• Before we get started I want to say that this is not about the people that run fan sites.  AT ALL.
  

Long before the "Flunkster Dude" incident happened I had wondered about the pervasiveness of Warriors employees (or those contracted by the Warriors) in social media and discourse communities.  There's the obvious connection to Fitz being on the radio, but Fitz sucks and I don't want to talk about Fitz.  Fitz is just the visible tip of the iceberg.

I'm talking about having paid employees (unpaid if intern... lol), whether they work with the team or a separate PR firm, anonymously representing the team in forums or in the comment sections of blogs.  The only purpose of which is to improve the public image of the team, and thereby sell tickets.  Of course, it's a business.

Then I wonder how many times they either lied to or misdirected the print and TV media (by complicit nature or otherwise).  Everything from reporting injuries to the "Good-ole-boy" routine the Warriors did with Jack to claiming they didn't know they were trading for damaged goods.  The list goes on and on, from "saving money to resign morrow" to  blowing the cover on the Memphis trade and lying about it too.

Now recall Flunkster dude.  Some have said that the incident was planned damage control to keep other sites or reporters from really breaking it open.  That may or may not be the case, but for the purpose of this discussion it is irrelevant.  Regardless, it is case in point that we know the Warriors are willing to represent themselves anonymously on the forums.  We can also assume that the Warriors never stopped since well, they never said they would.

If the Warriors are lying in the public sphere that is fine.  Everyone can judge for themselves.  Their obvious manipulation of injuries for insurance or tank purposes is a good example.  Same with the team's feelings/future intentions with past and present players.  These are things every team lies about.

However, if the Warriors' interests are also anonymously represented (either primarily or via proxy) to defend these deceptions in fan forums then that constitutes a clear conflict of interest/representation from which the consumer has no protection. The same applies when talking about the value of the team.  If the PR appendages are anonymously saying that the team is worth more than it is or if they try to smear the value of potential buyers the same applies.  We'll call this the artificial inflation of the team's public image.

It's called wire fraud.

In order to commit wire fraud one must (Thanks Wikipedia):

1.  devise, or intend to devise, a scheme or artifice to defraud another person on the basis of a material representation,

 There's our artificial inflation of the team's public image.

2. do it with the intent to defraud 

Better public image  (with fraudulent foundation) = more ticket sales.

3. do it through the use of interstate wire facilities

Forums, comments sections, fan sites.  The interwebs.

So as my parting gift to you Mr. Cohan I suggest that all your employees or hired PR appendages with knowledge of this practice make the necessary provisions and preparations prior to the sale.  I also hope that someone with the time and resources sues you for Wire Fraud.  Preferably a season ticket holder.  That's what you get for raping the communities that would support you regardless.  Anyways, it's been great, and I look forward to a Warriors future without you.  Have a nice day.

After listening to the Kings game I felt that there was some really good chemistry between Roye, who announces games on radio,  and Jim Barnett, one of the two TV broadcasters.  For those who don't know the other TV broadcaster is Bob Fitzgerald.  Before I get started ripping into Fitz I want to be clear that Bob Fitzgerald is not the problem.  He is a product of the problem.  A waste product.  That in and of itself is A problem, but he is by no means the source of THE SUCK.  You'd think from the way Warriors' PR smells that no one taught Cohan to flush.

Continue reading this post »

This post is dedicated to the possible free agents and restricted free agents that the Warriors could potentially sign this off season.  Specifically I've restricted my choices to fit a team need.  In this case it is backup PF and pseudo-backup PG.

I'm really high on Sessions, and I think that if W's could clear a million or two then they could steal him from the Bucks without going far over the MLE (Bucks can barely spend that).  There's also Charlie V. So here's my short list of players.

Ramon Sessions (R)

 Charlie Villanueva (R)

Raymond Felton (R)

Anderson Varejao

Leon Powe

Brandon Bass

Jason Kidd

Chris Anderson

David Lee (R)

Marcin Gortat

Theo Ratlif

Andre Miller

Shawn Marion

Paul Milsap (R)

Mehmet Okur (ETO)

Carlos Boozer

Any significant ones that I missed?

Which of these bases should belong to us?

via www.shockya.com

Some of you may not know that the Warriors missed the playoffs by a mere 1 or 2 games in the 07/08 season.

Since the Warriors missed the playoffs by such a tiny margin it is fair to say that any of the losses could be singled out as the reason for their 48 win, non-playoff season. 

Some like to point to the final month of season where the Warriors won only 3 of 9 games down the final stretch to say this is where things fell apart.  Although their final month was arguably one of the most difficult in the NBA that season.

However not every season can (or should) have a "We Believe!" finish.  This is why I have picked out a three day period from the 07/08 season that reflects the problems of the Warriors as they relate to Baron Davis. 

The days I've selected are January 19th, 20th, and 21st.

On January 19th the Warriors (coming off a nice win in Chicago) destroyed the Milwaukee Bucks 119-99 with all the usual suspects pitching in.

On January 20th the Warriors had a day off before playing the T-Wolves.

On January 21st the T-Wolves break an 18 game losing streak to beat the Warriors 109 to 108. 

