It wasn’t Jerry Colangelo’s money, any more than it was his call.
But the Phoenix Suns were the flagship of his long sports entrepreneurship, the desert seed planted 40 years ago. It stands to reason that any man whose franchise legacy is priceless has a vested interest in the future.
Colangelo was a 28-year-old general manager in the team’s first year, 1968. He had a couple of coaching runs and wound up fronting an ownership group from 1987 until 2004, the year he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
“I maintain a title as chairman, and I am available to consult,” Colangelo said Friday from Atlanta, on a different kind of road trip, accompanying his wife and daughter while they tend to an antiques business at various shows. “For this deal, Steve Kerr and Mike D’Antoni did ask for my opinion. We talked about the pros and cons. At the end of the day, I was supportive of going forward.”
Who can say now that by the end of the season, or the two subsequent to this one, Kerr the team president, D’Antoni the coach and the owner Robert Sarver will have invested in a Suns championship or wasted tens of millions for an antiquated version of Shaquille O’Neal?
Given the pros, cons and likely consequences of doing nothing, how could they pass?
“We’ve had tremendous success over the years,” Colangelo said, “but we haven’t won it all.”
Not with the team that pushed the Celtics hard in the 1976 N.B.A. finals or with the Charles Barkley-led group that was one stop away from forcing Michael Jordan’s Bulls to a seventh game on the road in 1993 or with the contemporary eye candy assembled by Bryan Colangelo, the son of the franchise Supernova, now administratively relocated to Toronto.
Why would a team with the best record in the Western Conference sacrifice a core player, Shawn Marion, and compromise its intrinsic run-and-gun playing style to accommodate a soon-to-be 36-year-old and increasingly stationary or sidelined O’Neal?
Because the best record this week could become the fourth or fifth-best next week in a conference so stacked with quality that its 10th-place team, Portland, would be fourth in the East.
Because Tim Duncan and the defending champion Spurs — who defeated the Knicks, 99-93, in overtime Friday night at Madison Square Garden— are still in the way and because the Lakers keep getting bigger and better and because Steve Nash isn’t getting any younger.
The best pair of point guard eyes west of Jason Kidd turned a youthful 34 Thursday but the legs tick to a different body clock. If this is about a closing window, why not add O’Neal’s strength to make sure it doesn’t slam shut?
•
As Jerry Colangelo said, you can marvel at Nash’s nifty assists, the Suns’ video-game scoring tabulation and their average of 59 victories over the past three seasons, and you still come away with zero titles.
“The biggest question in the playoffs was always about our halfcourt game,” Colangelo said. “And until someone wins in playing the Phoenix style, that was going to be a question.”
It was one already answered by the Suns the last three years, when they were welcome catalysts in reversing the trend of tedium that had overtaken N.B.A. offenses but, in the final analysis, not much more than a sexy marketing scheme.
A preferred style is one thing. A team limited to that style is another. One day back in the early 1980s, a coach of some renown, Red Holzman, eavesdropped on reporters covering his excitable young Knicks, arguing whether they should run or play half-court. He later sidled up to one and said, “Don’t write that stuff,” though not that blandly.
He explained that championship basketball invariably had to be a compendium of styles and strategies, and a roll call of N.B.A. champions would bear that out, starting with the most recent. In their playoff series with the Suns last spring, the supposedly staid Spurs won games by scoring 114, 111 and 108 points.
With a presumably healthy if diminished O’Neal, the Suns, who defeated the SuperSonics, 103-99, on Friday night, can diversify their offense, and they will have someone to at least challenge Duncan, Yao Ming and the other conference giants, freeing Amare Stoudemire to terrorize power forwards.
•
O’Neal is still 7 feet 1 inch and 325 pounds of obstruction, a four-time champion and a locker-room presence. Coming from Miami, how can he not be re-energized by another chance to win and thwart Kobe Bryant in the process?
“Some people have already discarded the idea that Shaq can do for us what Kareem did for the Lakers at the end of his career, but we’ll see,” Colangelo said, speaking of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, without choking on the name.
He lost the 1969 coin flip that landed Kareem in Milwaukee and settled for a competent center named Neal Walk. But that’s sports, the difference between good and great typically no more complicated than heads or tails, or playing a hunch.
The better option, in this case, than doing nothing, just running and running, until Steve Nash is on empty.
NYTimes.com
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Friday, February 8, 2008
What they say on overseas games - The Premier League has revealed...
What they say on overseas games
The Premier League has revealed that it is considering bold plans to add an extra round of games which would be staged outside England.
The top-flight clubs have agreed to explore the proposals, which could come into effect for the 2010/11 season.
So what has been the reaction to the plans from around the game? Here are a selection of comments so far from chairmen, coaches and fans.
