I was never discussing Hinkie's process in this thread. How does ADP say it? Oh yea, someone is moving the goal posts.
For the last time. Please, try and listen. I agree with you that they only won because of injuries to Paul/Griffin. I'm not arguing that.
Someone said, Burrs and Gdog think you should tank unless you can win a title. I do not agree with this. I have no problem with younger teams who aren't at their ceiling yet making the playoffs and getting what may be valuable experience for down the road. I offered up POR as an example. That's all I did.
You compared the 2012 Sixers to them. I don't think it's the same for multiple reasons. Now, this is where you ignoring facts comes into play.
Jrue Holiday was a nice player. He was fortunate enough to make an AS thanks to favorable numbers in a weaker EC. He was not considered a star. Damian Lillard is a star! It's a fact. Stop comparing the two. It's not close.
Additionally, I never said I didn't want the Sixers to make the playoffs that year. It was a fun season. Beating the Shorthanded Bulls was fun. They tried to build off it by trading for a center that was 20-10. It failed. So, they were stuck with Jrue-Turner-Thad and a 34-48 team. Maybe, they would have made the playoffs then we could draw a better comparison.
To explain why it's relevant, here you go.
Your analysis of one situation is an analysis of another. It's not perfect, but it's a franchise at an inflection point that has to make a decision on what to do - build up or break down and rebuild. The Blazers were 300-1 odds to win the title at the start of the year in some books, and have had a nice, overachieveing season, but looking to the future, what should they do? Given the two options are a) build up (my plan) or b) tear down (Hinkie's) it's an adequate discussion to compare the two situations. Is it a perfect comparison? Not at all, but the basic premises are still the same, and the Sixers are the best known quantity we have to compare to since they've gone through it in exceptional failure. Team X has pretty defined ceiling but some potential that tops out below (maybe at) top 4 in their conference. What should they do?
Now, onto #FACTS.
First off, can you define younger? You seem to be clutching to that, despite all evidence to the contrary. I've posted the ages above, the Sixers weren't old. By the looks of it, they are approximately the same age as the Sixers were then. About 25, heading into their primes, but mostly known quantities in terms of skills.
Second, I've already conceded that it's not an apples to apples comparison. The similarities are there, and unless you can map out a way to get this team into the NBA finals, what's the point? You've said before that you supported The Process because even with those pieces circa 2012, the ceiling wasn't that high on that incarnation of the Sixers. Why do you give leeway to the Blazers instead? They were both young teams (roughly the same age), both had some talent, but one you said "blow it up", the other you say "let them develop". That's the basic argument; the Blazer's ceiling might be a bit higher than the Sixers, and maybe 4th in the West is better than 6th in the East? Is that an acceptable ceiling?
Third, Portland's CAPSPACE is closer to 40 than 50 assuming it an 89m cap, good for what, 6th best in the league? You're using absolute numbers in an incorrect manner. Saying I have a million dollars in 1950 isn't the same as having a million dollars today. It's intellectually dishonest. A bunch of teams will have CAPSPACE next year. It's not the asset you're portraying it to be.
Further, what impact free agents are going to go to Portland?
Durant? No
Lebron? No
Drummond? Maybe? is this your best bet?
Horford? Maybe?
Derozan? No
Pau? No point
Dwight? Sure, take him, enjoy
Wade? No
Mike Conley? Doesn't make any sense
Hassan Whiteside? Intriguing I guess?
What's the point of CAPSPACE if no one is going to there?
And again, I've conceded that Lillard is the better player of the two. But if the Process is correct, then what's really the point in having the league's 15th best player (Lillard this year) lead your team vs 40th (Holiday 2013)? Trade some first round exits for the chance at players who can win their conference and win titles. Isn't that the entire premise of the process?
