AROUND the NBA:

[F Gump]

The resume of the guy who did that (starting in 2007) was a brand new GM with virtually the same resume as Riccardi’s is today.

Yes, and now he's a PROVEN expert.

I want a PROVEN expert, rather than someone with no skins on the wall whatsoever. We've had this conversation before about whether it's a good solution to try to luck into a good GM by giving the job to the never-a-GM guy (see Harrison, N) and let him figure it out as he goes. I was not convinced then, and I'm still not. 

Riccardi is a smart guy with some good ideas, presumably. Of course. Hopefully he's doing some good things. But I don't want yet anther round of some newb learning in the big seat, and getting pantsed by other GMs who already have been on the job and figured it out. In addition, I see that on Riccardi's watch the Luka and Martin trades were both done and the franchise took a major turn down the toilet. Those negotiations were some of the worst in NBA history (and the Mavs gave up extra picks in both trades!) and showed an utter lack of how to extract full value and how to assess assets. I don't want anyone who has the stink on them of EITHER of those deals. 

Get me the PROVEN EXPERT at evaluating, negotiating, drafting, roster-building. (Presti, please.)