Breaking: Blazers sold to Tom Dundon

[DusterBuster]

Calabro made some iconic calls in his Sonics days.

So what’s the deal, he’s too old, too associated with the Sonics or both?

None of the above, likely too expensive.

[DusterBuster]

Yeah, let's go back to the days of Barrett and Rice where Rice mixed up 50% of the things he said and Barrett would incredulously shout 'HOOOOOOOOOOOLY COOOOOOOOW' every time the Blazers got a call against them.

Yeah, Mike and Mike and Wheels were the only announcer crew I was ever "attached" to as fan. They were who I grew up with and it sucked seeing them let go.

If Calabro and Hurd get canned for new voices, I probably won't even notice tbh. Would be bummed to see Travis Demers go, not because I think he's like an iconic voice, but just because I dig he was from The Fan and got that gig. So rooting for him more as a person than anything else. I could also see Dundon keeping him since he's probably not overly expensive.

Oh I'm sorry, I thought my sarcasm was clear. I don't miss Barret and Rice one bit. Barrett is a nice guy but for me they were awful. I don't want to watch homers. I want to watch knowledgeable people who can call the game fairly while still having enthusiasm for the Blazers. And to me that is Calabro and Lamar. Lamar is full of knowledge and is super infectious and a very kind man. People across the league and fans consider us to now have one of the very best broadcast crews for a reason.

To each their own. I know the Mikes were polarizing. I am solidly on the other side of the fence. They brought some fun to the broadcasts and made it sound like you were listening with fellow fans.

Calabro and Lamar aren’t bad at all, but just kinda bland background noise. Can’t think of any standout moment in a game called by them.

If they’re kept, it’s fine. If they’re let go for a new crew, I won’t lose sleep over it.

[DusterBuster]

Yeah, Mike and Mike and Wheels were the only announcer crew I was ever "attached" to as fan. They were who I grew up with and it sucked seeing them let go.

If Calabro and Hurd get canned for new voices, I probably won't even notice tbh. Would be bummed to see Travis Demers go, not because I think he's like an iconic voice, but just because I dig he was from The Fan and got that gig. So rooting for him more as a person than anything else. I could also see Dundon keeping him since he's probably not overly expensive.

Oh I'm sorry, I thought my sarcasm was clear. I don't miss Barret and Rice one bit. Barrett is a nice guy but for me they were awful. I don't want to watch homers. I want to watch knowledgeable people who can call the game fairly while still having enthusiasm for the Blazers. And to me that is Calabro and Lamar. Lamar is full of knowledge and is super infectious and a very kind man. People across the league and fans consider us to now have one of the very best broadcast crews for a reason.

Everyone is going to have their favorites, it's all just opinions...

I was never a Barrett fan, he was too homerish for my taste. Even though Rice has his share of drunk uncle moments (especially in later years), he always offered relevant perspective from a coach's standpoint. He wasn't completely detached and had some homer streaks, especially when the Blazers were mounting comebacks, but that's a little bit to be expected. I enjoyed his brand of humor too...he had a competitive streak.

Colabro has always felt a bit "CTC" to me...never really invested. And why should he be? He came into a team in freefall, with no clear direction. Snapper felt that way to me too, in later years. Just give me the money. Hurd is just "meh" to me. He offers the experience of a guard who has played at fairly high levels...but he gets stuck in offtopic side conversations that have nothing to do with basketball. Often going across commercial breaks. I'm also not the best judge...the last couple seasons I've mostly watched with the sound off.

If you're into ultra competitive with a knack for great play calling, Wheels was the guy. He would never have been right for middle-of-the-road TV announcing, but he was EPIC for radio. For about 10 years I listened to his calls on the radio and watched. I stopped because I would be completely exhausted after games. lol

This is basically where I land too. Colabaro has always felt like a hired gun. Didn’t he even take like a season or two off then come back when he felt like it? He’s a pro, not diminishing his talent, he works national games and I think he even has done Olympics games, but he’s never really felt like a “Portland” guy.

I like people who have roots here in Portland, not just have national cred. Ideally you would have both. Honestly, I’m not sure if he’s still with the Blazers, but the ESPN anchor who retired and got a gig with the Blazers not long ago would be an awesome replacement imo. Neil Everette, not sure he’s still with the team (or even a good play by play guy tbh).

