The Warriors Get Taken

Warriors

Boy, did LeBron James take the Warriors to the cleanser.  There is no other way to describe it.

The Warriors General Manager  Bob Myers announced that Durant could have any contact he wished.    It tied the hands of the Warriors.  They could not insist on a long range contract for Durant

Last week LeBron James calls Durant and it is reported ask him to join him in LA.  Everybody knew Durant could not do it.   He had promised the Warriors he would resign and with his undeserved reputation as a traitor everyone knew it was not possible.

But maybe James didn't ask him to join him this year.  Perhaps he advised him to sign a one year deal and then join the Lakers.  After one year they should be close and by adding Durant they could role to the NBA title in two years. Durant bought it!  He could have had a muti-year contract and now he is risking injury to that could cut his career short.

Durant also insisted that if the Warriors have a parade next year that he have his own bus and not share it with another player.  I loved those double deck open buses that the Warriors rented from Bakersfield.

The Warriors parade was on my tv and I watched portions of it.  I did notice that the players had a great time leaving the buses and greeting the fans.  It was great for them to celebrate.  They deserved it.  It was a long season.  I mean it was a long season.  A long long long season.  A loooong season.  Its too bad they don't go on strike for half the season then it would be perfect.  Or they could cut the season by 20% but that would cost them 20% of their salary.  No way!  So don't feel sorry for those players on crutches during the playoffs.

Mieuli - What have I done?

Could Warrior fans experience an OC Thunder hangover next year? Very possible.  Veteran Warrior fans remember back in the 1960's when Rick Barry jumped to the new ABA to play for the Oakland Oaks.  Franklin Mieuli owner of the Warriors was in a bathtub floating around some ocean when Pat Boone,an investor in Oaks, gave Rick $75,000 to jump.  Eventually after a number of years Rick returned to the Warriors and they succeeded in become campions in 1975.  If Rick had not jumped the Warriors would have had a couple of more flags flying at Oracle.

How much will it cost to watch LeBron play?  I understand the sky view tickets that normally go for $5.00 will jump 100% to $10.00.  These tickets are limited so they will go fast.  When the "the Town" moves to "the City" the price for a comparable seats will run about $950. the only ticket available for under $1,000.  It will include your own personal television so that you can see the game.

I am becoming more impressed with the East Bay fans spirit for the Warriors.  It was those fans who plunked out $8. for a ticket when it wasn't the thing to do to save the team.  Now they are leaving for money to 'the City' that has never financially supported an NBA team.  I thought no way would the fans follow the team across the Bay.  But many are doing it.  Seems like the Blue portions of California real estate prices have doubled and even tripled so they are refinancing their homes to buy season tickets.   If the Warriors make the playoffs they would sell the playoff tickets to pay for the next year.

The Warrior summer team starts play tonight in Sacramento as part of pre-Vegas games.  Then it on to the Ice hockey capital of the west for games and then a tourney.  I can see the summer league lasting 8 weeks starting in about 3 years.

Los Angeles is celebrating.  Although he looks indestructible James is 33 years old and the long hard NBA season one after another can take a toll on anyone.  And what will Coach Walton do when LeBron starts coaching the team like he did in Cleveland?