Best GM's in the Sports World
Edition #66
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Intro:
General Managers.
These guys may not be the players. They may not even be known by the fans, but these guys are the most integral part of all sports.
The ________ would not have had that huge _______ run, without ___ _____. The ______ would not have made the _____ ____ without _____ _______. The _______would not have the super team they have today, without ______ ________ and _______ _____. (Answers to the dashes in the article.)
Let’s go on a journey today, exploring the best GMs in ALL sports.
Best General Managers in the Sports World
NBA:
Bob Myers (Ex. Golden State Warriors):
This guy is #1. Any day. Without him? The Warriors wouldn't be the Warriors. Heck? Now? He’s helping the GM of the Commanders make splashy moves, and so far through the free agency period, he’s done it!
Let’s go through a little list.
Hiring Steve Kerr. Bye-bye Mark Jackson.
We know how good he is. He knows how to win. He’s played with Michael Jordan, so we should expect that. This move was post-2014 season. Mark Jackson led the Warriors to two straight playoff appearances, but after a playoff loss in the 2014 season, Bob Myers replaced Mark with Steve Kerr. A very questionable decision. At that time.
All of us can think what would’ve happened if he didn’t do this. Definitely not 4 titles. But, Steve Kerr has done it, and we have to appreciate it. Warriors fan or not.
Drafting Draymond Green.
We all know how important this is. When Draymond got suspended, the Warriors couldn’t even function! Countless amount of losses and I mean it.
Once he was back in the lineup, there were countless amount of wins and I mean that too!
He’s that kind of guy for the Warriors. He brings agility, speed, trash-talking, and competitiveness. Without these traits, you aren’t serious. You don’t care. Can’t be a basketball player like that.
Getting Iguodala and Durant
The Warriors were not a team where serious players looking to win wanted to join. Even Curry has stated that he initially wasn't interested to get drafted by Golden State. Iguodala's arrival as the Warriors' first significant free agent signing under Myers changed this view.
What did iggy do?
Within two years, Iguodala had won Finals MVP. When Kerr decided to put Iguodala in the starting lineup against Memphis in the second round when the Grizzlies were up 2-1 in that series, everything changed. Iguodala will never be talked about like Curry, Green or Thompson, but he had a very important impact to the Warriors' first three titles under Kerr and veteran advice the next.
Landing Durant was quite the consolation prize for a Warriors team that had just lost the 2016 Finals to the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games. It was the catch of a career. The kind you put up over the fireplace to admire for the rest of your life.
So why does it come last on this list? Because it was the decisions that Myers made from 2012-16 that created the team and culture that Durant wanted to join. Kerr's beautiful game. Curry's willingness to be Durant's co-star while making decidedly less money. Without Draymond and Iggy, the Warriors aren't the Warriors, and if the Warriors aren't the Warriors, Durant doesn't come.
Quote by Brad Botkin
This guy is a GM that EVERY GM looks to.
https://twitter.com/warriors/status/1663638078098137088
NFL:
Howie Roseman (Philadelphia Eagles)
This guy knows how to be good. It’s as simple as that.
If you search up, who is the best GM in the NFL? Every single site says Roseman, and it’s all for a reason.
Let’s see why.
Best runningback room. Ever.
If you just look at the Eagles roster the past few years, you know. This team has used 23 runningbacks in the last 10 years (counting backups), and has 6 who have 1000 yards or more. Don’t believe me?
Okay so maybe it’s because people like Miles Sanders, Boston Scott, Darren Sproles, and Ryan Matthews have player like 2 seasons or more, but it’s still an achievement, and all of these guys have gone on successful. One remains on the Eagles today (Boston Scott.)
Now? You have one of the most elite runningbacks in Saquon Barkley coming. The Eagles not just only contain the best runningbacks, but they develop them like crazy. Saquon Barkley is gonna Saquon even more.
Focusing on a good O-Line
Why do they have the best runningback room? Not only because they develop and find the right guys, but because they have an amazing O-Line. Without that? Neither can you pass, nor can you run. Heck, you can’t do nothing.
Getting guys like Jordan Mailata, Lane Johnson, Landon Dickerson, etc. That’s how you build a successful team.
NFL.com
No team does a better job using every avenue for player acquisition, balancing current needs with the future. The Jalen Hurts pick in 2020 was a great example of forward thinking that changed the course of the franchise. The top three picks in last year's draft class (Jordan Davis, Cam Jurgens and Nakobe Dean) mostly had what amounted to redshirt rookie seasons, but players selected in the class before (DeVonta Smith and Landon Dickerson) helped the team nearly win a title in 2022.
The Eagles are great at self-scouting and spend a premium on line play (Lane Johnson, Jordan Mailata and Josh Sweat) while finding ways to keep their productive longtime veterans like Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham. Most importantly, Roseman has nailed bringing in players just about to hit their prime, such as A.J. Brown, Haason Reddick and Javon Hargrave (the latter of whom left for San Francisco this offseason). They recognize value, whether that means scooping up James Bradberry late last offseason or finding a way to keep him and Darius Slay this time around. Hurts' looming big contract will test Roseman's flexibility, but this is a front office that finds answers.
(Published 4/13/23 by NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal
MLB:
Andrew Friedman (Los Angeles Dodgers)
The pick I made here was a pretty damn hard pick. Especially since there are people like Brian Cashman and Alex Anthopoulos.
But this guy? He’s an all-rounder.
He’s also a winner.
But, not just on the Dodgers.
He used to be the GM for the Tampa Bay Rays too, but although he made a big impact for the Rays, he’s mostly known for what he’s done with the Dodgers. Which includes, a playoff berth EVERY SINGLE SEASON (including six straight NL West titles from 2015-2020), three National League pennants, and the 2020 World Series Championship. Under Friedman, the Dodgers have a winning percentage of .623 (845-512), a franchise record 111 wins in the 2022 season as well as a club-best .717 winning percentage during the shortened 2020 season (43-17).
Crazy.
But, I’m not done yet.
He’s been named MLB’s Excecutive of the Year in 2020, helped the Dodgers get many remarkable awards from Baseball America as its Organization of the Year, honoring the team for its success from top to bottom in 2017 and 2020, and he also manages baseball’s top farm system. Don’t believe me?
All of these are amazing rankings, especially because we have front office executives picking these.
Now? This man is making splashes like Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Teoscar Hernandez, and James Paxton. He brings in a sense of veterans, but also has developing young players. This guy is crazy.
Honorable Mentions: Alex Antopoulos (Braves), Brian Cashman (Yankees), Brad Holmes (Lions), Brett Veach (Chiefs), John Lynch (49ers), Chris Ballard (Colts), Leon Rose (Knicks), Pat Riley (Heat), Sam Presti (Thunder), Calvin Booth (Nuggets), Rob Pelinka (Lakers), Jon Horst (Bucks), Ross Atkins (Blue Jays), Mike Elias (Orioles), Mike Hazen (Diamondbacks), Chris Young (Rangers)
Conclusion:
That’s it! Like these rankings, don’t like these rankings? Don’t hesitate to comment down below or email me at smayan@sportssquare.com.
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Commies cookin
as an Eagles fan, I am 100% in agreement. Roaeman is amazing and we are very lucky to have him