Bryan Colangelo Looks to be Gone

[Diamondback Jay]

It just doesn't sound like Sarver is aggressively trying to keep him. But I understand that too. I really like Sarver as a business man. I love the way he handled the Joe Johnson negotiation, and I like that he's not letting this Colangelo situation get dragged out to death. He gave him a February deadline and that's it.

I take Sarver's actions as his way of saying this.

"If you want to leave a team that you have potential to win a championship for one that will be lucky to make the playoffs anytime in the next three seasons, who am I to stop you?"

Not to defend Sarver here, but if he makes a stink about it, then we get stuck with the "Front Office Rift" horsecrap and media folks bitching about what a poor person Sarver is for not letting Bryan explore his other options. Last thing Sarver wants to do either way is disrupt chemistry and either way, he was pinned against the damned if you do, damned if you don't wall.

Truthfully, I'd be the same way he is. If you're going to go, go.. If you're going to stay, we'd love to keep you, so stay.. But don't drag it out and distract the on-court happenings.

Also, nice to see someone take the other side of the fence. Colangelo is just as much to fault here as Sarver is.

 

[nowagimp]

One thing I don't understand is why everyone hates Sarver so much. Can anyone give a solid, relevant list of faults that would outweigh the good things that have happened since he took over?

I mean, his biggest thing was not wanting to pay Joe Johnson superstar money. And that turned out to be a very good thing, I'm sure we'd all agree. There has been no stand-out reason why we should call Sarver an "idiot" as some people here have done. He hasn't proven to be.

So BC might leave. Well, the Raptors are talking about tripling his salary! Triple! That is a HUGE jump, and BC would be stupid not to think about it. I'd hate to see him leave, but every single decision doesn't go through that one guy. And every single idea about this team doesn't come from one guy.

I agree, Sarver was most criticized for making the best move of the last few years: out with JJ and his 70 mil cap trap salary and in with a strong bench, including Diaw. Maybe Sarver intends to use the xtra money not paid to colangelo(millions?) as insurance against exceeding the salary cap. Sarver signed Amare to the max, probably suspecting he had a knee problem. He doesnt sound like Bidwill or Donald Sterling to me.

 

[cepstrum]

I'm sure Sarver is gonna be on Gambo and Ash today talking about how he looked into Bryan's eyes and asked

"Bryan, Do you wanna win a championship with the Suns?"
"I'd rather be with Toronto"
"Listen Bryan, it isnt about the money. I know what they're paying you. Do you want me to match"
"No"
"Well you better get on the phone with Toronto and ask them for compensation, because I'm matching unless we get something back"

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

One thing I don't understand is why everyone hates Sarver so much. Can anyone give a solid, relevant list of faults that would outweigh the good things that have happened since he took over?

His sideline antics when he first got here made him few friends in the Phoenix area. I don't let it bother me, but if someone were to ask how I felt about them I'd have to be honest and say it's pretty juvenile and stupid.

I also think many in the Phoenix area don't like him because he is an unapologetic UofA supporter and is from San Diego. If you lived here you'd know what I was talking about. When people on the radio bash Sarver I've heard the UofA or San Diego card pulled countless times and when the team announced they'd be using McKale Center to train the reaction was like they had traded Amare for Tyronn Lue.

 

[SweetD]

Why do we need a great GM? I mean every player is signed only, Diaw and Barbosa are the true questions and they are both restricted. The only thing we will need help on is the draft and right now we will not need a starter. I say if he wants to go let him go, unless he is willing to take less and stay with a team that has a chance to win a championship.

 

[George O'Brien]

Bickley seems to be linked a disgruntled insider (though clearly not one that actually gives him solid information on personnel). Is his information accurate? Who knows?

In any case, I am not prepared to buy into his hard line anti-Sarver claims without a heck of a lot more confirmed information.

It was only two years ago that BC was widely villified for trading Marbury so soon after signing him to a big contract and then using the draft picks just to eliminate Googs just to not pay luxury tax. It is too easy to overreact both positively and negitively to short term decisions.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

His sideline antics when he first got here made him few friends in the Phoenix area. I don't let it bother me, but if someone were to ask how I felt about them I'd have to be honest and say it's pretty juvenile and stupid.

