The guy writes probably the most thoughtful post in the whole thread, and you diss him and come back with your tired “show me some legit white players” straw man.

The question isn’t whether there are any great white Americans in the NBA right now. It’s obvious that there aren’t; no one has said otherwise. The question whether going forward, you would let skin color govern your personnel decisions—all other things, including athleticism, being equal. You have said (or at least implied) you would. It’s a racist stance. Not evil, but certainly racist. Get over it.

First, Respectfully -
I agree the NBA has more black players than white players; I agree that the All Star game had more black players. That doesn’t logically prove black players are better – which you yourself mentioned that Dirk, Nash etc were “exceptions to the rule.” My issue is your assumption of a “rule” – and that should dictate who we don’t draft …

There are physical skills necessary to succeed in basketball that both black and white players share. One reason I bristle when someone suggests racial criteria to choose players is that in suggesting that blacks are inherently better it doesn’t merely do an injustice to whites but the black players as well. Basketball is as mental as physical – to suggest that black players only achieve because they are physically athletic denies the respect they deserve for being as intelligent as well. The number of good black coaches increasing in the league is evidence that their intellectual abilities are being appreciated. There have also been some tremendously athletic white players who were not able to stay up with the NBA level – Rex Chapman comes to mind (sorry for the dated reference, he played at Kentucky if you care …). Point is that suggesting race is the determining criteria and inherently that physical features are the predominant quality is inadequate reasoning. And even this brief comment leaves out scores of other elements – historic and socioeconomic among them – which would apply.

You ask for evidence and ignore every factual reply, trying to take a new tack with every response. You list poor draft choices who were white, I list a couple who weren’t, then you switch to All Star rosters … when I talk about championships you switch to Kaman and Morrison. (By the way, Kaman is at least statistically speaking a very competent NBA post – particularly in the first half of last year and certainly has more than “held his own” to use your criteria, while Morrison has been out injured – hardly enough to gauge his career.) Then, you suggested it’s not the race that matters, but the game has changed – which white guys can’t play presumably.

Actually, I’m not at all “hard pressed” to find athletic white players who would fit into GSW/Nelson’s system – I’d encouraged you to look at the Spurs roster, which you either did and ignored or couldn’t be bothered. If you did, you ignored Manu Ginobli and Fabrico Oberto who, most intelligent basketball observers would likely agree would not only fit in but actually increase our team’s athleticism and talent at their positions respectfully. And I’m not ignoring your claim that no American white players are available – look at Chris Anderson of the Hornets. Yes, he’s had off court issues but every team in the league was lining up to negotiate with him had the Hornets not re-signed him. They are there to be drafted every year. Just because Bellinelli sucked so far for us and Ginobli has rings doesn’t mean a team shouldn’t still draft some Euros. Again, I point to AB as evidence – no one would give him up.

It’s not about drafting a white guy. My choice for a pick around our spot would be Thabeet (UConn) who’s big, good but not great, and a defensive force who could at least back up AB and deepen us inside – allowing Harrington to stay at the PF, backed up by Wright, etc. Thabeet has a knack for blocking shots – is it just his size & jumping ability? I’ve watched him play and you can almost see him sizing up the situation and anticipate the play – he’s mentally gifted in a way that blends with his talent. I can’t quantify it, but my instinct from 20+ years coaching is that he’s gonna be a player in the NBA. It’s not my age that makes me right, it’s my experience that informs my perspective.

It is about building the best blend of talent regardless of color. You mentioned LJ & MJ, ask Jordan about his Bulls teams and he’ll tell you they couldn’t have won rings without the Wennington’s, Kerr’s, etc. He’s on record on that. But it wasn’t cause they were white obviously, their skills complimented Pippen & Jordan. Same with Duncan & Parker without Ginobli, or Jackson who’d earned a ring in Texas. Cleveland needs a better blend of talent around James, wonder if they’d want Anderson or Kaman, or Ginobli?

Getting stiff now, gotta get up and look for my cane …

“Everyone’s a little bit racist sometimes”
“The internet is for porn”

Just deal with it. The sooner we all admit to our deficiencies the better off we’ll all be.