"NBA teams should no longer be built around a big man, especially if that big man can't run. A wing scorer is a better way to build a team." That is a line you have heard and will hear much more as some people try to tell you that Durant should be taken in front of Oden in the upcoming draft. This might be the biggest crock recently uttered by so called expert scouts in the NBA. Let's do a quick analysis of who in fact has won championships recently.
1999 - Spurs, Duncan PF/C & Robinson C
2000 - Lakers, Shaq C
2001 - Lakers, Shaq C
2002 - Lakers, Shaq C
2003 - Duncan, PF/C
2004 - Pistons, Billups G
2005 - Spurs, Duncan C/PF
2006 - Heat, Shaq C
2007 - Spurs, might as well chalk Duncan up for title #4.
So assuming the Spurs win the title this year, they are the best team remaining, of the past 9 champions, 8 of them would have had a dominant big man, who can not run the floor. So where am I missing how a team should not be built around a dominant big man. Shouldn't the goal be winning a championship. Granted Yao hasn't worked out as well as desired but, Duncan and Shaq have 4 titles each in the past 9 years. Both have presided over dynasties.
I'm not saying that on certain teams Durant would not be a better fit given their talents, but don't spit out garbage like the NBA isn't built for the big man anymore. It is, and it always will be. A dominant big man is more valuable than any other position on the floor.
1999 - Spurs, Duncan PF/C & Robinson C
2000 - Lakers, Shaq C
2001 - Lakers, Shaq C
2002 - Lakers, Shaq C
2003 - Duncan, PF/C
2004 - Pistons, Billups G
2005 - Spurs, Duncan C/PF
2006 - Heat, Shaq C
2007 - Spurs, might as well chalk Duncan up for title #4.
So assuming the Spurs win the title this year, they are the best team remaining, of the past 9 champions, 8 of them would have had a dominant big man, who can not run the floor. So where am I missing how a team should not be built around a dominant big man. Shouldn't the goal be winning a championship. Granted Yao hasn't worked out as well as desired but, Duncan and Shaq have 4 titles each in the past 9 years. Both have presided over dynasties.
I'm not saying that on certain teams Durant would not be a better fit given their talents, but don't spit out garbage like the NBA isn't built for the big man anymore. It is, and it always will be. A dominant big man is more valuable than any other position on the floor.
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