I also think many in the Phoenix area don't like him because he is a non-apologetic UofA supporter and is from San Diego. If you lived here you'd know what I was talking about. When people on the radio bash Sarver I've heard the UofA or San Diego card pulled countless times and when the team announced they'd be using McKale Center to train the reaction was like they had traded Amare for Tyronn Lue.

I think this is a bit overstated. Compared to the class and grace shown by Colangelo throughout the years, Sarver plowing through trash cans and jumping off trampolines is a bit disconcerting. Byeond that, Sarver has been criticized on many things, from the security guard incident to having his buddies fly with the team, a situation the team didn't appreciate. On a base level, to leave the Suns and their situation to go to Toronto borders on insanity. I can't imagine at any level why this would be Colangelo's choice, unless there is a helpful hand in the background.

 

[Chaplin]

Please. Just because our owner isn't some straight-laced old man, he's conceived as an idiot. I don't see much of a difference now between Cuban and Sarver.

I think it's absolutely refreshing to have an owner that is also a real fan. The whole chicken thing was a little embarassing, but how many people that aren't fans of the Phoenix Suns actually remember that?

Sarver hasn't proven that he's a bad thing as opposed to a good thing.

 

[JS22]

I just read the article and couldn't find anything about how this was Sarver's fault.

We agree for once.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

If he wants to go let him go. If he can make more money elsewhere then great for Bryan. The Suns will be fine. Bryan has it easy right now. He has a great coach with a great system that players want to play in. A PG that everyone in the NBA would want to play with. A great young stud(if everything goes well)to build around, and its a lot easier to recruit free agents to Phoenix then Toronto.

i love this quote "Bryan has it easy right now . . . " he's at least partially responsible for everything that you list that makes it "easy" for him right now. your argument directly contradicts the point you want to make.

 

[Chaplin]

i love this quote "Bryan has it easy right now . . . " he's at least partially responsible for everything that you list that makes it "easy" for him right now. your argument directly contradicts the point you want to make.

I think he meant more that BC has positioned the team so that it isn't as challenging--whereas Toronto would be VERY challenging for him, AND more money.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

One thing I don't understand is why everyone hates Sarver so much. Can anyone give a solid, relevant list of faults that would outweigh the good things that have happened since he took over?

I mean, his biggest thing was not wanting to pay Joe Johnson superstar money. And that turned out to be a very good thing, I'm sure we'd all agree. There has been no stand-out reason why we should call Sarver an "idiot" as some people here have done. He hasn't proven to be.

So BC might leave. Well, the Raptors are talking about tripling his salary! Triple! That is a HUGE jump, and BC would be stupid not to think about it. I'd hate to see him leave, but every single decision doesn't go through that one guy. And every single idea about this team doesn't come from one guy.

I'm not a Sarver basher by any means as i am reserving judgement because i have seen things i like (good interview, knowing Amare is the chise, an understanding of customers with new amenities, a want to win) and things i dont like ( trying to kick out the rockie players, firing the security guard, cutting costs on basket ball ops, somehow antagonizing Joe enough to the point where he wouldnt even consider signing, and yes i blame joes periceved snubs on Sarver).

But its way too easy to just classify everyone as haters Chris. There are times where that is justifed (like anyone who doesnt like Jeter or Tom Brady) and times where it is not. Sarver is not a fun loving innovative kid like Cuban (and i wouldnt trade him for Sarver at all) that he tries to pass himself off to be. I have seen enough to know that he is a ruthless business man and he doesnt take crap from anybody. To the point where i can see him being a bit abrasive with those close to him. BC is a pretty even keeled guy and if he is having differences with Sarver its either a) he is a pain in the ass constantly stomping around or b) he doesnt think Sarver is going to keep putting money into the product.

I'm not sure what it is, but lets put it this way: He's not Jerry Colangelo when it comes to being a people person. I love the way he does business as a fan of the team (but if he gains a rep as a hardass, all bets are off) but i can say quite honestly he looks like he would be tough to work for.

