2. The firing of Kevin Pritchard changed the way a lot of fans look at this franchise. KP won the city over from day 1 and the way he went out was a disgrace. Still to this day there has been not one word as to why he was fired. While the situation has cooled off drastically let us not forget how pissed off the people of Portland were at Paul Allen. It was seriously unreal. I think a lot of people haven't gotten over it and I personally don't view the team in the same way anymore. KP made the Blazers, whether it was real or not, look like a close-knit family. Since the day he was fired that's been gone imo. Now all we got is this very secretive front office and I don't think the fans feel as connected to the team as they once did, but maybe that's just me.
Repped and agree 100%. I've taken my three kids to between 12 and 14 games a year for the last three seasons. We've spent a few thousand dollars on tickets and several hundred more on merchandise. concessions and parking. But, I considered it money well spent. This year, I have not spent one penny on the team. When my ticket agent called back in early August I told her I was not going to be buying any tickets this year and the reason I gave was the firing of Kevin Pritchard. I told her it was shameful and I was no longer willing to support the organization financially.
Notice, I did not say I would not support the team. It is Paul Allen and the Vulcans that will not be receiving my support. Kevin Pritchard turned this team from the laughing stock of the league, both on and off the court, into a winning team the community could be proud of. And then Paul Allen and the Vulcans fired him and made sure to publicly humiliate him in the process. Paul Allen may be the richest owner is sports, but he's also an immature douchebag. I don't even care why Pritchard was fired. The way it was handled could not have been done worse if you tried. The whole thing was petty, vindictive, childish and mean. Not the qualities I look for in an organization to support with my hard earned dollars.
So, I still follow the team and cheer for them to win, but I do so by watching what games I can on free TV and listening them on the radio. I may even attend a game, or two, but I will buy my tickets from private parties off craigslist; from someone who already paid the Vulcans, but is unable to use the tickets themselves.
When Kevin Pritchard was here, the team and the community shared a very positive attitude. He's barely gone and our superstar is pouting and pulls a vanishing act against the Lakers and the vibe surrounding the team is very negative. They're not the jail blazers, but they also are not the same team this community rallied around the last three years. It would not surprise me one bit if the sellout streak, that started in December 2007 ends this season. Good job Vulcans - fucking idiots. Way to fuck up a good thing. Boy, you sure showed that uppity Kevin Pritchard, didn't you?
BNM
