Fans Tweeting to PA, PA tweets back

[SlyPokerDog]

Note: Names have been removed. Each bullet point represents messages sent from a different account between roughly 5 PM and 8 PM Pacific Time on Monday evening.

• if you waive Brandon Roy without giving him a chance this season Im renouncing my blazers allegiance.
• If you Keep Brandon Roy, ill donate my kidney. if you keep Brandon Roy, ill donate 1/4 of my weekly paycheck to charity. #InRoyWeTrust if you keep Brandon Roy, I will buy season tickets, even though I live in CT. if you keep Brandon Roy, you will earn my RESPECT. If you keep Brandon Roy, I would be willing to spend additionally money at Blazer sanctions to raise money to pay his salary. So PLEASE PAUL ALLEN, can we put to rest this Amnesty talk, and give Brandon Roy ONE MORE SHOT.#InBRANDONROYweTRUST
• fans may be able to look past the lockout, but if @PaulGAllen cuts ROY, fans will not sit on their hands quietly! #scumbag
• I doubt @PaulGAllen is trying to sell the Blazers or get rid of Roy. I just wish he'd speak up a lil like the Jazz's owner.
• #MomentsICanNeverForget B-Roy...game 4 against Dallas. Amazing comeback. Keep Brandon @PaulGAllen #Blazers #NBA
• @PaulGAllen As a fan I vote to keep Roy at least this season.
• @PaulGAllen cuting Roy will be a insult to the man and to all the fans that stuck by the team through the jail blazers and watches Roy pull the team from the laughing stock of the NBA to playoffs and the top
• @PaulGAllen You're really bothering me. BTW... i'm switching to OS X Lion. Come on... This is unbelievable. Forget Rip City.. it's Roy's city.
• @PaulGAllen Roy/Oden/KP/Injury bug and now you're selling the team -- how much can this great fanbase take?
• So...my hubby's work rewarded him with tickets to the Duck game on Friday...and @PaulGAllen is dropping BRoy like so much garbage. Great day
• @PaulGAllen Your dumb!! Keep Brandon!!
• If @paulgallen amnesties roy to save tax, it will be clear that he is nothing more than a rich, ego-maniacal, selfish bastard #keepbroy
• If @PaulGAllen is smart he'll at least see how Roy is looking physically before he up and amnesty's his a**. Not like ur making cap room
• @PaulGAllen Hello mister Allen. Just take a look to the latest news about Brandon Roy... With all my respect sir...you must not see Roy's case by the financial point of view.. Brandon Roy is Blazers's flag... Keep Brandon Roy to Portland...
• @PaulGAllen that's Brandon Roy....rookie of the year and three time all star. Don't you forget it! Give him a chance. This is insane. They have to give him a chance. @PaulGAllen you're paying him anyways...see what he can do with an off season of rest. Do NOT get rid of Roy. It would break of all Portland's hearts. We all know what he's done for this team, give him a chance.

http://www.blazersedge.com/2011/11/28/2595246/brandon-roy-amnesty-clause-paul-allen-twitter


PaulGAllen Paul Allen

Good chance NBA back by Xmas...Thanks to @PDXtrailblazers fans for being patient & supporting the team. See you in the Rose Garden!

https://twitter.com/#!/PaulGAllen

 

[santeesioux]

A lot of these fans seem to be living in the past. He is one of my favorite players and i would be sad to see him go, but he just isn't the same player they are talking about.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Update: More messages streamed in after this post went up and following Allen's Twitter post as well. Here's a sampling of the messages sent between 8 PM and 9 PM Pacific time.

