That's why I said. "a team like Portland." Portland isn['t a consistent loser. Small markets can try to surround their best players with decent talent. But it's really a losing battle. You'll keep them just long enough to make a few playoff runs. Once your core breaks up... like Aldridge leaving. You're other players won't be bad enough to guarantee you a Top 5 pick. You'll be continually in limbo. Unless you have a Pop whose a friggin' genius or you get superstar player (Kawhi) willing to take a chance. It's not just the talent you attract on the court. There's all sorts of factors that lead to how your team is put together. So I don't blame a team for taking a one year "dive."