Can fans make amends with Sarver?

[Gaddabout]

Sarver came clean on 620 and admitted he was wrong. It wasn't even a Fonzi.

"I've jumped the gun before to spend money to sign guys that slowed us down in the rebuilding process," Sarver told Arizona Sports 620's Burns and Gambo Thursday. Source: Adam Green, http://www.arizonasports.com/64/1633469/Is-Suns-owner-Sarver-ready-to-rewrite-his-history-book

Now the question is whether or not Suns fans can reconcile with their owner. Just me, but winning makes people forget all kinds of ills. Colangelo was anathema to the Suns faithful for 20 years until he took over the ownership group.

 

[SirStefan32]

He made a great GM hire, and admitted he's made some mistakes. That's a pretty decent start. Overruling Blanks to sign Dragic was a good move, though I hate the idea of an owner overruling a GM- I hope that was an exception. If he keeps doing good things, he'll be alright in my book.

 

[95pro]

What else can we do but move forward.

The general suns fan doesn't care. If the suns are winning they'll fill the arena.

 

[JS22]

I don't see why not. I never really fell into the "Sarver is cheap" camp. I've always thought he made terrible decisions though. So, if he backs off and lets the basketball guys do their thing, I doubt many people will have a problem with him.

 

[Griffin]

So he apologized for spending money unwisely. Did he also apologize for selling draft picks earlier and making horrible one-sided trades for the sole purpose of saving money? That, to me, is a much greater offense.

Few fans really care about the owner of a team, most just want to see the team be successful and be competitive on the floor. So it's hard to really talk about "forgiveness," especially right after the team has just suffered its worst post-inaugural season in franchise history. Nevertheless, all it takes really is for the team to start winning again.

 

[Superbone]

If he builds it, they will come.

 

[desertdawg]

Public opinion is a muthasucka. If John Q thinks the coach sucks balls, it's usually for a good reason and it's usually just a matter of time. If a GM is very under appreciated by the local mob, while they tend to get more time then the coaches, they gonna be gone. Losing creates all types of new jobs. And with Sarver not being considered savvy, and folks think he is not willing to make financial investments that winning would require...yamon, dot dot mutha suckin dot.
Can't fire the owner, and nobody cares who owns the team when a team is winning. This team has a history of winning but not since Sarver got here, that's all it boils down to for me. It's like he has my team hostage. He can say what ever he wants but actions speak louder than words. The Suns have a huge following, sold out for years, madhouse Mcdowell through to the downtown beginnings.
Sarver sucks, it doesn't suck that he admits it. It sucks that the Suns suck because of Sarver's suckiness.

 

[slinslin]

Public opinion is a muthasucka. If John Q thinks the coach sucks balls, it's usually for a good reason and it's usually just a matter of time. If a GM is very under appreciated by the local mob, while they tend to get more time then the coaches, they gonna be gone. Losing creates all types of new jobs. And with Sarver not being considered savvy, and folks think he is not willing to make financial investments that winning would require...yamon, dot dot mutha suckin dot.
Can't fire the owner, and nobody cares who owns the team when a team is winning. This team has a history of winning but not since Sarver got here, that's all it boils down to for me. It's like he has my team hostage. He can say what ever he wants but actions speak louder than words. The Suns have a huge following, sold out for years, madhouse Mcdowell through to the downtown beginnings.
Sarver sucks, it doesn't suck that he admits it. It sucks that the Suns suck because of Sarver's suckiness.

They possibly had the best years in franchise history when Sarver got here.

 

[Mulli]

Actions speak louder than words. Server has yet to really make amends.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Actions speak louder than words. Server has yet to really make amends.

Quite true but acknowledging your part in the screwup is far better than not.

Steve

 

[Cheesebeef]

They possibly had the best years in franchise history when Sarver got here.

um...no.

from 2005-2010, they had what? 4 of 5 seasons of 50 wins, with three WCF appearances an one season where they missed the playoff entirely? sorry, I know you're not old enough to remember the late 80's-early 90's, but give me 1988-1995 and it's 7 straight seasons of 50 plus wins, 3 WCF appearances and an actual FINALS appearance over Sarver's "best years in franchise history."