• If @PaulGAllen uses the amnesty clause on Roy, Portland will riot. #KeepRoy
• @PaulGAllen Um...I have no boyfriend. My social life consists of going to Blazer games with my dad. You kinda ****** me over PA.
• Hey! @PaulGAllen - take a look at Roy first before waiving him! Throw the fans a bone!
• @PaulGAllen fans support the @PDXtrailblazers and Brandon Roy. we expect to see Brandon in uniform this season. anything else would be wrong
• @PaulGAllen wait till we see what we have in B-Roy, give it till training camp is over then re-evaluate the situation.
• @PaulGAllen please give BRoy his chance!!! don't amnesty him!!!
• @PaulGAllen @pdxtrailblazers if y'all cut Broy I'll never forgive you.
• @PaulGAllen cut the BS, and stop ignoring the elephant in the room. Don't get rid of Roy.. He brought this team to where it is now, not you.
• @PaulGAllen please don't amnesty Brandon Roy! Just one more year Mr. Allen. Let's see what he has got. I was at Game 4! He is not done yet!
• @PaulGAllen there have been many reports saying that Roy is playing well and no setbacks with his knees, let him play this year.
• We love you paul!
• @PaulGAllen I will not support the team until Roy is cut.
• @PaulGAllen Please use the wait and see approach before getting rid of our franchise player without getting anything in return. Thank you.
• Dear Brandon Roy, your career isn't over. I still idolize you. Your not only a baller, but also a ROLL Model. @PaulGAllen, Please #saveROY7
• @PaulGAllen Yes we use the amnesty on Roy. It does not take away what he did for the Blazers or what the Blazers have done for him.
• @PaulGAllen If you amnesty Roy, I hope you just sell the team. It would be your first smart act as an owner.
• @PaulGAllen Keep Brandon Roy! He's my favorite player and I can't imagine watching him play for another team. He's supposed to retire here.
• @PaulGAllen B Roy deserves a chance to show what he's got before being cut via amnesty. He's been the heart of this team and done so much.
• Dear @PaulGAllen I have been a Blazer for all my years. I think you see that I am not alone when I say we should #SaveRoy. Please save him.
• @PaulGAllen dont release roy!!!!!!! We love him!!!!!!!
• If @PaulGAllen uses the amnesty clause on Roy, Portland will riot. #KeepRoy
• @PaulGAllen #KeepRoy
• @PaulGAllen Give Brandon Roy some time. Remember how great he was in Game 4? He rebuilt this franchise, give that some consideration.
• Just unfollowed @paulgallen and it felt sooo good! **** the seahawks and don't **** my blazers up...just sign checks and stay out the way!
• @PaulGAllen love or hate u it doesn't matter! Without u we would have no Blazers so THANK YOU!
• @PaulGAllen @pdxtrailblazers won't see you in the RG if you greedily cut Roy for tax benefits!

http://www.blazersedge.com/2011/11/28/2595246/brandon-roy-amnesty-clause-paul-allen-twitter

 

[BlazerBeav]

A lot of these fans seem to be living in the past. He is one of my favorite players and i would be sad to see him go, but he just isn't the same player they are talking about.

Exactly, and every clear-thinking fan in this town knows it.

 

[PapaG]

Roy saved basketball in PDX and is the only reason the Blazers didn't get swept by Dallas in the first round last year.

What amazes me is how this board seems to think that waiving Roy is going to somehow make the team better this year, and in the immediate future.

I'm sure some of my thoughts on this are shaped by what I see as a ridiculous belief that Greg Oden is somehow going to lead this team to a title, though, so I do admit that to be the case.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Idiots. This is exactly the reason Portland will never get another sports team. This small town thinking is ridiculous

 

[Brock]

idiots to think he would comment when the league is still technically locked out

 

[Sinobas]

Sorry, we all know Brandon Roy is not worth 14 million dollars to be a backup spot up jump shooter.

Even Roy at his best, would NEVER have lead this team to a championship. He was a great one on one player, but he didn't make his teammates better. We all know the problems with the clear out for Roy strategy. No ball movement, no easy hoops, and LA is not used down low.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

This will happen regardless of what's said on Twitter.

It's a smart business move but the team will take a HUGE PR hit.

Silver lining for me would be that this puts pressure on the management to pull of some sort of move to soften the blow of losing Roy.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Do the people making those tweets actually watch any games?

