3 Words for Trail Blazers Fans on the Potential Sale of the Team to Phil Knight

If I were Brian “Wheels” Wheeler, I’d be Excited, Ecstatic, and Elated!

If you’re a Portland Trail Blazers fan, you should…

1 – Be Excited

There’s always been a desire between the Portland Trail Blazers and Nike for more collaboration… but there’s also always been a disconnect from making it happen.  Whether that be GM changes and staff changes in Portland, staffing changes at Nike, or those who didn’t want to collaborate with anyone… well, who better to bridge that gap than Phil Knight.

I saw multiple attempts at collaboration throughout the years.  Nike trainers coming to the Practice Facility to show off some new shooting glasses or a new fitness gadget. But whatever collaboration there was usually ended after one meeting.  With Mr. Knight in charge, the collaboration would be continuous rather than regimented.

2 – Be Concerned

Adam Silver shared, “Portland has been a wonderful community for the NBA… My preference would be that that team remains in Portland.”

Has been?  You’d feel much more confident if he stated, “Portland is a wonderful community for the NBA.”

The fact the team’s relocation is even being considered should be concerning.  Mr. Silver would never say that he hopes the Lakers or Knicks or Celtics… stay in their current city.  So the fact that it’s his preference means he is leaving the door open.  Mr. Silver has never been afraid to make bold statements so the fact that he left it a bit murky is concerning for a Trail Blazers fan.

3 – Be Curious

It’s time.  It’s time for new ownership.  As someone who worked for the Trail Blazers for 14+ seasons, Mr. Allen kept us on our toes.  He had his pros and cons as an Owner, as I’m sure all do.  But he cared, deeply.  I do think he was one of the best Owners in the League.  And by far, one of the most engaged.  There were times as I sat filming practice that would be streamed to him wherever he was globally, possibly on a yacht off the coast of Australia or on an African Safari and he would call in and ask if we could zoom in on a player or ask who was getting shots up before practice.  And this wasn’t just for Regular Season practices, this included Summer League, and Draft Workouts.  The man was engaged and willing to spend, two qualities you want in a Team Owner.

After Mr. Allen’s passing, things did change around the office.  This isn’t to say Jody Allen is a poor owner, but the demands for the staff of more and more and better and better dissipated after Mr. Allen’s passing.  He constantly wanted feedback, explanation, video, analytics… everyone had to be ‘on’ and ready at all times.  It was always gametime around the office.  Things did become more lax after his passing.

Mr. Allen asked really intelligent and intentional questions.  He knew basketball.  And he had an opinion.  Jody seemed to trust those in charge, for better or worse.  And Bert was seen as someone from within the organization as someone who was to be managed while he viewed himself as someone who was managing.  A clear disconnect. 

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So with much thanks, as there should be from Portland fans for Mr. Allen and for Jody and Bert’s stewardship, it’s certainly time for new ownership and a real overhaul of the organization. 

Phil Knight would be a home run option. Someone likely to keep the team in town. Someone with billions of dollars. And someone who is intelligent and invested in sports.

And as for the conflict of Dame being with Adidas, trust me, billionaires and those on their way have to being billionaires have more in common than the difference of their shoe brand.