since my last post had some pretty positive responses and I'm pretty tired from seeing all the corona talk and bank-bashing on this forum, I thought I'd do more of these "investment banks as..." posts.
Here's the NBA. Surprised this hasn't been done already but here we go....
Goldman Sachs/Los Angeles Lakers: Universally heralded as a legendary franchise, not always no.1 in league tables/champion but largely manages to stay consistently good. Has garnered notoriety from crossing certain legal/ethical boundaries (Government Sachs, insider trading and whatnot/Rigged Kings-Lakers 2002 WCF aka league deliberately pushing Kobe and Shaq for a 3-peat). Nonetheless, both still manage to attract a diehard cult following and attract/produce superstar CEOs/players over the years (Corzine, Paulson, Blankfein/Kareem, Magic, Kobe).
J.P. Morgan/Golden State Warriors: Largely dormant throughout the history of Wall Street/Basketball barring success from its early form (House of Morgan/Philadelphia Warriors + Wilt Chamberlain era) but surged to the top after the GFC/coming of the Steve Kerr era. New leadership and ownership (Jamie Dimon and Chase/Steve Kerr and Joe Lacob) proceed to dominate the league (used interchangeably here) with their supersized balance sheet/near-mythical drafting, 3-pt shooting and small ball Death Lineup.
Morgan Stanley/Boston Celtics: Equally as legendary and successful, if not more, than GS/the Lakers with an equally rich history and track record of success. Both had a period where the franchise was hamstrung by bad management (Phillip J. Purcell - renowned strategist but bad CEO/Rick Pitino - legendary college coach but terrible NBA coach and an even worse GM), though eventually ousted, wasted valuable years.
Citigroup-Salomon Bros/Chicago Bulls: Surged in the 80s/90s from early obscurity into total dominance (Mortgage Trading/6 rings) and produced era-defining superstars (Lewis Ranieri, John Meriwether/Michael Jordan, Phil Jackson). Rapidly declined after their stars left (Rainieri fired, Meriwether leaving to start LTCM/Jordan retiring, Jackson fired then taking over the Lakers). Had a brief stint of resurgence (Citi returning to profitability post-GFC/reaching ECF in the Derrick Rose era) but still has a long way to go before they can break into the top ranks again.
BofA-Merrill Lynch/Philadelphia 76ers: Another historically prominent franchise with a rich history of winning. Both were successful (printing CDOs like there's no tomorrow/Allen Iverson era) before it all came crashing down (near-bankruptcy/failed rebuild leading to perpetual tanking aka "The Process"). Both were then rescued from hell by their savior (BofA/Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid) and proceeded to use their new weapons (giant balance sheet/shitloads of draft picks) to fight their way back (dominant LevFin and financing business/unloading their picks on Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris) to the top, but with mixed success.
Barclays/Brooklyn Nets: Big-spenders led by aggressive leaders (Jes Staley/Mikhail Prokhorov and Joe Tsai the bazillionaire owners) who've swung some (questionable) big moves (acquiring Lehman/trading for Deron Williams, Gerald Wallace, Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett) with mixed success and after swinging for the fences they're still unable to crack the top ranks.
Credit Suisse-First Boston/Oklahoma City Thunder-Seattle SuperSonics: One of the street/league's oldest and proudest franchises and once saw major success with its pair of superstar dealmakers/players (Wasserstein and Perella/Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton). But after their stars left they were eventually bought out and rebranded after years of decline. Largely still remains a strong franchise but saw mixed success in recent years.
Deutsche Bank/New York Knicks: Once a dominant franchise now ran into the ground by bad management (Jain-Fitschen, Cryan/every Knick GM since Scott Layden), internal dysfunction (stubbornly conservative Germans vs Wall Streeters led by Jain/James Dolan vs everybody) and blindly chasing short-term success (overpaying to poach MDs from competitors/signing overpaid free agents and refusing to tank and rebuild). Now rebuilding (once again) under a fresh direction and new leadership (retail banker Christian Sewing/agent-turned-GM Leon Rose) but only time will tell whether they can turn their fortunes...