Regardless of person opinions, I think it’s pretty likely Calabro is gonna be one of the first cuts of the new ownership group. His age, experience and pedigree make him probably one of the most expensive employees on the broadcast team by a mile. I can’t imagine any world Tom would keep him on the books tbh.

[zzaj]

Oh I'm sorry, I thought my sarcasm was clear. I don't miss Barret and Rice one bit. Barrett is a nice guy but for me they were awful. I don't want to watch homers. I want to watch knowledgeable people who can call the game fairly while still having enthusiasm for the Blazers. And to me that is Calabro and Lamar. Lamar is full of knowledge and is super infectious and a very kind man. People across the league and fans consider us to now have one of the very best broadcast crews for a reason.

Everyone is going to have their favorites, it's all just opinions...

I was never a Barrett fan, he was too homerish for my taste. Even though Rice has his share of drunk uncle moments (especially in later years), he always offered relevant perspective from a coach's standpoint. He wasn't completely detached and had some homer streaks, especially when the Blazers were mounting comebacks, but that's a little bit to be expected. I enjoyed his brand of humor too...he had a competitive streak.

Colabro has always felt a bit "CTC" to me...never really invested. And why should he be? He came into a team in freefall, with no clear direction. Snapper felt that way to me too, in later years. Just give me the money. Hurd is just "meh" to me. He offers the experience of a guard who has played at fairly high levels...but he gets stuck in offtopic side conversations that have nothing to do with basketball. Often going across commercial breaks. I'm also not the best judge...the last couple seasons I've mostly watched with the sound off.

If you're into ultra competitive with a knack for great play calling, Wheels was the guy. He would never have been right for middle-of-the-road TV announcing, but he was EPIC for radio. For about 10 years I listened to his calls on the radio and watched. I stopped because I would be completely exhausted after games. lol

This is basically where I land too. Colabaro has always felt like a hired gun. Didn’t he even take like a season or two off then come back when he felt like it? He’s a pro, not diminishing his talent, he works national games and I think he even has done Olympics games, but he’s never really felt like a “Portland” guy.

I like people who have roots here in Portland, not just have national cred. Ideally you would have both. Honestly, I’m not sure if he’s still with the Blazers, but the ESPN anchor who retired and got a gig with the Blazers not long ago would be an awesome replacement imo. Neil Everette, not sure he’s still with the team (or even a good play by play guy tbh).

Regardless of person opinions, I think it’s pretty likely Calabro is gonna be one of the first cuts of the new ownership group. His age, experience and pedigree make him probably one of the most expensive employees on the broadcast team by a mile. I can’t imagine any world Tom would keep him on the books tbh.

My guess is that Colabro and Hurd were strategic hires...Colabro because he's a friend of the Vulcans who happens to provide a familiar presence for any potential Seattle cross-over fans. Hurd brings in a counterpoint young energy with some PAC-10 ties.

[PDXKnight]

Wouldn't mind bringing Barrett back tbh

[oldfishermen]

Brian Wheeler was the best. Turn off the volume on the TV, turn on the radio, enjoy the game.

It would take a miracle to bring Wheels back.. RIP big guy.

[The Sebastian Express]

Calabro took one season off because it was the height of COVID and while I didn't think it was fair to Jordan Kent that he lost his job after taking over (and I actually enjoy Kent quite a great deal), I don't think it's unreasonable that at man in his 60s took a year off when vaccines for it were just rolling out.

[PDXKnight]

Calabro took one season off because it was the height of COVID and while I didn't think it was fair to Jordan Kent that he lost his job after taking over (and I actually enjoy Kent quite a great deal), I don't think it's unreasonable that at man in his 60s took a year off when vaccines for it were just rolling out.

Politics aside on the pandemic, colabro def feels like a sonics guy given the history or at best a national reporter who is a lot more neutral. Maybe im biased but id like to see some fans back in the booth moving forward. Maybe not entirely homers but more than it is currently

[valleyman33]

Would be immensely stupid to fire the broadcast crew. Especially Brooke is beloved by fans and players alike and Lamar who is also but also who has such a bright future. His great breakdowns plus his silliness while being unbiased is so refreshing.

