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This was the year before I was born. The Bulls had just started their second season with Michael Jordan in the helm. Unfortunately, they did not account for what would be a chaotic season before them, the very moment Mike succumbed to injury. The team fell apart, but in the process, their front office had an idea that would allow them to proceed. Fail to make the playoffs and pick a superior player in the draft, a second option, per se.
But when Jordan returned, his pride lashed back at this movement by the organization. (Paraphrased) "I'm not going to miss the f#*king playoffs just because you want to tank! Now let me play so we can do that!" Concerned about this stubbornness, they proceeded with caution. They gave in, thinking, we have to get this guy some real help. 2 seasons later, they discovered an unpolished gem just drafted by the Sonics that they must have. He became the main contributor to supporting Jordan. Scottie Pippen.
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There is no doubt about our strategy this season, we are looking to put the building blocks as priority over taking half of a roster to the bottom of the playoff ladder. I suppose it's partially because Irving isn't the one that wants to compete and understands the need for real stars. Or maybe they feel you need more opportunities to find a star then just picking one up randomly in one draft.
We're in the same position as those 1986 Bulls, but have a humongous mindset of the Oklahoma City Thunder, picking ripe players to add to the play roll, then cash in when ready to compete, then swap so they won't be hit with the tax.
I don't care either way. I enjoy watching a team grow the right way on the court (I never felt that way in 2000 since it was the wrong way) and I do in fact trust this management. Grant has the ideology of Ferry, who despite the disadvantages of market value of Cleveland took an underdog team to the Finals, got 2 franchise bests in Regular Season Wins, and calculated his deals perfectly. Gilbert is showing great patience and Scott is completely bought into the plan (for now). No major mistakes have been made yet and we are accumulating assets. It's as if we are going to make a huge deal and get a star when the time is right.