Grizzlies Re-Sign Miles

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

I don't think that Paul Allen is just simply willing to hand over $9 million for the other owners in the NBA to divide among themselves.

May as well spend $1 million in legal fees just to make them suffer.

I think it's hollow in that I don't think Portland's claims hold a lot of water. I can't see anyone saying, "Gee, Portland. You're right. Miles' salary can come off you cap even though he met the rules set forth." I think Allen will go for it. He could spend $15 million, and it wouldn't matter. It's just change to him. He could afford a billion dollar roster if league rules allowed. I think he's willing to spend whatever it takes to give the team the most cap flexibility to make the team the best it can possibly be so that it's in the best position to win a championship. It's not about the money here. It's about whether or not Paul spending money on legal fees results in a resolution in Portland's favor, ultimately. And I can't see that happening. The only way it truly happens is if teams were scared by Miller's email, which at this point, there are a couple teams that apparently are not.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Come on, that's just unfair. You really think that's what they're doing?

I said that the Blazers were telling other businesses how to run their business.

Is that a unfair interpretation of the email?

I don't think so because I read that email telling me what the rules are and I better not break the rules when it comes to the Blazers. To me that is telling me how to run my business . . . don't break the rules as we have laid them out . . . don't do this.

If they are right about the rule, then I already know that and wouldn't do it . . . and they don't need to tell/threaten me. And if I disagree with how they interpret the rule, then they are telling me what I can and cannot do.

??????

I don't know, Barfo had the same comment as you so maybe that is a stretch. But I still think some had to be offended by the email. Again my biggest objection is "I don't need you to tell me what is right and what is wrong"

 

[BrianFromWA]

And my response to Gilbert is "perhaps there are better ways, but since the ways we've been using since Boston did it in August didn't dissuade Heisley and Wallace before, we're letting EVERYONE know where we stand. You know the rules, and we know the rules. We're saying we will probably sue you if you attempt to maliciously screw us".

If you're offended, don't go into partnerships with guys like Heisley and Clay-Clay. Sorry if you're caught up in the storm.

 

[PapaG]

I don't know, Barfo had the same comment as you so maybe that is a stretch. But I still think some had to be offended by the email. Again my biggest objection is "I don't need you to tell me what is right and what is wrong"

See, that's the problem with emotion being involved in business. Gilbert of Cleveland already showed his hand today. I'd use that against him covertly in future negotiations. Gilbert was offended, and I'd use that against him in negotiating with him in the future.

What is factual is that Miles signed the worst possible contract available to him. Goodbye NBA union grievance, and goodbye Billy Hunter's credibility. Hunter was offended and shot himself in the foot.

Did I mention I love the business side of the game?

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

I don't know, Barfo had the same comment as you so maybe that is a stretch. But I still think some had to be offended by the email. Again my biggest objection is "I don't need you to tell me what is right and what is wrong"

What I've been trying to say, is that I think Portland knows that, and they're saying it to scare other teams. I think Portland knows some teams will be scared off, some won't, some are in the middle where they don't care because they wouldn't sign Derriere Miles anyway. Have you ever been in an argument where you know you're smarter than the person you're arguing with, so you start throwing out BS cuz you know they'll bite? I think more than anything, that's what Portland is doing. Good decision or not, it's what Portland feels is the best business decision in this case. Not the smartest move, as I think some fans are wondering about the integrity of the franchise, but ultimately, I don't think it's going to harm the franchise.

 

[SheedSoNasty]

May this be the beginning of a long and hate filled rivalry. Who cares if we beat the living crap out of them, it's on.

 

[noknobs]

I said that the Blazers were telling other businesses how to run their business.

Is that a unfair interpretation of the email?

I don't think so because I read that email telling me what the rules are and I better not break the rules when it comes to the Blazers. To me that is telling me how to run my business . . . don't break the rules as we have laid them out . . . don't do this.

