ESPN: Could Nets Lure RC Buford from Spurs?

[BillMc]

http://espn.go.com/blog/brooklyn-nets/post/_/id/23554/could-nets-lure-gm-r-c-buford-from-spurs


Buford is close with Mikhail Prokhorov's trusted Russian basketball confidant Sergey Kushchenko, a member of Brooklyn’s GM search committee. San Antonio assistant Ettore Messina coached CSKA Moscow -- which was owned by Prokhorov at the time -- with Kushchenko serving as GM.
Buford would bring instant credibility to the Nets as well as a strong track record for finding impactful international talent. He’d probably cost a lot, but as far as candidates are concerned, you can’t do much better than R.C. Buford.
Combination of loyalty and the Nets having no draft picks forever makes me think "nyet." But enough money or a piece of the ownership (ala Pat Riley) and you never know.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

I think it's a lot more likely that they poach Marks and Messina.

[thiste]

Not gonna happen.

[TheDoctor]

"Rosario Consuelo Bufford is leaving the best franchise in sports for that russian clusterfuck in Brooklyn."

Said no one ever.

[CGD]

I don't think they have a pick until 2050! Just a terrible situation.

What an all-time great fleecing by Boston (among others). Only one I think might be better than the Leonard-Hill trade in recent memory.

[BillMc]

If they want to go "Spurs-esque" they should give Danny Ferry a job. He's paid for his mistake.

[HarlemHeat37]

If I was Buford, I would do it, tbh..

Realistically, while he receives plenty of credit for the Spurs' success, Pop is still the face of the organization and the man that most fans/media recognize as the mastermind of the Spurs' run IMO..

If Buford is able to fix this disastrous Nets franchise that has put themselves in one of the biggest holes in pro sports history, he would probably become the standard for NBA front office work..

Of course not everybody has the same mentality, though, and he could be content in his current role with the most successful franchise in North American sports:lol..

[DeRozan m8]

Doesn't really matter if they take Messina, Blatt will replace him tbh

We keep RC tho

[Vito Corleone]

I believe that GMs and player personalle guys are the real stars of the NBA.

Jerry West has put together championship teams everywhere he has gone. How many times has RC found someone hiding under a rock and they turned our to be great.

No, we need to do whatever is possible to keep RC happy, hell give him a piece of the ownership if that is what it takes to make him stay.

[Kawhitstorm]

If I was Buford, I would do it, tbh..

Realistically, while he receives plenty of credit for the Spurs' success, Pop is still the face of the organization and the man that most fans/media recognize as the mastermind of the Spurs' run IMO..

If Buford is able to fix this disastrous Nets franchise that has put themselves in one of the biggest holes in pro sports history, he would probably become the standard for NBA front office work..

Of course not everybody has the same mentality, though, and he could be content in his current role with the most successful franchise in North American sports:lol..

How in the hell is RC going to fix a team than has no 1st rd picks till 2019 when the owner is a delusional billionaire?:lol

If anything, he would lose credibility like Phil Jackson when he couldn't win w/ just Kirby or Pippen.:lol

Didn't Steve Kerr turn down a lot of money from the Knicks to coach the Worriers?

[spurs10]

http://espn.go.com/blog/brooklyn-nets/post/_/id/23554/could-nets-lure-gm-r-c-buford-from-spurs


Combination of loyalty and the Nets having no draft picks forever makes me think "nyet." But enough money or a piece of the ownership (ala Pat Riley) and you never know. I'm saying ditto on 'nyet,' but money can make people do crazy things!

[TXstbobcat]

Nyet. The Nets are a complete mess.

[Spurtacular]

Pop would have to find another cuck; shouldn't be a problem.

[Russ]

The negative -- it's the Nets.

The positive -- lots of cabs in Brooklyn.

[Spurtacular]

The negative -- it's the Nets.

The positive -- lots of cabs in Brooklyn.

You don't think he'd have his own town car or limo w/driver?

[Russ]

You don't think he'd have his own town car or limo w/driver?

Apparently not.

