Compensation for Budenholzer?

[ColdPickleNachos]

My thoughts were that Sarver could have sounded a bit more enthusiastic about Booker's future.

An owner is allowed to do that.

It may be the GM who negotiates the contract but Sarver pays the bills.

This. I think Sarver has improved (not a high bar), but I listened to that interview and he created a problem where there didn't need to be one. While I think that's likely a lack of media savvy rather than a serious issue, he definitely made it sound like he was considering not giving an extension to Booker.

 

[Mainstreet]

This. I think Sarver has improved (not a high bar), but I listened to that interview and he created a problem where there didn't need to be one. While I think that's likely a lack of media savvy rather than a serious issue, he definitely made it sound like he was considering not giving an extension to Booker.

Of course. How hard is it to be enthusiastic about Booker without getting into the details of a new contract.

Maybe Sarver is trying too hard to change his image. I know he likes Booker.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

Of course. How hard is it to be enthusiastic about Booker without getting into the details of a new contract.

Maybe Sarver is trying too hard to change his image. I know he likes Booker.

The thing is, you could tell he realized that he screwed up as it was happening. He did say nice things about Booker. He just did a bad job of it. Though I think that's a lack of media skill rather than a plan to cheat Booker out of an extension.

Delaying the extension a year in order to sign more players (with Booker's blessing) could potentially make sense. Any other plan...I think even Sarver has to know that's a path he can't afford to go down.

 

[SirStefan32]

He even said, "Obviously we are building a team around him" or something to that effect.

 

[Mainstreet]

Delaying the extension a year in order to sign more players (with Booker's blessing) could potentially make sense. Any other plan...I think even Sarver has to know that's a path he can't afford to go down.

Who knows, maybe there has been discussion about this (including the Booker camp) so it may not be so cut and dried as we think. The Suns want to do please Booker so Sarver may not want to get out in front of it.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Unfortunately when you make a bad first impression it becomes incredibly difficult to overcome. Unless you do something that is unanimously viewed as amazing in the public eye you’re likely stuck with the first impression you created. That’s why first impressions, while potentially inaccurate remain so incredibly important in our society.

This is where Sarver lives. But I would think that honest posters on a message board like this would seek to disregard skewed impressions.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

This is where Sarver lives. But I would think that honest posters on a message board like this would seek to disregard skewed impressions.

But the issue is he hasn’t exactly had enough positive moves attributed to him to outweigh the negatives yet. So when one has to make an assumption on whether he was a positive influence on something subs related or a negative impact the weight of probable evidence tends to support the latter.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Who knows, maybe there has been discussion about this (including the Booker camp) so it may not be so cut and dried as we think. The Suns want to do please Booker so Sarver may not want to get out in front of it.

There has been some discussion about this. It is a delicate path for the Suns to walk. In the end, Booker would not receive any less money. Its not about when the extension kicks in, its just about when it is signed. But there would be risk on Booker's part, especially of injury impacting the contract. But it would also open a lot more cap flexibility for signing free agents, especially in 2019. If the Suns have not talked to Booker's people about this yet, Sarver would be a fool to mention it publicly now.

This is something you do only if Booker is totally on board and enthusiastic about the idea. If he is just a little better than luke warm, you do not even think of going ahead.

 

[Mainstreet]

There has been some discussion about this. It is a delicate path for the Suns to walk. In the end, Booker would not receive any less money. Its not about when the extension kicks in, its just about when it is signed. But there would be risk on Booker's part, especially of injury impacting the contract. But it would also open a lot more cap flexibility for signing free agents, especially in 2019. If the Suns have not talked to Booker's people about this yet, Sarver would be a fool to mention it publicly now.

This is something you do only if Booker is totally on board and enthusiastic about the idea. If he is just a little better than luke warm, you do not even think of going ahead.

The Suns should offer Booker the max extension this summer, discuss Suns future plans including cap flexibility and then let him decide when he wants to take it.

The Suns should never waiver from offering him the max extension this summer. It's up to him to decide if he delays it. He is the one at risk if a career threatening injury occurs.

 

[Chaplin]

I'm not one of the regular Sarver bashers so you need to look elsewhere.

Hmm you sure are regularly bashing him now.

You can’t have it both ways. You either want him to step aside and let the FO do what they are supposedly paid to do, or don’t. You can’t in one breath tell him to stay away from the process and the next get upset when he does that.

 

[Cheesebeef]

This. I think Sarver has improved (not a high bar), but I listened to that interview and he created a problem where there didn't need to be one. While I think that's likely a lack of media savvy rather than a serious issue, he definitely made it sound like he was considering not giving an extension to Booker.

After owning the team for 14 years, he should be more media savvy. This is a no-brainer. To muddy the waters in any way shape or form only lends more credence to his already terrible (and well-deserved) reputation.

 

[Mainstreet]

Hmm you sure are regularly bashing him now.

You can’t have it both ways. You either want him to step aside and let the FO do what they are supposedly paid to do, or don’t. You can’t in one breath tell him to stay away from the process and the next get upset when he does that.

Perhaps you should quote any comments you want to talk about. That way it is clear.

Saying Sarver didn't sound enthusiastic about the Booker extension was an observation.

Making a false comment does not help your case.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Its pretty clear that anything is a good reason to bash Sarver. He has no business even talking about Booker right now.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Its pretty clear that anything is a good reason to bash Sarver. He has no business even talking about Booker right now.

Isn’t it more clear that Sarver keeps doing things that deserve criticism? The above makes it kinda seem like you think people are reaching right now. Maybe I’m reading that wrong?