If they are right about the rule, then I already know that and wouldn't do it . . . and they don't need to tell/threaten me. And if I disagree with how they interpret the rule, then they are telling me what I can and cannot do.

??????

I don't know, Barfo had the same comment as you so maybe that is a stretch. But I still think some had to be offended by the email. Again my biggest objection is "I don't need you to tell me what is right and what is wrong"

I didn't think the email was telling people what to do, just saying what the Blazers would do if a certain scenario occurred. The only people who should even care about the email are the few who are thinking about signing Miles for that singular purpose. If owners/presidents/GM's who aren't even effected by this want to take offense for whatever reason, then that's their deal.

I said earlier today that I don't like how we went about this, and that the response has been exactly as I thought it would be (not good). I'm sure they felt this was the best course of action, I'm just not seeing it yet. It's easy to see how it would rub people the wrong way, but if you look at the email objectively they're not telling anyone how to run their business, just like they're not telling anyone they can't sign Miles.

 

[thaKEAF]

 

[HailBlazers]

I said earlier today that I don't like how we went about this, and that the response has been exactly as I thought it would be (not good). I'm sure they felt this was the best course of action, I'm just not seeing it yet. It's easy to see how it would rub people the wrong way, but if you look at the email objectively they're not telling anyone how to run their business, just like they're not telling anyone they can't sign Miles.

WELL. It was a last resort. Two more games by Miles and we pay. We obviously waited as long as we could hoping everyone would realize Miles is garbage. He's really not going to impact any team in a good way and now with this it's only gonna create more negativity for the Grizz. I figure we couldn't just sit back, we had to do something.

 

[Nate4Prez]

I just took off my Blazers license plate frame. I hung up all my jerseys in the back of my closet. I removed the window sticker from my gf's car...

The threatening e-mail, the treatment of Darius, the way the league and 29 other teams has claimed that Darius can still play... I just can not support the team right now. A lot of you will probably think I am a bandwagon fan for this but it is really tough for me to continue to support the actions of the Blazer organization considering what has transpired over the last three days...

I just can't agree with any of the recent actions, I didn't agree with the actions of the Blazers' organization when they cut Darius. I can't disagree with them having to face the music and pay Darius what they owed him, but the way they have handled everything was poor on their part. They have quickly made me disinterested in anything they do on the court, because they can't handle things correctly off the court.

 

[HailBlazers]

Nate4Prez: My Man. Wanna hear a funny but true little story?

The best seats I've ever sat in at a blazer game were two rows behind Paul Allen one time a few years back. First real court side experience. Well during that game Darius slashed and threw down a monster dunk right in my face and I was sold on his talent. Believe it or not I even bought a jersey (they had a two for one deal at champs). Like you I was concerned about the treatment of Miles after his surgery but during his rehabilitation it all came clear to me when I had a chance encounter with him downtown. I was coming down the smart-park elevator near Pioneer Place and when the doors open what do I see, Darius standing there next to a vivacious girl with two GIANT shopping bags one on each side. Like I was amazed she was carrying all of that stuff by herself. I never truly believed D. Miles just loved the "lifestyle" until this chance encounter. I mean seriously couldn't he just gave her his credit card. Bottom line is we gave him too much, and he took advantage of us. After all he's gotten and hasn't given, we owe him no kind treatment.

Business is business. For real man go put that sticker back on the car. We've come miles, and our franchise has done a three sixty, shit had to happen along the way. You gotta look to the future bro and Rise With Us.

 

[barfo]

Darius standing there next to a vivacious girl with two GIANT shopping bags one on each side.

The trouble with giant "shopping bags" is that they really sag when they get older.

