Author Topic: New Woj article: A look into Pelicans ownership  (Read 1782 times)

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New Woj article: A look into Pelicans ownership
« on: January 29, 2019, 02:37:14 PM »

Offline CelticsElite

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http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25872174/anthony-davis-crisis-test-pelicans-ownership

What happens next with Anthony Davis is a huge test for the 72-year-old Benson, who became the Pelicans' owner in March 2018, when her husband of 13 years passed away. She's the NBA's newest owner, one who doesn't have a history of decisions to show a definitive track record, and she presides over an unusual management structure that relies on football executives to oversee her basketball team.

Deciding whether to honor Davis' trade request, deciding when to honor it and deciding what type of trade package the Pelicans should seek are ownership-level decisions. It's as complicated and as stressful of a moment as a sports team owner can have in this day and age. It's a time when leadership and guidance are badly needed.

"She's still learning. I would guess it's going to be a challenge for her," one NBA owner said. "I would think Adam [Silver] would offer guidance if she wanted it."

It's somewhat transparent that Davis is interested in getting to the Los Angeles Lakers, which is why his trade demand is coming now, when other expected bidders are compromised. The Boston Celtics can't really get involved because of trade rules related to Kyrie Irving. The New York Knicks' potential best offer will be murky until their draft position is known in the spring.

Will the Pelicans be willing to do a deal with a conference rival and create a potential superteam? Will they want to center the deal on draft picks and potentially bottom out the team, accepting losing and possible attendance declines? Will they prefer more established players to more quickly retrofit the team instead of a full rebuild?

In some form or another, these issues will land in Benson's lap.

Those familiar with the Pelicans' inner workings say Benson relies heavily on the infrastructure her late husband put in place. The Pelicans have a board of directors that make the major decisions within the franchise. They share a president, vice president, chief operating officer, chief financial officer and general counsel with the Saints, which is how Tom Benson structured the operation
.


Demps' direct boss within the Pelicans' management structure is Mickey Loomis, who is the highly respected and successful general manager of the Saints. Last week, as Davis was finalizing his decision to ask for a trade after seeing a hand specialist to determine the severity of a finger injury, Loomis was at the Senior Bowl in Alabama. When he spoke to the media, he addressed not Davis but the missed pass interference call in the NFC Championship Game. His is not a common position to be in.

Those who have worked with Loomis on basketball matters report that he gives the Pelicans' executives space to operate, but his experience in dealing with the challenges of pro sports shines through. He is not one to be intimidated or pushed around.

Teams who plan to negotiate with Demps and the Pelicans in the coming days have done their research on how to approach this situation. Some believe that Loomis will play a vital role in how the Pelicans manage the Davis crisis. But like Benson, Loomis has no demonstrable track record of dealing with such matters.

"We're going to invest more money and get the big players and do everything we can to keep Anthony [Davis] here," Benson said in an interview with The Athletic last month. "I really like Anthony, but if he wants to leave, you can't hold him back."

There's a lot of things left to interpretation there.

Last April, I attended the Pelicans' first playoff game in Portland, when they stunned the Blazers by 24 points on the way to a dominating first-round sweep. It was Davis' first playoff win, and he was emotional about it.
« Last Edit: January 29, 2019, 02:45:46 PM by CelticsElite »

Re: A look into Pelicans ownership
« Reply #1 on: January 29, 2019, 02:40:27 PM »

Offline Donoghus

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Wouldn't shock me in the slightest if this team is relocated when their lease is up in 2024. 

They bumbled their way for years trying to assemble a team around Davis.  When he leaves, I have to imagine that organization could really see some hard times.


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Re: A look into Pelicans ownership
« Reply #2 on: January 29, 2019, 02:45:44 PM »

Offline SparzWizard

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Ya have to feel for New Orleans sports these last few weeks. First their football team got robbed of a chance to go to the Superbowl by Los Angeles.

Now they are about to be robbed of Anthony Davis, by none other than Los Angeles, again.


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Re: A look into Pelicans ownership
« Reply #3 on: January 29, 2019, 11:27:46 PM »

Offline CelticsElite

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Ya have to feel for New Orleans sports these last few weeks. First their football team got robbed of a chance to go to the Superbowl by Los Angeles.

Now they are about to be robbed of Anthony Davis, by none other than Los Angeles, again.
new Orleans def had a terrible week

Re: New Woj article: A look into Pelicans ownership
« Reply #4 on: January 29, 2019, 11:46:33 PM »

Offline LarBrd33

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I hope they move the team to Seattle after this Davis stuff blows over.   I live in Seattle.  Maybe I’ll get season tickets to watch Tatum in person.

Re: New Woj article: A look into Pelicans ownership
« Reply #5 on: January 30, 2019, 12:28:00 AM »

Offline jpotter33

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This honestly makes me a bit nervous about NOLA making the smart decision to wait until the summer to make a trade.
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Re: New Woj article: A look into Pelicans ownership
« Reply #6 on: January 30, 2019, 12:37:09 AM »

Offline CelticsElite

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This honestly makes me a bit nervous about NOLA making the smart decision to wait until the summer to make a trade.
why is that

Re: New Woj article: A look into Pelicans ownership
« Reply #7 on: January 30, 2019, 12:39:37 AM »

Offline nickagneta

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This honestly makes me a bit nervous about NOLA making the smart decision to wait until the summer to make a trade.
It actually makes me feel good as Mickey Loomis is a heck of a sports management professional. Given it looks like New Orleans recent trades for Cousins and Mirotic were pretty good to great for the Pels, I have confidence New Orleans will do what's best for the franchise.

Re: New Woj article: A look into Pelicans ownership
« Reply #8 on: January 30, 2019, 05:21:26 AM »

Offline ederson

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I hope they move the team to Seattle after this Davis stuff blows over.   I live in Seattle.  Maybe I’ll get season tickets to watch Tatum in person.

I will be very very very happy if your wish comes true