It's pretty sad what Clay Bennett is doing to the Sonics. They have pretty much been a lame duck franchise for the past 2 seasons. What i find interesting is though, if Katrina never hits NO, and the hornets never play there to find out that they have a huge fan base just dying for a franchise....do the Sonics think about moving there at all? Wonder what would have happened then?
Not gonna happen. Paul just bought the Rose Garden - he's not gonna vacate his own venue and leave one of the best fan-bases in the league. I've heard that Memphis could potentially be moved to Seattle, and that the name of the Sonics could stay in Seattle and the OKC team would either become the Grizzlies or rename themselves. But Bennett is a douche rocket - it's deplorable what he's done to the Sonics. Despite having talent I don't think Seattle/OKC will ever realize its potential. It all starts with ownership/management - if they're bad the team will be bad. You look at Portland, San Antonio, Detroit, etc - these are teams that are well managed and it shows on the floor. If you've got a crappy owner you'll have a crappy team - NY, MIL, LAC, ATL. If you've got a crappy GM you'll have a crappy team - CHI, MIA, MIN.
Did he buy the Rose Garden back? I never understood why he sold it in the first place. Every owners dream is to have complete control over the facilities. Anyways, I don't know if I'd feel all that good about taking a team away from another city...it'd be no different than what is being done here. I'm torn about this Seattle thing. I think everybody just really fucked up. Schultz hastily sold the team to someone who fully intended to move it, Bennett is a rat who sucks up to Stern while lying to his face, and the local and State government policy on everything is inaction...let's appoint a task force and do a study. No wonder nothing gets done. As for the Bucks, I disagree Kohl is a terrible owner. He DOES need to keep his nose out of GM business and he needs to hire a GM with experience, but he's been good to Milwaukee and even though he's got aged facilities, he refuses to move the team. He was in negotiations to sell, but when he couldn't get assurances the new ownership would keep the team there, he broke it off. As for different local ownership, there's just not that much money in Milwaukee. Also, let's not forget that not too long ago the Blazers were shambolic, terrible players with terrible attitudes, Allen wouldn't even go to the games, and he was being criticized as not knowing how to run a sports franchise...
Yeah, Paul bought it back last year I think. His company that owned it declared bankruptcy which is how he lost ownership. All of this was due to Bob Whitsitt, and then made worse by John Nash - they created a team that was hemorrhaging tens of millions of dollars yearly. Paul gave them rope and they hung themselves with it. So Paul continued to make changes until something worked - and that's where we're at now. Paul's a great owner that is completely involved in the team, but lets the GM and the coach do their jobs without micro-managing (like Cuban does). He isn't afraid to write a big check if the GM thinks it's necessary - from what I hear Kohl is too conservative and often won't make a tough decision and just lets things pass by due to inaction. It's great that he's committed to MIL, but it sounds like he needs some intestinal fortitude. And your description of Seattle's situation sounds pretty spot on. I lived there for several years and the politics in that city just amazed me.
cuban does micro-manage a bit much, but on the whole i think he's been awesome for the mavericks. That franchise is actually relevant now. I was really hoping he'd get the Cubs last year, that would have been awesome. MLB could have televised his meetings with Selig. Hell, i'd pay to see him get into the ring with stern.
Don't get me wrong - I like Cuban...I just wouldn't want to work for him! He's done a good job with the Mavs - though I don't like the moves they made over the last couple of years.
Well, I know the Seahawks fans absolutely love Allen. Not that I can stand the 'Hawks....but I AM a Packer boy, through and through. I read an article on him in SI not too far back. Since Microsoft, it sounds like he's had a rough go of it as far as successful business ventures. Hi sports team ownership has been his saving grace. Sounds like he's a big time basketball fan and only a passing football fan. He looked embarrassed when he was on the field before a game last year. As for Kohl, I don't think he ever had much trust in Larry Harris. Kohl tends to get sentimental, and I think was doing Del Harris a favor by moving his son up to GM. Unfortunately, it didn't work out so well. He needs to get a GM he can fully trust to make the decisions, and who has experience. Kohl had no problem loosening the pursestrings when Karl was there with the Big 3.
i feel sorry for nowitzki, he's an awesome awesome player but he doesn't have the personality of a franchise player/great leadership skills... unfortunately neither does josh howard. jet kinda does but he doesn't really fit the role. Also trading harris for kidd i think was a mistake, but we'll see. i was lucky enough to be in the bay last year when GSW beat dallas. It was amazing. I didn't get to go to any postseason games (i did get to see their last regular season game against portland, and got a few dirty looks for cheering for the city). I loved how pissed off cuban was, amazing!
Trading Harris for Kidd was a gamble. I see why it was made because the Mavs are in a win now or start over situation. I think they've just got the wrong mix of players - no real leadership like you said. When Harris was traded there were rumors that Portland was involved in a three way trade - I was REALLY hoping we would have scored Harris and Bass...we woulda been set! I think both Dallas and PHX have one more year after this one...then they both get blown up. Go PISTONS! (Or Spurs.)
I think the Kidd trade is going to end up being a mistake. I understood why they did it but I don't think it's going to pan out.
My wife loves Sephora. I made the mistake of going in with her last week. After about 5min I walked out to get a coffee, looking confused. It all looked the same!! She;s said the same about my toys, though...
c'mon warriors! just need a little luck and a little push! sister said he would be stopping by again for a company meeting... hopefully she'll get me an autograph then
EXACTLY! GO HOUSTON. Of course Warriors have to win their 2 last games. I just think Warriors have a better chance of knocking off the hornets then denver. go lakers!
Lakers are going to own. Bynum will be back for the playoffs and nobody will know how they are going to use him and plays they will run with him, he has been benched for on and off swelling? Yeah right, secret weapon right there, him and gasol as twin towers with kobe running around? They are already dominating right now, and I hope they beat the spurs today, can't stand that team or their by the book boring style of play. Sure it wins games, but I want to be entertained while you do it though damn it! I would also like to request Radmonovich to stop playing like the lakers need a new post showtime era Vlade Divac.
i bet bynum was never really injured, that crafty phil jackson! he's been working him out 24/7 so he's super massive now! hah all i _really_ care about in the playoffs is that someone beats SA (and to a lesser extent detroit). I hope it's first or second round too, that would make the season for me!
I think they don't want bynum right now because the chemistry is so good and they are winning. I also think his injury was a lot worse then they first thought. Anyway...the west will be really interesting this year.
FUNK THE NUGS!!!! George Karl, Melo and A.I. can all go to hell!! i do love denver/boulder.. bleh.. i hate the NUGS.. and the Broncos.. and the Rockies.. Hope they get knocked out in first round!!!
