WARRIORS SOLD TO GUBER AND LACOB, NOT LARRY ELLISON

This news is not on the NBA.com website (at least what I can find through my iPhone). I wonder what the NBA might do with this, if anything. Part of Ellison's statement seems like he is over it and may not pursue much.

But I guess Lacob is not a bad choice either. Perhaps Ellison would be better only if there were no caps.

 

To me, there were two appealing things about Ellison becoming owner.

First, I was under the impression that he would be a "fan's" owner. I don't even know where I got that, but I felt it. After years and years of not even knowing what the GS owner's voice sounded like, just that he was some guy that would not give Gilbert Arenas a physical handshake to keep him from going to Washington, I figured we would finally have an owner that would talk to us, feel our feelings, sympathize with us, and promise us better.

However, I honestly feel that with Lacob right now. He has yet to prove himself, but I feel great with the fact he's a local guy who has loved the Warriors for a long time and has his kids rooting for them. He has also already issued us statements, even though the deal isn't official. So I feel like the connection, the communication, the empathy, between fans and owner, will be there.

Secondly, I felt like Ellison had connections, and would bring in a credible cast to run things. The fact that Jerry West was rumored to be connected with Ellison was tantalizing.

However, I feel like that will also be in place with Lacob. From what I've read, he's got experience, and has connections from his time with the Boston Celtics. It also sounds like other personalities in the league know him, and know that he's wanted to own his own team for a long time. It sounds like he's actually more connected around the league than Ellsion.

I think my infatuation with Ellison was purely in my imagination, like "what could be." But if you look at the reality, this situation could be even better. Like Clif10 said above, the only tangible advantage with Ellison would be going over the cap, but we don't plan on doing that any way (plus, if Lacob and Co. bid $450, it shows they are willing to dish out the pretty penny).

When I look at the Bios, I actually like Lacob more. Local guy, already a longtime fan, has proven history in the league (with the defending champs no less!), and already has come out and said he "hopes the Warriors will be contending against the Celtics" in the finals.

This is cause for celebration, IMO.

 

There would have been more tangible benefits from having Ellison other than going over the cap. He has the liquidity to upgrade facilities, move the team, buy a new airplane, install high-profile executives (there is not salary cap for staff members), etc. Things to make it the product and working environment more appealing to players and fans alike, as well as the league. He would garnered national attention just because he's Larry Ellison. Whether that's good or bad, I don't know, but I don't think the Yankees or the Red Sox complain when ESPN runs 59 mins of highlights on SportsCenter.

Anyway, that is beside the point.

 

Well, I rather have had Ellison win of course. But Joe Lacob sounds like he's got plenty of financial sources and the good thing is he knows more about basketball and running a basketball operation than Ellison. Not that Ellison couldn't figure it out. He had Jerry West and company all lined up. I think Cohan took Lacob and Guber's bid because it would also screw the many Warriors fans who wanted Ellison, Ellison, and the minority ownership. It was the *sshole factor. If Ellison bid something crazy like $500 B, then I'm sure Cohan would not have said it was past the deadline.

My farewell note to Cohan:

To Christopher J. Cohan,

I’ve known you for sixteen years and you’re a real piece of work. I hope the IRS gets you over the sale of the Warriors. You belong in jail. No. Jail would be too good for the likes of you. You belong in hell. There’s a special place in hell for cockroaches like you. Your best day was getting booed by the hometown fans at the All-Star game. That will be my fondest memory of you.

Jason

 

I'm not going to judge this guy yet. I just hate Cohan so much more every day. I think DK had it right. I meant the practice/workout facilities are laughable. Ellison is too much of an egomaniac to not spend on those sorts of things. That being said, Lacob may be the same way. It sounds like that he's in tune with the Warriors needs. He loves the Dubs and his guys have a strong working knowledge of the Bay. (Probably even better than Ellison). They're in tune with the pulse of the Bay. Something tells me that the team will eventually move to SJ or SF. If not, there'll have to be some sort of revitalization project for that area. There's just too much money to be made with any sort of change. I also see these guys putting together VC money into projects that will boost the growth of the team and market. Time to see who they partner with and invest wherever possible, IMO.

Here's to change. Welcome aboard Joey Lac! Good Riddance, Mr Whateveryournamewas.

 

I emailed Lacob last night hoping to get a Q&A with him for my blog. If he replies, I will be a fan for life.

 

Off topic, but anyone got a vid of Cohan getting booed at the all-star game?

 

Haha, I woke up this morning thinking about trying to find that video. Post it if you find it

 

Inside word that I got, extremely close to the source, is that Cohan never wanted to sell to Ellison and jerked him around to prevent him from winning. Oh well.

 

And unfortunately, there are no sanctions for jerking around a potential buyer.