In S.F., John Coté noted California Gov. Jerry Brown, a former mayor of Oakland, signed a bill that "clarifies the approvals process in the Warrior’s effort to build a new arena complex” on Piers 30-32 and an adjacent plot of land with “postcard views of the Bay Bridge.” The legislation gives the State Lands Commission "the final say on whether the project complies with the public trust doctrine governing waterfront development.” Brown’s support of the bill was “welcomed by the team as it tries to put together a deal” with S.F. Mayor Ed Lee. The project is expected to top $1B and is “stacked with engineering and logistical hurdles, including traffic.” The Warriors' lease at Oracle Arena expires after the ’16-17 season (S.F. CHRONICLE, 9/28).
ROCKET SCIENCE: In Houston, Jonathan Feigen noted Rockets players on Friday “got their first look at the completely overhauled" basketball operations facilities, and “nothing generated as much attention as the LED board that circled the new locker room above the lockers.” The screens will display “everything from statistical analysis of each day’s practice performance to schedules." Rockets GM Daryl Morey said, “I think that’s the first in any professional locker room. It will provide instant feedback from a game, from a practice, from anything to how guys are playing. There is a lot of evidence that instant feedback ... allows you to do rapid corrections” (CHRON.com, 9/27).
KINGS' RANSOM? A SACRAMENTO BEE editorial stated NBA Kings Managing Partner Vivek Ranadive’s vision for a new arena “suggests that the basic design of the facility is somewhat set, with virtually no public involvement.” The Kings announced "plans for a public survey, small group workshops and an open house at City Hall to get feedback on design issues.” The editorial: "That sounds promising, but it raises the question: Will the public really be involved with the design of a sports and entertainment complex they are helping to finance? ... We hope the Kings organization can dispel any cynicism. It needs to” (SACRAMENTO BEE, 9/29).
