Joe Lacob headed a group that purchased the Golden State Warriors in 2010 and they reached the playoffs in 2013.

“I spent six months doing what I’d do with any startup company. I spent six months looking at things, and realized I didn’t have the right people here,” said Lacob, during a lengthy interview with The Chronicle conducted just prior to the start of the NBA Finals. “We needed a lot more discipline in management. A lot more talent in management.”

Lacob's previous experience was mostly in life sciences, green energy and Internet commerce.

“We tore it down and built it back up,” said Lacob, who estimates he worked with 150 companies on similar rebuilds during his time on Sand Hill Road. “The one overriding principle I’ve noticed with startups and companies that are successful, they are relentless.

“They go for it 100 percent. You can’t sit on your heels and hope that it happens by itself.”

Lacob made several controversial moves during his ownership period, such as trading Monta Ellis for Andrew Bogut, as well as firing Mark Jackson.

“Like with a lot of startup companies, you have to set principles,” said Lacob. “For us, it was relentlessly pursuing excellence, 24/7, 365. That’s a term they use in the valley. And that’s what we do here. Our overriding goal is to win.

“We just absolutely refused to say we’re not going to be best in class in every category.”