 

[JCSunsfan]

Isn’t it more clear that Sarver keeps doing things that deserve criticism? The above makes it kinda seem like you think people are reaching right now. Maybe I’m reading that wrong?

Sarver did absolutely nothing in this situation to deserve criticism. Yes people are reaching in this instance. Not just reaching. Making stuff up. I find it amazingly annoying.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Sarver did absolutely nothing in this situation to deserve criticism. Yes people are reaching in this instance. Not just reaching. Making stuff up. I find it amazingly annoying.

people like ColdPickles and Mainstreet aren’t usually super critical of the Suns like some of us so when something rubs them the wrong way, seems like it’s got some validity to me.

 

[JCSunsfan]

people like ColdPickles and Mainstreet aren’t usually super critical of the Suns like some of us so when something rubs them the wrong way, seems like it’s got some validity to me.

Its true. They are not usually like that. But in this case, I think they are just flat out wrong.

Now. I think Sarver interviewing Kokoskov for two hours after everyone has already did their interviews--I think that is ridiculous. He should be able to get his final take on Kokoskov quicker than that unless they are just shooting the breeze.

I don't think Sarver is any more involved in this team than Michael Bidwill is with the Cardinals. From the things I have read, I think he just talks too much behind the scenes and doesn't let people get their job done.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Its true. They are not usually like that. But in this case, I think they are just flat out wrong.

Now. I think Sarver interviewing Kokoskov for two hours after everyone has already did their interviews--I think that is ridiculous. He should be able to get his final take on Kokoskov quicker than that unless they are just shooting the breeze.

I don't think Sarver is any more involved in this team than Michael Bidwill is with the Cardinals. From the things I have read, I think he just talks too much behind the scenes and doesn't let people get their job done.

Interesting. I actually have no problem with him sitting down with Igor for that long.

 

[Mainstreet]

Its true. They are not usually like that. But in this case, I think they are just flat out wrong.

Now. I think Sarver interviewing Kokoskov for two hours after everyone has already did their interviews--I think that is ridiculous. He should be able to get his final take on Kokoskov quicker than that unless they are just shooting the breeze.

I don't think Sarver is any more involved in this team than Michael Bidwill is with the Cardinals. From the things I have read, I think he just talks too much behind the scenes and doesn't let people get their job done.

Just read what I said JC. I was not bashing Sarver. I was making a comment about what I heard.

Here is the comment:

I didn't listen to the radio today so I'm not sure what that is all about.

However, the last time I listened to Sarver, I thought he was unusually reserved about Booker's new contract.

No I'm not blaming Sarver for anything... but he could be more enthusiastic about Booker.

I think what I said was very clear.

After the Suns hired McDonough, I have given Sarver pretty much free rein. Now before McDonough was hired there was some deserved criticism.

There are consistent Sarver bashers but I am not one of them.

 

[BC867]

Unfortunately when you make a bad first impression it becomes incredibly difficult to overcome. Unless you do something that is unanimously viewed as amazing in the public eye you’re likely stuck with the first impression you created. That’s why first impressions, while potentially inaccurate remain so incredibly important in our society.

First impression. Latest impression. And so many in between.

Can it be disputed that ESPN named Sarver the worst owner in the NBA? They are a professional organization and they did it for a reason. It is true!

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

Its true. They are not usually like that. But in this case, I think they are just flat out wrong.

I'm not saying I think Sarver will screw this up. He would have to be really incompetent to do so.

All I'm saying is that I was listening to the interview live, and he turned what was seemingly a softball question into a mild controversy. Part of that is because the radio hosts are in the business of overanalyzing, but I would be lying if I said my first reaction wasn't also "wait...why is he answering in such a weird way? Should I be concerned? I shouldn't be concerned, right?"

 

[JCSunsfan]

I'm not saying I think Sarver will screw this up. He would have to be really incompetent to do so.

All I'm saying is that I was listening to the interview live, and he turned what was seemingly a softball question into a mild controversy. Part of that is because the radio hosts are in the business of overanalyzing, but I would be lying if I said my first reaction wasn't also "wait...why is he answering in such a weird way? Should I be concerned? I shouldn't be concerned, right?"

But there is an easy explanation and he gave it. Its for McD and Booker's people to work out. Its too early to talk about that yet for several reasons.

1. There is some strategy that might be in play.
2. They will want to make their own announcements and ballyhoo.
3. Its not the owner's place to jump the gun.

The only reason it sounds weird is some preconceived notion about Sarver.

 

[elindholm]

There has been some discussion about this. It is a delicate path for the Suns to walk. In the end, Booker would not receive any less money. Its not about when the extension kicks in, its just about when it is signed.

Wouldn't this be an issue only if the Suns were entertaining the possibility of going way over the cap, which we know they aren't?

 

[JCSunsfan]

Wouldn't this be an issue only if the Suns were entertaining the possibility of going way over the cap, which we know they aren't?

Over the cap yes. Not sure how much over it would be. Doesn't every developing team eventually go significantly over the cap? You just want to make sure you are going over it with the right player.s

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

But there is an easy explanation and he gave it. Its for McD and Booker's people to work out. Its too early to talk about that yet for several reasons.

1. There is some strategy that might be in play.
2. They will want to make their own announcements and ballyhoo.
3. Its not the owner's place to jump the gun.

The only reason it sounds weird is some preconceived notion about Sarver.

I absolutely agree that this is a reasonable explanation, and I do have a preconceived notion about Sarver. I will give you that.

That said, I still got a super bad vibe from it, and I feel like it shouldn't have been that hard for Sarver to get out of that interview without doing that. I wasn't looking to be unnerved and am really happy about the Igor hire, which was what the interview was regarding.