Minnesota Sports Forum

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/03/magazine/what-happened-when-venture-capitalists-took-over-the-golden-state-warriors.html?&moduleDetail=section-news-3&action=click&contentCollection=Magazine&region=Footer&module=MoreInSection&version=WhatsNext&contentID=WhatsNext&pgtype=article

Interesting read, especially on the culture of silicon valley/venture capital as it now owns over 1/4 of the NBA teams. I think there are some good practices there (especially open exchange of ideas), but there is a disturbing sense of entitlement and overconfidence. Lacob in particular sounds like a jerk. They are doing some things I hope we are, but at the end of the day, we're all still gambling (literally, in Lacob's case) and they've had good luck. Particularly the luck of having Curry.

The article gives a good sense of the team's rise over the past several years, and the descriptions of Lacob and Curry in that story are great.

Speaking of, whatever happened to ChuckDern? Well, if you're reading this Chuck, best of luck in the playoffs, and don't grind your teeth too hard watching the 49ers.

Chuck was great. If I remember right, he didn't follow us when the ESPN board went down. But I hope I'm wrong because I'd love to hear what he thinks of this article.

I was hoping maybe Chuckdorn had navigated over here but I searched and there was nothing. It seems like now that I think about it he had not posted much on the old ESPN Wolves board before it was shut down so he may have not seen that this forum exists. I do miss having him it was really nice to have an outsider's viewpoint and someone willing to be honest with us. It would be nice to congratulate him on the success of his team also.

monsterpile wrote:I was hoping maybe Chuckdorn had navigated over here but I searched and there was nothing. It seems like now that I think about it he had not posted much on the old ESPN Wolves board before it was shut down so he may have not seen that this forum exists. I do miss having him it was really nice to have an outsider's viewpoint and someone willing to be honest with us. It would be nice to congratulate him on the success of his team also.

I thought my perpetual negativity was all that was needed.

SameOldNudityDrew wrote:http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/03/magazine/what-happened-when-venture-capitalists-took-over-the-golden-state-warriors.html?&moduleDetail=section-news-3&action=click&contentCollection=Magazine&region=Footer&module=MoreInSection&version=WhatsNext&contentID=WhatsNext&pgtype=article

Interesting read, especially on the culture of silicon valley/venture capital as it now owns over 1/4 of the NBA teams. I think there are some good practices there (especially open exchange of ideas), but there is a disturbing sense of entitlement and overconfidence. Lacob in particular sounds like a jerk. They are doing some things I hope we are, but at the end of the day, we're all still gambling (literally, in Lacob's case) and they've had good luck. Particularly the luck of having Curry.

The article gives a good sense of the team's rise over the past several years, and the descriptions of Lacob and Curry in that story are great.

Winning a championship is part luck and part competence. Even the best run franchise in the world isn't going to win a title if somewhere along the way they don't get some lucky breaks. So yeah, Lacob is probably taking more credit than he's due. Curry helps. The fact every team they ran into in last year's playoffs had key guys injured helps. That's luck.

The good news for the Wolves is that we got lucky on two major fronts: 1) LeBron's decision to go back to Cleveland, thus forcing them into "win now" mode. Voila! Wiggins is now a Timberwolf. 2) Winning last summer's lottery, which enabled us to draft Towns, who by all indications could be the best big man to come into the NBA since KG and Duncan.

But now comes the part requiring front office competence. When was the last time we had a strong backup point guard? When was the last time we had a bench that could hold serve against other benches? How many 2nd rounders have we developed into rotation-worthy, positive contributors?

Having a couple of stars isn't enough in today's NBA, which is more stacked with talent then ever in my opinion. It truly requires an ensemble of great players with great coaching to boot.

Q -- I agree with you completely. All the more reason to get a first rate PBO and head coach in place this off-season. You need luck. We've had some great luck the past couple years as did the Warriors when Kahn let Curry fall into their lap. But we can't count on luck moving forward. Now begins the had work that requires excellence. I don't trust Milt and Sam to deliver the level of excellence we'll need to become a championship contender.

Drew - I give Lacob a lot of credit for brining in a proven elite front office vet Jerry West to advise and even more credit for listening and deferring to him on key personnel decisions. I give the organization credit for drafting Thompson, which was not an obvious no-brainier. I give them credit for building primarily through the draft and going mainly with young guys. I like that the key vet they brought in, Iggy, was still in his prime rather than a geriatric mentor.

lipoli390 wrote:Q -- I agree with you completely. All the more reason to get a first rate PBO and head coach in place this off-season. You need luck. We've had some great luck the past couple years as did the Warriors when Kahn let Curry fall into their lap. But we can't count on luck moving forward. Now begins the had work that requires excellence. I don't trust Milt and Sam to deliver the level of excellence we'll need to become a championship contender.

Drew - I give Lacob a lot of credit for brining in a proven elite front office vet Jerry West to advise and even more credit for listening and deferring to him on key personnel decisions. I give the organization credit for drafting Thompson, which was not an obvious no-brainier. I give them credit for building primarily through the draft and going mainly with young guys. I like that the key vet they brought in, Iggy, was still in his prime rather than a geriatric mentor.

Well, it sounds like POBO is a done deal, at least for the next few months which are extremely critical for us. The question is does Milt (and Taylor) have the guts to move on from Sam Mitchell. He might be fine coaching a bunch of young dudes that still have their training wheels on and need a little old-school tough love, but I have to believe his act is wears thin with guys eventually.

Lip I would like to see a list of "first rate" basketball excecutives the Wolves can hire. That's not a challenge more inviting for more dialog on the subject. That might be better for the "Milt staying" thread but I'd be interested in your thoughts wherever it's posted. :)

Also a few people here have expressed strong dislike of Draymond Green. I am starting to join them. If the Warriors don't with the Championship this year I may have one reason now to be happy about it. It seems like the dude does whatever he wants late in games and no calls.

monsterpile wrote:Lip I would like to see a list of "first rate" basketball excecutives the Wolves can hire. That's not a challenge more inviting for more dialog on the subject. That might be better for the "Milt staying" thread but I'd be interested in your thoughts wherever it's posted. :)

Also a few people here have expressed strong dislike of Draymond Green. I am starting to join them. If the Warriors don't with the Championship this year I may have one reason now to be happy about it. It seems like the dude does whatever he wants late in games and no calls.

Don't forget about Bogut. He just cheats with less attitude/showmanship.

But Bogut is one of the dirtiest players in the game today. If the officials aren't going to call it... why not keep doing it? Heck, Garnett and the Celtics pushed the envelope on moving screens for years. You do what you need to do to win. Like him or not... D. Green wants to win. At any cost.