5 things the OKC Thunder can learn from ‘The Last Dance’
OKC Thunder tanking won’t guarantee success:
In reflection of the Jordan era Bulls, it seems unfathomable the front office and ownership didn’t value what many consider to be the greatest NBA team ever.
Jerry Krause was so certain he could emulate his success he refused to bring back Jackson, and pay Pippen what he was worth. Those two simple actions would’ve ensured Jordan’s return.
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Consider the fact the following season was the strike-shortened campaign and suddenly it’s conceivable this Bulls team could’ve won four in a row. The real test may have been the 1999-2000 season. That’s the year the Lakers won the first title of their three-peat. But remember Phil Jackson was the coach of that team. Without Jackson do Kobe and Shaq ever get past their egos and issues?
Inevitably Kraus’ stubbornness resulted in six consecutive draft lottery trips. In the 20 seasons since the 98 championship Bulls, Chicago has made 11 postseason appearances. Of those, Chicago reached the Eastern Conference Finals once and semi-finals on three occasions with three of those four occasions coming during the Tom Thibodeau era.
Two lessons can be gleaned from the Bulls’ mistakes. Firstly, stick to the old adage – if it ain’t broke … and second committing to fully tank isn’t always the answer.
With Presti’s mandate to reposition and replenish the strategy is clearly to remain competitive while also rebuilding. Many still believe the tank is inevitably coming — but is it?
Sure, Presti collected eight first-round draft picks and six draft swaps this past summer to compliment the team’s own picks (a total of 15 over the next seven years). But, that doesn’t mean the GM will use all those picks for prospects. If the R and R era continues expect a portion of those picks to be packaged to gain young talented assets.