But it's good that she has one on each side. Symmetry is important.

barfo

 

[Ed O]

My current opinions:

-- Boston and Memphis each decided to take a cheap chance on a player that probably wouldn't work out. Memphis, in particular, knows that it will more than make back his salary, and they have a roster spot, so they have nothing to lose. There's nothing unethical or immoral or conflicted. They're acting both within the rules of the CBA and in the Grizzlies' best interest.
-- The email was hollow. The claims that it would have to litigate would have to have the support of evidence that I can't imagine existing, let alone being unambiguous.
-- The Player Association grievance will either be dropped or go nowhere because no damage has been done to Miles.
-- Miles will play out another 10 day contract, get past 10 games, and not play in the NBA the rest of the year.

It sucks for Portland, but this isn't THAT surprising, given Boston's willingness to give him a chance in the preseason.

Ed O.

 

[slickyseenis]

I just took off my Blazers license plate frame. I hung up all my jerseys in the back of my closet. I removed the window sticker from my gf's car...

The threatening e-mail, the treatment of Darius, the way the league and 29 other teams has claimed that Darius can still play... I just can not support the team right now. A lot of you will probably think I am a bandwagon fan for this but it is really tough for me to continue to support the actions of the Blazer organization considering what has transpired over the last three days...

I just can't agree with any of the recent actions, I didn't agree with the actions of the Blazers' organization when they cut Darius. I can't disagree with them having to face the music and pay Darius what they owed him, but the way they have handled everything was poor on their part. They have quickly made me disinterested in anything they do on the court, because they can't handle things correctly off the court.

it's not a big deal dude. yes, it was childish, yes, miles is healthy enough to play, yes, we don't deserve the salary reduction. those things aren't enough for one's support of the team to wane. it's ok to support the blazers and laugh at the way they handled this at the same time.

 

[MickZagger]

When did I say always?

And I'll have you know that I have had attorney fees paid for three times. So either I have a really good lawyer or it's not that hard. It depends on the circunstances and the type of lawsuit.

You know how gay you sound?

 

[chris_in_pdx]

I just took off my Blazers license plate frame. I hung up all my jerseys in the back of my closet. I removed the window sticker from my gf's car...

The threatening e-mail, the treatment of Darius, the way the league and 29 other teams has claimed that Darius can still play... I just can not support the team right now. A lot of you will probably think I am a bandwagon fan for this but it is really tough for me to continue to support the actions of the Blazer organization considering what has transpired over the last three days.

Wow. You made it through all of the JailBlazers nonsense, and THIS has you all in a twist?

Grow a pair.

 

[MickZagger]

I just took off my Blazers license plate frame. I hung up all my jerseys in the back of my closet. I removed the window sticker from my gf's car...

The threatening e-mail, the treatment of Darius, the way the league and 29 other teams has claimed that Darius can still play... I just can not support the team right now. A lot of you will probably think I am a bandwagon fan for this but it is really tough for me to continue to support the actions of the Blazer organization considering what has transpired over the last three days...

I just can't agree with any of the recent actions, I didn't agree with the actions of the Blazers' organization when they cut Darius. I can't disagree with them having to face the music and pay Darius what they owed him, but the way they have handled everything was poor on their part. They have quickly made me disinterested in anything they do on the court, because they can't handle things correctly off the court.

Maybe you should get a grip and realize that Darius was a horrible Blazer. Not only was he an idiot, but he had no desire to play the game professionally, but only to collect his check. There's a reason why NBA doctors deemed him unfit to play, because he's a lazy piece of trash that doesn't care anything about the team concept. Your license plate holders sound like they're better off in someone else's hands anyways.

 

[MikeDC]

Maybe you should get a grip and realize that Darius was a horrible Blazer. Not only was he an idiot, but he had no desire to play the game professionally, but only to collect his check. There's a reason why NBA doctors deemed him unfit to play, because he's a lazy piece of trash that doesn't care anything about the team concept. Your license plate holders sound like they're better off in someone else's hands anyways.

Where does the team concept show up in a medical exam? It's gotta be located somewhere near the stomach, right?

But seriously, it is sort of interesting to see how a couple of bone-headed moves by the guys calling the shots can generate such sympathy for a guy that has been pretty universally accepted to be a jackass.