 

[slinslin]

Cheese honestly, you are the master of overrating the past.

And yet the Suns back then were never really considered championship contenders except for 1992-1994.
Honestly from 1980 to 2003 the Phoenix Suns won the Pacific Division just 3 times 1980, 1992 and 1994... in those 23 years the Suns had 1 MVP, 1 MIP, 1 SMOTY. They were 2nd in the Pacific Division just 3 times.

From 2004-2007 they won it 3 times and had 2 60+ win seasons. The Suns had 2 MVP winners, 3 SMOTY, 1 MIP.
From 2007-2011 the Suns were 2nd in the Pacific Division 4 times.

So yeah 1980-2003 6 times the Suns finished 2nd or better in the Division.
2004-2013 the suns finished 2nd or better in the division 7 straight times.

In their history the Suns have 6 Division titles and 3 of them were after Sarver bought the team, sorry.

I think I am right to say that the Suns had their possibly best years after Sarver bought the team. If Amare did not have microfracture and another freak eye surgery it wouldn't even be a discussion.

I could go on arguing like Nash, Amare, Marion are in almost all top 5 all-time Suns statistical leader categories. All 3 of them are in the top 7 points scored, Amare and Marion in the top 5 blocks, top 3 rebounds. Nash 1st in assists.

The Suns had 4 all-nba first team appearances sind Sarver bought the team. Pre-Sarver it was 9 and in the era you recalled just once when Barkley won MVP.

Since Sarver bought the team they had 14 all-star appearances. From 1980-2003 it were 27 in more than twice the seasons.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Cheese honestly, you are the master of overrating the past.

And yet the Suns back then were never really considered championship contenders except for 1992-1994.
Honestly from 1980 to 2003 the Phoenix Suns won the Pacific Division just 3 times 1980, 1992 and 1994... in those 23 years the Suns had 1 MVP, 1 MIP, 1 SMOTY. They were 2nd in the Pacific Division just 3 times.

uh...thus the reason I said our best years were 1988-1995. You know...when we were in the WCF THREE times, never missed the playoffs once, consistently got to the 2nd round at least and made the FINALS. Why you decided to go 1980-2003 is anyone's guess but yours.

From 2004-2007 they won it 3 times and had 2 60+ win seasons. The Suns had 2 MVP winners, 3 SMOTY, 1 MIP.
From 2007-2011 the Suns were 2nd in the Pacific Division 4 times.

And yet during that run 7 year run, they only got out of the first round THREE TIMES and NEVER made the Finals...oh yeah...AND they missed the playoffs TWICE.

So yeah 1980-2003 6 times the Suns finished 2nd or better in the Division.

LOL...again, who the hell said anything about 1980-2003? You said Sarver was the best years, but the reality is, even his best years revolved around a team that COLANEGLO built. And what hath he wrought after? DISASTER.

Argue whatever you want, but anyone who actually WATCHED basketball in the late 80's-90's knows that was the glory era of the Suns. You want to extend that to 23 years, go ahead and do so, but nowhere did I do that.

You said something that wasn't true, then completely changed MY argument to fit yours. Typical on your part.

2004-2013 the suns finished 2nd or better in the division 7 straight times.

In their history the Suns have 6 Division titles and 3 of them were after Sarver bought the team, sorry.

and again, a team that COLANGELO built. Once the nucleus of that team went bye bye, we've had three of the worst consecutive seasons we've ever had, including missing the playoffs all three years.

I think I am right to say that the Suns had their possibly best years after Sarver bought the team. If Amare did not have microfracture and another freak eye surgery it wouldn't even be a discussion.

and if Dumas didn't have a drug problem...and if Barkley didn't have back surgery and if he didn't blow out his knee yada, yada, yada. the eras are what they are. 1988-1995 were the best years the Suns ever experience and the Nash-Amare duo that brought us back to prominence was put in place for Sarver by Colangelo.

Sarver's got a golden egg and turned into a pile of crap. Trying to argue otherwise is laughable and could only be done so by someone who's never watched an NBA game circa 1995.

 

[slinslin]

And yet during that run 7 year run, they only got out of the first round THREE TIMES and NEVER made the Finals...oh yeah...AND they missed the playoffs TWICE.