UBS/Utah Jazz: Once a mighty franchise with superstars (Effron and Moelis/Stockton and Malone) that propelled them to compete at the very top - toe-to-toe with the very best. But after these stars left/retired they've become largely irrelevant. Still remains a strong private bank/playoff contender.
Evercore/Miami Heat: Lean, mean and hungry. One of the street/league's younger franchises, they've been incredibly successful since inception (top of the league tables/3 rings in only 32 years since franchise creation). Also has a cultish following similar to GS/Lakers and is a premier analyst/free agent destination.
Lazard/Denver Nuggets: One of the oldest franchises on the street/in the league. Though largely successful franchises, both never really cracked the top ranks.Although both did rise to prominence in mid-2000s (Bruce Wasserstein era and subsequent IPO/George Karl and Carmelo Anthony era reaching WCF).
This one's a little long. Comment below if you have anything to add :)
RBC = 95/96 Bulls
lmao foh
RBC = '04 Pistons. Better than GS. Best bank on Wall Street no question
Actually true, big moves being made don't sleep and watch out
lmao
I love this! What about T-Raps?? Gotta give some creds to the champs if you got more! Wish I can give you 10 bananas! -Fellow Banker of the North
Torontonian here. I actually think it would be appropriate in this case to say that RBC = Raptors. Only major Canadian player among the rest, still considered an up and coming franchise but have had some major wins recently (BB/SunTrust deal, as an example) and still constantly doubted by some NBA analysts (i.e. Stephen A Smith) as a legitimate team/contender, even though they're holding their own in the ECF (similar to how RBC is in the US)
haha makes sense - thanks for the add. In that case I wonder who'd be Kawhi Leonard and Vince Carter (and T-Mac)
RBC = Jazz
Small fanbase, but very loud and believe they deserve to be considered one of the big boys of the western conference even though they’re nowhere close.
good point - especially since can also draw parallels between UBS/Cleveland Cavaliers - Lousy franchise that landed 2 superstars (Moelis, Effron/Lebron, Kyrie) and then became very good (dominant west coast M&A/winning a ring) but then rapidly declined after their stars jumped ship cuz too much dysfunctional bullshit
PWP = Washington Wizards
what happened to pwp
Tobin & Co = Charlotte Bobcats
or Pre-Lob City / Donald Sterling Clippers
Not they're like the local JV high school team.
no way cuz that would mean Justine Tobin=Michael Jordan. ewwww................
Or Flint Tropical
PJT = Houston Rockets RX Powerhouse = Offensive Powerhouse
Harris williams = San Antonio Spurs (Duncan era). Well oiled machine, strong name in the industry, southern hq
Solid list. 2 things. No love for the Spurs? Arguably one of the best run franchises, (great scouting, front office, coaches), consistently competing in the league, I think they had the longest run of playoff appearances during in the 2000s. They were also one of the first franchises to really look into FIBA and Euro ball to get talent (Ginobili, Parker). I dont know what bank best fits that picture, someone help me out.
Also the Heat/Evercore parallel is on the money. Good leadership, (Pat Riley/Evercore heads are super smart), good culture and promotes a lot of internal talent (Spoelstra started of as a video guy).
Hahaha yup that was the elephant in the room. Couldn't for the life of me draw parallels between the spurs and any bank (non-flashy, consistent success/dynasty, small market and doing more w/ less)
Any takers?
I’m honestly not familiar with middle market banks, but I would have thought Harris Williams given how WSO has been pretty positive on them as a solid MM bank historically (though the person that suggested it is getting MS’d so maybe I’m missing something).
Houlihan perhaps? Or I’m thinking more specifically HL’s Restructuring team. Needing to take a technical approach - often on creditor side advisory (which many may see as less exciting and some viewers similarly complain of Spurs basketball) HL Restructuring is a well oiled machine, whose storied success is thanks to a careful execution of their playbook. But their playbook and style may also be a ‘sign of the times’ a la Spurs’ play vs the three-point heavy NBA / market today.
