Sarver has Killed the Franchise

[chickenhead]

If the Sonics can move to OKC, the Suns can move to [San Diego]. If Sarver doesn't want to keep the team in Phoenix, he can either try to move it or sell it. If he tries to sell it, he may get a Clay Bennett type, or even out-of-town bidders openly trying to move the team. I think it's far more likely that he finds local ownership or out-of-towners who want to keep the franchise here. But as far as the NBA making sure that's the way it goes down...why should I trust them?

Does Arte Moreno want to own a basketball team? We can replace one U of A guy with another [better] one.

 

[AzStevenCal]

If the Sonics can move to OKC, the Suns can move to [San Diego]. If Sarver doesn't want to keep the team in Phoenix, he can either try to move it or sell it. If he tries to sell it, he may get a Clay Bennett type, or even out-of-town bidders openly trying to move the team. I think it's far more likely that he finds local ownership or out-of-towners who want to keep the franchise here. But as far as the NBA making sure that's the way it goes down...why should I trust them?

Does Arte Moreno want to own a basketball team? We can replace one U of A guy with another [better] one.

Why does that hold up? Sure, an asteroid could strike Phoenix while the Suns were on the road but short of something extreme, it's about as close to an impossiblity as it could be, IMO. Sarver could sell the franchise in 3 or 4 years and new owners step in and lose money for several years straight and then (and only then) would it become even remotely feasible.

The league just does not allow franchises to move simply because they want to. Seattle was a unique situation; Stern tried to send a message to that area and every other NBA city that might need a new arena in the near future. Also, people keep pointing to Sarver ruining the Suns by trying to run it like a real business. What kind of businessman would move it from a very good market (Phoenix) to a market that's proven to be a bad one (San Diego).

Steve

 

[Mainstreet]

Why does that hold up? Sure, an asteroid could strike Phoenix while the Suns were on the road but short of something extreme, it's about as close to an impossiblity as it could be, IMO. Sarver could sell the franchise in 3 or 4 years and new owners step in and lose money for several years straight and then (and only then) would it become even remotely feasible.

The league just does not allow franchises to move simply because they want to. Seattle was a unique situation; Stern tried to send a message to that area and every other NBA city that might need a new arena in the near future. Also, people keep pointing to Sarver ruining the Suns by trying to run it like a real business. What kind of businessman would move it from a very good market (Phoenix) to a market that's proven to be a bad one (San Diego).

Steve

Just can't trust those UofA alum. As a fellow Sun Devil, you should know that.

Okay, before I hear any grief, I'm kidding... sort of.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Just can't trust those UofA alum. As a fellow Sun Devil, you should know that.

Okay, before I hear any grief, I'm kidding... sort of.

You didn't include pictures so you should be safe. Seriously, though, I'd take Moreno as an owner in a heartbeat.

Steve

 

[BC867]

Seriously, though, I'd take Moreno as an owner in a heartbeat.

Steve

As an owner, Arte Moreno is quality. I wished he could have bought the Suns at the time.

As long as he doesn't move them to Orange County.

Actually, that is what he should do with the Clippers. I am sure the Anaheim/Buena Park area would love to have them join the Angels, Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm for its residents and tourists.

And a further step toward its own Orange County identity. I can't understand why he renamed the Angels the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Can one of our southern California posters provide some insight?

 

[Chaplin]

As an owner, Arte Moreno is quality. I wished he could have bought the Suns at the time.

As long as he doesn't move them to Orange County.

Actually, that is what he should do with the Clippers. I am sure the Anaheim/Buena Park area would love to have them join the Angels, Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm for its residents and tourists.

And a further step toward its own Orange County identity. I can't understand why he renamed the Angels the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Can one of our southern California posters provide some insight?

He wanted Los Angeles in the name. That's it. I don't know if it's better brand recognition, or an opportunity to get more lucrative partnerships, but as far as I know, it's all about having L.A. in the team name. Anaheim Angels just doesn't have the same pop I guess.

 

[Cheesebeef]

As an owner, Arte Moreno is quality. I wished he could have bought the Suns at the time.

As long as he doesn't move them to Orange County.

Actually, that is what he should do with the Clippers. I am sure the Anaheim/Buena Park area would love to have them join the Angels, Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm for its residents and tourists.

And a further step toward its own Orange County identity. I can't understand why he renamed the Angels the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Can one of our southern California posters provide some insight?

arte moreno has proven to be pretty thrifty himself lately. he's been consistently outbid for every big name players he's tried to go after the last couple years and is starting to get a real bad rep here.

 

[devilalum]

The Suns might be in the lotto for the next 10 years. The way this guy has destroyed the franchise is unbelievable.

When he dumped BC everybody said it was because he wanted to make his mark on the team...

 

[AzStevenCal]

The Suns might be in the lotto for the next 10 years. The way this guy has destroyed the franchise is unbelievable.

When he dumped BC everybody said it was because he wanted to make his mark on the team...

10 years in the lottery? Wow, just imagine all the great players we'll get to draft. As for Sarver wanting to make his mark, hopefully Jerry Krause taught him how to do it right. Great players don't make great teams, that's done by the decision makers.

Steve

 

[devilalum]

10 years in the lottery? Wow, just imagine all the great players we'll get to draft. As for Sarver wanting to make his mark, hopefully Jerry Krause taught him how to do it right. Great players don't make great teams, that's done by the decision makers.

Steve

He'll draft 10 Mike Dunleavys.

 

[AzStevenCal]

He'll draft 10 Mike Dunleavys.

Really? You think he'll draft 10 centers?

Steve

 

[SunsTzu]

arte moreno has proven to be pretty thrifty himself lately. he's been consistently outbid for every big name players he's tried to go after the last couple years and is starting to get a real bad rep here.

