We live in a society where people are afraid to think for themselves. Where popular opinion is the basis that most people make everyday decisions by. We live in a world where all my life I was told that Tupac and Biggie are the two greatest rappers to ever rap and people who probably never heard more than three songs by, either agree with blind faith. We live in a world where Michael Jordan is the greatest and it’s almost blasphemy to even consider anything different. This Family Feud type of operating is probably most prevalent in sports. In sports more decisions are made of what “the survey says” based on the top 100 answers.
In the 2009 NFL Draft Michael Crabtree was drafted 10th by the San Francisco 49ers. Many “experts” had projected him to be the first Receiver to get drafted, possibly at 7. The Oakland Raiders felt different and drafted Darius Heyward-Bey with the 7th pick. Crabtree and his agent decided to hold out because of contract disagreements. I’m not sure how true the reports were but the word out there was Crabtree wanted to be paid like the 7th pick because that’s were he should have gone per experts like Mel Kiper. How crazy was it for him to think that he should be paid based off where people said he should go?
The Popular opinion is why Michael Jordan drafted Kwame Brown with the number one pick in the 2001 NBA Draft. Jordan gets dogged everyday for that mistake but any GM in that same situation would have done the same. The “experts” told us he was one of the most versatile bigs to come out of high school. They talked about his ability to handle the ball and a lot of mock drafts had him #1. The mocks that didn’t have him number one had Eddy Curry or Eddie Griffin. So, thanks to the “experts” Jordan never stood a chance. The old saying hindsight is 20/20 is so relevant to this situation so give Jordan a break on that one. He was just following popular opinion like most of us but there are a few organizations who are determined to maintain their individuality and the Cleveland Cavaliers stand out to me.
In the Summer of 2010 the Cavaliers lost LeBron James and seemingly all hope. The next summer they had the #1 pick and the #4 pick in the NBA Draft and hope was on the horizon. Kyrie Irving was the consensus #1 pick but the 4th pick was completely unknown but the “experts” had a few players in mind. Almost every mock draft had Lithuania’s Jonas Valanciunas going forth and with him on the board with the Cavs on the clock many assumed he would be the pick. The 4th pick in the 2011 NBA Draft the Cleveland Cavaliers selected Tristan Thompson. Now this wasn’t that big of a stretch but I like many others were shocked. There were two big men that the “experts” had ranked higher but the Cavs picked who they wanted not who the should have picked, but this was only the pre cursor to what was to come.
It’s the 2012 NBA Draft and the Cavaliers once again had the #4 pick. There were rumors that the Cavs really wanted Bradley Beal and talks of trading with the Bobcats at #2 swirled around to ensure they got their man. The trade never happened and it was clearly known that the Cavs wanted to draft a wing player to go along with Irving and Thompson. With Harrison Barnes, Jeremy Lamb, and Austin Rivers all on the board the Cavaliers decided to draft Dion Waiters who was ranked behind all three players in most mocks by the “experts”. Cleveland fans went crazy, why draft a 6th man #4? The Cavs answer to that was he was the guy that they thought was the best and they drafted who they wanted. Why not trade down, he would have been there later? The Cavs respond with why depend on others when the player we want is sitting right there. The Cavs weren’t done showing of their independency because later on they traded three picks including #24 and two 2nd round picks to the Mavs for the 17th pick who was Tyler Zeller. Cav fans wondered why give up three picks for Zeller? The Cavs responded with he was the most pro ready big in the draft and we did what it took to get him.
In the post LeBron James era the Cleveland Cavaliers are making some bold moves to try to rebuild what they once had. Who knows if any of this will work out? Five years from now we could be looking back at this as the dumbest draft ever or we could be praising the genius of the Cavs as they compete for championships. I’m not a Cavs fan at all and I would probably feel different if it was my team but I’m here to say that I like the moves along with the buck the system attitude and I hope it all works out for Cleveland and their fans.
Being bold sometimes is the way to make progress. Will it work? Who knows. But I don’t think a college sixth man is a good idea for a franchise lynch pin. We’ll see tho. Good luck Cleveland!
people get caught up on the term “6th man” but it really doesn’t matter who starts the game its who finishes. and waiters finished most games. the only reason he didnt start was cause bohiem was loyal to three wing guys who had been there, won alot of games, and didn’t do anything wrong to deserve to lose their jobs.
Waiters wasn’t a bad pick people will find out. He was the best player on their team Jim just didn’t want to bench his upperclassmen. Waiters has the potential to be the best player in this draft..
The Zeller trade I didn’t understand giving up so much for him with so many solid players left on the board but Zeller and Thompson will have to be the future in the post side show bob as the hustle man…
The cavs are gambling but hopefully it pays off.