Huh? Are you just being dumb on purpose?

2004-2010 is 6 seasons not 7.

The Suns lost 1 time in the first round during those 7 years and that was to the Spurs when they were the higher seed.

They went further than the first round 4 times in those 6.

Ignoring the fact that the Western Conference from 2004-2010 was the strongest ever.

and again, a team that COLANGELO built. Once the nucleus of that team went bye bye, we've had three of the worst consecutive seasons we've ever had, including missing the playoffs all three years.

Nash signed after Sarver bought the team.

And even if that Bryan Colangelo "build" the team not Jerry. He also did the Googs trade to sell the team and cash out better. Oh yeah the great Colangelo that ****ed up the Raptors.

You think the Suns best years were when they played 3rd fiddle to Los Angeles and Portland/Seattle.

There is a reason that neutral NBA fans remember teams like the Kings Princeton offense era or the Suns SSOL era. Late 1980 and early 90s were just another good NBA team and the only thing that is remembered are the finals followed by the biggest choke job in NBA history when MJ retired, choking to the worst championship teams in the history of modern basketball.

 

[desertdawg]

If Sarver wants to get the attention and respect of the local Phx fan base, he has to earn and purchase it. If he wants to fill up seats during this "rebuild" or retool or facelift or teardown, he has to show that he is making moves.

Get more vocal in the media, draw some real talent to the Valley and get this mamma jamma started with a long term plan. I know he can't say certain things on the air, but he can have some fun with. Offer crazy money to get a Phil or someone here like that and my ears will perk right up.

Mikey friggin Bidwill yall. Has taken over an org that was considered for years to be more of a family cash cow than a contender. Facing the whiners and chickens this year, probably won't even gonna go .500. But people will show up because they aint dumb. They know the Owner just went and got the Head coach of the year from last year. They know he took who he cpnsidered to be the smartest man in his camp and promoted him to GM. He has been spending money wisely, the fans notice that kind of stuff.

Sarver shouldn't have to personally find or decide on the next Dragic style deal. He should be in the pimp seats, comforted in knowing he put good people in important places. I'll give this Ryan cat a shot, but Head Coach is just as crucial, and so is the checkbook.
Sorry.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Huh? Are you just being dumb on purpose?

2004-2010 is 6 seasons not 7.

The Suns lost 1 time in the first round during those 7 years and that was to the Spurs when they were the higher seed.

They went further than the first round 4 times in those 6.

Ignoring the fact that the Western Conference from 2004-2010 was the strongest ever.



Nash signed after Sarver bought the team.

And if that Bryan Colangelo "build" the team. He also did the Googs trade to sell the team and cash out better. Oh yeah the great Colangelo that ****ed up the Raptors.

Nash signed only after Jerry forced Sarver's hand as he didn't want to sign him. And who said anything about Bryan Colangelo. I think it's pretty clear I was talking about JC. Considering we've been talking owners here.

I'll get to the rest of your nonsense later, but glad you completely ignored that point where I pointed out that u brought up 80-03 out of nowhere while limiting Sarver's era solely to 2010 for some reason.

 

[desertdawg]

Sarver is a slumlord. The property was nice and kept when he bought it, was good for the first few/five years. Then along with the more decisions he made, we have the money he saved, now we have "Yooour Phoenix Suuuuuns!!" This is a full on Sarver team, the Colang would have never let it get this bad. I love young dudes, the one's that already know everything.

 

[slinslin]

Sarver is a slumlord. The property was nice and kept when he bought it, was good for the first few/five years. Then along with the more decisions he made, we have the money he saved, now we have "Yooour Phoenix Suuuuuns!!" This is a full on Sarver team, the Colang would have never let it get this bad. I love young dudes, the one's that already know everything.

1972–73 Western Pacific 3rd 38 44 .463 22 —
1973–74 Western Pacific 4th 30 52 .366 17 —
1974–75 Western Pacific 4th 32 50 .390 16 —

1984–85 Western Pacific 3rd ¤ 36 46 .439
1985–86 Western Pacific 3rd 32 50 .390
1986–87 Western Pacific 5th 36 46 .439
1987–88 Western Pacific 4th 28 54 .341

2001–02 Western Pacific 6th 36 46 .439
2002–03 Western Pacific 4th ¤ 44 38 .537
2003–04 Western Pacific 6th 29 53 .354 27

 

[desertdawg]

Nash signed only after Jerry forced Sarver's hand as he didn't want to sign him. And who said anything about Bryan Colangelo. I think it's pretty clear I was talking about JC. Considering we've been talking owners here.

