Reactions To Warriors’ San Francisco Move
This morning, the Golden State Warriors made official their planned move to San Francisco for the 2017/18 season. Here's a roundup of reactions from around the league and media to the announcement:
- NBA commissioner David Stern praised the move (transcript via Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News), pointing to the Warriors' need to play in a more modern facility than Oakland's Oracle Arena.
- Stern also mentioned that there are no territorial-rights issues in the NBA, meaning it would be possible for the Bay Area to have two teams in the future.
- Warriors owner Joe Lacob talked to reporters (transcript also courtesy of Kawakami) following the announcement and highlighted plans to make the new facility enviromentally sustainable.
- Kawakami raised questions in a column about the lack of specifics given by Lacob in the press conference.
Latest On Ramon Sessions
The Los Angeles Lakers held their exit interviews today following last night's elimination from the playoffs. Lakers.com's Mike Trudell has details (links to all tweets) of guard Ramon Sessions' interview, which touched on his upcoming player option and future with the Lakers.
Sessions, acquired from the Cavaliers in March, said he hopes to remain with the Lakers, and that the team has expressed interest in bringing him back as well. Sessions has a player option for the 2012/13 season worth approximately $4.5MM, which he must decide on by June 20. He says he has not made a decision.
Odds & Ends: Diaw, Collison, Hornets
The latest news and notes from around the NBA on Sunday night:
- NBA.com's Fran Blinebury writes that midseason acquisition Boris Diaw has been key to the Spurs' dominant playoff run.
- Alberto de Roa of HoopsHype interviews Thunder forward Nick Collison, who reflects on the years the organization spent rebuilding under GM Sam Presti.
- John Reid of the Times-Picayune reports that Hornets coach Monty Williams isn't as high on the 2012 draft class as many analysts and executives are. The Hornets are expected to have a high lottery pick.
Los Angeles Notes: Paul, Gasol
The latest news and notes from around the Clippers and Lakers on Sunday evening:
- Arash Markazi of ESPNLosAngeles.com writes that, whatever the outcome of the Clippers' second-round series against the Spurs, the arrival and impact of Chris Paul has made this season a success.
- Kevin Ding of the Orange County Register wonders whether the Kobe Bryant/Pau Gasol partnership is on its last legs.
- ESPNLosAngeles.com's Dave McMenamin implies the same thing, pointing to Bryant's public blaming of Gasol after the Lakers' Saturday loss to the Thunder.
Kirilenko Hopes To Sign With Jazz Or Nets
Forward Andrei Kirilenko, currently playing for CSKA Moscow, was interviewed by Sovsport.ru, and revealed that he hopes to return to the NBA next season as either a member of the Utah Jazz or Brooklyn Nets (translation of original Russian article courtesy of HoopsHype):
Those two teams [the Jazz and Nets] are my top priorities. Utah is where I blossomed, the Nets are owned by a Russian oligarch. But no one knows how life will unfold, so please let's wait a little until July 1st, the hot time of change in the NBA.
Kirilenko, 31, played 10 seasons with the Jazz, from 2001 to 2011, before signing in Russia in October during the NBA lockout. He has not played in the NBA in 2011/12.
Warriors To Move To San Francisco
The Golden State Warriors have finalized plans for a new arena in San Francisco and hope to move by 2017, reports the San Jose Mercury News (all Twitter links).
According to the report, the arena will be paid for with private funds, and an official announcement could come as soon as Tuesday. The arena will be a state-of-the-art facility that can be used for concerts and other events, outside of replacing Oakland's aging Oracle Arena as the home of the Warriors.
Latest On Hornets Ownership And Front Office
New Hornets owner Tom Benson is revamping the team's front office with partners from other business endeavors, reports Mike Triplett of the Times-Picayune.
Benson, 85, who also owns the New Orleans Saints, is expected to make assistants Dennis Lauscha and Mickey Loomis prominent voices in the Hornets organization. He did give specific details of their roles or those of other executives that will be involved, because he has yet to assume ownership of the team officially.
Benson bought the Hornets from the NBA in April. The league previously assumed control of the franchise from cash-strapped owner George Shinn in 2010.
Nuggets Notes: Faried, McGee, Blake
The latest news and notes around the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night:
- The Denver Post's Benjamin Hochman praises Kenneth Faried, touting him as one of the best value selections in last year's draft.
- Hochman also notes that the Nuggets expect to bring back restricted free-agent center JaVale McGee.
- Fox Sports Florida's Chris Tomasson tweets that Lakers guard Steve Blake wanted to re-sign with the Nuggets after the 2007 season. However, Denver was not willing to pay him the $4.25MM annually that Portland was. The Nuggets instead signed Chucky Atkins.
Poll: Where Will Steve Nash End Up?
One of the most high-profile players to hit free agency this summer will be Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash. The 38-year-old continues to express interest in returning to the Suns, although there is heavy speculation that he will instead sign with a contender such as the Heat. He’s also been linked to the Blazers, Knicks, and Raptors in various scenarios. Where do you think Nash will play in 2012/13?
Hayes On Bulls’ Offseason Plans
In a new column, Neil Hayes of the Chicago Sun-Times addresses several major questions the Bulls will face this offseason:
- Despite his on-court regression in his second season, the Bulls are expected to match all offers on restricted free-agent center Omer Asik.
- Chicago will likely not pick up their options on all three of C.J. Watson, Ronnie Brewer, and Kyle Korver, because they want to clear cap space to re-sign Taj Gibson after next season.
- Hayes speculates that John Lucas III may develop into more of a three-point specialist than a backup point guard, which will likely make him cheaper to retain.