For better or for worse hes what we got so hopefully he keeps turning everything to gold with his touch. But if/when thing start to go wrong, that abrasive personality is going to cause alot of waves aboard the S.S. Phoenix Suns.....

Hes a salesman guys and hes damn good at it. Read between the lines and there may be more to it. I'm not saying its for sure, but i'm also not naive enough to think he doesnt rub alot of people the wrong way.....

Hes like any other effective CEO of a company.....never lets peoples emotions get in the way of his desire and def. you better never question his authority....

As the adage goes: "absolute power, corrupts absolutly....."

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Please. Just because our owner isn't some straight-laced old man, he's conceived as an idiot. I don't see much of a difference now between Cuban and Sarver.

I think it's absolutely refreshing to have an owner that is also a real fan. The whole chicken thing was a little embarassing, but how many people that aren't fans of the Phoenix Suns actually remember that?

Sarver hasn't proven that he's a bad thing as opposed to a good thing.

Hey, I'm not a Sarver basher by any means. I think this team had turned into a mediocre nightmare towards the end of the Colangelo regime. Fan support was apathetic at best, AWA was a morgue, and the team really was never capable of doing much. Since Sarver took over, the situation is basicaly reversed. There's a contending team on the court, AWA is packed and rocking every night, and fan support is through the roof.

Now that does not change the fact of who Sarver is. He's gained a bit of a repuation as being Cuban Light and while you and I may not have a problem with his hijinks, you have to see where it would rub some the wrong way. Cuban's been in the NBA for quite awhile now and he still pisses a lot of people off. My take is as long as Sarver provides a quality product I could care less what he does off the court.

 

[Espo]

Please. Just because our owner isn't some straight-laced old man, he's conceived as an idiot. I don't see much of a difference now between Cuban and Sarver.

I think it's absolutely refreshing to have an owner that is also a real fan. The whole chicken thing was a little embarassing, but how many people that aren't fans of the Phoenix Suns actually remember that?

Sarver hasn't proven that he's a bad thing as opposed to a good thing.

I agree. Honestly if anyone of us owned this team we would be cheering and enjoying being courtside i don't fault him for having fun and loving this team. I think the reason so many people are freaking out is the fact that its CHANGE and no one likes change. I remember a time when Bryan made more bad moves than good moves and people questioned if he had the job just because his dad owned the team. Sarver has shown he is willing to spend the smart money to make this team a contender. I don't remember this much hype about the suns that has occured in the last two seasons since 1993. I'll take an owner that puts them in a position to win and Sarver has done that.
I do hope we get compensation though if he does leave for Toronto.

 

[Chaplin]

Hey, I'm not a Sarver basher by any means. I think this team had turned into a mediocre nightmare towards the end of the Colangelo regime. Fan support was apathetic at best, AWA was a morgue, and the team really was never capable of doing much. Since Sarver took over, the situation is basicaly reversed. There's a contending team on the court, AWA is packed and rocking every night, and fan support is through the roof.

Now that does not change the fact of who Sarver is. He's gained a bit of a repuation as being Cuban Light and while you and I may not have a problem with his hijinks, you have to see where it would rub some the wrong way. Cuban's been in the NBA for quite awhile now and he still pisses a lot of people off. My take is as long as Sarver provides a quality product I could care less what he does off the court.

So then what is the problem? I don't get it. You sound like you might agree with me in the long run, but you bring up the UofA and San Diego connection like it's a real negative, when there's no reason to think it is, unless you happen to live in Flagstaff and look forward to training camps there.

Personally, from a fan's perspective, Tucson is a better camp location just because there are a lot more state residents in Tucson than in Flagstaff.

 

[Chaplin]

I agree. Honestly if anyone of us owned this team we would be cheering and enjoying being courtside i don't fault him for having fun and loving this team. I think the reason so many people are freaking out is the fact that its CHANGE and no one likes change. I remember a time when Bryan made more bad moves than good moves and people questioned if he had the job just because his dad owned the team. Sarver has shown he is willing to spend the smart money to make this team a contender. I don't remember this much hype about the suns that has occured in the last two seasons since 1993. I'll take an owner that puts them in a position to win and Sarver has done that.
I do hope we get compensation though if he does leave for Toronto.

