The premier NBA teams, even the lesser teams, make mistakes when it comes to the draft. There have been more than a handful of ‘missed opportunities’ along the way, and teams have paid a heavy price for these types of mistakes. Some of the basketball aficionados call these mistakes ‘bad choices’, others deem them ‘bad luck’.
The Los Angeles Clippers are an NBA team with a disappointing run-of-form, for the most part. This franchise has failed to capitalize on many of the opportunities that have come its way over the years. An inception in 1970, the Los Angeles Clippers were known as the Buffalo Braves. By 1978, the team had moved to San Diego and assumed the name of the LA Clippers. Team performances aside, the LA Clippers have created many NBA superstars over the years.
The Toronto Raptors NBA team was founded in 1995, with its arena located at Air Canada Center in the heart of Toronto. This highly talented basketball outfit has performed exceptionally well in the division championships 7 times, including 2007, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. They racked up a conference title in 2019, the same year they won the NBA title.
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is made up of many up-and-coming stars. Most of these players get to fulfil their contracts and go on to do great things in their careers. A small number of players meet a different fate, some through no fault of their own. We often hear of the legends who passed on like Kobe Bryant, John Havlicek, Cal Ramsey, Jo Jo White, Connie Hawkins, and Nate Thurmond. But what of the others?
The NBA draft – one of the most highly anticipated events in the basketball sporting calendar – is also a time of great uncertainty. Legendary teams are pinning their hopes on up-and-coming players, with no guarantee that these signings will pay dividends. Many new players don't show their full potential until they've fully settled in with their team, but some teams simply lose patience and trade these players too early. Would you believe that the now talented Kobe Bryant was one of these players who was traded within days of being signed in 1996. That's right!