 

[MickZagger]

Where does the team concept show up in a medical exam? It's gotta be located somewhere near the stomach, right?

But seriously, it is sort of interesting to see how a couple of bone-headed moves by the guys calling the shots can generate such sympathy for a guy that has been pretty universally accepted to be a jackass.

The team concept includes working to get fit to play when your injured so you can come back and help the team and fulfill the reason that player signed a contract.

Miles was always a player that took the NBA for granted.

 

[JE]

He took the Lakers package over the Bulls package (Noah, Thomas, and Nocioni) for Gasol. While Thomas is starting to come around, Gasol is still better, and he's only a rookie, and is bigger.

What Wallace just did was a no brainer move. Hurt your competition in free agency this summer, get a little kickback in luxury tax revenue, and please all of the other executives in the league who seemed to be cheering this on.

This.

Like everyone else ever associated with Boston, he's a flaming douche.

lol

 

[JE]

My current opinions:

-- Boston and Memphis each decided to take a cheap chance on a player that probably wouldn't work out. Memphis, in particular, knows that it will more than make back his salary, and they have a roster spot, so they have nothing to lose. There's nothing unethical or immoral or conflicted. They're acting both within the rules of the CBA and in the Grizzlies' best interest.
-- The email was hollow. The claims that it would have to litigate would have to have the support of evidence that I can't imagine existing, let alone being unambiguous.
-- The Player Association grievance will either be dropped or go nowhere because no damage has been done to Miles.
-- Miles will play out another 10 day contract, get past 10 games, and not play in the NBA the rest of the year.

It sucks for Portland, but this isn't THAT surprising, given Boston's willingness to give him a chance in the preseason.

Ed O.

And this.

 

[istolebillwaltonsbike]

February 18th: Memphis @ Portland. Game of the year right here guys.

That is going to be amazing to listen to. Imagine 48 minutes of straight booing every time the Grizz have a possession, and fugedaboutit if they actually have the balls to put Miles on the court.

IMO, it will be worse if Memphis cuts Miles by this game. Much worse.

What if they save one of his two games for this game?

Nothing. It's over. Miles plays at least 2 games and goes back on the book for the Blazers . . . sucks, but nothing Blazers will do anything about.

Funny thing would be if the griz played him for 10 more minutes in 2 games and cut him . . . just to spite Allen and his threats.

Wouldn't that help the Blazers with their lawsuit?

 

[igotask8board]

At least Grizz fans have something to talk about this season.

 

[BostonFan]

If I was doing something wrong and knew it. And I knew that I was doing something wrong against the richest person in the industry . . . I would expect a lawsuit and not threats. these people are in charge in a multi-billion dollar industry . . . they know the score.

I would expect threats from the little guy who couldn't afford to bring a lawsuit.

This is exactly right.

 

[BostonFan]

I agree... But, if I'm Paul Allen, I then say to you, "Okay", and bring the lawsuit because I'm not in the habit of giving money away due to the incompetence of league/union appointed doctors. We'll see if you talk like that after dealing with Paul Allens legal team for awhile. Enjoy.

you mean?

"While well-known for our land-use and commercial real estate practices, we also provide many other legal services." http://www.foster.com/industryDetail.aspx?display=1&industry=10

Or do you mean?

Vice President, General CounselMike Fennell has served as vice president and general counsel for the TrailBlazers since 1992. Fennell, who assists with all of the Trail Blazers legal issuesincluding providing support on player contract negotiations and other team-related issues, also services as general counsel for other Paul Allen affiliatesthat operate in Portland.Previously, Fennell was a partner in the law firm ofFoster Pepper & Shefelman and was one of the attorneys who represented PaulAllen when he acquired the team in 1988. Fennell holds a bachelor of sciencein business administration from the University of Oregon and is a graduate ofthe University of Oregon Law School. His community involvement has includedserving on several boards, among them the Ronald McDonald House Charitiesof Oregon and Southwest Washington; the University of Oregon Law SchoolAlumni Board; the American Red Cross-Oregon Trail Chapter; the Oregon Leukemia Society of America,and the Multnomah Metro Family YMCA.

