tape? Was he steering a speedboat with his genitals or something? I need answers.
For those of you playing along at home, that Brazilian guy was Leandro Barbosa.
2002:
Nothing on the Wolves. Another forfeited pick.
2001:
Nothing on the Wolves. Another forfeited pick.
2000:
Nothing on the Wolves. Another...you know what, nobody gets to complain that Simmons would do a poor job at this point. Is quality control even relevant with this franchise? Interestingly enough, 2000 was the last year the NBA held outside of NYC. It was at the Target Center. It was probably the worst draft in the last 20 years.
In all seriousness, I get that this isn't going to happen but I also think that the Wolves have been afforded a fantastic opportunity where a national columnist has taken interest in their product. Don't slam the guy or diminish what he brings to the table. Remember, your fans have had to sit though about 10 years of nonsense when it comes to what happens in the front office. Don't get all high-and-mighty about how Simmons doesn't understand the "little things" that make for a successful NBA front office. News flash: you guys don't understand the little things that make for a successful NBA front office. From the 99 Draft to Wally's contract to T-Hud to Hassell to the Joe Smith nonsense to Shaddy to Foye/Roy to the Wrong Gator you guys aren't exactly on high ground when it comes to lecturing people on the finer points of NBA GM-dom. Let's also ease up on the "he's just a comic" angle. Y'all have been high comedy wizards for the past decade.
You don't have to hire the guy as your GM but would it hurt to bring him in for an interview? Would it hurt to bring him aboard in some capacity to give the franchise a national following? Let him have the Plimpton-esque NBA book that he seems to be going for. Don't dismiss this as a joke. It's no more of a joke than what we fans have had to endure for far too long. Any team that selects Doody Ebi because its GM liked how aggressive he was against LeBron James during the McDonald's All American game forfeits more than draft picks; as type-casted comedians they lose any claim to seriousness.
That is all.
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Here's the thing
what if it worked? What if Simmons was hired, and actually did a good job? It would be a nightmare for the powers that be—it would essentially say that there is no super secret club that you have to be a member of in order to succeed. If a guy who is essentially a fan who makes his living writing about sports—and making jokes can step in and run a franchise, all of a sudden it’s not a mysterious process that fans “can’t understand.”
The thing is, I’m absolutely convinced that it COULD work. I think we radically over-glorify people who do these jobs (especially in the NFL, but really in all sports). Bill James wrote a thought experiment about something like this on his website last year—the idea being that fans could run to be elected GM, and a certain amount of the roster would be determined by fan voting on which players to keep, etc. It absolutely could work, and I’d love to see it, if only to get rid of some myths about professional sports.
by Eric in Madison on May 8, 2009 9:54 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I think it could too.
It’s not rocket science. It’s made to seem that way by the people who make money off of it, but if it was rocket science, the Wolves have employed Sid the Science Kid for the past decade +.
Kevin McHale
Extra points for the knock on the NFL. Praising the genius of NFL GMs is a cottage industry these days. I’m sure there are tons and tons of things that he would need help with but as far as basic player selection, I think there is something to be said about certain fans being able to select the right guy at the same rate as your average (or in this case, below average) GM.
The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
www.canishoopus.com
by Stop-n-Pop on May 8, 2009 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, it seems like, were Simmons GM for the last 5 years or so, that our team would probably have Granger and Roy (or a similarly smart pick were we not in contention for Roy). I also remember that Simmons wrote something about Love, after seeing him in the McDonalds all-American gamesaying how much he absolutely loved his game and how sad it was that he was destined to be underappreciated because his game is all about fundamentals and the “little things,” and how he’ll always be overshadowed by flashy athletes. All-told, I know he’s a fan, but he’s made good calls in the past (before they were hindsight) in regards to talent evaluation..
This would almost be too good to be true. I just don’t see how he could ever mess things up the degree that they have already been messed up. There’s no where to go but up, honestly, so why not at least explore the idea of going up AND attracting massive national media coverage and sparking never-before-seen levels of interest among your fans? Just a thought…
by Xand1 on May 8, 2009 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Granger & Roy, probably not
If the Wolves picked Granger in 2005, their record probably would have had them drafting later, and maybe not at all (remember they were t6, and if they fell out of the top 10, the Clippers would have the pick).
The odds of drafting Roy at 8-10 probably would have been less.
by Ski U Mah Gopher on May 8, 2009 2:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, and in that scenario...
Foye might’ve still slipped to that pick.
by pagingstanleyroberts on May 8, 2009 2:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The most-overlooked thing...
Is that Simmons watches tons of basketball and has been doing so ever since NBA League Pass started appearing on satellite. I’d guess he averages 10-25 games per week. And his writing shows he’s been paying attention.
by pagingstanleyroberts on May 8, 2009 10:02 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
as i kind of alluded to..