[Spurtacular]

Apparently not.

He would before he'd take cabs. He might prefer to drive himself otherwise.

[rasuo214]

Unless they're willing to offer him a piece of the ownership then it isn't really worth it. That team is a disaster and I doubt they're willing to wait long enough to fix it.

[Spurtacular]

Unless they're willing to offer him a piece of the ownership then it isn't really worth it. That team is a disaster and I doubt they're willing to wait long enough to fix it.

Throw all bets out the window if a sizeable part ownership is offered.

[Uriel]

Brooklyn needs to fuck the hell off

[Mel_13]

As long as Holt's group owns the team, I can't see RC leaving. He's got the perfect situation right now. Plus you have to figure that he's had opportunities to leave before and he's still here.

[BillMc]

I'm saying ditto on 'nyet,' but money can make people do crazy things!

True. A significant piece of ownership would be the next step.

[HarlemHeat37]

How in the hell is RC going to fix a team than has no 1st rd picks till 2019 when the owner is a delusional billionaire?:lol

If anything, he would lose credibility like Phil Jackson when he couldn't win w/ just Kirby or Pippen.:lol

Didn't Steve Kerr turn down a lot of money from the Knicks to coach the Worriers?

Today's fans and media are much more informed than they were in the past, with the progression of social media/more websites and coverage, etc..

Everybody that follows the NBA is fully aware that Brooklyn is a disaster and it's going to take years to fix it:lol

Phil Jackson didn't lose any credibility until he joined Twitter and showed the world that he's a moron with his anti-Warriors talk, tbh:lmao..

[itzsoweezee]

What's the price tag? Pjax got $10 million per. Buford's got to expect at least $15, right?

[SPURt]

I don't ever think RC would leave the Spurs. The only circumstance would be if Pop was retired and RC wanted to cash in. As long as Pop is a Spur RC will be a Spur.

[Sean Cagney]

I doubt this happens, not a very interesting spot to begin with and they suck on top of that.

[BatManu20]

I could see Prokhorov throwing an insane amount of money at him to try to lure him to Brooklyn, and maybe he even considers it, but in the end I think RC stays in SA regardless. He's got a great thing going right now.

[bic50]

Seriously doubt RC leaves. Same with chip. Spurs are perfect for them.

[ElNono]

Today's fans and media are much more informed than they were in the past, with the progression of social media/more websites and coverage, etc..

Everybody that follows the NBA is fully aware that Brooklyn is a disaster and it's going to take years to fix it:lol

Phil Jackson didn't lose any credibility until he joined Twitter and showed the world that he's a moron with his anti-Warriors talk, tbh:lmao..

:lol I was actually listening to NY sports radio in the car today, and they ripped Phil and the Knicks org a new one.

I remember when he was onboard they couldn't find enough excuses for the guy and that it was going to take long to rebuild, but the honeymoon is well over.

[DMC]

I find it a bit contradictory of the league to veto the Chris Paul trade to LA but allow the Nets to be pilfered until they are like Chernobyl.

[DMC]

:lol I was actually listening to NY sports radio in the car today, and they ripped Phil and the Knicks org a new one.

I remember when he was onboard they couldn't find enough excuses for the guy and that it was going to take long to rebuild, but the honeymoon is well over.

Phil had the same rhetoric when he fired Fisher as he did when he hired him "we're moving forward, we have to change how we do business". I've seen high level guys get canned not for what they missed this year, but what they missed this year that they had a "plan" to fix last year. It means their leadership and planning are poor, and hiring your friends is the worst thing any leader can do. Now he has Rambis there. He's pilfering the Knicks.

[Purch]

I find it a bit contradictory of the league to veto the Chris Paul trade to LA but allow the Nets to be pilfered until they are like Chernobyl.

The Hornets were owned by the league, whiles the Nets are owned by the Russian.. Without that ownership they have no real authority to veto it, just like any other owner has no power to veto trades of franchises he doesn't own.

[Kidd K]

If I was Buford, I would do it, tbh..