"What disappoints me is (United chief executive) David Gill phoned me and said 'keep this quiet, we are going to discuss it' and then it's all over the papers this morning. They can't keep their mouth shut down there.
"I think if they are going to do these things, they should have been enquiring and having discussions with managers and players before they come out with all this stuff and make an issue of it."
Manchester Unired manager Sir Alex Ferguson
"I'm not against an innovative attitude if it respects the competitive side of our league, if it respects the fans and promotes the quality of our Premier League."
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger
"I don't necessarily think it is a bad thing. From what I understand, it has been well thought out. The trouble with a lot of people is when something new comes into the arena, they want to find reasons to knock it. I am not against change."
Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan
"I think it's common sense that teams should do one match abroad every year. I don't have a problem with it at all. The fans are extremely lucky that they see a wonderful array of foreign talent playing here in England."
Reading chairman John Madejski
"Clubs could become like the Harlem Globetrotters. It will start with one game and then next year or the year after until eventually I can see us playing quite a few games in different parts of the world."
Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp
"The Premier League is the biggest, strongest league in the world and the most financially successful but that doesn't mean it always sits cosily with other interests and one of those interests is the England international team.
"What is becoming paramount is the need for a midwinter break but instead of that, the gap is going to be used to extend the demands on players."
Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor
"In principle, it sounds like a great idea - bring more money into the clubs - but on the other side, people will say they are already making enough money. I think our team made £50m last year so how much more do they need? That's what the fans are going to say because they have season tickets and they want to see every game."
Reading goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann
"We are making history. The Premier League, which is the greatest league the world has ever known, is being adventurous. I find this amazingly exciting."
Birmingham co-owner David Gold
"All that was decided that as a major league, it is something that we ought to examine. We do have lots of overseas fans that are unable to come to matches played in the UK so I think it is something that should be explored."
Tottenham chief executive Daniel Levy
"We have only agreed to explore something, nothing more than that. When we find out more I'll be able to tell you if it is a good idea. We really are at step A and not step B or C."
Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn
"This is purely down to money. The Premier League want more money from global advertising rights. As a player, the league schedule is as congested as it ever has been. The notion that teams could go through a hectic December and January with one then going off to play in Cairo and another in Los Angeles - with all the travelling and commitments - is absolute nonsense."
Former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore
"It's bad enough with international friendlies, let alone going overseas. I read the other day that games are going out to 22 or 23 countries. It's quite unbelievable, it gets everywhere, so I wouldn't be surprised, although there will be a few irate people. Can you imagine going to Fergie (Sir Alex Ferguson) and telling him 'by the way, you're not playing at home this week, you are playing in Japan'? I'd like to see it!"
Wigan manager Steve Bruce
"Is it April 1? I find it highly unlikely it would happen. I wouldn't think it would be a realistic proposition."
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate
"It is obviously a marketing thing. I would have to have a clearer picture of what is behind this marketing idea - I would have to find out more about it. One extra game of football a year, as long as the calendar can be sorted out, that doesn't seem to be a deal-breaker - but I have no real opinions at the moment on whether it is a good deal or a bad deal."
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson
"The fans here will be up in arms and other national associations won't be too happy about the Premier League coming to their domain and taking sponsors, advertising and revenue from what is their game.
"I managed Fulham when we went to this tournament in Hong Kong with Liverpool and Portsmouth and the fans were so wrapped in it. We played our two games in front of 40,000 people purely because Liverpool were there. How much of a draw smaller teams would be, I'm not sure."
Former Northern Ireland and Fulham manager Lawrie Sanchez
"I challenge the Premier League to abandon this proposal if it turns out that the majority of supporters are opposed to it and that would be my confident prediction.
"This game relies on having supporters in the ground and when the day comes that they completely think that match-going fans are of no value, then that's the day when the game will severely suffer."
Malcolm Clarke, co-chairman of the Football Supporters' Federation
"From rugby league's perspective, we are very keen to take any opportunity to showcase our sport around the country and Europe. We have found that rugby league supporters have responded positively to the opportunities that have been presented to them. The key is to make it an extra fixture, and not a replacement for a home game."
Rugby Football League chief executive Nigel Wood
"It sounds problematic. We are, in principle, opposed to having Premier League games in Japan as we have to protect our league and clubs. In Japan, we don't allow anyone to play a match that involves only foreign clubs and no Japanese clubs."
Japan Football Association vice-president Junji Ogura
"Football Federation Australia's overwhelming priority is to promote the Hyundai A-League and to continue to invest in, and grow, the game in Australia."