…above i think the problem fans like simmons have is that they equate player selection with the position. in reality, it’s more ceo than hr. i get where the wolves are coming from on that front. that being said, i don’t think it could hurt…if that makes any sense.
The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
www.canishoopus.com
by Stop-n-Pop on May 8, 2009 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ric Bucher tried to tell him this...
In a podcast a few months ago: the day-to-day work isn’t just about personnel. But I think he’s putting that information out there because those would be the selling points to the fans. My guess is his friendship with Bucher, Marc Stein, Darryl Morey, and Mike Lombardi (NFL) gives or has the potential to give him an understanding of how to do those other things. It worries me, too, because he’s pretty open about liking his current setup: working from home, starting late in the morning, etc.
by pagingstanleyroberts on May 8, 2009 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, I'm not sure he doesn't understand the job
He wrote extensively about the PR aspects that are a big part of it, as well as the roster management side. Sure, he wouldn’t be versed in everything, but I think that’s true of everyone.
by Eric in Madison on May 8, 2009 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i do think..
….he’s smart enough to know he would have to take it seriously and listen to other people.
The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
www.canishoopus.com
by Stop-n-Pop on May 8, 2009 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I bet he'd put in more hours than McHale ever did.
Even getting up late and watching five episodes of the Hills every day I bet he could still do more due diligence than it seems the Wolves brass normally does. And while there’s more to being GM than picking who we draft, I do describe to the theory that the Wolves are painfully bad at making draft picks and Simmons would do better. Simmons would’ve picked Brandon Roy. That move right there would’ve made a HUGE difference to this franchise.
by princelyfrank on May 8, 2009 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Simmons has shown some good instincts in regard to the Wolves
1. Trading KG in the Summer of 2006 rather than 2007
2. Advocating for Kevin Love against all comers leading up the Draft last year.
There’s also bad points such as
1. Advocating a trade for Andre Miller at the 2008 trade deadline. I’m confused what this would have accomplished other than making a 20 win team a 30 win team.
Simmons is also clearly open to doing whatever he can to get an edge. An example of this would be his fawning column over Daryl Morey.
I do think his trade value columns tend to overrate scorers (I.E Oj Mayo, Kevin Durant) but that’s probably not much different than a lot of NBA GM’s.
I will defend the Wolves in this regard. An post on a Messageboard doesn’t equate to the Wolves calling Simmons “A Comedian”. As Britt made the point last night their are serious obstacles that might affect his ability to do a job (IE Write a Book, Lack of Trust with other GM’s). This isn’t to say that he doesn’t deserve a role somehow- only I can see why they’re maybe not throwing the whole GM search upside down to accomadate Simmons.
by Jose Cordoba on May 8, 2009 10:09 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
If this were..
….STRATCOM I’d be worried about the secrets. It’s an entertainment business and they aren’t very entertaining. I get that there has to be a balance, but the Wolves…well, I completely hear what you are saying and Britt has some good points. But this franchise has produced enough comedy over the years to make me willing to overlook some of these things.
The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
www.canishoopus.com
by Stop-n-Pop on May 8, 2009 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
With the book...
Obviously, the main problem is that Simmons would be part of the team for an indefinite amount of time, so it might come back to bite him. But if he’s willing to take that risk, why not? NBA teams have books written about them: Jack McCallum’s book about the Suns, Paul Shirley’s book about his life on the NBA fringe, David Halberstam’s Breaks of the Game, Sam Smith’s books about Jordan, Phil Jackson’s books. Secrets come out in those books, but not everything gets put in. A book like that would get non-Wolves fans interested in the Wolves. This franchise needs something to improve their local and national following. Simmons himself described Wolves fans as a small but loyal group.
by pagingstanleyroberts on May 8, 2009 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hat Tip to KMLN
He made the similar point last night on Simmons as Comedian-Last Night.
by Jose Cordoba on May 8, 2009 10:10 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
You put it far more eloquently than I did.
I’m just glad I wasn’t alone on the idea.
by Kevin Loves McHale's Navy on May 8, 2009 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think he would be a great GM, but he would be a great "VP of Common Sense" as he uses to write
Some moves teams make are obviously so dumb that either the guys behind them are geniuses – or the moves are really dumb. Fans watching a sport and team for a long time have a pretty good feeling for many of those “really dumb” moves. If a franchise can avoid those, it might still not win it all, but could be much better positioned for the future.
Apart from that, the general rules are probably something along the lines of:
- Watch the player in workouts and 5 on 5
- Listen to your scouts who have watched the players longer than you
- Get multiple opinions
- Check the stats. Check the stats again
- Trade: Who gets the best player in the trade? Are you getting more than just scrubs? Can you get an additional pick?
