Myers likes way GM Curry assembled All-Star roster
After constructing an NBA roster filled with selfless stars and productive role players, Warriors general manager Bob Myers arguably has overseen a dynasty, winning two championships in three years.
Myers has a colleague, though, who has formulated an even better team. Call Warriors guard Stephen Curry a de-facto executive, or simply a captain. In either case, he drafted his own team to compete against LeBron James’ roster in the NBA All- Star game Sunday in Los Angeles.
“He did a good job,” Myers told the Bay Area News Group about Curry’s AllStar roster. “I’m very proud of him in a fatherly way.”
Myers spoke in an amused tone because of the obvious differences in how he and Curry have built their teams.
After first working as a player agent, Myers joined theWarriors’ front office in 2011 as an assistant general manager. He became general manager a year later and eventually built a championship roster through smart draft selections ( Klay Thompson, Draymond Green), elaborate free agency pitches (Kevin Durant) and disciplined salary cap management.
After receiving the second-most votes, Curry became an All-Star captain, had the second selection to draft his starting lineup and the first pick to select reserves. He drafted fellow starters Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee), DeMar DeRozan ( Toronto), Joel Embiid (Philadelphia) and James Harden (Houston) and bench players Green, Thompson, Jimmy Butler ( Minnesota), KarlAnthony Towns ( Minnesota), Al Horford (Boston), Damian Lillard (Portland) and Kyle Lowry (Toronto).
If only Myers had that luxury. But he is restricted by the salary cap.
“That’s every GM’s dream. We don’t ever get to draft the best players in the league,” Myers said. “I don’t know if there would bemuch use for us then. I’m sure most people could figure that one out.”
Still, not many have figured out how to have four All-Stars on the same NBA team. Unlike Curry’s roster, Myers has Curry, Durant, Thompson and Green all on his team.
“Yeah I know. But that teamhas 12 (All-Stars),” Myers said, laughing. “We don’t have 12. Thatwould be fun.”
Attempting to boost interest and competition in the All-Star Game, theNBA decided that the top votegetters in each conference would serve as captains and draft teams. Curry and James joined NBA officials on a conference call to determine their picks. James took Durant first, before Curry followed with Antetokounmpo. They took turns until they each had a 12-man roster.
James’ starters also included DeMarcus Cousins ( New Orleans), Anthony Davis (New Orleans) and Kyrie Irving (Boston). James’ reserves are LaMarcus Aldridge (San Antonio), Bradley Beal (Washington), Kevin Love (Cleveland), Victor Oladipo (Indiana), Kristaps Porzingis (New York), John Wall ( Washington) and Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City).
Because of injuries, NBA commissioner Adam Silver then added players to replace Cousins (Oklahoma City’s Paul George), Love ( Miami’s Goran Dragic), Porzingis (Charlotte’s Kemba Walker) and Wall ( Detroit’s Andre Drummond).
“I have full faith and confidence in his ability to draft,” Myers said of Curry. “He seems to be happywith his squad. Luckily, his team has maintained its health.”
Before that process, Myers often teased Curry about his role.
Once theNBAannounced the All- Star starters (Jan. 18) and reserves (Jan. 23), Curry had two days to prepare for the draft. He needed contingency plans based on who James would pick first. While James was expected to choose Durant, Green and Thompson playfully teased Curry they would demand a trade if they were not selected.
Myers joined in on the ribbing. He said he asked Curry, “What are you trying to accomplish?” Curry then sentMyerswhat he called “a primitive textmessage” outlining his plans.
“This is what I think. What do you think?” Myers recalled Curry saying. Myers replied, “This looks great.”
“The amount of time he spent preparing for it was not reflective of how much time we prepare for our draft,” Myers said, laughing. “I’m not sure he spent a ton of time on it. By what he showed me with how we prepared, we prepare a little bit differently.”
Curry said in a half-serious, half-joking manner that he leaned on advice from his brother (Seth), father (Dell) and even his daughter (Riley).
Still, Curry said he had a specific thought process. After seeing James stock up on dominant frontcourt players, Curry loaded up on shooters. That strategy could give Curry more open looks and fit the style of Houston’ s Mike D’ An toni, who will coach TeamSteph with his usual fast-paced offense that prioritizes 3-point shooting.
“That’s a good point. He did think about it. He may have thought about it more than I thought,” Myers said, laughing. “I didn’t even think about who’s coaching.”