Mostly paraphrasing while typing.... Windhorst (on his pod): "I don't believe based on my conversations (in Dame's orbit) that Dame is serious at this point to say he wants out, but I do think he was put in a very uncomfortable position and partially because of his own making. The Blazers are now in a position where they need some stabilizing and they need Dame and Chauncey to build a relationship together." "I know both Dame had conversations with both Billups and D'Antoni during the interview process (either in the formal setting or out) and one of the things MDA made his case for Dame to become a ball-handling MVP and Dame was impressed with D'Antoni, but the message Dame would like to project is that these conversations were not his way of "vetting them" or that he was acting as the "captain of the franchise" in the process, but he wants to keep his hands of it. At the end of the day, he has 4 yrs on his contract with huge numbers. " "I want to be clear about Chauncey but I've spent a lot of time talking to him in 2017 when he was considering the Cavs GM job that he was offered, and I told him then that there was a good chance that Lebron would leave. He had said that would be OK with him and that he would have been OK with building something from scratch. I think he will try to engage and connect with Dame and try to make it work, but he won't be worried if Dame is closer to the edge and wants out." Pelton: "To imply that Dame had no role in the Billups hiring is disingenuous.... I understand why he feels sensitive, but for him to use that as a pretext for an eventual departure is a bit of a stretch to me." Young: "Damian has always been rigid in his loyalty to the Blazers both publicly and privately, but this was the first time you've heard some of those whispers about antsyness from Dame. It seems like there is a goundwork being laid here and it's his attempt to distance himself and provide some cover (from criticism)." "I was writing articles on the team two years ago and was sitting in Neil's office and I can't get over how many times Olshey compared Billups to Dame as "that kind of leader." This is the guy the team wanted to reorganize them, and would hold them accountable like a player-coach."
why does Windhorst have so many Blazer sources? Must be Olshey leaking Dame sitting in on interviews to push the narrative that Billups was Dames choice, to eventually push Dame out. Clearly windhorsts podcast was the best medium to do so. /s
he said that report specifically is from a banking source that usually is involved in NBA ownership deals and multiple times he had inquired if Jody is selling or if the team is available, and he vehemently reported that there is 0 noise in that regard. He's usually good with this sorta stuff. Had the Minny/Utah deals before anything become public.
we don't know what was in Paul Allen's will; there may have been restrictions or impediments to the Blazers being sold. Or conditions of a sale. I mean, do we even know if ownership passed directly to Jody Allen or if it passes to her in the form of a trust? (likely) Same with the Seahawks. The paperwork for PA's will and estate could be a thousand pages long and take a decade to settle
I don't know about that because Dame comes with a super-max contract and his presence makes it unlikely Portland has any top-10 picks. I don't think prospective owners will be eager to bump up against the tax line for a non-contender
Pretty the valuation of the team will tank without Dame on it, for various reasons. It's a business after all, and a rebuilding team is not good business no matter how many future firsts it has. It will take awhile to bring it back up. @SlyPokerDog mentioned that the team is pretty invested in the financials. It's entirely likely they know this as well.
Windhorst has been around a long time, and from what I've seen, he doesn't really guess, inflame, or call anyone out - he just reports, which is refreshing.
Guyz in the media like Cowherd are jonesing for Dame to be traded. He has a major shwinger for it. I hope Windy's reports are right, and guyz like Colin are left, low and left by all this trade gahbidge.
Dame isn't demanding a trade this off season and we're not trading him until he demands it. So your wish is granted. Now we just have to see if Olshey will make the big moves that will keep Dame from demanding a trade next off season because I think that's what Dame has been saying. If the team doesn't get it's shit together, he'll ask out.
I think Neil will do everything he can to help Dame and the Blazers Franchise reach their collective goal. Some act like Neil doesn't care if the team's successful or not. I call B.S.
Agreed, I just don't know if he's finally realized that the Dame/CJ back court is less than the sum of its parts or if he needs Chauncey to show him that again. That's my problem with Neil is that we haven't been close to contention and he's never swung a move that would logically change that.
I have not listened to him for a while, but as I recall for years he didn't even pretend not to want the best players in the biggest markets.
I don't think that's true what I do think is true is that the , Jody Allen, The Vulcans, Olshey, Dame, and the fans, all have different views of what success means
Nothings changed with him, he's all about the Big Markets. He said hey," I love Portland", But. That's like when you tell a girl , I still want to be friends.
If Portland was such a major sports town this site wouldn't be as active compared to major markets that have 3/4 big leagues.