Allen & Co?
Spurs = Lazard
Amazing franchise but perhaps their best days are already behind them
Tobin & Co. =LA Clippers.
Though they aren't as loved as much as the Lakers/GS by fans, they're arguably the better team/bank with superstars like Justine/Kawhi.
Tobin & co = the first person who got knocked the fuck out by ron artest during malice at the palace (1)
1) Ron Artest = WallstreetOasis
Lehman Brothers = Seattle SuperSonics
....gone
Was scrolling down to post this. Love it
Jefferies = Memphis Grizzlies (Grit and especially Grind)
Greenhill = Phoenix Suns (early pioneer of the EB advisory / 3-heavy, fast-paced model, dominant run in the mid-late 2000s, have now faded into obscurity with people wondering if they're even an EB / NBA caliber team anymore. Will occasionally still land a huge mandate / 60 point Devin Booker game.
Allen & Co. = Atlanta Hawks. Flashy team that's ultimately a non-factor
the Atlanta Hawks are flashy? they have less than 10 wins and their fans wore brown bags over their faces at multiple occasions over the last 20 years
More about Trae Young putting up gaudy stats with no wins to show for it. Suns or Kings may work better tbh
Bonus content: couple more that just came up on my mind...
HSBC/Houston Rockets: Strong franchise overall with an extensive global footprint/large fanbase, posesses destructive firepower (HUGE balance sheet/T-Mac and Yao Ming, Harden and Dwight/CP3/Westbrook) but never quite figured out how to use it properly. Thus, both have largely failed to crack the top ranks (global BB status/reaching the finals in recent years). Also has an eccentric excecutive known for making unorthodox big moves (Mark Tucker/Daryl Morey) but a stingy ownership (HSBC's board reluctant to build IB franchise/Tilman Fertitta reluctant to pay tax). Nonetheless remains competitive as a leading debt shop/perennial playoff contender.
RBS/Detroit Pistons: Strong platform in the 2000s that was very successful and held its own against the big boys, then shot itself in the foot with big moves that turned sour (acquiring ABN Amro/trading Billups -> failed rebuild -> trading for Blake Griffin) and now faded into obscurity.
Fed Regulators/NBA Comission: Regulatory body. Also known for its regulatory inconsistency and favoritism towards certain banks/teams (e.g. GS/Lakers) and against others (Euro BBs/small market teams). Is corrupt as fuck at times but somehow manages to keep the "fair and just" facade going.
Automation/Analytics: A new wave of trend that emphasizes on speed and efficiency. Made many old dinosaurs obsolete in the process (e.g. equity and voice fx trading/Van Gundy brothers, big men who don't space the floor). Few have survived the wave (voice guys who didn't get cut/old-school players e.g. DeMar DeRozan and Carmelo Anthony) but their days are numbered...
Deutsche Bank = 2011-12 Charlotte Bobcats
nah man the Bobcats were never good to begin with
OP - when you were putting this together, was it easier to start with a team, and think of a bank that matches it or the other way around?
I’m curious about who would be the Mavs, Bucks, and Blazers.
And for banks, where would Moelis, PJT (formerly Blackstone M&A), or Centerview fit.
bank first since im a diehard NBA fan so its not difficult to relate them back to teams. (e.g. GS/Lakers MS/Celtics JPM/Warriors these draw parallels by themselves)
believe me mate if I could fit those banks and teams u mentioned I would've included them. hahaha
feel free to add if u got ideas!
Haha alright - thanks for the post, really fun and thoughtful read. I loved the Evercore/Miami Heat parallel.
