Un grosso respecto for Pat Riley.
As per Coach Thibs, this is what consistent coaching, continuity, thoughtful drafting, canvasing the weeds for undrafted talent, player development and TEAM WORK looks like.
Great Game 6. The manner in which they put the Celtics away in the final stanzas of the fourth quarter was impressive, because the Celtics came to play and are a great team.
Again, idly projecting, but when Thibs sees RJ and Taj, I suspect he is seeing Butler and Haslem.
I am hoping, that Rose resists the urge to make a big splash, and instead opts for actual player development, and looks instead to the summer of 2021 to have something positive in the way of a reconstituted culture to sell to free agents. EVEN THEN, I wouldn't go all in...I mean, Kawhi? Anthony Davis? Giannis? New York? Dolan? Seriously?
Player Development is clearly the default way to proceed, given our draft resources, and limited free agent prospects (although, having said that, Jerami Grant IS OPTING OUT, and will likelybe seeking Portis numbers, as will Harrell).
In the here and now, speaking of Westchester and player development, I am quite keen to see Wooten, Brazdeikis and Harper get a shot at some floor time, presuming they have earned it.
As for the November Draft going into 2021?
There is a reasonable chance that Onyeka Okongwu, Tyrese Haliburton, Devin Vassell, Isaac Okoro could be on the board at #8.