Realistically, while he receives plenty of credit for the Spurs' success, Pop is still the face of the organization and the man that most fans/media recognize as the mastermind of the Spurs' run IMO..

If Buford is able to fix this disastrous Nets franchise that has put themselves in one of the biggest holes in pro sports history, he would probably become the standard for NBA front office work..

Of course not everybody has the same mentality, though, and he could be content in his current role with the most successful franchise in North American sports:lol..

No you wouldn't.

That'd be like leaving a hot, intelligent wife that blows you every day and shares all your similar interests who you've been through a lot with and succeeded with for a way less attractive stupid chick with a terrible track record.

[Spurs9]

:lol at this thread

[HarlemHeat37]

No you wouldn't.

That'd be like leaving a hot, intelligent wife that blows you every day and shares all your similar interests who you've been through a lot with and succeeded with for a way less attractive stupid chick with a terrible track record.

Meh, I don't really view it like that..personally, I would care about the recognition and fame, which is why I would do it if I was Buford..he probably doesn't feel the same way, though..

I view it more as a trainer/manager that led the most dominant fighter in it's industry for almost 2 decades, and subsequently moved on to trying to win the belt with a broke-ass man that had lost 20 fights in a row, gained 40 pounds, fought a battle with addiction and tried to kill himself..

[DMC]

The Hornets were owned by the league, whiles the Nets are owned by the Russian.. Without that ownership they have no real authority to veto it, just like any other owner has no power to veto trades of franchises he doesn't own.

League interests go further than simple franchise ownership. They have a severely imbalanced ship right now and if they allow franchises to be pilfered, they will damage their brand.

[DMC]

Meh, I don't really view it like that..personally, I would care about the recognition and fame, which is why I would do it if I was Buford..he probably doesn't feel the same way, though..

I view it more as a trainer/manager that led the most dominant fighter in it's industry for almost 2 decades, and subsequently moved on to trying to win the belt with a broke-ass man that had lost 20 fights in a row, gained 40 pounds, fought a battle with addiction and tried to kill himself..

There's nothing in it for RC except failure. Perhaps he could manage to pilfer money from the franchise but to what end? He ends up being part of a failing franchise. People like to live in the "how to build a house" house they built, not the "how not to build a house" house built by others who subsequently vacated it.

[dabom]

If I was Buford, I would do it, tbh..

Realistically, while he receives plenty of credit for the Spurs' success, Pop is still the face of the organization and the man that most fans/media recognize as the mastermind of the Spurs' run IMO..

If Buford is able to fix this disastrous Nets franchise that has put themselves in one of the biggest holes in pro sports history, he would probably become the standard for NBA front office work..

Of course not everybody has the same mentality, though, and he could be content in his current role with the most successful franchise in North American sports:lol..

He has a lot to lose though. RC needs a hands off approach from the owner. I don't see it happening.

[HarlemHeat37]

He has a lot to lose though. RC needs a hands off approach from the owner. I don't see it happening.

I don't think there's much of a chance of him leaving San Antonio, let alone going to Brooklyn, I was just stating what I would do..

I'm all about the attention, though, tbh:lol

[Floyd Pacquiao]

R.C isn't leaving after we covered up his d.w.i . He owes pop and the city still

[gambit1990]

how much are the spurs paying RC? i assume he's the highest paid person in his position?

don't see RC leaving as long as we duncan.

if he did leave, man... talk about starting from scratch at the opposite of the spectrum...

[Seventyniner]

No you wouldn't.

That'd be like leaving a hot, intelligent wife that blows you every day and shares all your similar interests who you've been through a lot with and succeeded with for a way less attractive stupid chick with a terrible track record.

...who has a shitload more money. Stranger things have happened.

[BillMc]

Sort of Related, BSPN has Sean Marks as one of the top 3 candidates for the Nets GM job.

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/brooklyn-nets/post/_/id/23560/nets-decision-on-next-gm-wont-be-an-easy-one

[SpursBig3s]

R.C isn't leaving after we covered up his d.w.i . He owes pop and the city still

what?! definitely have never heard this... care to elaborate?

