Bidding for Warriors remains competitive

Mastrov knows he can't win, not if Ellison, the sixth-richest man in the world according to Forbes, is bound and determined to buy the team. Ellison can outspend all the other groups combined.

"If Larry wanted to buy the team, he could have done it by now," Mastrov said two months ago, when Ellison had a standing $315 million offer.

The same could be said today. Though that offer has been increased, according to sources, Ellison has shown no sign of crushing the competition. Though his ego surely is involved, he's no less shrewd. That he can afford to overspend doesn't mean he will.

While others are still in the game, everything points to this becoming a showdown: The willingness of Ellison and Co. to spend vs. the resiliency of Mastrov and Co.

Given where the Warriors are today, a slumbering beast badly neglected, either group would seem to be a dramatic upgrade.