In the last couple of days, it has become clear. The Golden State Warriors are for sale. Also clear is the fact that you, Larry Ellison—of Oracle Corporation, as well as the recent America’s Cup victory—appear to be the leading candidate to purchase the team. Mr. Ellison, I would like to propose a partnership of sorts.
Let me explain. If you don’t mind, I would like to posit a radical alternative to traditional ownership models. Actually, it’s not really that radical when you think about it. It’s an ownership model that your company—Oracle—already employs, that of a publicly traded corporation. It’s nothing new to you. In fact, your history of running this particular corporation shows me that you are uniquely qualified to balance the needs of shareholders against the opportunities and decisive action that running a large-scale enterprise requires. Let’s just do this in a different arena, so to speak.
Essentially, the ask is this: buy the Warriors and take them public. Be the guy who gives the team back to the fans who still believe.
Think about it. First, you would instantly become one of the most revered figures in Bay Area sports history. You would have liberated some of the most loyal fans in sports from the tyranny of incompetence. Just buying the team would be liberating, but I say take it a step further. Of course, you’d still get to be “the man” and exercise a controlling interest—just like at Oracle. But there would also be a board of directors voted in by shareholding fans. Instantly, the team becomes a model franchise and a cause célèbre, a rarefied story of We Believe becoming something more like We Are All Warriors. Read More »
As this wasted little excuse of an NBA Season comes to an end, we Warriors fans can’t really hope for much. I mean, waiting around for Larry Ellison to come save our team is the equivalent of being a chain smoking diabetic with Hepatitis C hoping that Congress will pass Universal Health Care so that you can get coverage. It might happen, but it’s a long shot. And even if you get coverage, you’re still a chain smoking diabetic with Hepatitis C. That being said, if Larry Ellison was your health care provider, he’d just buy you a whole new bionic kidney and pair of lungs and you’d be set. Now, I’m sure most Warriors fans wouldn’t mind a whole new team at this point, but after watching last night’s game, I have to say that this motley crew of D-Leaguers and young guns is growing on me. I mean, where else but in Golden State could three random dudes, who five months ago were in the D-League wondering if they’d be playing in Turkmenistan next year, come out and collectively score 67 points and upset a real, live NBA team. If you don’t like that, then you don’t like Warriors basketball.
BTW - RIP to Alex Chilton. No real connection to The Warriors, but like the Warriors, he has a cult following. And an Alex Chilton sighting was about as rare as a Warriors win. And he didn’t have a hit since the 70’s, so yeah, I guess they do have some things in common. Make the jump to check out my fav Alex Chilton song… Read More »
A few days late and a comment or two short, but here’s the clip showing the chippiness between former Dub Matt Barnes and Kobe Bryant. Watching the Magic tonight, with the fans chanting for the team to bring Adonal Foyle onto the floor for some garbage-time minutes, made me reminiscent. Was I really waiting for TNT to switch over from the Barnes, Foyle, Pietrus team to the D-Leaguers? Yes, I was. Did I wonder whether Nellie, et al., are tanking? Yes, after several quarters, I did. Am I wondering if Monta Ellis came back from injury solely to showcase his considerable–but seemingly self-serving–skills in a play for a better life elsewhere? How could I not?
No box score. No highlights. Instead, a video from Sunday’s action where Barnes and Kobe gave a possible preview of what might be in store for this year’s finals. Who won? You make the call. Who lost? The Dubs. Again.
Turman
PS. The NBA will probably remove this video, as it has done with several others of the incidents between the two, so if it doesn’t work by morning send mail to D. Stern.
After a brief hiatus, we now resume our regularly scheduled absurdity to report on the firing of Clippers GM Mike Dunleavy, Sr. Why wasn’t he fired as GM when he was relieved of his coaching duties some weeks back? Is there a long-term solution being lined up? Or does Donald Sterling just like being unpredictable because it adds to his air of being a mysterious and incompetent owner.
Personally, I think that Baron Davis’ beard would make a fine GM for the Clippers. Boom’s Beard has proven to add valuable swagger when clutch decisions are needed. It’s basketball IQ is off the chart. And if it can make Chris Kaman an all-star, well, I think that seals the deal. Besides, I would pay good American Dollars to hear David Stern say on draft day: “…And with the eleventh pick, Boom’s Beard and the Los Angeles Clippers select…”
