I didn’t think that the following statement would ever be uttered… but …Larry Legend may have worn out his welcome in Indiana. The Pacers’ struggles can’t all be pinned on Larry, but some questionable player/personnel moves have turned an Eastern Conference contender into a non-playoff team. The Pacers have also struggled with injuries this season to Jermaine O’ Neal and Jamaal Tinsley, two players, if healthy, that could have helped the Pacers at least contend for the playoffs.
Larry’s struggles are just part of a trend among great players that move into the front office. Isaiah Thomas, Michael Jordan, and Kevin McHale are just a few of the former player General Manager’s / Presidents that have made Steve Phillips look like an Executive of the Year candidate.
One of two things is happening in an owner’s head when they hire a former player.
1. They think it would be a great PR move to allow a former player or hometown hero to move into the front office, after that player contributed so much to the franchise as a player.
2. They think that a great former player would have special insight in scouting and player personnel decisions because they were a great player.
Hopefully, an owner believes the #1, because #2 has been proven wrong by our current crop of NBA GM’s. Let’s take a closer look:
Atlanta Hawks – Billy Knight – Billy played a little ball in his time, (averaging 28 and 10 in the ABA for the Pacers in 75-76) but that didn’t help him surround Iverson with any talent. (Apologies to Matt Gieger) He now plies his trade in Atlanta, where the team is struggling to claim the 8th seed in an unbelievably weak East, despite trading for Mike Bibby.
Danny Ainge – Boston Celtics – If not for Minnesota and Seattle deciding to have a fire sale, Ainge would still be viewed as one of the worst GMs in pro sports. I think it is interesting that the murmurs have died down about Doc Rivers being a terrible coach (even though he still is). What a difference a little talent can make.
John Paxson – Chicago Bulls -Pluses: He traded the draft rights to Jackson Vroman for Luol Deng. Minuses: No Kobe, No Garnett, Ben Wallace, No LaMarcus Aldridge and a Tyrus Thomas.
Danny Ferry – Cleveland Cavaliers – Ferry drafted LeBron. Outside of that, I can’t think of a single accomplishment worth typing.
Joe Dumars – Pistons – Joe pulled the Pistons out of their mid-90’s doldrums and turned the team into perennial title contenders. At the same time, he passed up Carmelo, Bosh and Wade and drafted Darko.
Elgin Baylor – Clippers – Congratulations, you traded for Elton Brand. Opposite of congratulations, you did everything else wrong in your tenure as GM.
Kevin McHale – Minnesota Timberwolves – Kevin has had a solid 12 years to turn the Wolves into contenders. He cost the Wolves multiple first round picks with the Joe Smith debacle, although who can blame him, Joe Smith is that fantastic. I will give him credit for drafting Garnett, but despite having a Hall of Famer on the roster, he couldn’t surround him with enough talent to be perennial contenders.
Isaiah Thomas – New York Knicks – Do I need to give you a description of how bad this guy has been? Didn’t think so.
Steve Kerr – Phoenix Suns – The jury is still out on Steve. We will see if this Shaq experiment works out.
Michael Jordan – Washington Wizards / Charlotte Bobcats – Kwame Brown could still become an All-Star, so I can judge that pick yet. I can judge the Jason Richardson trade, which turned a 10 seed in the East, into a 12 seed in the East.
Of the ten former legit pros that were named above, how many would you call good GMs? Maybe two? Apparently your ability to play basketball doesn’t dictate your ability to judge basketball talent. Who would have thunk it, besides me, and the rest of the world. I will say that former player and Hall of Famer Jerry West did a fantastic job in L.A. and built Memphis into a playoff team before the team exploded in a Florida Marlins like fashion. Unfortunately for the jockocracy, he is the exception.
R.C. Buford, San Antonio GM, has done a great job, and he never played NBA ball. Kevin O’ Connor, GM of the Jazz, has also done a fantastic job, in virtual anonymity. My point is that I watch enough NBA TV to be a GM. New York Knicks, why don’t you consider it? How much worse could I do? I’ll be in New York on Monday.
The Angry T
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