Exactly. I mean, if I was the owner of the Suns, I might not do the chicken dance, but I would be totally into the game and cheer my head off.

I'd love to hear BC867's and Errntknight's reactions to this news. Those 2 have been the most critical of the Colangelo's over the years.

 

[elindholm]

I take Sarver's actions as his way of saying this.

"If you want to leave a team that you have potential to win a championship for one that will be lucky to make the playoffs anytime in the next three seasons, who am I to stop you?"

Not to defend Sarver here, but if he makes a stink about it, then we get stuck with the "Front Office Rift" horsecrap and media folks bitching about what a poor person Sarver is for not letting Bryan explore his other options. Last thing Sarver wants to do either way is disrupt chemistry and either way, he was pinned against the damned if you do, damned if you don't wall.

Right, excellently put.

This is like Joe Johnson all over again. Colangelo is getting too big for his britches and wants to get paid a zillion dollars to show he's the Man. I think the last call Colangelo makes before leaving should be to Johnson, just so that he can get some last-minute confirmation that he's doing the right thing.

 

[AsUdUdE]

I REALLY don't think this is a matter of Sarver and his penny pinching maddness...

I think this is a pride issue with BC. I think its a way of saying "Im the ****, and can turn around ANY franchise, just watch, Ill pick out the WORST FRANCHISE (not including Atlanta who shouldn't be considered a franchise) and make them a contender".....

Which is all good and fine, but what gets me is the timing of it all!

Its maddending that this is happending when its suppose to be the busyiest time of the year for GMs. They are suppose to be 100% focused on making their team better until that Thursaday Deadline, and instead, he is worrying about how much he will get paid.

It irks me that he couldn't have said "Thanks but no thanks for now, Lets talk again in the summer, Im committed to a team", instead he is openly meeting with them, and trying to work out a deal......

Not that there is a lot of moves we could/Should make.... but there is a matter of a TE AND JJAX, that are both PRIMED to be moved at this time of the year, and I can almost guantee NONE of that will happend because BC is too occupied with leaving the country...

BC, fine Audios... but why did you have to pick this time of all times to leave???

 

[Diamondback Jay]

This is like Joe Johnson all over again. Colangelo is getting too big for his britches and wants to get paid a zillion dollars to show he's the Man. I think the last call Colangelo makes before leaving should be to Johnson, just so that he can get some last-minute confirmation that he's doing the right thing.

Excellent point. Let me just add one other thing to this. Since the Raptors began courting Colangelo two weeks ago, we've heard nothing disputing it, nothing adding to it.. We've heard nothing.

If I'm in Colangelo's shoes, and assuming I DO want the Toronto job, I'm getting ahold of the first media person I can reach and making some kind of statement to the effect of "I really can't tell what's going to happen in the forseeable future, but for the here and now my number 1 priority is winning a championship as General Manager of the Phoenix Suns". I'd also be telling the Raptors, although I am interested in the job, I want to finish what I started and want to wait until the end of the season before exploring my future. At least if he does this, he saves face. The fact that he's said nothing and that he's openly flirting with another job doesn't help him any in the reputation department.

Also, for those blaming Sarver, remember it's like the girlfriend that cheats on you. She's going to have to want to cheat in order to do so. I consider this the same thing and I'm a hell of a lot more bothered by the fact that he's flirting with another job mid-way through the season than I am the fact that Sarver is letting him.

 

[Diamondback Jay]

This is like Joe Johnson all over again. Colangelo is getting too big for his britches and wants to get paid a zillion dollars to show he's the Man. I think the last call Colangelo makes before leaving should be to Johnson, just so that he can get some last-minute confirmation that he's doing the right thing.

Excellent point. Let me just add one other thing to this. Since the Raptors began courting Colangelo two weeks ago, we've heard nothing disputing it, nothing adding to it.. We've heard nothing.

If I'm in Colangelo's shoes, and assuming I DO want the Toronto job, I'm getting ahold of the first media person I can reach and making some kind of statement to the effect of "I really can't tell what's going to happen in the forseeable future, but for the here and now my number 1 priority is winning a championship as General Manager of the Phoenix Suns". I'd also be telling the Raptors, although I am interested in the job, I want to finish what I started and want to wait until the end of the season before exploring my future. At least if he does this, he saves face. The fact that he's said nothing and that he's openly flirting with another job doesn't help him any in the reputation department.

