There has been a ton of commentary on 'Flunkster Gate,' as the head dupe around here at Warriorsworld I thought I would put a bow on this one. It's great when an organization does outreach with it's customers, fans, constituents. One thing we have learned from the whole Web 2.0 movement is the power of user contribution and social media. My company has a policy that anytime an employee contributes on a public forum, they identify themselves as an employee. If 'Flunkster Dude' had done that, it would have put all of the posts and the conversation in a different light. Sure, he would have to take his lumps from bitter and pissed off Warrior fans, but that generally lasts only a short while, then the real dialogue can begin.
There are other posters from W's headquarters, but no one here is going to out them. The only reason we know the identity of Flunkster Dude' is because Ridder came out and told Tim K. Unless someone else comes forward to claim some posts, it's a wrap.
As a season ticket holder what really upsets me is the utter contempt with which the Warriors treat their paying fans. From back in 96' when they made everyone keep their tickets in San Jose during the remodel, to the steep discounts on tickets that devalue the tickets STH's have already purchased, to the promised discounts on seats that only end up going to areas where they have fewer season ticket holders. The Warriors will eventually run out of sheep willing to pay to see a team that rolls out an accountant at a conference call with fans to talk about how successful the organization is because they have grown their season ticket holder base. An organization that cares so little about winning, they even have a hard time remembering to pretend to care when talking to the ticket buying public.
Having a conference call, even when it is filled with a paid lackey moderator and softball questions is a start. Going out to fan sites and promoting said call as a reason why you are renewing your season tickets when you are an employee of the W's is just insulting. Even the most positive upbeat Warriors fan anyone knows, Paul Wong, has decided to not renew his season tickets. You know things are bad when the man that started the 'We Believe' movement, is done. "Nothing against the team but more so the way the organization is operating."
Yes, I renewed my seats, and I feel dumber than ever for it. Since I am contributing to 'the suck' I am part of the problem as well. It's a co-dependant relationship, Warriorsworld is therapy.
Flunkster Dude on…
If the buyout numbers are correct (around $13 million as the CC Times said??), it saves the Warriors a ton, including from a salary cap perspective. Brilliant move if it is accurate.
I think Nellie would be the one to blame. Cohan, as always, looks like he is willing to pay him even more to stay another year or two (which he is not obligated to do). Nellie is a great coach; you just wish he did not come with all of the drama. At some point, enough is enough. 5.1 million is a lot of cash to walk away from….
All Chris Cohan has done is paid players and coaches. To make such a statement is completely absurd.
That is absurd, too. All the moves they have made have been in an effort to make the cap situation better so we can be inposition to re-sign Andris, Monta and have the ability to be in a position of strength. I just can't understand why people would say that Cohan is cheap. We're pretty lucky if you ask me. I also grew up a Cincinnati Reds fan….try to be a fan of a Marge Schott team if you want a fickle owner.
On Sarunas J..something or other:
Pretty funny that nobody (even a national writer like Sheridan) mentions that Sarunas is the one who opted into his contract this summer. He could be a free agent right now if he wanted. He chose to be here next year when he exercised his option. If anyone needs to look in the mirror, it is him. The Warriors are doing the right thing. He put HIMSELF in this position.
On how awesome it is to buy single game tickets:
By the way, did anyone else get any single-game tickets today? I'm ready to go, boys. I purchased tickets for four games this morning — Utah, Dallas, the Lakers and Orlando (want to see Adonal, as funny as that sounds!). In case you did not know, you can get tickets on-line via some pre-sale event the Warriors are doing (I think you just have to be a GTOe member, which is simple to do). I guess tickets go on sale to the public on September 22, but you can get them today if you want (although I think it is just for the first two months or so). I think it ends tomorrow night or Wednesday night.
On how getting tickets early is better:
I have purchased tickets at the arena the day they went on sale in the past and a few of the games were sold out by the time I got to the window (Lakers, Cavs, etc.). Plus, by that time, they might be selling all of the good games in mini-plans, which I think they do.
Last I checked, Baron opted out of his contract. That was his decision, nobody else.
On trading for Jamal Crawford:
If this happens, I'll be very happy. Jamal can play both guard positions. With Monta. With Morrow. He can handle the ball (we don't have many smalls that can). And, he can score. I'll be surprised if they get this much for a player who publicly asked to be traded. Nice job Mully!
On Mullin not talking to the media:
I'm sure Mully can't be available to everybody who wants him all the time. He spoke to the writers a few weeks ago and I heard him on another radio station a few days ago (a national show, I believe). People have lives.
Steinmetz is the most negative guy in the world. 90% of his columns are about what's wrong, what went wrong or what will go wrong. Have some balance. It just appears as though he's in a negative funk.
Read Tim Kawakami. Andris only gets about 9 per year, not 10 or 10.5. The $63 million figure is with every imaginable bonus. He'll get about $54 million at the end of the day.
On just how awesome it is renew season tickets:
APPRECIATED THE CALL…..I think we are all so mezmerized by what we read in the paper and take it as gospel. I actually enjoyed the call and appreciate their honesty, even if everything was not what we wanted to hear. I would like to hear from them more often. I have already renewed and are part of the 70%, so I will hope for the best from section 121……