Either way, they are over their heads. The suit would be coordinated by fancy NY lawyers Proskauer Rose, on the NBA side http://www.proskauer.com/practice_areas/areas/062 , and the legal department of the union would be very interested as well. These guys have more experience dealing with complex litigations on these matters every week than Paul Allen's lawyers from Portland get in a lifetime. Hardly a fair fight.

This one is done, anyway. There won't be any lawsuit. But just so you know......


For a better idea of what we are talking about here, who would you want to represent you? Proskauer Rose, the NBA's lawyers (who would get involved because of the union exposure created here), or Paul Allen's lawyers from Portland? Some credentials:


Proskauer currently serves as counsel on a broad variety of matters to the National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League, the ATP Tour, the WNBA, Major League Soccer, and the National Basketball Development League. Proskauer also has advised numerous purchasers and prospective purchasers of professional sports teams (including the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets and Montreal Expos), and has handled matters for other sports entities such as the United States Olympic Committee; World Cup USA 1994, Inc.; the Ladies Professional Golf Association; the New York Yankees, Kansas City Royals and Anaheim Angels. Proskauer's distinguished alumni hold senior business and legal positions with a variety of sports leagues, sports teams and other sports-related entities, and include NBA Commissioner David Stern and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.

On a daily basis, Proskauer's Sports Law Group applies the broad interdisciplinary skills needed to resolve the business issues and disputes that affect sports clients in the highly competitive entertainment and media marketplace. The Sports Law Group consists of numerous transactional, tax, labor, litigation, antitrust, real estate, bankruptcy, intellectual property and new media lawyers with extensive experience in sports matters. A sampling of their experience follows.

Litigation
Proskauer has handled litigations and antitrust proceedings involving virtually every significant issue affecting the sports industry, including:

whether sports leagues should be treated as single entities under the antitrust laws, including the three-month jury trial in which Major League Soccer prevailed


control of the domestic and international telecast rights to games and the related intellectual property issues, including the "superstation" litigation involving the Chicago Bulls, WGN and the NBA, and the DirecTV class action litigation involving the NHL


major internal investigations, including representing the NHL in connection with certain allegations regarding gambling


development of stadiums, including successfully defending legal challenges to the rights of the New York Jets to proceed in developing a stadium on New York's West Side


the right of NHL teams to contract with various players to whom the Russian Ice Hockey Federation and its teams have claimed exclusive rights, including obtaining successful decisions permitting Alex Ovechkin and Nicholai Zherdev to continue playing in the United States


the scope of rights between general and limited partners in a professional sports club, including the successful defense of fraud and breach of partnership agreement allegations against the majority general partner of an MLB club in a multiweek international arbitration


the scope of most favored nations provisions, including obtaining many millions of dollars for an NFL team in a dispute with its stadium landlord


enforcing the contractual and intellectual property rights of licensors domestically and internationally


notification proceedings before the European Commission and investigations by European domestic regulatory bodies on behalf of leagues


the scope of rights of first refusal and rights of first negotiation provisions in a wide variety of contexts, including in an arbitration before the NFL Commissioner involving a dispute among the owners of a team


the right of a league to determine who its members will be and other related issues involving expansion opportunities and the location of its clubs, including cases such as Charlotte Rage v. AFL, Hunt Sports v. NHL, and SDC v. NBA


the right of a league or circuit to determine its eligibility rules or to set its annual schedule, including successfully defending multiple antitrust challenges by players and by tournaments against the ATP Tour


the obligations of teams and leagues to comply with the ADA, including defense of a challenge to the seating availability at Yankee Stadium


numerous bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings that have affected the sports industry, including the bankruptcies of CCM, Marvel, Starter, Pro Player, Pinnacle and the Pittsburgh Penguins


the right of a league to reduce the number of its teams without incurring continued contract obligations to its players, including a trial victory in Bishop v. MLS

OR

Sports Law and Team Representations
Our Sports lawyers represent prominent professional sports teams, including the Seattle SuperSonics, Seattle Storm, Seattle Seahawks and Portland Trail Blazers, and various other sports teams in, among others, litigation, corporate, employment and finance matters. We have represented our sports clients before arbitration panels, federal or state courts and agencies, and in mediation.

