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From: thr@cbscc.UUCP (Tim H. Robinson)
Newsgroups: net.sport.hoops
Subject: Re: Sonics win draft slot!
Message-ID: <5194@cbscc.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 23-Apr-85 14:54:56 EST
Article-I.D.: cbscc.5194
Posted: Tue Apr 23 14:54:56 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 24-Apr-85 04:55:58 EST
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories <SCCS>, Columbus
Lines: 55

> Look at Portland.  They could
> have drafted Michael Jordan, but they took Bowie instead.  Everyone
> said that they were making a mistake.  No mistake.  Portland needs
> another guard like it needs a hole in the head.  Yes, Jordan has
> had a great rookie season, but Bowie has done well and the 
> Trailblazers are looking strong for the playoffs.


NO MISTAKE!!!!!  Are you a Bull and Nugget fanatic!  Portland might
not need another guard, but everyone needs Michael Jordon.  The MJ vs.
Bowie draft, as well as the Cooper, Lever, Natt vs. Kiki trade, will
go down in history as the worst draft/deal ever made.  Using ONLY
Portland's 'regular' starting line-up and the players who were
directly involved by the draft/trade, let's make 2 hypothetical teams:
    
		BEFORE

        Starters	Reserves
        -------		--------
        Jordon		Lever
        Paxson		Valentine
	Cooper		---
	Thompson     	Drexler
	Natt		---
    
This is a tremendous team which would have included 4 current/former
All-Stars.  This team has it all - speed, scoring, defense, rebounding,
you name it.  The depth is not even matched by the Lakers when you
included Portland's other players.  Plus, the versatility of many of
the players, especially Jordan, Thompson, and Drexler, gives this team
many dimensions and weapons.  There are 8 starters on this team!
HOWEVER, using the same 'players-of-interest', now picture this team:
    
		 AFTER

        Starters        Reserves
	--------        --------
	Paxson		Valentine
	Drexler         ---
	Bowie           ---
	Thompson        ---
	Kiki            ---
    
It isn't pretty is it.  You loose speed, defense, rebounding, scoring,
depth, not to mention 2 current All-Stars; is there anything left to
loose.  Let's face it, Jordon out scored, stealed, assisted, and rebounded
Sam Bowie; he is unquestionably one of the best players in the league.
Bowie is, and will always be, an average NBA center; one day soon, Jordon
will be the best.  I am a big Blazer fan and believe that Portland is
looking strong mainly due to the vast improvement of Bowie.  However,
with the "BEFORE" team, the Blazers would have been vying for a
championship this June, instead of barely being a .500 club.


					- Tim Robison