In some ways, he does seem to be a fair weather fan. I noticed he also said one factor that might lead him to sell the team would be performance on the court. That's kind of a loser attitude; if the team is struggling and you are the boss, you make it better, you don't sell.
I've seen him cheering aplenty. High-fiving fans, hugging players. And the never to be forgotten game where a questionable call late in a tie gave the opponent free throws, he yelled at the refs so much they damn near threw him out. Which would have been very interesting. Could the refs demand that security (whom he pays) remove him from the building (which he owns)? Let's face it, guys & ladies, Blazers fans have not had a hell of a lot to cheer about lately.
Without such a big league owner, this small market would have the persistently losing team it deserves. Portland is very lucky. Seattle is jealous.
A good move by Paul - I think he gets vilified more than anything because he's often quiet on issues with the team. The more he talks, the better the perception gets.
I liked the letter. I like the fact he acknowledged how dissappointing this season was. How he gave an accurate and insightful account of the season. He showed a he has a grasp on many of the issues that concern this board. He sounds like an owner passionate about his team.
Paul should have saved that letter until after Greg's damning testimony towards the city, franchise and management group
Why? I didn't think it was that bad. That's just Greg's perception. I don't get why some posters think it's all that "damning". Teams often try to get their guys back on the floor - it doesn't mean the Blazers were forcing him onto the floor, but it means Greg had that perception. Please consider Greg's lack of judgment, he admitted he was "pretty much an alcoholic", and he's a complete bust. So Greg aired out his dirty laundry. But I'm hardly ready to march down to the Rose Garden, torch in hand, and lambast the organization. Personally, I greatly appreciate PA's letter, and Greg's interview changes nothing about the Blazers for me, but it changed my thoughts on Greg (not necessarily for better or for worse). Or am I missing your green font?
The words are nice to read, but as always, I will reserve my excitement for the upcoming year (years?) after I see the actions taken by Paul/Bert/Larry/Chad(?) etc.
one of the top headlines on ESPN.com now. http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/7...s-portland-trail-blazers-not-sale-letter-fans
Re-reading this letter something kinda jumped out: "We will not spend like there is now tomorrow" To me, that means Batum wont get what he wants ($10m+) and he likely will bolt to a team that will give him the number he wants.
I think it means they're not going to start giving out max contracts, or assume Shawn Klumpian type contracts. 10 million for Batum is a little rich, but I don't think it is that bad or more than the area that Paul Allen is thinking/talking about.
In regards to the Pete Carroll video/Paul Allen being more "excited" for Seahawk games, you're nuts. There's a huge difference between the Seahawks and the Blazers for Paul Allen. One team is a cash cow that he handed over complete control of. The other is his true love, his toy, his money pit, but most importantly he has his finger prints all over the franchise - and he knows it. The level of stress PA feels over the Seahawks is nothing compared to what he feels about the Blazers. Watching a Seahawk game for PA is EASY. He didn't make any draft day deals. He does nothing for them. PA just rakes in his portion of the 6 billion a year revenue the NFL generates. But the Blazers? That shit is hard on him. He can't be loose. He can barely have fun. Fuck, he can barely watch. Sounds like a lot of us.
God, I remember when every player whose contract was up got max deals. Not just the infamous Darius Miles deal, but Kenny Anderson, a decent player but hardly a max contract guy. Then everyone just started expecting it.