I'd take Moreno in a heart beat. He's put a ton of money into that franchise and it's hard to fault an owner for getting outbid with how ridiculous MLB contracts are getting. Put him in the NBA with a salary cap and I doubt you see him selling off draft picks.

 

[devilalum]

Really? You think he'll draft 10 centers?

Steve

 

[Mainstreet]

Really? You think he'll draft 10 centers?

Steve

There are worse strategies. Of course I'm not being totally serious but if the Suns could draft 10 centers (or PF types) some are going to work out. Keep the best and then trade for the other positions.

 

[AzStevenCal]

There are worse strategies. Of course I'm not being totally serious but if the Suns could draft 10 centers (or PF types) some are going to work out. Keep the best and then trade for the other positions.

I'd be all for it. Hopefully, though, you read the post mine was in response to. Both posts were in jest - at least I HOPE they were in jest.

Steve

 

[chickenhead]

Los Angeles Angels isn't a problem, since that's what the PCL team that predated the Dodgers was called for decades (and what the Angels were called originally when they played at LA's Wrigley and Dodger Stadium. But the "...of Anaheim" is just silly. They should either have gone back to the California Angels, or just went LA Angels to say they wanted to represent the whole Southland.

Back to my point about the Suns moving: I'm not saying it's likely as I mentioned. But I don't consider the Sonics to be a unique situation in principle. I'm actually more worried about the Suns threatening to move, or becoming involved in a messy ownership transition where relocation rumors are am issue. The ill-will created in those situations is always detrimental.

 

[Gaddabout]

Just running with BC's idea ...

 

[FArting]

I'll always be a fan of this team through thick and thin.

 

[jagu]

I'll always be a fan of this team through thick and thin.

I wish we were thicker than thin. We have the boniest PF in the game today lol.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I wish we were thicker than thin. We have the boniest PF in the game today lol.

Nah, take a look at Jordan Hill. He looks like he weighs 130 pounds. I"ve never seen an NBA player with such scrawny arms. I don't follow the Rockets, so perhaps he's been ill or they've been starving him so they could move him to small forward but he's lost an incredible amount of weight and muscle.

Steve

 

[jagu]

Nah, take a look at Jordan Hill. He looks like he weighs 130 pounds. I"ve never seen an NBA player with such scrawny arms. I don't follow the Rockets, so perhaps he's been ill or they've been starving him so they could move him to small forward but he's lost an incredible amount of weight and muscle.

Steve

Didn't he have 14 points and 10 boards against Phoenix earlier this season?

 

[Chaplin]

Los Angeles Angels isn't a problem, since that's what the PCL team that predated the Dodgers was called for decades (and what the Angels were called originally when they played at LA's Wrigley and Dodger Stadium. But the "...of Anaheim" is just silly. They should either have gone back to the California Angels, or just went LA Angels to say they wanted to represent the whole Southland.

Back to my point about the Suns moving: I'm not saying it's likely as I mentioned. But I don't consider the Sonics to be a unique situation in principle. I'm actually more worried about the Suns threatening to move, or becoming involved in a messy ownership transition where relocation rumors are am issue. The ill-will created in those situations is always detrimental.

The major issue in Seattle was the arena situation. That issue doesn't exist in Phoenix, so I find it hard to figure out why you think it's so similar. In fact, how many teams have moved BECAUSE of an arena problem? I don't know what happened with the Jazz, Kings and Clippers, so maybe our older posters will be able to shed light on that.

I know the Grizzlies moved because of attendance. I guess Charlotte moved because of arena issues, but I'm unclear on all the other teams.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Didn't he have 14 points and 10 boards against Phoenix earlier this season?

Have you seen the Phoenix Suns lately? Everybody that shows up gets at least those kind of numbers. BTW, I'm not saying Hll doesn't have some potential, he just doesn't look like the same guy.

Steve

 

[Gaddabout]

The major issue in Seattle was the arena situation. That issue doesn't exist in Phoenix, so I find it hard to figure out why you think it's so similar. In fact, how many teams have moved BECAUSE of an arena problem? I don't know what happened with the Jazz, Kings and Clippers, so maybe our older posters will be able to shed light on that.

I know the Grizzlies moved because of attendance. I guess Charlotte moved because of arena issues, but I'm unclear on all the other teams.

"Arena issue" is too generic. It's more often the revenue sharing agreement that sends teams packing, and Colangelo paid for the Suns by backloading the arena contract with escalating fees on a 30-year deal that will have the Suns in a tight spot in a couple of years, especially if attendance doesn't pick up. In hindsight, Colangelo was pretty shrewd for himself. Reminds me of the dude that starts a gym, sells lifetime memberships, then bails when he sells a team to a sucker that will have to honor what amounts to free gym use (an old but timeless scam).

I remember when Sarver bought the team, renogiating that contract was one of his top issues. I don't know if he made any headway on it, though. I'll ask Coro.

 

[Chaplin]

"Arena issue" is too generic. It's more often the revenue sharing agreement that sends teams packing, and Colangelo paid for the Suns by backloading the arena contract with escalating fees on a 30-year deal that will have the Suns in a tight spot in a couple of years, especially if attendance doesn't pick up. In hindsight, Colangelo was pretty shrewd for himself. Reminds me of the dude that starts a gym, sells lifetime memberships, then bails when he sells a team to a sucker that will have to honor what amounts to free gym use (an old but timeless scam).

I remember when Sarver bought the team, renogiating that contract was one of his top issues. I don't know if he made any headway on it, though. I'll ask Coro.

The point is that the reasoning Sarver would use for wanting to move the team will not be the same as they were for Seattle. Not even close.