Sometimes the NBA Draft can be a no-brainer. For the first time in 14 years the Timberwolves were not in the lottery. A few years ago they grabbed Karl Anthony Towns as number one and traded away All-Star Kevin Love to Cleveland for Andrew Wiggins.
They got it right the year they took Kevin Garnett. They built around him and allowed the young high school star to grow up in the NBA and dominate.
As we get closer to another opportunity of adding the 2018 incoming pool of talented players, we might reflect on past Drafts. How hard was it you think in 1960 to decide on selecting either Jerry West or Oscar Robertson, who went first and third overall?
In 1967, two of the greatest guards, Earl (The Pearl) Monroe and Clyde (The Glyde) Frazier, lifted the Baltimore and New York franchises. Or take the year 1980, when the Draft featured Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, who revitalized the NBA.
In 1979, while at Michigan State and Indiana State respectively, Johnson and Bird played in the NCAA Championship game, still today the highest rated basketball game ever on TV, won by the Spartans. Johnson and Bird lifted the Lakers and Celtics and helped energize their teams. They would meet in the NBA Finals three times. Both played on the 1992 Dream Team.
In 1984 one of the deepest, most talented Drafts headlined with Hakeem Olajuwon and Michael Jordan. Throw in Charles Barkley and John Stockton and that’s four Hall of Fame players.
In 1992, Shaquille O’Neal and Alonzo Morning, dominant centers, were followed in 1993 by Chris Webber and Penny Hardaway. The 2003 Draft featured LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony going first and third overall.
I have given you several dynamic duos who blossomed quickly. This year’s NBA Draft is no different; the future is now for the Timberwolves and everybody else.
Once you commit to the players who will be foundation-building talents, you must have the patience to allow young players to grow in your system through hard work. Scouts and general managers have to lock in on the guys they have scouted and done their homework on.
Missing on top picks can set your franchise back for years. Ask the Timberwolves – they’ve been on both sides.
Larry Fitzgerald can be heard weekday mornings on KMOJ Radio 89.9 FM at 8:25 am, on WDGY-AM 740 Monday and Friday at 9:10 am, and at www.Gamedaygold.com. He also commentates on sports 7-8 pm on Almanac (TPT channel 2). Follow him on Twitter at FitzBeatSr. Larry welcomes reader responses to info@larry-fitzgerald.com, or visit www.Larry-Fitzgerald.com.