Jerry Jerry Jerry , but he is probably googling all his info, and that can get hairy when starting off already not knowing much.

 

[desertdawg]

1984–85 Western Pacific 3rd ¤ 36 46 .439
1985–86 Western Pacific 3rd 32 50 .390
1986–87 Western Pacific 5th 36 46 .439
1987–88 Western Pacific 4th 28 54 .341

You know I don't read Slin stats anymore (we've previously discussed their stock value), even when you copy and paste them dude. Anybody can look up what teams did. I was there man. I was there.

 

[slinslin]

I'll get to the rest of your nonsense later, but glad you completely ignored that point where I pointed out that u brought up 80-03 out of nowhere while limiting Sarver's era solely to 2010 for some reason.

I am done arguing with you. You think that expanding your era to 23 years works against your argument, yet I pointed out to you that even when you combine all memorable Suns accompishments during those 23 years they don't measure up to the 6 years after Sarver bought the team.

If I limited it to any 6 years during that time your argument would look even worse.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Huh? Are you just being dumb on purpose?

2004-2010 is 6 seasons not 7.

The Suns lost 1 time in the first round during those 7 years and that was to the Spurs when they were the higher seed.

They went further than the first round 4 times in those 6.

.

Hey genius. Go back and read your post. You're the one who brought 7 years into it showing us finishing 2nd place from 2007 till 2011 and in most books that a read, 2004-11 is SEVEN years and out of those seven years they only got out the first round four times and never even made a Finals. That doesn't qualify as the Wonder years for any Sund fan unless they were born in the 80's and never actually experienced the heyday of sustained playoffs for seven straight years plus more playoff success then at any other time in Suns history.

 

[slinslin]

Hey genius. Go back and read your post. You're the one who brought 7 years into it showing us finishing 2nd place from 2007 till 2011 and in most books that a read, 2004-11 is SEVEN years and out of those seven years they only got out the first round four times and never even made a Finals. That doesn't qualify as the Wonder years for any Sund fan unless they were born in the 80's and never actually experienced the heyday of sustained playoffs for seven straight years plus more playoff success then at any other time in Suns history.

Hey genius, Go back and read my posts the fact you are even calling out someone stating the very obvious "that those were possibly the best years in Suns history" makes you look stupid.

Even if I was going to admit that the late 80s or early 90s were better eras my comment still stands as correct. Yet you are trying to argue it which is plain stupid.

Truth is during Colangelo's era the Western Conference was historically weak for a good part 40 wins could still get you into the playoffs. During Sarver's era for many years even the last seed won 50.

 

[Sleepy]

I think he made a great decision in hiring Ryan McDonut but I will not forgive him until I see that he has really changed his ways and shows the fans that he really wants to make the Suns a true championship contender in the future.

For now I am cautiously optimistic about the Suns future.

 

[desertdawg]

Two things you don't skimp on, GMs and Head Coaches. They don't get old, they aint injury prone, and there is a very big difference between good and great. Ryan, shamrock style, good pedigree, I can get on board with that. But Sarver needs to take up frisbee golf or something, and pay out of his ass to get a thinker tagging up our playboard during timeout. I aint up on the up and up, but if there isn't a big money coach out there right now, let Ryan pick out some talent in the draft, get some talent in free agency to complement the draft dudes, and take a wait on the ringman. Let it be known, the best Head Coaches that are up on their contracts next year better be well compistated by their current teams if they want to keep them. Tweet that stuff, get it on ESPIN, the magazine.

I still think Pop is a better coach than Phil, but they are just on a different level. Pop aint coming and Phil doesn't build, he does the final touches. So how can Sarver impress me with his new head coach hire?? Can he lure a big genius up and comer? Will the new GM find someone with a brain, someone that is one step ahead. I desire that. Some coaches slap other coaches around the whole game and some folks don't even see it.