FFA chief executive Ben Buckley
"They can come over and play these games and people can come and check it out, but I think they are going to leave the stadium more often than not thinking: 'You know what? I can get much better value and more excitement by going to see my Galaxy play.' We do not have a monopoly on crap soccer - it's played all over the world."
Los Angeles Galaxy general manager Alexei Lalas
"Absolutely NOT. This is not the NFL. These proposals would make a mockery out of the competition."
TheMightyRover
"There is already deep unrest in the Premier League with fans feeling more and more distanced from players and clubs. Overall this is a terrible idea and I'm not too sure foreigners would pay to see Birmingham play Wigan anyway."
happy_red
"Do it if you like, but it cannot count towards the league. It would have to be a friendly game - I wouldn't want a team to be relegated based on having to play Man Utd in the 'bonus' overseas match."
kruador
"I have no problem with this. No team would lose a home game, and there is potential for a holiday abroad with a football match in the middle of it! If the NFL can export the sport successfully to Britain, then why can't we sell football to other countries?
tim_love99
"A ridiculous idea, motivated solely by money, and with scant regard for the fans."
dxgraf
"Utterly disgusting. I don't object to teams playing showcase games around the world but to suggest playing a random game in sweltering oriental heat that could possibly have a bearing on the title, Europe or relegation is ridiculous."
Bellion-Wonderland
"Why they feel this course of action is necessary I don't know. There is already widespread complaints of fixture congestion so adding an extra game in a far off land hardly sees the way to go.
the_beautiful_kuyt
"The fans of smaller clubs should actually be applauding this idea. Think about it. Derby play the Gunners, in say Beijing, it stands to reason that some of the smaller clubs are going to get some major exposure, which will ultimately lead to extra revenue (shirt sales, etc)."
Taf1980UK1
"There are SO MANY things wrong with this idea that I really can't see it being agreed to, at least not without clubs facing an almighty backlash from the fans."
bluejam
"There are millions of English people living outside of England, especially here in USA. They would be thrilled to be able to attend a meaningful game involving 'their' team."
ForzaNapole
"As soon as you introduce an additional game you remove the equality within the fixture list and the league becomes invalid. Why not use one of the cups to showcase abroad?"
Amnesiacs Anonymous
Source: BBC.co.uk
The Premier League has revealed that it is considering bold plans to add an extra round of games which would be staged outside England.
The top-flight clubs have agreed to explore the proposals, which could come into effect for the 2010/11 season.
So what has been the reaction to the plans from around the game? Here are a selection of comments so far from chairmen, coaches and fans.
- WHAT THEY SAY IN BRITAIN
"What disappoints me is (United chief executive) David Gill phoned me and said 'keep this quiet, we are going to discuss it' and then it's all over the papers this morning. They can't keep their mouth shut down there.
"I think if they are going to do these things, they should have been enquiring and having discussions with managers and players before they come out with all this stuff and make an issue of it."
Manchester Unired manager Sir Alex Ferguson
"I'm not against an innovative attitude if it respects the competitive side of our league, if it respects the fans and promotes the quality of our Premier League."
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger
"I don't necessarily think it is a bad thing. From what I understand, it has been well thought out. The trouble with a lot of people is when something new comes into the arena, they want to find reasons to knock it. I am not against change."
Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan
"I think it's common sense that teams should do one match abroad every year. I don't have a problem with it at all. The fans are extremely lucky that they see a wonderful array of foreign talent playing here in England."
Reading chairman John Madejski
"Clubs could become like the Harlem Globetrotters. It will start with one game and then next year or the year after until eventually I can see us playing quite a few games in different parts of the world."
Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp
"The Premier League is the biggest, strongest league in the world and the most financially successful but that doesn't mean it always sits cosily with other interests and one of those interests is the England international team.
"What is becoming paramount is the need for a midwinter break but instead of that, the gap is going to be used to extend the demands on players."
Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor
"In principle, it sounds like a great idea - bring more money into the clubs - but on the other side, people will say they are already making enough money. I think our team made £50m last year so how much more do they need? That's what the fans are going to say because they have season tickets and they want to see every game."
Reading goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann
"We are making history. The Premier League, which is the greatest league the world has ever known, is being adventurous. I find this amazingly exciting."
Birmingham co-owner David Gold
"All that was decided that as a major league, it is something that we ought to examine. We do have lots of overseas fans that are unable to come to matches played in the UK so I think it is something that should be explored."
Tottenham chief executive Daniel Levy
"We have only agreed to explore something, nothing more than that. When we find out more I'll be able to tell you if it is a good idea. We really are at step A and not step B or C."
Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn
"This is purely down to money. The Premier League want more money from global advertising rights. As a player, the league schedule is as congested as it ever has been. The notion that teams could go through a hectic December and January with one then going off to play in Cairo and another in Los Angeles - with all the travelling and commitments - is absolute nonsense."
