Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Analysis: York seeking straw in tornado with 49ers-Warriors parallel
Share This Post
Comments
Thursday, July 23, 2015 - 10:30am
Follow @MontePooleCSN

Editor's note: The video above is from Jim Tomsula's introductory press conference on Jan. 15. 

Jed York was searching for a comp, a hypothetical spin that would support his actions while sprinkling glitter and optimism upon a skeptical 49ers fan base.

The 49ers CEO, speaking to Sports Illustrated offshoot Monday Morning Quarterback, compared the current state of his franchise to that of the Warriors in the summer of 2014.

Why not just reach for a straw during a tornado?

[NEWS: York compares 49ers' situation to Warriors' coaching change]

York specifically compared the January promotion of Jim Tomsula to replace fired head coach Jim Harbaugh with the Warriors’ decision 14 months ago to dismiss Mark Jackson and bring in Steve Kerr.

“Culture is huge; that’s the difference between a championship-caliber team and a championship team,” York told MMQB. “You look at the Golden State Warriors. They were the dumbest team in the NBA for letting Mark Jackson go, who won the most games in the franchise’s history. How could you be so dumb? They bring in Steve Kerr, who has been around the game for a long period of time but has never coached before. Kerr changes the culture, comes in with a different perspective, and look what happens.”

Kerr and his new staff, as we know, delivered the Warriors their first NBA championship in 40 years.

York’s comparison, however, is wrong, wrong, wrong -- and it included a generous pile of grotesquely stretched inaccuracies. Let us count the ways...

1) York’s statement included a statistical air ball: Jackson did not win the most games in franchise history. No coach in the franchise’s Bay Area history won more games with the team than Al Attles. Kerr became the single-season leader.

2) Though Kerr and Tomsula have spent decades around their respective sports, Kerr actually played 15 seasons in the NBA. Tomsula played in college but never reached the NFL. Kerr has been a general manager and a TV analyst. Tomsula has never been a coordinator.

3) The Warriors in the summer of 2014 were on the climb, coming off consecutive winning seasons for the first time in six years.

The current 49ers are two seasons removed from the Super Bowl and coming off their first non-winning season in four years -- both indicators of decline. They’re on the back end of a revival generated under Harbaugh.

4) Kerr didn’t so much as change the culture as inherit a good one and give it a fresh coach of paint. The Warriors locker room was cohesive when he arrived. Warriors CEO Joe Lacob acknowledged as much when he dumped Jackson. The problem, as Lacob and others saw it, was the wall between Jackson and those outside the roster and his staff.

5) After Jackson lifted the Warriors from wretched to good, Lacob sought someone who could take them from good to potentially great. That always requires audacity.

The 49ers went from wretched to exceptional and back to ordinary under Harbaugh. They need someone who can re-organize, put pieces together. They need a reboot.

6) The comparison, unspoken by York, was that between himself and Warriors CEO Joe Lacob. That doesn’t fly either.

Lacob checked behind doors and under rocks in a search to enrich the franchise with with high-level -- and outspoken -- executive talent. He could not have done better than Jerry West and Rick Welts.

York leaned heavily on general manager Trent Baalke, who was on board when Jed arrived to seize the franchise reins from his embattled father, Dr. John York.

***

Look, York has every right to replace his coach. Harbaugh had worn out his welcome with many. I get that. But this desperate grasp for a neat comparison missed the mark.

In replacing Jackson with Kerr, Lacob made a bold move that invited skepticism. His decision was validated in record time. His team went from contender to champion.

If 49ers bounce back and win Super Bowl 50, which will be played in Santa Clara, York can stand at the podium, champagne dripping from his hair, and tell everybody he knew he was right all along.

But it’s not wise to brag about what has yet to happen.

It’s also smart to leave the Warriors out of this. They’ve just completed the best season they’ve ever known -- one of the most remarkable in Bay Area sports history. They’re the hottest team on the planet.

It’s admirable to set the bar high, but Jed’s comments didn’t set a bar. They invited ridicule. And they turned up the heat on your new head coach.

 

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

Melvin provides analysis of A's breakdown against Rays
Gray reacts to A's mounting late-inning losses
G-Mag: 'Call to the Pen' with Hunter Strickland
Junior Giants with former Giants pitcher Noah Lowry

Giants

NL West Watch: Dodgers lose fourth straight
Rewind: Giants miss chances, get walked off at PNC Park
Instant Replay: Pirates walk off on Giants bullpen
Giants lineup: Leake returns, Adrianza at second base
Read More

Athletics

Rewind: Another blown lead gives A's another punch to gut
Instant Replay: A's bullpen ripped by Rays in loss
A's notes: Valencia latest position player to hit injury list
A's lineup: Crisp moves up in order, Reddick back in right
Read More

Sharks

Former Sharks still seeking employment
Sharks unveil new goalie mask for Martin Jones
Richards, NHLPA seem to have good case against LA Kings
What went wrong: 2014-15 San Jose Sharks
Read More

49ers

Top 10 49ers to watch vs. Cowboys
49ers obtain latest Levi's Stadium field from Arizona desert
49ers stockpile draft picks in 2016 and '17
Tomsula unsure whether Bowman will play Sunday
Read More

