lucky777s

There are lots of threads debating the Babcock era but I have always maintained that he took way more criticism than he deserved and may have eventually done much more with the capspace he helped to clear than what BC ended up doing. Babs never truly got the chance to make his mark with this team.

Hoff ended up a horrible pick but did look good in college and had stats about equal to Bogut who played in the same conference. No other C seemed even close to nba ready and the man who gave Babs the job, Mccloskey? pushed hard for Araujo who Babs never even saw workout. If Hoff had a better standing reach he would have been ok. If he knew he would be forced to trade VC I am sure his pick would have been different.

Babs also brought us Sam Mitchell - COY and who BC gave a huge contract extension. He stole Calderon for nothing. He surprised us with CharlieV who turned into quite a good pick. And Joey Graham was thought to be a top 10 pick who we got at 16. (I wanted Bynum and Green which probably would have been a better pair, even if Green would still be a bust here.)

Babs came in to a team that needed a C and a PG and got us both that summer. Rafer is the starting PG on Houston and helped them set a record long win streak and get into the playoffs without Yao. Babs turned Rafer into a short contract of Mike James who had a career year here. All good moves.

And Babs pursued Rasho the year prior to BC grabbing him. That was another Minny connection Babs was playing on. Spurs weren't ready to move Rasho until BC came in. That is just timing. Plus it was Babs who brought in both pieces used in the Rasho trade - Bonner (GG pick but Babs sign) and ATrain. Bonner was a great value signing.

He made lots of good moves and the 'horrible' VC trade cleared cap space and got rid of an anchor that was weighing the franchise down and allowed CB4 to become the leader.

I am curious who Babs would have signed with his capspace because BC did not bring in any stars with the most money we will have to spend in a long time.