"Culture" starts at the top.
Here is an excerpt and a link concerning the current Warriors franchise:
Link:
http://www.sfexaminer.com/warriors-...g-league-led-another-new-height-organization/
Excerpt:
COMPANY CULTURE
Everyone’s voice has value in the Warriors’ Oakland headquarters. If someone has an idea, he or she is encouraged to send them to Myers.
Everyone is heard, because you never know what could tip the scales of competitive balance until it does — like, for example, shooting more threes or utilizing players in non-traditional roles.
And by fostering a company culture that has become the envy of most of the league, the Warriors landed a former MVP in the offseason — drawing the ire of most of the league.
“The primary mandate I had for myself in making this decision was to have it based on the potential for my growth as a player — as that has always steered me in the right direction,” Kevin Durant wrote in the Players’ Tribune when he shocked the NBA this summer by joining the 73-win Dubs. “But I am also at a point in my life where it is of equal importance to find an opportunity that encourages my evolution as a man.”
Landing Durant, the organization’s largest non-draft acquisition since Baron Davis, was yet another sign of how far the franchise had come — and a validation of how the Lacob/Myers/Kerr group operated as they were all heavily involved in Durant’s recruitment.
And now, the Warriors are taking another step as a franchise. Yes, the All Star Game is largely meaningless in the grand scheme, especially when the actual goal is winning championships. But, there’s nothing wrong with smelling the flowers if you’re fortunate enough to come across them.
As Kerr the realist and coach of the West team reminded, “You have to recognize this is not how it’s going to be forever.”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I find the current Kings culture to be exactly the opposite. No one makes ANY suggestions because the Killer V's think they know it all.
And now a story from the old Warriors.
We had season tickets for almost a decade, from RunTMC into the decline and fall (no playoffs for 17 years).
The team had a lot of perks for season ticket holders, including a lot of meet and greets with team personnel.
There came a time when the Warriors were forced to "start over" (after Nelson broke with new ownership).
I believe this was just before the 1995 season.
They hired Rick Adelman (who Portland had let go) as coach and Dave Twardzik as first time GM (we called them Twardelman).
It turned out to be a disaster.
They also hired Sandy Alderson for some front office position (came from A's - no bb expwerience).
So, we get a meet and greet just before the draft.
To reference a couple of early posters on this thread, this whole episode ruined Adelman's rep and made him easily available for Kings (no one else would have hired him). And this was the draft where Garnett was taken (and the problem in Minnesota was that he later demanded a max contract, so, there was no money for a supporting cast).
At that meet and greet, we wandered around and saw Ed Gregory by himself.
Gregory (still alive at 86) was a bb lifer, former assistant for Nelson and Karl and at this time, Director of Scouting.
We cornered him and asked, "Who are we taking?" (Warriors had #1 pick in the draft).
Gregory shrugged his shoulders and said, "I have turned in my report which says that the only franchise player that you could build a team around is the high schooler (Garnett) - the others are all just complimentary pieces. But I don't think they will take him because they are new and scared to make a mistake, so they will make a safe choice".
We thanked him and moved on. (Sure enough, they later took Joe Smith #1).
Soon Alderson came in and took the podium. Biggest ass ever. Acted like the Warriors were golden (they HAD been to the playoffs a lot and were always sold out).
The arena was going to be rebuilt during the upcoming season and he explained that the team would play in San Jose, in the Sharks arena for a year.
The kicker was that he announced that everyone had to renew their full season package (and go to San Jose 41 times) to keep their spot on the list to pick new seats after the Oakland arena was rebuilt and expanded.
Someone asked, "Can we just buy mini plans for this year?"
Alderson said, "You can, but you will select seats after full seat plan holders."
Another guy said, "You mean that if I have had full plans for 20 years but I buy a mini for just one year, some guy whop buys a full pl;an for just this one year moves AHEAD of me?"
The answer was "Yes".
People began leaving. Us too. Everyone on the way out said, "I'm done."
We did not renew either (six seats) and the team went right into the toilet.
I've heard "I'm out" this year in Golden 1. In two cases, it was because they kind of wanted out after last year (or wanted to be wooed) but the Kings renewed them on their credit card without authorization (turned out, fine print allowed them to do that).
Get ready for an exodus.
Culture starts at the top.