- Thread starter
- #1
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2006
- Messages
- 60,151
- Reaction score
- 2,039
DISCLAIMER: I do not pretend to know how FBB Free Agency works. It is a mystery. But let's pretend we live in a world where player's opportunity and performance in the year prior gives them a better chance of improving in the training camp following that season. With that framework set up, let's look at the nine greatest youth killers currently residing in our league.
HONORABLE MENTION: tyfreak (Philadelphia 76ers)
Notable Victims
SF Andrew Wiggins (2014 4th Overall Pick)
24.5 MPG, 7.6 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.6 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 1.6 TOPG
Verdict: Cannot be saved.
PF Aaron Gordon (2014 5th Overall Pick)
24.8 MPG, 7.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 2.2 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 1.4 TOPG
Verdict: Cannot be saved.
9. bosoxlover12 (Sacramento Kings/Chicago Bulls)
Perhaps the best comparison to this GM's system is the episode of "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" where Will Smith is allowed to shoot the ball every single possession for his high school team. The mantra is simple: get the best player as many looks as possible, no matter how the other players fit into their supporting roles. In the process, youth has certainly been neglected.
Teammates trying to get the ball from Avery Bradley.
Notable Victims
SF Kawhi Leonard (2011 2nd Overall Pick)
34.6 MPG, 12.6 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.3 BPG, 0.2 SPG, 1.4 TOPG
Verdict: Has been saved.
PG Goran Dragic (2010 Creation Draft 59th Overall Pick)
24.6 MPG, 6.4 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 1.3 TOPG
Verdict: Has been saved.
8. notail (Orlando Magic)
The first spot on the list is earned by somebody whose strong efforts to lose intentionally forced the league to change their anti-tanking policies. After acquiring three of the most promising perimeter prospects in a myriad of trades that unloaded LeBron James and Eric Bledsoe, the Magic went an unconventional route and decided to run a Slow/Inside offense to try and increase their odds of winning the draft lottery.
Notable Victims
SG Donovan Mitchell (2017 1st Overall Pick)
28.5 MPG, 9.8 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 2.5 TOPG
Verdict: Can be saved.
SF Jayson Tatum (2017 2nd Overall Pick)
27.3 MPG, 9.8 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 1.6 TOPG
Verdict: Can be saved.
7. .inf (Houston Rockets)
Here's a disclaimer for all you reading: if you make a trade for a young player and your first move is to throw him on your bench to get 8-18 minutes per game, you are a youth killer. This move could easily be called "the .inf", but give him credit at least; he doesn't hold onto his first round picks often.
Notable Victims
PF Giannis Antetokounmpo (2013 1st Overall Pick)
34.9 MPG, 12.0 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 1.6 APG
Verdict: Cannot be saved.
NOTE: These stats are combined with Antetokounmpo's stats from Atlanta from this season.
SG Malcolm Brogdon (2016 11th Overall Pick)
11.9 MPG, 4.6 PPG, 1.6 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.4 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 0.6 TOPG
Verdict: Cannot be saved.
6. daulten780 (Phoenix Suns)
May god have mercy on your soul if you're a young prospect drafted to this team. You just simply won't play. It really makes you wonder why they would try to trade draft picks this past summer. Spoiler alert: those guys haven't played yet either.
Rookies on the Suns bench when the coach is ready to make a substitution.
Notable Victims
SG Terrance Ferguson (2017 28th Overall Pick)
0.0 MPG, 0.0 PPG, 0.0 RPG, 0.0 APG, 0.0 SPG, 0.0 BPG, 0.0 TOPG
Verdict: Can be saved.
C Tony Bradley (2017 29th Overall Pick)
0.0 MPG, 0.0 PPG, 0.0 RPG, 0.0 APG, 0.0 SPG, 0.0 BPG, 0.0 TOPG
Verdict: Cannot be saved.