So what happened on January 20th that threw the Warriors so off kilter that they could not beat a miserable team at home with a full night's rest?

Sundance happened.  On the night of January 20th Baron was here instead of resting up and preparing for the game on January 21st.  Prior to the game the announcer even mentioned that Baron had literally just flown in that afternoon.  So effectively Baron had been traveling for 2 days straight after beating the Bucks. 

What kind of numbers did Baron put up, 15p, 6ast, only 2 TO, and 3 rebounds.  Not bad, but if you had watched this game you would have seen how much of a non-factor baron was in the 4th quarter.  In fact he even looked gassed.  He had only a single assist in the entire 4th quarter, missed a layup and a three-pointer that would have won the game, and missed a foul shot that would have tied it.

As the leader of the team I hold him most accountable for not only his own decisions, but certain decisions his teammates make as well; both on and off the court.  Since obviously the chuck first mentality can have a contagious effect on the team. 

The crunch time of that game was simply ugly.  There is no doubt in my mind that Baron's decision to run off to Sundance influenced the off court decisions of his teammates.  Not only that but he was unable to take charge of the team on the court.  Decisions relative to both apply directly to the Warriors' ability to win.  Not to mention the travel contributed to baron being completely exhausted after what should have been a full day of rest.

Given that Baron actually looked gassed in this game (he had NO legs) I hold him and his Sundance antics partially responsible for the Warriors not making the playoffs that year (Jrich trade too).  He is a basketball player first and a film producer second. Therein lies his conflict of identity, although I am not able to explain that. 

I also feel that the betrayal of Rowell and Cohan deeply affected his motivations in spite of the guise of playboy "professionalism" that Baron fronts.  Baron isn't the only responsible party here.  The front office should have told Baron not to fly off to Utah.  They have every right to object, and yet they did nothing.  Same with the now expired trade exception and the minute heavy rotations.  Even with the heavy minutes that only shows how much more Baron needed that rest, but still chose to go pitch his film.

Some guy on the blogs (sorry I can't remember his name) said it best:  "Baron sure twitters a lot, but he never twitters about practicing basketball."

Do I miss Baron? Certainly.  Would I take him back?  Probably not.

By the way, Baron's jokes are bad, but Steve Nash is still funny. 

Anyways, #$%@ Elton Brand.  Much love from Warriors land.  Just thought I'd stop by and share my take (as a Warriors fan) on the decline of the The Beard. Hopefully we'll see this Baron back soon:

via bayareasportsguru.files.wordpress.com

Peace Out, and stay away from the Twinkies, cameras and fake-@$$ So-Cal people, Baron.

Don't worry, if you are a Clippers fan then I know you are for real (Yay Billy Crystal!).

Sincerely,

Nuck Chorris

Dear Bob Fitzgerald,

I am not angry that you post anonymously on blogs and forums.  It does disappoint me that you have publicly badmouthed the online media only to embrace it privately.  Yet I would not be writing this if you did not thrust yourself into the exposition of the toxic culture of the Warriors' front office.  I'm not going to patronize you by saying I love your show.  Rather the opposite, though Brooks is a cool cat.  Let me list the things that bother me about weekdays at KNBR from 12-3.

1.  As the voice of the Warriors people listen to your show expecting Warriors based content. Yet there seems to be a direct correlation to the absence of good news about the Warriors and the lack of Warriors related conversation on your show.  That is being disingenuous to your listeners.

2.  I once made the mistake of calling your show (I'm even a little embarrassed to admit this).  I called before the show started because I wanted to make sure I got on.  I told the screener that I had a question about trade possibilities or something.  I watched 2 full nauseating reruns of CSI Las Vegas before my call was dropped.  In the two and a half hours I listened to you ramble (I think Brooks was gone that day) there was only one mention of the Warriors that was pure praise.  This was immediately after a game they lost during the regular season.  Suffice it to say I'll never again waste my time trying to contact the "voice" of the Warriors.  Your call screener could have just told me your not taking calls until later or that your schedule is too "full".  Hell the screener could have just dropped me right away, but no.  Just makes me wonder what kind of operation is being run over there from 12-3. Other hosts are pretty good about getting people on.  I know because I've called in.

3.  Enough about Notre Dame.  No one cares.  This is the Bay Area. Get with it or get out. 

4.  Troy Murphy is gone.  Get over it.  Everyone else has.

5.  #2 was more about phone etiquette than taking calls, but you need to take some more critical callers.  Your show is lacking from a critical and intellectual standpoint when it incessantly panders to positive talking points.

6.  It's not the money that Chris Cohan has or hasn't spent (except for that trade exception).  It is the way he spends it.

7.  You need to interact with the fans and engage discourse that is consistent with that of the fan culture.  You cannot direct the conversation.  That is taking the fans for granted, and even if we are idiots we don't appreciate that kind of treatment.  

Some might be wondering why I would post this publicly rather than send it privately.  Well, shame on you Bob Fitzgerald.  It would be nice to have something to listen to from 12-3.  It's already the hottest time of the day without all that hot air coming out of my speakers.

Sincerely,

Nuck Chorris 

I've watched almost every game this year, and regarding the officiating this is the conclusion I've come too.