I understand that people are grateful to Roy for past services. I feel the same about Clyde, Buck, Lucas, and several other former players. That doesn't mean any of them deserve a max contract!

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

I think 100% of die-hard fans understand this move. The casual fan only sees "Brandon Roy released by team" and all hell breaks loose.

 

[illmatic99]

Damn, this place is bumping, and we don't even officially know if we will have a season yet.

 

[MARIS61]

I never knew Brandon had so many twitter accounts.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

We should rename the Broadway Bridge the Brandon Bridge.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

We should rename the Broadway Bridge the Brandon Bridge.

Largest Dental Work In The West.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Sounds like the people who tweet know more than the fans who hang out on message boards all day. Who would have thunk?

 

[oldmangrouch]

Sounds like the people who tweet know more than the fans who hang out on message boards all day. Who would have thunk?

Really?

There are 3 basic options here:

1) Cut him now.

2) Cut him in 12 months, and set off the same PR problems no matter how poorly he plays.

3) Keep him for the duration of his deal, and destroy any slim chance the team has to be competitive.

Please enlighten us which option you think is so wonderful?

 

[B-Roy]

Well it's going to happen sooner or later. They might as well accept it now.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Really?

There are 3 basic options here:

1) Cut him now.

2) Cut him in 12 months, and set off the same PR problems no matter how poorly he plays.

3) Keep him for the duration of his deal, and destroy any slim chance the team has to be competitive.

Please enlighten us which option you think is so wonderful?

I think you are a bit foolish if you think that option two would happen. Fans are not ready now because they are not sure he is done. If he plays bad all year then they would be ready. But right now the team has no one to replace what he offers, so why pay him and cut him? Why make that quick decision. The tweeters are simply saying don't be so fucking rash with your decision. Wait a year.


But please tell me grouch , who do you want them to get if they cut him? What is your strategy? I see you bitch a lot, but I don't ever recall you saying who or what you actually like.

 

[oldmangrouch]

I think you are a bit foolish if you think that option two would happen. Fans are not ready now because they are not sure he is done. If he plays bad all year then they would be ready. But right now the team has no one to replace what he offers, so why pay him and cut him? Why make that quick decision. The tweeters are simply saying don't be so fucking rash with your decision. Wait a year.


But please tell me grouch , who do you want them to get if they cut him? What is your strategy? I see you bitch a lot, but I don't ever recall you saying who or what you actually like.

A) Sorry, but I think you are being a bit naive. Go back and read those messages. They are focused on what Roy has done in the past....not on his present or future value.

B) As I understand it, keeping Roy means the team won't be able to use the MLE to acquire a competent big man (eg Landry or Hayes). Going into the season with the current bench is lunacy, unless the team is tanking.

C) The team is reaching the point of decision on keeping Wallace and Batum. Dropping Roy may not put the team under the cap, but if it gets them under the luxury tax, there is a better chance PA will agree to open his wallet for 2 guys who can actually help the team going forward. Yes, this assumes that Allen is no longer willing to ignore the luxury tax and throw money at the team.

In broad terms, I believe the only players on the team worth worrying about are LMA, Wallace, Batum, and maybe Matthews. Camby and Roy are done, and everyone else is dead weight. Gaining more roster flexibility is essential. You can't get that by keeping Roy, or over-paying for players like Camby and Felton. (that goes for Oden as well...but that is another discussion)

Sorrry...I have the feeling that isn't the answer you wanted to hear.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I'll never forget the day Ted Thompson traded Brett Favre; people booed Aaron Rodgers at family night and sent him, the coach and Thompson death threats ... Man if only Thompson would have been smart and kept Favre.

 

[THE HCP]

Who is our Rodgers?

 

[jlprk]

Didn't we just go through this with Pritchard? When the Oregonian idolizes someone, too many follow the paper's lead.

