for those that don't want to listen to a 53 minute video....summary?
the draft in general is discussed around 34:30
John was asked bout 2017 draft at 41:20
John says pretty much every single person on the staff wanted someone else that would have fit better with the team.
He thinks it’s a good sign that they didn’t agree.
However, "we all loved Donovan Mitchell."
Everyone was doing their best to convince management to draft Donovan Mitchell.
Breaking down game film, doing analytics. Doing their own reports.
Asking management what they need to do to convince them.
Even had Donovan Mitchell in for a workout, which he “crushed.”
You can only do so much as a staff. We tried.
I’m not trying to throw anyone under the bus. You hit on picks, and you miss on picks.
In hindsight, Bam might have been the guy to go with.
Gavin O’Leary points out if the Blazers did take Mitchell, they wouldn’t have drafted Simons in the next draft.
John agrees that there is a snowball effect.
The front office nailed Dame and nailed CJ, but for the Blazers to have taken to the next level they had to nail the 2017 draft.
Zach Collins was a miss, and a big miss.
John's guess is that management had expected another top 5 pick, to add a 3rd star, after Lamarcus left and the team was blown up, but Dame and CJ and the team were better than expected. (they finished 44-38).
John thinks the Blazers were predicted to be 29th or 30th that season.
2017 was the last opportunity to add another star.