PF Brice Johnson (2016 29th Overall Pick)
0.0 MPG, 0.0 PPG, 0.0 RPG, 0.0 APG, 0.0 SPG, 0.0 BPG, 0.0 TOPG
Verdict: Cannot be saved.
5. Mexi (Los Angeles Clippers)
While his credentials as a good GM are still up in the air, his credentials as a good killer of youth cannot be denied. The Clippers specialize in finishing between 7th and 10th in the West; perhaps Mexi thinks putting the youngsters on full display would make them fall below their desired slot.
Notable Victims
SF Jaylen Brown (2016 3rd Overall Pick)
15.8 MPG, 3.7 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 0.8 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 0.8 TOPG
Verdict: Can be saved.
C Steven Adams (2016 6th Overall Pick)
21.2 MPG, 7.2 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 1.2 TOPG
Verdict: Cannot be saved.
4. playmaker7 (Utah Jazz)
When you camp a young player's scoring and you don't even make him an option to see what he's capable of after that boost, you're a youth killer. The Jazz are one of the prime victims of just simply not giving rookies a chance, sullying their reputation for others to save once they eventually move on from Utah.
Notable Victims
SF Kyle Kuzma (2017 8th Overall Pick)
27.5 MPG, 9.2 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.9 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 1.5 TOPG
Verdict: Can be saved.
C Clint Capela (2014 8th Overall Pick)
28.2 MPG, 9.2 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 1.5 APG, 0.8 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 1.8 TOPG
Verdict: Can be saved.
3. Father Pugzo (Oklahoma City Thunder)
When you sign veterans (Ricky Rubio and Amar'e Stoudemire) as starters to four-year contracts in the midst of a rebuild, you're absolutely going to be near the top of the list as a youth killer. Certainly a head-scratching move from a GM whose most famous team from past leagues relied on youth development.
Notable Victims
PG Dennis Smith Jr. (2017 10th Overall Pick)
17.4 MPG, 4.7 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 3.0 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 1.6 TOPG
Verdict: Can be saved.
SF Miles Bridges (2018 9th Overall Pick)
21.6 MPG, 4.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 0.7 TOPG
Verdict: Cannot be saved.
2. GMOTY (Boston Celtics)
If this ranking was for big man killers, this GM would be #1 with a bullet. This franchise believes that bigs are only good for two things: rebounding and shot blocking. They don't even let them attempt to flourish their offensive games. However, things may be looking up as we've seen this team shift draft philosophies to only draft perimeter players. You can't kill bigs if you don't have them, right? (Sorry, Brandon Clarke.)
Notable Victims
C Joel Embiid (2014 1st Overall Pick)
30.1 MPG, 8.7 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.0 SPG, 2.5 BPG, 2.4 TOPG
Verdict: Cannot be saved.
PF Karl-Anthony Towns (2015 1st Overall Pick)
29.6 MPG, 9.9 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 1.9 APG, 0.9 SPG, 2.3 BPG, 1.5 TOPG
Verdict: Can be saved.
1. Big Bid'ness (Charlotte Hornets)
BB's teams are always a great factory of taking top young prospects and turning them into quality 10th men. What's crazy is we've seen this team shell out money far above market value to get certain draft picks, only to let the youth waste away. If you're a first round pick, you'll sit on the bench for four years behind a veteran who was just given a four-year contract in free agency just to block you from starting. If you're a second round pick, it doesn't matter if you're Michael Jordan; you're getting cut, because the Hornets can't afford that two year minimum salary on their books. At least that decision gives the players a chance to flourish elsewhere.
A live reaction of every player ever traded to or drafted by Charlotte.
Notable Victims
SF Brandon Ingram (2016 6th Overall Pick)
23.8 MPG, 7.3 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.2 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 1.6 TOPG
Verdict: Cannot be saved.
PG De'Aaron Fox (2017 3rd Overall Pick)
31.6 MPG, 10.3 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 5.2 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 3.0 TOPG
Verdict: Can be saved.