 

[STOMP]

A lot of these fans seem to be living in the past. He is one of my favorite players and i would be sad to see him go, but he just isn't the same player they are talking about.

no doubt. What a bunch of emotional ninnies, but that is significant portion of the base. I'm guessing Roy is kept on this shortened season in part to let this faction grow tired of seeing a man with no cartilage in his knees toil. These same fans will eventually recognize the writing on the wall that everyone else sees and will probably be calling for his head next offseason when Portland is at the crossroads with able bodied players.

STOMP

 

[Nikolokolus]

Who is our Rodgers?

I don't know, maybe that's LMA? But Aaron Rodgers was just another guy until he actually got to go out on the field and prove what he could do. There's always risk in trading away a former "face of the franchise," and there's almost always a PR hit, but sometimes you have to take the risk to find out what you've got and the fact is that none of these players in any sport lasts forever.

 

[Pinwheel1]

A) Sorry, but I think you are being a bit naive. Go back and read those messages. They are focused on what Roy has done in the past....not on his present or future value.

B) As I understand it, keeping Roy means the team won't be able to use the MLE to acquire a competent big man (eg Landry or Hayes). Going into the season with the current bench is lunacy, unless the team is tanking.

C) The team is reaching the point of decision on keeping Wallace and Batum. Dropping Roy may not put the team under the cap, but if it gets them under the luxury tax, there is a better chance PA will agree to open his wallet for 2 guys who can actually help the team going forward. Yes, this assumes that Allen is no longer willing to ignore the luxury tax and throw money at the team.

In broad terms, I believe the only players on the team worth worrying about are LMA, Wallace, Batum, and maybe Matthews. Camby and Roy are done, and everyone else is dead weight. Gaining more roster flexibility is essential. You can't get that by keeping Roy, or over-paying for players like Camby and Felton. (that goes for Oden as well...but that is another discussion)

Sorrry...I have the feeling that isn't the answer you wanted to hear.

This argument just keeps going round and round....

I don't think we know for sure what Roy's future is. We think we know, but we don't know for sure. So the tweeters sound to me like they want to be sure.

Roy's "present" (3-4 games ago) still showed more "skill" than anyone else on the team. (other than LMA) So until you find an "Aaron Rogers" I would consider keeping him. Other than Wes we have no other SG that has played a game.

It seems like we are always looking to the future and never focus on the present. We always want that team that can stay together for 5-7 years. What about this year? Let's put together a team for this year. Sure you have to always keep the future in mind, but, but we know we have Wallace for at least this year, so go all out for this year. If you want to keep Wallace, then show him you are not Charlotte and you will do what it takes to win.

Cutting Roy (And once again STILL PAYING him) for a chance to get a back up PF with the MLE is risky too. And if we don't get that free agent the same people will be bitching, but they will shift their frustration to management and coaching.

I don't know, maybe Elliot Williams is Aaron Rogers. But even if he is, I would still wait a year to be safe. We had very little outside shooting last year. Where is it going to come from this year if we cut Roy?

Most fans would be OK with gettind rid of Roy for something, but right now they are questioning the logic in getting rid of him for nothing. For many he is still fun to watch. So why be hasty?

 

[BBert]

Idiots and 12 year olds who know how to post twits are running the world now. Great. Those twitters got an emotional rush seeing Brandon nail a 30 footer to beat Houston, and other heroics, and either they think he's still that guy or they think the Blazers should never waive him ever, just because of what he's "meant" to the franchise in days gone by. 12 year olds have a short frame of reference I guess. I don't know if the Blazers should waive him now, give him two weeks of practices, or wait and see how he does this season, but those twits were dumb.

 

[Charcoal Filtered]

Worked in ticket sales for the Blazers for a short time and am reminded of a point that one of the vets shared with me. He kept hearing from people how they would buy tickets if the Blazers got Damon. When they finally got him, he called everyone of those people. Not one bought tickets.

They have the die hards hooked. We will always be there. Everyone else it depends on winning. Keeping or letting Roy go is entirely on Blazer management and hope they guess right.

 

[mgb]

Who is our Rodgers?

Babbitt!

 

[crowTrobot]

Who is our Rodgers?

LMA already was last year when Roy was out. Top 10 player in the league during that time.