Kerry Eggars wrote an article about interviewing Clyde. Clyde is not a fan of Bert Kolde, at all: " Drexler also contends that Bert Kolde casts a pall over the organization. Kolde, the college roommate of the late Blazer owner Paul Allen at Washington State, has been involved in major decisions for the franchise since Allen purchased the club in 1988. Kolde was part of the decision to fire Drexler’s coach, Rick Adelman, in 1994, a decision that led to Drexler asking for a trade before the following season. Kolde was not a popular figure among Blazer coaches and executives during that time. “Whatever Bert said, Paul listened to,” one former Blazer executive said. “And Bert was in over his head.” “As I understand, Bert has had carte blanche to run the franchise from behind the scenes,” Drexler said. “Look at what he has accomplished — very little. They have not been good at putting together a competitive team year after year. I look forward to the day when we get some new management and get Bert Kolde out of there so they can bring some of the past and merge that with the present. That is what franchises should be about.” https://www.kerryeggers.com/stories/why-didnt-clyde-drexler-attend-celebration-he-had-his-reasons
I think Toht leaving the team and having nothing to do with it is far more important than Jody selling the team.
Yeah it really sucks that Kolde still has so much power. Stupid that Paul Allen first empowered him, and then setup the trust this way so it could linger near indefinitely, and then Jody continues to give Kolde so much power. I just see no reason for us to hope this might change in the next 10+ years.
Question is why? Putting friendship over business if it makes business suffer? Especially a pet project like Blazers? Could he really have been unaware or is there another side? Honestly don't know. I mean, Trump appoints unqualified people because he is stupid. Paul Allen was not.
I've wondered the same thing, but then Paul Allen was widely known as the Accidental Billionaire, so it's probably not much of a stretch to think his business acumen was questionable. He left Microsoft early (for health reasons, I believe?) and was never known as the ruthless businessman that Bill Gates was. Gates became at least Allen's equal as a philanthropist, so I can't help but think Paul rubbed off on him eventually. I'd have to guess that the ride to the top, in terms of multiple Finals appearances, made Allen feel strongly that Kolde's influence was a very positive one, no matter what evidence to the contrary came later. Four years of equity goes a long ways.
Wooow. Glad Clyde finally spoke out. “I have had conversations with Joe and he seems to be a nice guy, but he can only do so much,” Drexler said. “Until the franchise is sold and they get rid of Bert Kolde, they will struggle.”
I don't think Paul would have thought giving Kolde some power would make the business suffer - any more than any person here thinking a fellow die hard Blazer fan that is a close friend might be fine with some decision making. Kolde might be a great friend or a fine person even - that doesn't mean he has any acumen to be an NBA leader. When Paul was around Kolde was kind of a third of the franchise leadership along with Allen himself being a very strong voice and then there were the GM/staff plus even more people at Vulcan. Might be that now with Jody controlling the Blazers but far less involved than Paul that Kolde has more power than ever.
I have destroyed Joe in many posts but here and there I have left a small out that someone in the ownership side might be making things tough. but a tad more on topic -- Bert needs to be fired ASAP and if Jody does not have the balls to do it this offseason then F her
