WarriorGM wrote:Romulus wrote:This is interesting. The very cautious, conservative Alchemy suggests perhaps Kerr is sabotaging the season and even gives a reason why. Do you buy it?
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Didn't watch but if you are going to go the conspiracy route you need to look at incentives and follow the money. Who benefits from the team not making the playoffs?
It seems ridiculous to suggest Lacob and ownership could benefit from the team losing since it will probably lose him money at the very least short term but if more control going forward in the form of parting with the beloved core in a way that doesn't draw blowback can be gained maybe one can make a creative argument that ownership is looking the other way because it could also save money on contracts and overspending penalties. Wouldn't one expect to hear more grumbling from the front office if what Kerr is doing is displeasing them as much as it is fans?
Cannot really be sure how seriously this line of thinking can be taken without doing the math but if the math checks out then maybe the conspiracy theory shouldn't be dismissed.
Edit: Did a very quick look to see what the luxury tax is and came across a $268 million figure. Another estimates $176 million. Is that enough to throw the season?
Now if Kerr was presented the case where he has to choose among ownership that wants to save $100 million, Klay who wants to get a big contract, or Steph who wants to win another championship, who do you think Kerr will help?
If Kerr can follow ownership's wishes, make it appear as if he was doing everything he could to stick up for Klay by playing him minutes, and manage not to ruffle Steph's feathers too much by making it look like the team was simply not good enough and inevitably wouldn't go anywhere could he do it?
Another good post. What's going on now with Kerr on the surface doesn't make a lot of sense. His decisions on lineups and rotations are way out of whack even for him. Trying to make sense of that can be difficult because it's counter intuitive.
Kerr's been so bad this year and yet is rewarded by signing a massive 2 year extension that makes him the highest paid coach in the NBA. Obviously, Lacob LOVES what Kerr is doing this year. Why, when the team is so under-achieving, blowing more close games than any other team?
Do most owners that buy teams want to win? Yes, of course. But what happens AFTER you've won -- in this case, 4 titles? Is winning still the priority? Or, is the owner tired of paying a huge tax and does that become the priority. Lacob in an interview a few months ago talked endlessly about getting under the tax, so his real motive at this point is pretty obvious. Is getting in the play-in, facing the Lakers and getting bounced really that appealing? Again, Lacob in that interview talks about the necessity to make changes if for some reason this team underachieves. How much easier is it to sell to fans that the team needs to be blown up when you can't even get in the playoffs?
Think about it. Tie all these loose ends together and you start to see what might actually be going on behind the curtain.
Also, think back before the trade deadline. The FO put out multiple stories that everyone other than Curry was being considered for trade possibilities. Dunleavy Jr. said he needed more time to evaluate the team to figure out if they in fact needed to make a trade. Obviously, the team never improved and everyone knew this team desperately needed to make a move if it wanted to have any chance this season. So what happens? Amazingly, absolutely nothing. Was it all a smoke screen, just a way to placate fans to make them think big moves were being considered when in reality just the opposite was taking place?
I'm guessing Lacob is ready to turn the page. I don't think Alchemy is too far off here. If Klay comes back it's going to be on a very team friendly deal. CP3 will simply be let go. GP2 won't be resigned. And if there are to be any trades, it won't be young guys, it'll be the vets.
This scenario seems to make the most sense as you watch this season unfold and you see a coach who appears to be doing everything possible to tank the season.