So far the fan reaction seems to be split into two groups, neither of them being led by hipsters looking to steal style points from facial hair aficionados such as BD, Kimbo Slice or Grizzly Adams.

The first group is dominated by those who believe the Warriors' resurgence to respectability, despite missing the playoffs with an impressive 48 wins this past season, will wash away the "We Believe" good cheer that has surrounded the team over the past two seasons.

The other group seems to view the grim prospect of next season in terms of secondary importance, as the euphoria in seeing Davis take flight to a team that has had its cupboard stripped bare of a possibly playoff-bound supporting cast is worth a Coke and a smile. The same fans that believed Baron would lead their team to the promised land are now giddy with the prospect of Davis never seeing another postseason. (Only a woman scorned holds more hate in her heart than the bitter fan that wishes for another human being to play for the L.A. Clippers. Five years and $65 million may be great, but the indignity of having to sweep the Staples Center floor after Lakers games ... sigh.)

The Warriors, finding themselves in between a rock and another lottery, quickly reached for their checkbook and called Gilbert Arenas and Elton Brand to fill the void. Neither plan of action succeeded. Agent Zero chose to stay in our nation's capital for a check with seven zeros, while Brand took the red eye out of L.A. - leaving Baron at the altar - because it's always sunny in Philadelphia (except when Santa is getting pelted by snowmen).

The Warriors then pulled the middle-school trick of exchanging significant others with the one that stole their own by signing former Clipper Corey Maggette to a five year, $50 million deal.

A friend of Casual Friday, known by the classy moniker of SlappB, points out that Maggette signed for slightly less money than Baron, but has his own injury issues despite possessing the physical appearance of being cut from a marble slab and receiving repeated injections of HGH. In the past four seasons, Davis played an average of 61.25 games in an 82-game regular season - half a game more than Maggette. Their styles of play are galaxies apart, though, as Davis is known to make those around him better. Maggette is affectionately known as a black hole on the basketball court.

But fear not Warriors fans, for a new, unlikely leader is about to emerge.

Known as Stack-Jack, or Captain Jack, or the last guy you would want to run into in a dark alley, Stephen Jackson will lead the way. His long, strange journey from the Palace Brawl almost four years ago has brought him to this point. It will begin the culmination of a classic fairy tale centered around redemption, replete with cracking skulls in the crowd and strip-club shootings along the way.

For those who will not let Davis go gently into the night, just know that he too begins a new, sadder chapter. Having opted out of his final year with the Warriors, he will spend the rest of his playing days left wanting the talent he had in the golden part of the state, resting perilously close to a ledge, hoping to lure other talented, young basketball-playing suitors, with a flowing beard as fine as silk, to his team. It will not be a seamless transition for the Warriors, but try to expel any hate for Baron Davis from your heart. Pity the bearded Rapunzel.