C Jahlil Okafor (2015 9th Overall Pick)
16.5 MPG, 5.9 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 0.9 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 1.0 TOPG
Verdict: Cannot be saved.
HONORABLE MENTION: tyfreak (Philadelphia 76ers)
Notable Victims
SF Andrew Wiggins (2014 4th Overall Pick)
24.5 MPG, 7.6 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.6 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 1.6 TOPG
Verdict: Cannot be saved.
PF Aaron Gordon (2014 5th Overall Pick)
24.8 MPG, 7.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 2.2 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 1.4 TOPG
Verdict: Cannot be saved.
9. bosoxlover12 (Sacramento Kings/Chicago Bulls)
Perhaps the best comparison to this GM's system is the episode of "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" where Will Smith is allowed to shoot the ball every single possession for his high school team. The mantra is simple: get the best player as many looks as possible, no matter how the other players fit into their supporting roles. In the process, youth has certainly been neglected.
Teammates trying to get the ball from Avery Bradley.
Notable Victims
SF Kawhi Leonard (2011 2nd Overall Pick)
34.6 MPG, 12.6 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.3 BPG, 0.2 SPG, 1.4 TOPG
Verdict: Has been saved.
PG Goran Dragic (2010 Creation Draft 59th Overall Pick)
24.6 MPG, 6.4 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 1.3 TOPG
Verdict: Has been saved.
8. notail (Orlando Magic)
The first spot on the list is earned by somebody whose strong efforts to lose intentionally forced the league to change their anti-tanking policies. After acquiring three of the most promising perimeter prospects in a myriad of trades that unloaded LeBron James and Eric Bledsoe, the Magic went an unconventional route and decided to run a Slow/Inside offense to try and increase their odds of winning the draft lottery.
Notable Victims
SG Donovan Mitchell (2017 1st Overall Pick)
28.5 MPG, 9.8 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 2.5 TOPG
Verdict: Can be saved.
SF Jayson Tatum (2017 2nd Overall Pick)
27.3 MPG, 9.8 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 1.6 TOPG
Verdict: Can be saved.
7. .inf (Houston Rockets)
Here's a disclaimer for all you reading: if you make a trade for a young player and your first move is to throw him on your bench to get 8-18 minutes per game, you are a youth killer. This move could easily be called "the .inf", but give him credit at least; he doesn't hold onto his first round picks often.
Notable Victims
PF Giannis Antetokounmpo (2013 1st Overall Pick)
34.9 MPG, 12.0 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 1.6 APG
Verdict: Cannot be saved.
NOTE: These stats are combined with Antetokounmpo's stats from Atlanta from this season.
SG Malcolm Brogdon (2016 11th Overall Pick)
11.9 MPG, 4.6 PPG, 1.6 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.4 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 0.6 TOPG
Verdict: Cannot be saved.
6. daulten780 (Phoenix Suns)
May god have mercy on your soul if you're a young prospect drafted to this team. You just simply won't play. It really makes you wonder why they would try to trade draft picks this past summer. Spoiler alert: those guys haven't played yet either.
Rookies on the Suns bench when the coach is ready to make a substitution.
Notable Victims
SG Terrance Ferguson (2017 28th Overall Pick)
0.0 MPG, 0.0 PPG, 0.0 RPG, 0.0 APG, 0.0 SPG, 0.0 BPG, 0.0 TOPG
Verdict: Can be saved.
C Tony Bradley (2017 29th Overall Pick)
0.0 MPG, 0.0 PPG, 0.0 RPG, 0.0 APG, 0.0 SPG, 0.0 BPG, 0.0 TOPG
Verdict: Cannot be saved.
PF Brice Johnson (2016 29th Overall Pick)
0.0 MPG, 0.0 PPG, 0.0 RPG, 0.0 APG, 0.0 SPG, 0.0 BPG, 0.0 TOPG
Verdict: Cannot be saved.