Former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore
"It's bad enough with international friendlies, let alone going overseas. I read the other day that games are going out to 22 or 23 countries. It's quite unbelievable, it gets everywhere, so I wouldn't be surprised, although there will be a few irate people. Can you imagine going to Fergie (Sir Alex Ferguson) and telling him 'by the way, you're not playing at home this week, you are playing in Japan'? I'd like to see it!"
Wigan manager Steve Bruce
"Is it April 1? I find it highly unlikely it would happen. I wouldn't think it would be a realistic proposition."
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate
"It is obviously a marketing thing. I would have to have a clearer picture of what is behind this marketing idea - I would have to find out more about it. One extra game of football a year, as long as the calendar can be sorted out, that doesn't seem to be a deal-breaker - but I have no real opinions at the moment on whether it is a good deal or a bad deal."
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson
"The fans here will be up in arms and other national associations won't be too happy about the Premier League coming to their domain and taking sponsors, advertising and revenue from what is their game.
"I managed Fulham when we went to this tournament in Hong Kong with Liverpool and Portsmouth and the fans were so wrapped in it. We played our two games in front of 40,000 people purely because Liverpool were there. How much of a draw smaller teams would be, I'm not sure."
Former Northern Ireland and Fulham manager Lawrie Sanchez
"I challenge the Premier League to abandon this proposal if it turns out that the majority of supporters are opposed to it and that would be my confident prediction.
"This game relies on having supporters in the ground and when the day comes that they completely think that match-going fans are of no value, then that's the day when the game will severely suffer."
Malcolm Clarke, co-chairman of the Football Supporters' Federation
"From rugby league's perspective, we are very keen to take any opportunity to showcase our sport around the country and Europe. We have found that rugby league supporters have responded positively to the opportunities that have been presented to them. The key is to make it an extra fixture, and not a replacement for a home game."
Rugby Football League chief executive Nigel Wood
- WHAT THEY SAY AROUND THE WORLD
"It sounds problematic. We are, in principle, opposed to having Premier League games in Japan as we have to protect our league and clubs. In Japan, we don't allow anyone to play a match that involves only foreign clubs and no Japanese clubs."
Japan Football Association vice-president Junji Ogura
"Football Federation Australia's overwhelming priority is to promote the Hyundai A-League and to continue to invest in, and grow, the game in Australia."
FFA chief executive Ben Buckley
"They can come over and play these games and people can come and check it out, but I think they are going to leave the stadium more often than not thinking: 'You know what? I can get much better value and more excitement by going to see my Galaxy play.' We do not have a monopoly on crap soccer - it's played all over the world."
Los Angeles Galaxy general manager Alexei Lalas
- WHAT YOU SAY ON 606
"Absolutely NOT. This is not the NFL. These proposals would make a mockery out of the competition."
TheMightyRover
"There is already deep unrest in the Premier League with fans feeling more and more distanced from players and clubs. Overall this is a terrible idea and I'm not too sure foreigners would pay to see Birmingham play Wigan anyway."
happy_red
"Do it if you like, but it cannot count towards the league. It would have to be a friendly game - I wouldn't want a team to be relegated based on having to play Man Utd in the 'bonus' overseas match."
kruador
"I have no problem with this. No team would lose a home game, and there is potential for a holiday abroad with a football match in the middle of it! If the NFL can export the sport successfully to Britain, then why can't we sell football to other countries?
tim_love99
"A ridiculous idea, motivated solely by money, and with scant regard for the fans."
dxgraf
"Utterly disgusting. I don't object to teams playing showcase games around the world but to suggest playing a random game in sweltering oriental heat that could possibly have a bearing on the title, Europe or relegation is ridiculous."
Bellion-Wonderland
"Why they feel this course of action is necessary I don't know. There is already widespread complaints of fixture congestion so adding an extra game in a far off land hardly sees the way to go.
the_beautiful_kuyt
"The fans of smaller clubs should actually be applauding this idea. Think about it. Derby play the Gunners, in say Beijing, it stands to reason that some of the smaller clubs are going to get some major exposure, which will ultimately lead to extra revenue (shirt sales, etc)."
Taf1980UK1
"There are SO MANY things wrong with this idea that I really can't see it being agreed to, at least not without clubs facing an almighty backlash from the fans."
bluejam
"There are millions of English people living outside of England, especially here in USA. They would be thrilled to be able to attend a meaningful game involving 'their' team."
ForzaNapole
"As soon as you introduce an additional game you remove the equality within the fixture list and the league becomes invalid. Why not use one of the cups to showcase abroad?"
Amnesiacs Anonymous
Source: BBC.co.uk
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