What Now?: A Hopeless Future and Some Ridiculous Solutions

There's an idiom that I heard while watching an episode of "The Wire" a couple weeks ago. The way it describes the plight of the Golden State Warriors fits perfectly towards the situation:

"Sh** always rolls downhill."

Even a two year old child can figure out that Chris Cohen and Robert Rowell's management has gutted this team from the very beginning.

In fact, my two year old nephew has started to mirror my habit of cursing out Robert Rowell every time I see one of his bone-headed decisions play itself out on the court. It's a little cute to see a two-year old garble out "idiot" after seeing Corey Maggette toss up a contested jumper after getting jammed from beyond the arc. It's horrible to watch, but at least I have a toddler to make light of it all.

In any case, this is what we as Golden State fans must look forward to.

The rumors of Larry Ellison take over the Warriors have given us a small ray of hope in this eternal snowstorm of poo. There hasn't been much to look forward to other than the excellent play of Stephen Curry and the respectable effort from Anthony Morrow, and there doesn't seem to be much to look forward to as long as Chris Cohen remains owner.

Because in the end, no matter what success we achieve, 2007 reminded us that we will break down a playoff team and sell it for parts if it's in the best interests of Chris Cohen's wallet, not the long-term aspirations of the franchise.

Are there other gaping holes in the Warriors' ship? Definitely. Don Nelson doesn't want to coach. Monta Ellis is determined to sulk his way out of playing nice with Steph Curry. Corey Maggette is still in a Warriors jersey, and still being paid $10 million a year to be an awesome pickup for fantasy basketball (best waiver-wire pickup EVER).

But like I said, "Sh** always rolls downhill." If there's no desire to run a basketball franchise with basketball principles, then there is no reason for the GM and the coach to build a strong basketball team. Currently, the Warriors fit Cohen's specs to the T. Cheaply thrown together and loaded with expiring contracts, able to run the ball, and provide the casual fans with eye candy in the form of small ball.

The only respite I see comes in the form of three outlandish solutions:

1. Hope and pray that Larry Ellison saves this team.

Keeping tabs with the situation, there is no indication to me that Larry Ellison is tangibly interested in buying the Warriors. Cohen wants to sell, and that is always a positive sign since the door is open, but Ellison has shown nothing to say that he'll walk through it. And even if Larry Ellison buys this team, we have no way of interpreting his intentions with the franchise. He might be a Chris Cohen redux, we don't know. So I wouldn't sacrifice my first born to ensure Ellison buys this team, not yet anyway.

2. Trade Ellis and our first round pick for a legitimate power forward.

This is the only move I see the Warriors being able to feasibly make in the off season, and I will explain why it might work. Two things are needed to construct the right trade: front-office acumen and a willing taker for Ellis' rather large contract. Our front-office has proven themselves as clowns, and given the wealth of options in the 2010 Free Agent sweepstakes, not a lot of teams will have cap room for Ellis' salary. But it's worth a stab, right?

Our backcourt improves through subtraction with Curry being the undisputed general of the offense. I hate using that term for trading Monta, but it's apparent that the two guards simply will not mesh together. It's not a matter of "can they?" but more so a matter of "will they?"

Monta doesn't seem any closer to playing nice with Curry, and he is the most marketable asset that the Warriors have. I also don't see anybody coming out of the current draft class that would bring immediate help to the Warriors, and we are loaded with "long term projects."

If Ellis goes, that brings Morrow, Azubuike, or Bell (depending on whether or not he stays after free agency) to swing between the 2 and the 3, with Curry permanently occupying the point guard position. The two pressing needs of the Warriors is rebounding and defense, and quite frankly, Andris can use a little help when it comes to protecting the rim and cleaning the glass.

I don't know who's going to be occupying the power forward slot, since Wright's situation is unclear at this point, and Nellie never giving Randolph an extended run to develop. But a move towards a proven power forward that can provide a low-post threat, help defend the rim, and provide support for both sides of the glass would be monumental for this team.

But given the track record of our front-office, I wouldn't be surprised if we traded Monta Ellis and our first round pick for a pack of bubblegum and a half-eaten sandwich. I really wouldn't.

3. Green Bay the Warriors.

The Green Bay Packers are the property of the residents of Green Bay. The GM, the coach, the whole management structure is held accountable by the fans. Now, this can technically never happen with current rules set in place within the league. Hell, the Packers' organization is in violation of the NFL rules. But if on the very off chance that a team is able to be owned by the fans, then the woes of front-office buffoonery can be swiftly dealt with. Every executive and manager within the franchise would work to their fullest capability, knowing that their owner(s) want them to make decisions on a basketball level, with enough attention paid to the financial aspects to make sure the franchise stays viable.

This solution would've saved the Sonics from being hijacked by Clay Bennett. This solution could also save the Warriors from becoming the laughingstock of the league...again. and again. and again.

But it's extremely unlikely that David Stern would allow this to happen. There's no reason for him to kowtow to the demands of a franchise in plight, so long as the marquee teams and players are pulling in revenue and keeping the league relevant.

So is there an end in sight? No. Not nearly. Not until we find ourselves a better front-office, the Warriors will never come close to winning a ring. Until the source of this sh** disappears, we, the fans, the lowest rung of the franchise totem pole, will always deal with the snowball effect.