Paul Allen, RIP

[DaVoiceMaster]

I had heard Phil Knight's son was interested. I don't know how true that is. I think someone would have to be a moron to move the Blazers. The fan base is amazing. Even when the team sucked, the fan base was still strong. There were issues with the Sonics, which led to their move. I just don't see that same issue happening here. Seattle had the Sonics, Seahawks, Mariners, and Sounders so fans were split and not willing to shell out the money to support all three franchises. Portland has the Blazers and Timbers and nothing else. Both franchises have no problem selling out their arena/stadium. I do not see the Blazers going anywhere any time soon.

[d-train]

Seattle lost the Sonics because their elected political leaders assured the Sonics would move. Sacramento and New Orleans keep their teams because their elected political leaders assured their teams would stay.

What happens here in Portland will be determined by our elected political leaders.

We certainly could lose the Blazers under the same circumstances Seattle lost their team. Seattle actually made their team a target to be moved. Howard Schultz was forced to sell the Sonics because Seattle leaders would not negotiate a stadium deal that gave the team any chance to operate without massive cash flow losses. Seattle's position was a NBA owner should be a "sugar daddy" for local government to extract wealth and increased local tax revenue. Armed with knowledge of Seattle's negotiation position and NBA's support to owners chance to be profitable, a buyer bought the Sonics knowing Seattle would not be a good NBA partner and the NBA would support moving the team. Of course, Seattle could have changed their position and they were given every chance to negotiate a reasonable stadium deal, but they didn't and the team was able to move with support from the NBA.

The same thing that happened to the Sonics could happen here. The Blazers aren't a target to be moved because perspective buyers don't know in advanced what Portland leaders are likely to do. Unfortunately, politics in Portland and Seattle are similar. So, there is that potential problem.

I don't think the issue is even worth discussion at this point. We don't know what the issues are. There is nothing to talk about until we know more.

[DusterBuster]

I don't think the issue is even worth discussion at this point. We don't know what the issues are. There is nothing to talk about until we know more.

This.

[HoopsFanAZ]

Because of thoughts about Paul Allen ... and because of the injury to Nurkic (who will return and be even better) ... I remember a line Neil Olshey relayed to the press maybe a couple years ago. At one point, he was told by P.A. to "Go for it."

While I realize that attempts or reported attempts to improve the team -- without results -- don't actually "move the needle." It's ultimately about P.R. and potential spin even when it's accurate. I am left wondering whether Olshey/Kolde/etc. are still on the "Go for it" mode. And for hope's sake, I'll assume they were and still are.

In keeping with building a team for long term success (and profitability) and contending and in honor of P.A. ... I'd like to see the next 13+ games reveal who will be staying (or should stay) and who walks or is traded. In this ongoing ownership transition AND the temporary loss of 2 key players, there will be no place to hide for employees 4-15. I'd like to think that what's on the court will remain the most important concern for the Blazers.

[DusterBuster]

Does anyone have an Atlantic subscription? I'm really curious if there was any good tidbits from this article about Jodie Allen's appearance at the game.

https://theathletic.com/924692/2019/04/14/her-brothers-keeper-owner-jody-allen-sister-of-paul-sees-her-team-snap-its-playoff-skid/

[JasonStern]

https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/04/stratolaunch-the-worlds-biggest-airplane-takes-flight/

[DusterBuster]

For Paul....

Watch on YouTube

[Myth]

For Paul....

Watch on YouTube

Yeah, I wish he could have been there for that shot.

[DusterBuster]

Read on Twitter

[Sinobas]

Too bad Paul is not here to enjoy our deepest run into the playoffs in 19 years. This run has been especially epic because we were expected to be playoff pushovers, whereas that 2000 team was the favorite to win the title.

[Shem]

Is Paul smiling upon high?

[DusterBuster]

Read on Twitter

[Shem]

Read on Twitter

[Dzon Dilindzer]

paul allen dies, nurk breaks his leg and portland goes to the western conference finals

thats some crazy ****, but i guess its called destiny

[d-train]

Thank you Paul for leaving Blazers fans a great organization.

[DusterBuster]

Watch on YouTube

Think about Olshey whatever you will, this vid is worth a watch.

[Wizenheimer]

Bill Gates has a tribute to his friend:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/randalllane/2019/06/28/bill-gates-amazing-tribute-to-paul-allenwith-rare-photos-from-his-private-collection/#38cf0066f206