Raiders

Ponder 'got a chuckle' out of boos from Vikings fans
Del Rio: Raiders didn't let weather delay 'become an issue'
Instant Replay: Raiders lack consistency in loss to Vikings
Lightning storm suspends Raiders-Vikings game
Read More

Warriors

JR Smith announces return to Cavaliers
Monte Poole's Warriors CHAT transcript (8.21.15)
Jarell Eddie gets invite to Warriors camp, to compete for roster spot
Surgery sidelines Warriors' top pick Looney 4-6 months
Read More

NCAA

Ruling dismisses college athletes from forming union
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Amy G
  • Insider Alex Pavlovic
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets

Latest News

NL West Watch: Dodgers lose fourth straight
(3)
Associated Press

GIANTS VIDEO

G-Mag: 'Call to the Pen' with Hunter Strickland
G-Mag: 'Call to the Pen' with Hunter Strickland
See more >

GIANTS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Insider Joe Stiglich
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

Rewind: Another blown lead gives A's another punch to gut
Joe Stiglich

A's VIDEO

Melvin provides analysis of A's breakdown against Rays
Melvin provides analysis of A's breakdown against Rays
See more >

A's INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Insider Kevin Kurz
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets

Latest News

Former Sharks still seeking employment
(28)
Kevin Kurz

SHARKS VIDEO

Kurz: With Jones in fold, Sharks still need help in several spots
Kurz: With Jones in fold, Sharks still need help in several spots
See more >

SHARKS INSIDER

  • Former Sharks still seeking employment
  • Sharks Q&A transcript with Insider Kevin Kurz
  • Sharks mailbag: Do Ward, Martin improve culture?
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Insider Monte Poole
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets

Latest News

JR Smith announces return to Cavaliers
(2)
CSN Bay Area staff

WARRIORS VIDEO

Warriors' Finals MVP Andre Iguodala honored in hometown
Warriors' Finals MVP Andre Iguodala honored in hometown
See more >

WARRIORS INSIDER

  • Monte Poole's Warriors CHAT transcript (8.21.15)
  • Jarell Eddie gets invite to Warriors camp, to compete for roster spot
  • Surgery sidelines Warriors' top pick Looney 4-6 months
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets

Latest News

Kings' Karl starting off on right foot with Rondo
(1)
Rotoworld.com

Kings Video

Sim Bhullar reveals he's 25-30 pounds lighter entering Summer League
Sim Bhullar reveals he's 25-30 pounds lighter entering Summer League
See more >

More Stories

Cousins, Gay to attend USA Basketball minicamp in Vegas
Kings' preseason schedule features two home games
See more >
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Matt Maiocco
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Buy 49ers Tickets

Latest News

Top 10 49ers to watch vs. Cowboys
(7)
Matt Maiocco

49ers VIDEO

Maiocco: 49ers wanted to keep Carrier; is Levi's game-ready?
Maiocco: 49ers wanted to keep Carrier; is Levi's game-ready?
See more >

49ers INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Scott Bair
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Buy Raiders Tickets

Latest News

Ponder 'got a chuckle' out of boos from Vikings fans
(1)
Scott Bair

RAIDERS VIDEO

Del Rio: 'We're changing the mindset, the culture'
Del Rio: 'We're changing the mindset, the culture'
See more >

RAIDERS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

Wondolowski leads Earthquakes past East-leading United, 2-0
CSN Bay Area staff

Quakes Video

But Seriously: How do women's sports improve audience?
But Seriously: How do women's sports improve audience?
See more >

Quakes Shop

JOE STIGLICH

Rewind: Another blown lead gives A's another punch to gut
See more >

ALEX PAVLOVIC

Rewind: Giants miss chances, get walked off at PNC Park
(24)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

Top 10 49ers to watch vs. Cowboys
(7)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Ponder 'got a chuckle' out of boos from Vikings fans
(1)
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Monte Poole's Warriors CHAT transcript (8.21.15)
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Former Sharks still seeking employment
(28)
See more >

RAY RATTO

Harbaugh brothers now known as Birth-And-Rebirth Twins

FOLLOW US!

Follow us on Twitter @CSNAuthentic.

SAY HEY TUESDAY

Join us for Say Hey Tuesday – every Tuesday Giants home game.

AFF - A'S

Authentic Fan Friday - A's

Come to Authentic Fan Friday at the A's! 

Sit in the Value Deck and score free giveaways - get more info here!

 

NCAA

  • Stanford Football
  • Stanford Basketball
  • Stanford Women's Basketball
  • Cal Football
  • Cal Basketball
  • Cal Women's Basketball
  • SJSU Football
  • SJSU Basketball
  • USF Basketball
  • USF Women's Basketball
  • Saint Mary's Basketball
  • Santa Clara Basketball
  • Fresno State Football

MORE

  • Biz Ball
  • SaberCats
  • Fight Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • GolfChannel.com
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

Melvin provides analysis of A's breakdown against Rays
Melvin provides analysis of A's breakdown against Rays
See more >

ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING

  • G-Mag
  • All A's
  • Carpool Confessions
  • Amy G’s Exclusives
  • Eireann Dolan's Call to the 'Pen
  • When Giants Fan Met Dodgers Fan

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • SportsTalk Live

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers
  • Scott Bair - Raiders
  • Monte Poole - Warriors
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks
  • Joe Stiglich - A's
  • Alex Pavlovic - Giants
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California