Ginobili, Parker, Kobe and anyone else you want to be named get a lot of calls that are whistled primarily for their protection.  Even if the foul isn't committed.

How is this for their protection?  Well if the whistle is blown then the defender knows that they have crossed the line and disengages contact (hands up in the air even though the fouls been called).  If they have to stop the continuation on the shot then it must be done cleanly or risk a flagrant foul. 

However, if no whistle is blown then the defender is only going to get MORE physical.

This is the reality of the matter, and often teams take advantage of this to gain a competitive edge (*Celtics*).

I have a great photo entitled "Celtics Defense" for this part, but it is not on the internet, and I can't figure out how to upload from your PC. Oh well.

Monta gets none of these calls.  He WILL get hurt on a "no call" if the league continues calling (or not calling) Warriors games the way they have all season.  The fall on his elbow convinced me of that. In watching that fall it baffled me that a call was not made.  I know the defenders were straight up and down, but Monta split them and the body bump came after he had weaved through.  Monta gets laid out, and no call.....

The same goes for Biedrins and Turiaf.  Turiaf got smacked and elbowed in the head at least 3 times last game that left him behind the play, and rubbing his head.  The refs even saw it.  On one no call Turiaf has the ball, and can clearly be seen getting elbowed in the side of the head.  He is forced to pass it or continue to get beat up (literally).  The ref was less than 15 feet away.   Everyone knows that Biedrins gets RAPED on putbacks too.

I just know that if I were the Warriors front office I would be preparing case studies for the league (with kobe and paul calls exemplified) in order to protect the team's investment in a player.  Watching Monta crash into the lane time after time (and rarely getting the call) had me biting my nails in worry. 

I hate complaining about the refs, but "Refs You SUCK!" chants have to be earned, and these officials earned every round of it.  I'm tired of seeing my favorite players getting knocked behind plays, and on the verge of injury simply because the NBA can't be consistent in its officiating.

Simply put I don't think that the league or the refs respect the style of play that the Warriors embrace (fast paced and physical without flailing arms and defensive body bumps).  It is like after calling the foul on a Monta drive 3 times in a row they stop calling it just to force the Warriors to change tactics even though the contact on the shot remains the same. 

Somehow Monta can get laid out, but Chris paul get s the bump on Monta Ellis running away from him after the shot and still gets the foul.  WTF get real!

Anyways, that's not just for the last game, but the whole year.  Last night was just the icing on the cake.

First of all.  Every Milwaukeean should sue "Miwaukee's Best" brewing company for selling the crappiest beer, and giving you all a bad name.  I tasted that beer, and the first thing that came to my mind was, "The people of Milwaukee are better than that, and they deserve better."

Secondly, raise your pints.  I come bearing valuable trinkets in the open palm of trade negotiation.

The Warriors need a legitimate over-sized point guard to complement their plethora of guards and forwards.  Sessions is a perfect fit, but he is up for his Gilbert Arenas FA this summer.  As it stands you guys seem pretty close to the cap, but given his play it seems reasonable that room would be made for him.

The Warriors have a lot of individually productive contracts that just don't add up to much (Azubuike, Belinelli, Turiaf is a great contract, Wright could be productive).

What would it take to get Sessions on the Warriors in an offseason sign-and-trade?  How could we sweeten the pot?

Given the Warriors' logjam of guards I will field just about any option, but I don't know the dynamics of your team and fanbase.  So please, enlighten me.

What is the point of getting Amare?  More than likely we would have to give up Biedrins and a major chunk of our future (Randolph, Wright, or Turiaf).  All for what?  One year of basketball in which we MIGHT make it to the playoffs. 

Then what?  I guarantee you that Cohan and Rowell couldn't hang onto an Amare contract if it was printed in stickum.  Then everyone says "oh, but then we'll have soooo much cap space in 2010."  Really? Not compared to the teams that are actually prepared to rebuild that year. 

We'll be able to get 1 superstar, if any with the subtraction of Amare's salary from the cap. 

If anyone thinks the players aren't eyeing the colllective pies and collaborating on how to split it up then you are a fool. The Warriors do not have a very big pie. If the Warriors can only bankroll ONE superstar in 2010 then the chances of them acquiring top talent is minimal because the top talent will be pooling itself where the cash is.  More than likely the Warriors would end up overpaying due to the impending contract sprees that will give agents more comparative bargaining chips to use against clubs.

Why would we even want to trade now?  The value of expiring contracts (like Amare's) are inflated through the roof, and the Warriors are stacked with the exact opposite (long term contracts).  This would be the front office equivalent of buying high and selling low. 

My consolation is that this is just a bunch of hype from Rowell to keep season ticket purchasers interested.  I honestly don't believe they would have spread the rumor about acquiring Amare without knowing that they had no chance at getting him.  The Suns have no incentive to make their competition a contender.

Honestly the Warriors discussing a trade they're pursuing before it is in the bag would be a first for Rowell and Cohan.  That was the first warning sign for me that this was just a PR stunt.  So yeah, I'm not going waste my time with  this anymore because it would be just plain stupid to trade for Amare, even though we would get one good year of basketball.