"I couldn't possibly fail to disagree with you less."
24 October 2006The Sonics officially change handsBrian Robinson's take in Hoopsworld:
A casual Sonics fan may not be aware of, or simply may not care about the massive cloud of uncertainty that has surrounded this team since the sale announcement on July 18. While trying to portray the appearance of business as normal the Sonics have been operating in an ownership limbo and void of direction that has been extremely difficult for them to deal with on an administrative level. While fans have focused on the new ownership group’s Oklahoma roots the team has seen an added workload preparing for what amounts to a very large and complex corporate transaction. As part of the ownership approval process finances have needed to be audited, procedures documented, and all types of details formalized. This has occurred at a time when the team rightly should be focusing on the upcoming season.
I have come to really understand that the Sonics under [Howard] Schultz were a bare-bones operation. While often criticized for being cheap in regards to basketball personnel the truly frugal side of the franchise is obvious on the operational side of things. Individual members of the Sonics staff, players, media, and many other related parties have all relayed to me stories of the organization simply being understaffed to provide some of the key services and marketing that other NBA franchises offer as standard. The existing staff appears to be extremely competent and dedicated but working with limited resources that hurt greatly effect their performance. It's still not known whether the Clay Bennett group will replace the lot, integrate its own people, or stick with the existing crew, but morale seems to be up:
For the most part the Sonics seem to be anticipating increased budgets and resources and expect this move to be a great positive for them. Bennett has promised in general terms to run a first class franchise and the staff is chomping at the bit to hold him to that promise. Changes will likely take some time to be apparent to the outside world but hopefully will have an internal affect almost immediately. Very soon some basic questions about the new ownership group will be answered.
Of course, the most basic question is still up in the air, and will remain there for a while, but I'm hoping that Bennett and company keep in mind the fact that what they bought is a Seattle operation, and that hauling it halfway across the country should be the last resort, not one of the first ones. Posted at 8:45 PM to Net ProceedsI notice that your NBA entries seldom get comments. Here is one. Posted by: John Salmon at 6:06 PM on 25 October 2006Actually, the snake-on-the-motherboard thread drew some NBA-related commentary. Go figure. Posted by: CGHill at 6:10 PM on 25 October 2006I guess I'm just biased about the NBA after the way people here in Charlotte have been treated. Posted by: John Salmon at 1:32 PM on 26 October 2006Damn, I need an editor...the above sucks. You know what I mean, though. Posted by: John Salmon at 1:35 PM on 26 October 2006The sentiment around these parts is pretty simple: we're still obsessed with the Hornets, but they're presumably leaving after this year, and if we should wind up with the Sonics, at least we won't have to mess with George Shinn. Mixed emotions, to be sure, but aren't they always? I have a mild interest in the NBA, going back to the Jerry West Lakers and all that, (my Dad really liked the Willis Reed/Bill Bradley Knicks)but I don't want to pay $50 to see a game. And that's for a crappy seat. Shinn or shinola? Posted by: John Salmon at 7:26 PM on 26 October 2006Crappy seats up in the Ford's Loud City start at $10; figure $5 or $6 to park, and the sky's the limit from the food vendors. |