Compensation for Budenholzer?

[Mainstreet]

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?"

I'm thinking we must have heard the same interview. Maybe someone can find it. I'm looking but no luck yet.

There must be a link to the interview so all can listen.

@ColdPickleNachos and I haven't done any Sarver bashing other than to say what we heard.

I do think we have taken a step forward on the Suns forum when we are actively defending Sarver.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

I'm thinking we must have heard the same interview. Maybe someone can find it. I'm looking but no luck yet.

There must be a link to the interview so all can listen.

@ColdPickleNachos and I haven't done any Sarver bashing other than to say what we heard.

I do think we have taken a step forward on the Suns forum when we are actively defending Sarver.

Here's the interview:

http://arizonasports.com/category/podcast_player/?a=342748&sid=1005&n=Burns+&+Gambo

The discussed part starts at 13:40

I've actually come around on Sarver from despising him to being cautiously pessimistic. This just gave me a slight concern because I don't ever want to go back to despising him again because of what that must mean for the Suns.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

14:30-14:40 is good and a reasonable explanation to give him the benefit of the doubt. I just didn't like the tone in his voice on the initial answer and then his praise for Booker felt unnecessarily muted, almost like he was intimating that Booker is on the right track more than he is currently deserving of an extension.

"We hope..."

"He's got all the right ingredients..."

It's like the difference between talking about a girlfriend you like versus the girl you plan to marry, and I hope it's because he's got the ring and doesn't want to ruin the proposal...because Booker is marriage material with no shortage of suitors.

But I'm parsing words and, to JCSunsfan's point, I'm not without bias when it comes to Sarver. I'll admit that.

 

[Mainstreet]

Here's the interview:

http://arizonasports.com/category/podcast_player/?a=342748&sid=1005&n=Burns+&+Gambo

The discussed part starts at 13:40

I've actually come around on Sarver from despising him to being cautiously pessimistic. This just gave me a slight concern because I don't ever want to go back to despising him again because of what that must mean for the Suns.

The interview was really a nice find.

After hearing it a second time I think Sarver was trying to stay out of contract negotiations concerning Booker's extension.

In regard to the question about offering Booker a contract this summer Sarver's comment, "Nah, I'm not going to answer this one" was sort of a let down.

However, he goes on to say he is going to build the team around him. This clarified his thought process.

I guess when I hear anything about Booker I want to hear more enthusiasm which Sarver did, but in a more subdued way.

It was really a nice interview and very informative.

 

[SirStefan32]

I didn't hear anything wrong in that interview. I also have no problem with him meeting with Igor for two hours. Igor worked for him before, so they likely did some catching up. Alternatively, he may have wanted to hear what Igor's plans were, and two hours doesn't seem excessive. Hell, talk about Booker, Warren, Jackson, Bender, Chriss for ten minutes each, talk about four potential picks for five minutes each, talk about some free agents, talk about the rest of the roster, talk about your vision, and two hours go by quickly.

I also have no issues regarding what happened with Bud, mostly due to not having enough info.

Honestly, it's been a while since Sarver did anything that I consider to be something to be upset about. I think he calmed down quite a bit after the Hedo, Warrick, Childress incident, and Blanks fiasco.

 

[SirStefan32]

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?

How do we "know" that the Suns are not entertaining that possibility?

 

[elindholm]

How do we "know" that the Suns are not entertaining that possibility?

gooby plz

 

[BC867]

My concern is why is Sarver in the position to be interviewed about General Manager questions?

A. Because his ego puts himself in the limelight with reporters.
B. Those reporters know that McDonough makes none of the major decisions.
C. They know that Sarver is not an experienced interview and will put his foot in his mouth.
D. ALL OF THE ABOVE.

I would say . . . . . .

D. ALL OF THE ABOVE.

It is certainly not my wish. But it is what it is. Isn't it?

 

[Mainstreet]

My concern is why is Sarver in the position to be interviewed about General Manager questions?

A. Because his ego puts himself in the limelight with reporters.
B. Those reporters know that McDonough makes none of the major decisions.
C. They know that Sarver is not an experienced interview and will put his foot in his mouth.
D. ALL OF THE ABOVE.

I would say . . . . . .

D. ALL OF THE ABOVE.

It is certainly not my wish. But it is what it is. Isn't it?

The Sarver interview was really good. I've listened to it twice. It sounds like he has really grown as an owner.

I particularly liked how he answered questions about the Kokoskov hire. If you haven't listened to it give it a try.

 

[BC867]

The Sarver interview was really good. I've listened to it twice. It sounds like he has really grown as an owner.

I particularly liked how he answered questions about the Kokoskov hire. If you haven't listened to it give it a try.

My point was that, as Managing General Partner, Sarver should defer to his General Manager. Sarver is an investor, not a member of the Front Office, and he has shown no respect for the management chain of command.

Except we know that he hired a weak, inexperienced GM whom he could keep under his thumb, which is not smart ownership oversight.

'Sorry, but I find no solace in Sarver hogging the spotlight, even if he has "grown".

 

[JCSunsfan]

My point was that, as Managing General Partner, Sarver should defer to his General Manager. Sarver is an investor, not a member of the Front Office, and he has shown no respect for the management chain of command.

Except we know that he hired a weak, inexperienced GM whom he could keep under his thumb, which is not smart ownership oversight.

'Sorry, but I find no solace in Sarver hogging the spotlight, even if he has "grown".

Sarver is clearly a member of the front office and functions in the same way many owners do in many sports. He functions no differently than Michael Bidwill, Jerry Colangelo (with the Suns), Mark Cuban, Dr. Jerry Buss, and many many other owners.

I might have an issue with how he does that job, but his role is not uncommon.

 

[Mainstreet]

My point was that, as Managing General Partner, Sarver should defer to his General Manager. Sarver is an investor, not a member of the Front Office, and he has shown no respect for the management chain of command.

Except we know that he hired a weak, inexperienced GM whom he could keep under his thumb, which is not smart ownership oversight.

'Sorry, but I find no solace in Sarver hogging the spotlight, even if he has "grown".

As you recall Jerry Colangelo learned on the job.

I see the same happening with Robert Sarver. If you listened to what Sarver wanted out of Kokoskov, it was reassuring. One of the things Sarver wanted to hear is that he would be involved in player development. These are far from the days of selling draft picks or using them to save money.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Ok. Bud took the Milwaukee job. I can hear that last conversation between Bud and Sarver now.

Sarver: Ok coach. We love what we see. Lets talk numbers and get this done.
Bud: Ok. But can we wait until the Bucks get eliminated? I really want to coach Giannis if I can. I am sure you understand.
Sarver: Uh. Ok. Lets give it a few days and we will talk again.
Bud: Hey. If the Bucks thing does not work out, I am here man. Can I get my parking ticket validated before I go.
Sarver: No.

 

[Mainstreet]

Ok. Bud took the Milwaukee job. I can hear that last conversation between Bud and Sarver now.

Sarver: Ok coach. We love what we see. Lets talk numbers and get this done.
Bud: Ok. But can we wait until the Bucks get eliminated? I really want to coach Giannis if I can. I am sure you understand.
Sarver: Uh. Ok. Lets give it a few days and we will talk again.
Bud: Hey. If the Bucks thing does not work out, I am here man. Can I get my parking ticket validated before I go.
Sarver: No.

I'm sure Bud got the job he wanted.

An interesting thought is the Suns only offered him a 3 year contract (like Igor) when he wanted a 4 year contract.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

I am very interested to see what that Bucks roster looks and plays like next season. Middleton, Brodgon, Giannis are great fits for his system.