SAN FRANCISCO – Warriors CEO Joe Lacob feels the chill directed at him and his team for the execution and extravagance displayed in the NBA-altering decision to pursue and persuade, and eventually sign Kevin Durant.
Some of the cool air is coming from the commissioner’s office. Most is from his brethren in the club of NBA owners.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Durant leaving Oklahoma City to sign with the powerful Warriors was “not ideal from a league standpoint,” and several owners have expressed their dismay, suggesting it would be addressed in the next collective bargaining agreement.
Lacob shrugs and grins.
“I know there are a lot of other owners and teams that are mad at us, at me,” Lacob said Monday. “I felt that very much when I was in Las Vegas this summer.
“Sorry, we got him. We worked hard until we got him.”
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After nine seasons with one organization, Seattle/Oklahoma City, Durant signed with the Warriors in July. He’s a superstar that left one contender to sign with another, an unprecedented move in that regard.
Though Lacob, a member of the labor committee, couldn’t share his thoughts on what, if any, impact the Durant signing will have on negotiations, he seemed confident the league will avoid a lockout.
“The NBA is in a terrific position,” Lacob said. “I think it behooves both sides to obviously try to make sure that this continues.”
