While we are beating dead horses. Does anybody want to bring up how we could have drafted Giannis instead of Kelly Olynyk? LOL.
........................... And reports are he actually flew out to Greece to see him. In hindsight I don't understand why Danny decided on KO instead of GA.
My opinion is that Stevens wanted KO, because KO could shoot and pass and was the type of big that Stevens likes in his system. KO was also more NBA-ready. Stevens must've really wanted him because they moved up to get him.
Too bad DA listened to Stevens on this one. GA was Danny's prototypical pick type: athletic wing who couldn't shoot yet. This has Stevens written all over it.
Um, Stevens wasn't hired until July 4, 2013. KO was drafted June 27, 2013.
TP, and why let a little thing like facts get in the way of a good "story".
All kidding aside, though, I don't think that it's a huge stretch to think that Stevens' opinion about whom they should draft could have been solicited. If he signed one week after the draft, we know that they had to be in negotiations before the draft.
And what better way to woo someone and show them that they will have substantial input into draft decisions than by asking them whom they would draft and then doing it. That would be powerfully persuasive in courting a prized coach.
Just conjecture, I know, but not as far fetched might be thought at first blush.