(06-26-2021, 04:55 PM)Jommybone Wrote: Two possibilities come to mind (though there may be others):

1. Ford was the PR move and the Dirk/Finley/others committee did the real decisionmaking.

2. Ford was already doing work and the Dirk/Finley/others committee was the PR move.

The committee thing smells more like a PR move to me. But certainly I don’t know. Cato’s stuff seems to suggest “league sources” think otherwise.

(06-26-2021, 05:15 PM)jesusshuttlesworth82 Wrote: Cato's article states that a list of names was presented TO Forde for vetting, not that Forde came up with a list of names as candidates.  (obviously since Forde was just hired last week)

(06-26-2021, 02:56 PM)Kammrath Wrote: As time passes, we might get some clearer answers. 

(06-26-2021, 05:03 PM)Kammrath Wrote: I appreciate this. 

My hunch is that Cuban did in fact legitimately listen to Forde AND to the Dirk committee....however I think there was huge added benefit to Cuban that BOTH "looked good" to outsiders as well. A sort of "win-win" for him.

I think Cuban:

1) Wanted Forde because he does value outside opinions (even if he doesn't always follow them) and knew that this hire was make or break for his Luka era. There is no way that Cuban is oblivious to how incredibly important these moves are for the future of his franchise and winning. I am certain Cuban wants to win more than anything and he has to see that Luka is his golden ticket. 

2) Wanted Dirk/committee involved because he realizes these guys are the FACE of the franchise and he desperately needs them on board to continue to have a good product/franchise. I think Cuban values their input because he respects their basketball wisdom and because they make his franchise what it is.

(06-26-2021, 05:51 PM)Jommybone Wrote: It may be about creating a good look. Or he may just genuinely care about the players he cheers for so heartily.

My guess: all the above.

(06-26-2021, 04:07 PM)KillerLeft Wrote:

(06-26-2021, 04:55 PM)Jommybone Wrote: Two possibilities come to mind (though there may be others):

1. Ford was the PR move and the Dirk/Finley/others committee did the real decisionmaking.

2. Ford was already doing work and the Dirk/Finley/others committee was the PR move.

The committee thing smells more like a PR move to me. But certainly I don’t know. Cato’s stuff seems to suggest “league sources” think otherwise. And I really liked him with Peter Sellers in the Pink Panther movies.

Quote:Michael Finley of the Dallas Mavericks began hearing rumors swirling around the league about a master plan that Nike and Jordan had cooking.

“My agent called me,” Finley remembered, “and said, ‘Michael Jordan and his reps are starting their own Jordan Brand and want to know if you want to be a part of it.’ I was like, ‘C’mon, man. That’s a no-brainer. Of course.’ To have M.J. pick you as one of the originals, that’s an honor. It was just us five … our own little fraternity.” (These days, Finley, an assistant vice president of basketball operations for the Dallas Mavericks, is something of a film producer.)

Quote:After a seven-year career playing professional hoops throughout Europe, Harrison landed what would become his defining entry-point role in sports business in the spring of 2002. A regional Nike rep covering the southwest market, he was assigned to manage the company’s partnerships with the San Antonio Spurs’ core trio of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili.

Nike, whose footwear is now typically worn in games by nearly 70% of the NBA, has sports marketing reps all throughout the country assigned to several key regions. As Harrison found out early on, that meant regularly attending games and checking in often with players to make sure they were comfortable with new footwear, updated on current marketing campaigns, and continually strengthening their relationship with the brand.

Quote:Harrison was by Kobe’s side at essentially all times throughout the 2000s, ushering him around packed meeting days on Nike’s Beaverton campus, touring around Asia for annual promotional tours to extend Bryant’s reach globally, and even attending the 2008 Olympics as their friendship extended well beyond work.

That year’s “Redeem Team” in Beijing was led by two of the oldest and longest-tenured players on the USA Basketball roster in Kobe Bryant and Jason Kidd – who by that time had also established a strong relationship with Harrison.

(06-29-2021, 01:24 PM)HanspardsShowerVoice Wrote: Finley was one of the original 5 players to sign with the Jordan Brand in 1997 when Nike spun it off as a sub-brand.