- Free agency: Don’t overpay if you are only bidding against yourself
by Norsktroll on May 8, 2009 10:26 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
"as type-casted comedians they lose any claim to seriousness"
In that analogy, it’s like Simmons is Will Ferrell and the Wolves FO is Dane Cook. Or Ricky Gervais and Jim Belushi.
by pagingstanleyroberts on May 8, 2009 10:32 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The Wolves apparently have already considered hiring
a former sportswriter for the GM position:
From this website:
We know what you’re saying. “What?! How can a sportswriter jump directly from his keyboard to the board room of a respected professional sports franchise? Or even the Milwaukee Bucks?”
Well, it’s been done before. Plenty of times. Tex Schramm was a former sportswriter who became one of the most influential GMs in NFL history. Ernie Accorsi is the general manager of the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants, and admits to being a former sportswriter.
David Kahn, Marty Hurney, Ned Colletti, Parke Carroll, Billy Evans, George Kirksey, Jim Gallagher—all one-time writers who assumed front-office positions for sports teams at the highest level.
by PoorDick on May 8, 2009 10:46 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I mean
This website: www.hirebillsimmons.com
by PoorDick on May 8, 2009 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
awesome..
…nice catch
The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
www.canishoopus.com
by Stop-n-Pop on May 8, 2009 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
How many of those guys...
made the leap directly from sportswriter to GM?
by Pants_ on May 8, 2009 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good point
But it would be interesting to see if he’d be willing to give up what he’s got for a non-G.M. player-personnel front office job. My take is “Yes.”
by PoorDick on May 8, 2009 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wasn't Sid Hartman the GM of the Lakers back in the fifties for a while?
Was he a writer before that, too, or only after? Or possibly both at once?
by princelyfrank on May 8, 2009 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think he also
was the PR person for the Black Sox in the Oughts (before the betting scandal).
by PoorDick on May 8, 2009 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think he was a sportswriter first...
… dating back to his coverage of the Panhellenic Games.
by Kevin Loves McHale's Navy on May 8, 2009 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
his original columns...
….can only be found in amber.
The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
www.canishoopus.com
by Stop-n-Pop on May 8, 2009 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Didn’t some kids unearth one of his early colums in some cave in France?
by Xand1 on May 8, 2009 11:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Did you read about the Wolly Mammoth..
….remains they found in his teeth?
The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
www.canishoopus.com
by Stop-n-Pop on May 8, 2009 12:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sid Built a Dynasty
if that isn’t an argument for “anyone can run an NBA team” than I don’t know what is.
EIther that, or he was just the one lucky enough to have Mikan land in his lap. Sort of like how it works nowadays.
Sid was a Sportswriter first. I think he started working when he was 14 or something. He has lived an incredible life, that’s for sure.
by Andy B on May 8, 2009 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i hear...
…he is an eternal who can’t be killed.
The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
www.canishoopus.com
by Stop-n-Pop on May 8, 2009 12:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
to pick on a 90-something
sports columnist.
by PoorDick on May 8, 2009 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
When you write an article...
… talking about how great a quarterback Sage Rosenfels is, you know it’s time to hang it up.
by Kevin Loves McHale's Navy on May 8, 2009 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Whoever works out a way to..
….incorporate Jason Statham into the Wolves’ marketing plan gets my support. Statham!
The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
www.canishoopus.com
by Stop-n-Pop on May 8, 2009 12:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Uhh
is that the small forward from Washington State?
by PoorDick on May 8, 2009 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm still coming off the high that was Crank: High Voltage
Not quite as good as the first movie, but my senses were assaulted.
Here is an ode to Statham and Crank:
Statham’s imdb.com profile, collectively, is a promise to you, the weary filmgoer. It’s a promise that says, “I promise that you will not FOR ONE SECOND be bored during one of my movies. You won’t learn shit about the human condition, or feel a collective connection with the brotherhood of man. But if you give me $10, I will fuck an explosion while a Slayer song plays”.
Amen.
The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
www.canishoopus.com
by Stop-n-Pop on May 8, 2009 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bill Simmons thowed mayn
he wud kill it mayn. i don’t thank dey shud make him gm but bring him on as aconsultant. as ayone saying, WHY NOT mayn!??!! wuss de risk mayn? put him in a position where he cud juss offer opinions an not necesarrily decide anything himself.
uv course doe, iss de “No Balls Association”
MAYN HOL UP!
by MAYNHOLUP on May 8, 2009 1:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
only thang is...
i thank he wud git rid of our boy Bassy. if he agrees ta keep Bassy, im in mayn
MAYN HOL UP!
by MAYNHOLUP on May 8, 2009 1:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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