Sport360° view: Used wisely, the NBA draft is a proven pathway to glory

Jay Asser 12:26 22/05/2014
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Careful selections: The Thunder acquired Durant and Westbrook inside a year.

    The NBA is a star-powered league. But while the Miami Heat model of bringing such stars together is widely considered the best way to compete for a championship, the league has shown that building through the draft is the more likely way to become a top team and sustain that success.

    That’s why the draft lottery, as it did again this year, draws so much attention and excitement.

    Yes, the Heat have won consecutive titles and are in the process of trying to make it to their fourth straight NBA Finals since bringing their ‘Big 3’ together in 2010. But they also have LeBron James, the best player in the world.

    He’s an exception to almost every rule. Look at the remaining three teams in the playoffs right now. Between San Antonio, Indiana and Oklahoma City, the best player that wasn’t drafted by the franchise themselves or acquired on draft night is David West of the Pacers.

    Yet West barely cracks the top 10 for best players among the teams. The shining example is the Spurs of course. Their best four players – Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard – were all drafted (or traded for on draft night in Leonard’s case) and developed in-house.

    The former three have guided San Antonio to four championships, while Leonard is bridging the gap to continued success as the veterans age. But like James, the Spurs are an exception.

    Gregg Popovich is one of the best coaches of all-time and the organisation is run so consistently that we’re unsurprised they keep going deep in the playoffs.

    It’s the Pacers and Thunder who are the best examples of how to turn a franchise around via the draft and it’s no wonder they’re on the brink of the finals, despite navigating different paths. The Thunder are top-heavy with the second-best player in the league and MVP in Kevin Durant and a top-10 player in Russell Westbrook.

    Durant was second overall pick in 2007, while Westbrook was drafted fourth a year later. Picking in the top-five makes it easier to find studs, but you still have to hit on the picks and OKC have been fortunate and smart enough to do so.

    The Pacers, on the other hand, haven’t had the luxury of high selections. They’ve drafted from closer to the middle, but have still made the most of their picks by ending up with Roy Hibbert (acquired on draft night), Paul George and Lance Stephenson.

    That core has given the Heat trouble in the playoffs the past two years and they have the opportunity to conquer their Miami demons this postseason. It’s not always about the blockbuster trade or big free agency splash.

    Teams can’t lure a star player every offseason, but they do get draft picks to work with. It’s about making them count.

    Recommended