 

[e_blazer]

My current opinions:

-- Boston and Memphis each decided to take a cheap chance on a player that probably wouldn't work out. Memphis, in particular, knows that it will more than make back his salary, and they have a roster spot, so they have nothing to lose. There's nothing unethical or immoral or conflicted. They're acting both within the rules of the CBA and in the Grizzlies' best interest.
-- The email was hollow. The claims that it would have to litigate would have to have the support of evidence that I can't imagine existing, let alone being unambiguous.
-- The Player Association grievance will either be dropped or go nowhere because no damage has been done to Miles.
-- Miles will play out another 10 day contract, get past 10 games, and not play in the NBA the rest of the year.

It sucks for Portland, but this isn't THAT surprising, given Boston's willingness to give him a chance in the preseason.

Ed O.

For the most part, I agree with this. The one aspect that we don't know is exactly what triggered the Blazers to send out that e-mail. I think almost everyone is assuming that it was an ill-considered move and that the Blazers have nothing to back up their position. That may be the case, but it could also be that there's more to this than we know. Suppose there were a smoking gun e-mail from a Memphis executive to another team in the league talking about screwing the Blazers over that somehow got forwarded to the Blazers? Pure conjecture, obviously, but it would certainly change the situation. My only point is that there're a whole lot of opinions being offered here and they're all based upon only what has been made public so far. There could be more to the story than we know.

 

[Nikolokolus]

For the most part, I agree with this. The one aspect that we don't know is exactly what triggered the Blazers to send out that e-mail. I think almost everyone is assuming that it was an ill-considered move and that the Blazers have nothing to back up their position. That may be the case, but it could also be that there's more to this than we know. Suppose there were a smoking gun e-mail from a Memphis executive to another team in the league talking about screwing the Blazers over that somehow got forwarded to the Blazers? Pure conjecture, obviously, but it would certainly change the situation. My only point is that there're a whole lot of opinions being offered here and they're all based upon only what has been made public so far. There could be more to the story than we know.

I thought about this a little yesterday, but one has to think that if this were true, it's probably not Memphis since they went ahead with his signing. I'm guessing if there was some hard evidence it was/is on another organization.

 

[e_blazer]

I thought about this a little yesterday, but one has to think that if this were true, it's probably not Memphis since they went ahead with his signing. I'm guessing if there was some hard evidence it was/is on another organization.

Either that, or Memphis doesn't know about the e-mail, or thinks that by playing Miles enough they can overcome any legal challenge.

 

[slickyseenis]

it is painfully obvious that there will be no legitimate "legal challenge" against the grizzlies for signing a basketball player who wants to play basketball. the blazers tried to pull a fast one by classifying this player as out-for-his-career when he is not even currently injured. they got called on it.

i don't have a problem with the plan, as it was in our best interests. the childish, kevin mchale-ish manner in which it was handled is another story. a fun drama for us fans, but time for the team to move on, as i'm sure they will.

 

[julius]

it is painfully obvious that there will be no legitimate "legal challenge" against the grizzlies for signing a basketball player who wants to play basketball. the blazers tried to pull a fast one by classifying this player as out-for-his-career when he is not even currently injured. they got called on it.

i don't have a problem with the plan, as it was in our best interests. the childish, kevin mchale-ish manner in which it was handled is another story. a fun drama for us fans, but time for the team to move on, as i'm sure they will.

Yah, obvious. The team is just blowing smoke.