If the Cavs are UBS, then Centerview can be the Nets. Big difference is that Effron is clearly top dog at CVP vs. Kyrie who is 1b at best when Durant comes back
Bucks = Allen & Company
Always recruits superstars but can't afford to hold onto them for too long. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Soon to be Giannis
This is shockingly accurate. Well done @tom bernard once again!
my pleasure:) always happy to contribute
Really enjoy these posts.
If you keep going, college basketball and/or football could be cool
nah soz don't know too much about that :'( next up might be soccer(futbol) tho
Ah. I’d do it myself but don’t understand the banking landscape as well as you. Maybe someone else can do it... Regardless, have enjoyed these posts!
MS = Barcelona, GS = Real Madrid, JPM = Bayern, BAML = Liverpool?
GS / MS = Real Madrid / Barcelona JPM = City (Balance sheet / Middle Eastern funding) BAML = Arsenal Deutsche Bank = Bayern
Goldman Sachs: Real Madrid Morgan Stanley: Barcelona JP Morgan: Manchester City BAML: Chelsea Citi: Arsenal Evercore: PSG Lazard: Liverpool PJT: Dortmund
The Knicks were never dominant. They have never been the best team in the league for any significant stretch of time
Fair point. Wrong adjective maybe but the idea is the same: once was a powerhouse which was then bogged down in shit due to dysfunctional bullshit and being stuck in the past
Comparing Deutsche Bank to the knicks if anything is an insult to Deutsche bank haha.
how bored are you
Not as bored as you commenting to ask how bored am I...
This needs an update for sure lol. The warriors were nice, but lost KD and are dealing with a string of injuries. The heat being Evercore doesn’t make sense anymore because the Big 3 era is over - Spoelstra is great and manages to scrape by as a low seed in the East. Bucks should be on this list - I don’t know enough about banking to make a comparison. The raptors as well. The one that is still pretty accurate is the Knicks and Deutsche because Dolan is garbage.
This wasn't meant to be up-to-date lol - its just a gag post to compare bank vs basketball team in terms of their trends/characteristics/people. And believe me if I could find a fitting comparison for the Bucks I'd have included them in the first place
fair man, pretty hard to compare a team with one superstar to any bank. Also is D-Sol = LeBron?
This is a very good list.
FT Partners = New York Knicks.
Desperate as HELL to get some stars
Cleveland Cavaliers / Drexel Burnham Lambert. Absolutley imploded after superstar Lebron James/Michael Milken left/got indicted
the Cavs are such a shit cake of an organisation its not even funny/memeable anymore...it took juicing lebron to the absolute limit (and gsw choking + questionable officiating) for them to win a chip
KFC/Taco Bell
Few will understand
Lesson in there
New york knicks = pinpoint partners
This is the sort of post I come here for.
Is Barclays the Nets because they sponsor their arena
I was waiting for people to spot the coincidence! (Same for GSW and Chase)
If you’re basing off arenas, then 76ers would be Wells Fargo, Bucks BMO Harris(now demolished), Raps Scotiabank, and Celtics TD lol. 3 out of the Big 5 Canadian banks!
As an NBA fan who used to know a lot about the different IB groups but doesn't know as much about their relative standing anymore, this thread was weirdly the perfect way to help re-calibrate, lol
+1 OP nice work
This video will never not get me pumped up - KG after the 2008 NBA finals. I knocked the bully out!
Anything is possible
Also, who'd be the wallstreet equivalent of KG? hmm...
LMFAO In Commodity Trading:
Celtics are Glencore. **Mercuria **is both Salomon Brothers Goldman and the Golden State Warriors. Hartree is the Raptors and Trafigura is Enron
So Mercuria is getting merged and Trafi is going under?
STRH - OKC Thunder?
Baird = Milwaukee Bucks. Sometimes forgotten about, but punches above their weight. Always shows well in league tables without being flashy. Even when overshadowed in the media by bigger market teams (GS / Los Angeles Lakers), manages to do well and dominate in its division. Rabid fanbase with big emphasis on "culture". They are ironically proud of how humble they are. Odd fascination with cheese curds and furiously defensive of the Midwest.
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