Warriors owner Joe Lacob booed during Chris Mullin’s jersey ceremony; Rick Barry comes to rescue

The ceremony to retire Chris Mullin’s No. 17 jersey backfired on the Golden State Warriors Monday night, as the Oracle Arena crowd, obviously unhappy with the team’s recent moves, showered co-owner Joe Lacob with boos.

Last week, Golden State traded away Monta Ellis—one of the Warriors’ best and most popular players—and the improving Ekpe Udoh to the Milwaukee Bucks for oft-injured center Andrew Bogut and Stephen Jackson. They subsequently traded Jackson to the San Antonio Spurs for Richard Jefferson.

Lacob, trying to speak to the fans about “embracing history,” was drowned out by the boos. Mullin then took the mic and did his best to quiet the crowd.

Mullin put his arm around Lacob and said, “I got it, I got it.”

Mullin told the crowd, “As the greatest fans in the NBA, as everyone stated, sometimes change is inevitable, and it’s gonna work out just fine—with your support and patience. And use that passion in the right direction. This thing is going in the right direction. I’ve got great confidence in Joe, (coach) Mark Jackson, and everything will work out just fine. Use that passion.”

Mullin’s plea didn’t work. The boos ensued as soon as he handed the mic back to Lacob.

Then Warriors legend Rick Barry stepped in.

“One second here. Come on, people,” Barry implored. “You fans are the greatest fans in the world. ... Show a little bit of class. This is a man who I’ve spent some time talking to. He is gonna change this franchise. This is crazy. Seriously. Come on. You’re doing yourself a disservice. All the great accolades that are being said to you, for you to treat this man, who is spending his money to turn this franchise around—and I know he’s gonna do it. So give him the respect he deserves.”

Lacob took back the mic and hurried through the rest of his presentation, announcing that the organization would honor Mullin with a vacation for his entire family in Maui.

Lacob might want to go with him.