I'm sorry but this is nonsense! We have the worst broadcast crew in the NBA! Kevin Calabro can't even get our player's names right and the cut aways and talkovers about nonsense during actual play by Lamar drives me crazy. How many times have they not shown replays of missed or questionable calls? I am a Blazer fan and want to hear about our players, not the other teams! I don't mind Brooke, but I hope we get a real play by play and much better color person!

[Norm2953]

Don't know how much stock we take in Canzano, but apparently he's reporting he expects the sale to go
down by the end of the year and has been making calls to the business owners about his plans for the
team.

I doubt he's going to make little changes until he sees for himself how things are going but there appears
to be a real estate development plan in his ownership purchase.

[PDXKnight]

Don't know how much stock we take in Canzano, but apparently he's reporting he expects the sale to go
down by the end of the year and has been making calls to the business owners about his plans for the
team.

I doubt he's going to make little changes until he sees for himself how things are going but there appears
to be a real estate development plan in his ownership purchase.

New arena perhaps? Either way if they're still in rose quarter you'd think the coliseum has to get pulled, that building is just dogging the city's resources

[Norm2953]

Don't know how much stock we take in Canzano, but apparently he's reporting he expects the sale to go
down by the end of the year and has been making calls to the business owners about his plans for the
team.

I doubt he's going to make little changes until he sees for himself how things are going but there appears
to be a real estate development plan in his ownership purchase.

New arena perhaps? Either way if they're still in rose quarter you'd think the coliseum has to get pulled, that building is just dogging the city's resources

One would think a lot of these details have already been discussed with the business owners but imagine if they finally razed the
old MC and developed the Rose Quarter....

[DaVoiceMaster]

I wouldn't expect any "potential" changes until the next offseason. If the sale isnt finalized until the end of the year, that gives the new ownership about 4-months to see how things operate. I'm not tied to the broadcasting team, but don't really have anything bad to say about them either. We'll see what happens with everyone... broadcasters, coaches, management, etc.

[kdawg32086]

I'm in the camp of keeping Calabro. I like him, but I've never been a fan of Hurd. Could we do Calabro and Holton? Just realized that Pete Pranica has been working for the Memphis Grizzlies for the past decade+.

[PDXKnight]

Don't know how much stock we take in Canzano, but apparently he's reporting he expects the sale to go
down by the end of the year and has been making calls to the business owners about his plans for the
team.

I doubt he's going to make little changes until he sees for himself how things are going but there appears
to be a real estate development plan in his ownership purchase.

New arena perhaps? Either way if they're still in rose quarter you'd think the coliseum has to get pulled, that building is just dogging the city's resources

One would think a lot of these details have already been discussed with the business owners but imagine if they finally razed the
old MC and developed the Rose Quarter....

If they want a new arena which the nba has stated is needed would make sense from a logistical perspective to use the existing moda while we build the new arena. Then if theyre building the rose quarter up tear down moda as part of the second phase that would involve repurposing the area.

[Norm2953]

One would think if the new owner has agreed to buy the team, the way forward has been negotiated with
the business leaders/politicians in Portland.

[oldfishermen]

One would think if the new owner has agreed to buy the team, the way forward has been negotiated with
the business leaders/politicians in Portland.

Agreed.

Based on the few vague reports, this does not appear to be the case.

My impression, this transaction has a few rough edges. Signing up local investors is a great idea. However, it begs the questions you asked. But, it also is a sign of juggling the funds to buy the team.

There are a couple of other issues that create more questions than answers. There is plenty of room for Dundon's plan to hit snags.

Not raising any red flags, yet. For now, mark these as gaps in Dundons reporting process.

Hope Dundon gives a full interview soon to paint a clearer picture.

[DusterBuster]

Speaking of FO changes…. If he does go another way with Cronin, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him try and snag Masai if he’s still out of a job next summer from when he parted ways with Toronto.

I’m personally not a huge Masai fan, he has the same problems Olshey and Joe did of holding too long on players, but I could still see him making that change if the Blazers have another 30ish win season again next summer. Would have to imagine Billups would be on the way out too.

[Norm2953]

There appears to be a real estate plan in place but Canzano mentioned the development of the Rose Quarter
is problematical, which makes one wonder if an arena will be built elsewhere

[DusterBuster]

There appears to be a real estate plan in place but Canzano mentioned the development of the Rose Quarter
is problematical, which makes one wonder if an arena will be built elsewhere

Do you have a link to this?