Also, for those blaming Sarver, remember it's like the girlfriend that cheats on you. She's going to have to want to cheat in order to do so. I consider this the same thing and I'm a hell of a lot more bothered by the fact that he's flirting with another job mid-way through the season than I am the fact that Sarver is letting him.

 

[newfan101]

I'm still amazed how much people discount what Colangelo has brought to this franchise and the community. Bryan is an extension of Jerry, and this team completely bears the mark of a Colangelo type team, and for the first time ever, it looks like this style could actually bring us a championship. We have no clue what will happen once the Colangelo mark is completely flushed from this franchise, but my guess is that it will get worse before it gets better. Classy, people oriented, basketball minded GM's with a great track record like the Colangelo’s are rare. I don't think Sarver gets that. And those who despise the man and his son, like BC867, will one day look back and realize we had it pretty damn good for a long, long time.

I don't know what to think of Sarver. He spent big money on Nash and Amare, but our salary is 22nd in the league, he refuses to keep any more than the minimum # of players, and he WONT touch the luxury tax despite being so close to a championship. He played a great game of chicken with regards to Joe Johnson, but he could have avoided the whole thing if he listened to Jerry and Brian in the first place and signed him to an extension a year earlier. He also comes across as a spotlight hungry egomaniac, which some people seem to like. I don't happen to be one of them. Bryan isn't without flaws either, but I can't think of a more enjoyable team to watch in the entire league than this one, and that's a lot more of Brian's doing than Sarver’s.

We'll see what happens, but there are a lot more bad GM's than good ones. Brian is not only good, but is part of this town's legacy. Letting him go without putting up a fight will ultimately be a huge mistake. JMO.

 

[Chaplin]

Look, here's the facts:

1) The Colangelo's have pretty consistently provided the city of Phoenix a winner.

2) Unfortunately, that "winner" has NEVER won a championship.

3) The Colangelo's have always put on a face that Phoenix is a great place to play.

4) Regardless of whether Bryan is here or not, the Phoenix weather will be great, the training staff and the doctors will be top-notch, and the players here will remain happy because they'll be winning on the court, especially if they continue to have Mike D'Antoni as a coach and Steve Nash as a player.

5) Sarver is a relatively new owner, but he hasn't shown to be a cancer, regardless what some uninformed people on this board have said.

 

[fordronken]

5) Sarver is a relatively new owner, but he hasn't shown to be a cancer, regardless what some uninformed people on this board have said.

Hey man. All I'm saying is that right after Sarver let Colangelo talk to the Raptors during All-Star weekend, somebody in Raja Bell's family got mysteriously "ill".

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

So then what is the problem? I don't get it. You sound like you might agree with me in the long run, but you bring up the UofA and San Diego connection like it's a real negative, when there's no reason to think it is, unless you happen to live in Flagstaff and look forward to training camps there.

Personally, from a fan's perspective, Tucson is a better camp location just because there are a lot more state residents in Tucson than in Flagstaff.

Being a UofA supporter who was born in California, I'm obviously not going to bash on Sarver being a California, UofA guy.

But you asked reasons why people would not like Sarver. I simply pointed out that whenever Sarver does something controversial the UofA/Tucson/San Diego card is almost always pulled. I think that's a reason some people do not like about Sarver as stupid as it sounds although not as big of one as his off-court stuff.

 

[Chaplin]

Being a UofA supporter who was born in California, I'm obviously not going to bash on Sarver being a California, UofA guy.

But you asked reasons why people would not like Sarver. I simply pointed out that whenever Sarver does something controversial the UofA/Tucson/San Diego card is almost always pulled. I think that's a reason some people do not like about Sarver as stupid as it sounds although not as big of one as his off-court stuff.

I wonder, just out of curiosity, how many owners in the league are not from the state their team plays in.

One example I can think of is Paul Allen and the Blazers--isn't he based in California or Washington?