[ChumpDumper]

R.C isn't leaving after we covered up his d.w.i . He owes pop and the city stillIf we know all about his DWI, how is it covered up?

[FromWayDowntown]

what?! definitely have never heard this... care to elaborate?

The cover-up made it easy to miss. The story that barely got any publicity at all:

http://www.kens5.com/story/news/local/2014/06/20/11067291/

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Spurs-GM-charged-with-DWI-2254417.php

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/7195428/rc-buford-san-antonio-spurs-charged-dwi

http://nba.nbcsports.com/2011/11/05/report-spurs-gm-r-c-buford-arrested-for-dui/

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/926690-rc-buford-general-managers-dwi-ruins-spurs-squeaky-clean-image

http://thebiglead.com/2011/11/05/spurs-general-manager-rc-buford-arrested-for-dwi/

http://bustedcoverage.com/2011/11/08/spurs-gm-claims-lowest-blood-sugar-ever-as-dui-defense-cuff-em/

[ace3g]

Adrian Wojnarowski @WojVerticalNBA
(https://twitter.com/WojVerticalNBA)The Brooklyn Nets have offered the job of general manager to San Antonio Spurs assistant GM Sean Marks, league sources tell @TheVertical (https://twitter.com/TheVertical/).

[BillMc]

If we know all about his DWI, how is it covered up?
This.

[DPG21920]

Great for Marks. Spurs tree has expanded everywhere it seems. Crazy how much talent the Spurs organization has groomed for other teams. Good news is Spurs have very good relationships with most teams and should be attractive to FO/Coaching talent with what it means for your career to be a part of SA.

[BillMc]

Adrian Wojnarowski @WojVerticalNBA
(https://twitter.com/WojVerticalNBA)The Brooklyn Nets have offered the job of general manager to San Antonio Spurs assistant GM Sean Marks, league sources tell @TheVertical (https://twitter.com/TheVertical/).



"Tis better to rule in Hell than serve in Heaven." The so-called Satanic Principle from Milton's Paradise Lost.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Hopefully we get the same Coach Bud special trade discounts.

[coachmac87]

Lopez just became a Spur

[ace3g]

Frank Isola @FisolaNYDN
(https://twitter.com/FisolaNYDN)If Sean Marks is the guy there is a very good chance that Spurs assistant coach Ettore Messina, via Italy, could be the Nets head coach.

[ace3g]

The Vertical @TheVertical
(https://twitter.com/TheVertical)Brooklyn Nets offer San Antonio executive Sean Marks franchise's GM job. @WojVerticalNBA (https://twitter.com/WojVerticalNBA/) report. yhoo.it/217RRIz (https://t.co/lihWbuiVq2)

[All Mighty Janitor]

People on the Nets' side of things must be excited. They essentially got the next best thing(not that they ever had a chance to land Buford). Pretty soon the Spurs global take-over will be complete.

[TheDoctor]

The cover-up made it easy to miss. The story that barely got any publicity at all:

http://www.kens5.com/story/news/local/2014/06/20/11067291/

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Spurs-GM-charged-with-DWI-2254417.php

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/7195428/rc-buford-san-antonio-spurs-charged-dwi

http://nba.nbcsports.com/2011/11/05/report-spurs-gm-r-c-buford-arrested-for-dui/

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/926690-rc-buford-general-managers-dwi-ruins-spurs-squeaky-clean-image

http://thebiglead.com/2011/11/05/spurs-general-manager-rc-buford-arrested-for-dwi/

http://bustedcoverage.com/2011/11/08/spurs-gm-claims-lowest-blood-sugar-ever-as-dui-defense-cuff-em/

Homo sapiens forget too easily.

[Kidd K]

...who has a shitload more money. Stranger things have happened.

The Spurs pay him plenty though. Its not like he's living in a shack somewhere. Especially at his age and how he's so cemented here. I don't see any logical reason for him to go.

[TheGreatYacht]

Should've thrown in Fathead too to close the deal

[apalisoc_9]

I wish they would have lured this drunk ass...