5. Mexi (Los Angeles Clippers)
While his credentials as a good GM are still up in the air, his credentials as a good killer of youth cannot be denied. The Clippers specialize in finishing between 7th and 10th in the West; perhaps Mexi thinks putting the youngsters on full display would make them fall below their desired slot.
Notable Victims
SF Jaylen Brown (2016 3rd Overall Pick)
15.8 MPG, 3.7 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 0.8 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 0.8 TOPG
Verdict: Can be saved.
C Steven Adams (2016 6th Overall Pick)
21.2 MPG, 7.2 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 1.2 TOPG
Verdict: Cannot be saved.
4. playmaker7 (Utah Jazz)
When you camp a young player's scoring and you don't even make him an option to see what he's capable of after that boost, you're a youth killer. The Jazz are one of the prime victims of just simply not giving rookies a chance, sullying their reputation for others to save once they eventually move on from Utah.
Notable Victims
SF Kyle Kuzma (2017 8th Overall Pick)
27.5 MPG, 9.2 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.9 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 1.5 TOPG
Verdict: Can be saved.
C Clint Capela (2014 8th Overall Pick)
28.2 MPG, 9.2 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 1.5 APG, 0.8 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 1.8 TOPG
Verdict: Can be saved.
3. Father Pugzo (Oklahoma City Thunder)
When you sign veterans (Ricky Rubio and Amar'e Stoudemire) as starters to four-year contracts in the midst of a rebuild, you're absolutely going to be near the top of the list as a youth killer. Certainly a head-scratching move from a GM whose most famous team from past leagues relied on youth development.
Notable Victims
PG Dennis Smith Jr. (2017 10th Overall Pick)
17.4 MPG, 4.7 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 3.0 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 1.6 TOPG
Verdict: Can be saved.
SF Miles Bridges (2018 9th Overall Pick)
21.6 MPG, 4.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 0.7 TOPG
Verdict: Cannot be saved.
2. GMOTY (Boston Celtics)
If this ranking was for big man killers, this GM would be #1 with a bullet. This franchise believes that bigs are only good for two things: rebounding and shot blocking. They don't even let them attempt to flourish their offensive games. However, things may be looking up as we've seen this team shift draft philosophies to only draft perimeter players. You can't kill bigs if you don't have them, right? (Sorry, Brandon Clarke.)
Notable Victims
C Joel Embiid (2014 1st Overall Pick)
30.1 MPG, 8.7 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.0 SPG, 2.5 BPG, 2.4 TOPG
Verdict: Cannot be saved.
PF Karl-Anthony Towns (2015 1st Overall Pick)
29.6 MPG, 9.9 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 1.9 APG, 0.9 SPG, 2.3 BPG, 1.5 TOPG
Verdict: Can be saved.
1. Big Bid'ness (Charlotte Hornets)
BB's teams are always a great factory of taking top young prospects and turning them into quality 10th men. What's crazy is we've seen this team shell out money far above market value to get certain draft picks, only to let the youth waste away. If you're a first round pick, you'll sit on the bench for four years behind a veteran who was just given a four-year contract in free agency just to block you from starting. If you're a second round pick, it doesn't matter if you're Michael Jordan; you're getting cut, because the Hornets can't afford that two year minimum salary on their books. At least that decision gives the players a chance to flourish elsewhere.
A live reaction of every player ever traded to or drafted by Charlotte.
Notable Victims
SF Brandon Ingram (2016 6th Overall Pick)
23.8 MPG, 7.3 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.2 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 1.6 TOPG
Verdict: Cannot be saved.
PG De'Aaron Fox (2017 3rd Overall Pick)
31.6 MPG, 10.3 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 5.2 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 3.0 TOPG
Verdict: Can be saved.
C Jahlil Okafor (2015 9th Overall Pick)
16.5 MPG, 5.9 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 0.9 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 1.0 TOPG
Verdict: Cannot be saved.
Last edited:
