Mike Barrett On Being Let Go By Blazers

[ABM]

https://www.nbcsports.com/northwest...arrett-opens-about-being-let-go-trail-blazers

Mike Barrett opens up about being let go by the Trail Blazers

Managing Director of the Portland Diamond Project, Mike Barrett, talks on camera for the first time about being let go by the Portland Trail Blazers.

This video is the first of a special series of videos we'll have with Barrett including a look back at his story about Kenny Wheaton's pick and the future of the Portland Diamond Project trying to bring MLB to Portland. You can listen to the entire sitdown in this week's episode of The Bridge podcast with Justin Myers.
[LISTEN: Mike Barrett All Access Podcast]

The television play-by-play man for the Portland Trail Blazers from 2003-2016, spoke candidly about the day he found out he would no longer be working for the Trail Blazers.

Barrett and his partner, Mike Rice, were both let go from their positions by the Blazers after the 2015-2016 season.

Barrett admitted he did not know that phone call was coming.

“I had no clue,” Barrett said. “I’m somebody who expects that stuff and I shouldn’t be, but I often operate that way, it kind of motivates me. So that was a definite shocker and I know it was a shocker to the guys that had to ultimately tell me too, even though they had to kind of own that.”

It was Trail Blazers President Chris McGowan who had to make the call to Barrett.

“Chris McGowan is a great guy and to see him as beaten up like he was and it really wasn’t him and that made me feel bad. I wanted to say something at the time, but I think people know. And you know, it’s okay and I said at the time, and I still feel this way there was never bitterness about it. I was honored to have done it,” Barrett said.

National television broadcasters and NBA teams around the league called Barrett the day the news came out. Teams were trying to find out if Barrett was interested in re-locating and taking a position with them.

At the time, Barrett could only think, “My heart is broken because that's been my team since I was 5 years old.”

“That was my team, I can’t do another team.”

Watch the full clip above of Mike Barrett finally sharing his thoughts on camera.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

I'm still pissed about it. I've said before, this was a big reason I stopped watching as many Blazer games for a couple years. I still very much dislike our new commentators.

 

[e_blazer]

He doesn't say it, but I still believe that the decision was made by Paul Allen. I think he was a Calabro fan from his days watching the Sonics prior to buying the Blazers.

 

[tlongII]

He doesn't say it, but I still believe that the decision was made by Paul Allen. I think he was a Calabro fan from his days watching the Sonics prior to buying the Blazers.

If it truly wasn't McGowan then that makes sense.

 

[Scalma]

So it wasnt mcgowans call? Damn he took a beating about it too.

 

[hoopsjock]

So it wasnt mcgowans call? Damn he took a beating about it too.

Or Barrett is just trying to be nice about it.

 

[Happi]

I for one am glad hes gone I was able to finally enjoy the games again!

 

[THE HCP]

My dawg!!!

 

[THE HCP]

I for one am glad hes gone I was able to finally enjoy the games again!

The need to post this is why you finally signed up?

 

[Reep]

I miss Mike and Mike and always will. They just fit with the Blazer's culture. The new team are mercenaries, and while Calabro has a nice voice, he needs to pay more attention to the game in front of him than planning his next sound bite.

 

[Happi]

The need to post this is why you finally signed up?

Actually, the reason I finally created an account and posted was because I noticed how engaging some of the conversations can be at times. It's a shame that most of the really engaging conversations, however, don't include yourself in them. I realize that this is your shtick, as I have actually spent a fair amount of time lurking, so I know not to take your comments too seriously.

All that said, the reason I posted in this was because I felt like creating an account and commenting on this thread. If that bothers you, that is not my problem. You and I have no beef, perceived or not. I did not enjoy Mike Barrett as a play by play man. Obviously he is your friend and former coworker. I don't care that you knew him, nor will knowing that change my opinion of his play by play abilities.

 

[RR7]

People gave McGown a lot of apparently unnecessary shit on here.

I'm pretty happy with the new team we have, and really enjoy their calls. Mike and Mike were fine, that's it. I feel like they got a lot of criticism in here until they were let go, and then the sentiment changed.

 

[THE HCP]

Actually, the reason I finally created an account and posted was because I noticed how engaging some of the conversations can be at times. It's a shame that most of the really engaging conversations, however, don't include yourself in them. I realize that this is your shtick, as I have actually spent a fair amount of time lurking, so I know not to take your comments too seriously.

Well I'm glad you finally joined our forum. New blood is always welcome, right guys? As far as me being taken "seriously", it's a "shame" that you believe that was my goal here. Please feel free to find at any point on here, where I said that was my mission. Maybe that's why a lot of these guys are on here. This is the internet bro, this is nothing more than typing. How can you take any of these self called basketball experts seriously?

 

[THE HCP]

All that said, the reason I posted in this was because I felt like creating an account and commenting on this thread. If that bothers you, that is not my problem. You and I have no beef, perceived or not. I did not enjoy Mike Barrett as a play by play man. Obviously he is your friend and former coworker. I don't care that you knew him, nor will knowing that change my opinion of his play by play abilities.

I just asked you why THIS topic was the final straw for you to join us at all. And if you want to go down the "I don't care" road, me posting that he is My Dawg wasn't even for you son.

 

[Happi]

Well I'm glad you finally joined our forum. New blood is always welcome, right guys? As far as me being taken "seriously", it's a "shame" that you believe that was my goal here. Please feel free to find at any point on here, where I said that was my mission. Maybe that's why a lot of these guys are on here. This is the internet bro, this is nothing more than typing. How can you take any of these self called basketball experts seriously?

I am glad that you are glad. I know it's your gimmick to act like "newbs" can't post, and then to act all innocent when people point it out saying stuff like "I for one welcome our new alien overlords" or something.

Look, don't take this so seriously man. I got nothing against you. You're obviously a well liked poster here, and I'm literally posting for the 3rd time.

As to your other post (about the picture not even being for me), I guess we got off on the wrong foot. I'm a big enough man to admit that I may have jumped the gun (but you have to admit, you are abrasive at times). I'm sure we'll eventually look back at this, when we're both yelling at the screen because a ref made a bad call, and forget why it is you have a hard time admitting that you are wrong about this.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

I liked Mike and Mike, Barrett had a very home town, homer thing going but I appreciated it, he seemed like a kind of normal guy who just loved the Blazers. I thought Rice was probably a cool guy off the court and had his moments, but unfortunately he seemed to have kind of lost "it" a bit towards the end of his time there, he was all over the place. I really like Hurd, Calabro hasn't grown on me yet.

 

[Charcoal Filtered]

It could have been PA that ordered the change, but it could have been someone else. If the decision to move on from Rice was made, MB was just collateral damage. Glad to see him doing well with the baseball project.

I loved KC on the radio and had high hopes for the TV team. However, it just has never came to fruition for me. I think all three are talented but do not think they make a great team. Feels like substitute teachers instead of family.

 

[THE HCP]

I am glad that you are glad. I know it's your gimmick to act like "newbs" can't post, and then to act all innocent when people point it out saying stuff like "I for one welcome our new alien overlords" or something.

Look, don't take this so seriously man. I got nothing against you. You're obviously a well liked poster here, and I'm literally posting for the 3rd time.

As to your other post (about the picture not even being for me), I guess we got off on the wrong foot. I'm a big enough man to admit that I may have jumped the gun (but you have to admit, you are abrasive at times). I'm sure we'll eventually look back at this, when we're both yelling at the screen because a ref made a bad call, and forget why it is you have a hard time admitting that you are wrong about this.

I can be totally honest with you and will need some help from these geeks on here.......I can't remember a time being wrong on here.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

I can be totally honest with you and will need some help from these geeks on here.......I can't remember a time being wrong on here.

Got any blurry pics for us today?

 

[THE HCP]

Got any blurry pics for us today?

No sir, but my next trip to the airport is Tuesday. Stay tuned.......

 

[hoopsjock]

People gave McGown a lot of apparently unnecessary shit on here.

I'm pretty happy with the new team we have, and really enjoy their calls. Mike and Mike were fine, that's it. I feel like they got a lot of criticism in here until they were let go, and then the sentiment changed.

I don't really care if Mike and Mike were good or not. They were Blazers and deserved loyalty.

 

[ABM]

I am glad that you are glad. I know it's your gimmick to act like "newbs" can't post, and then to act all innocent when people point it out saying stuff like "I for one welcome our new alien overlords" or something.

Look, don't take this so seriously man. I got nothing against you. You're obviously a well liked poster here, and I'm literally posting for the 3rd time.

As to your other post (about the picture not even being for me), I guess we got off on the wrong foot. I'm a big enough man to admit that I may have jumped the gun (but you have to admit, you are abrasive at times). I'm sure we'll eventually look back at this, when we're both yelling at the screen because a ref made a bad call, and forget why it is you have a hard time admitting that you are wrong about this.

Welcome!!

 

[Happi]

I can be totally honest with you and will need some help from these geeks on here.......I can't remember a time being wrong on here.

Dang man....I chuckled.

 

[Mediocre Man]

So PA canned Wheeler also?

 

[barfo]

He doesn't say it, but I still believe that the decision was made by Paul Allen. I think he was a Calabro fan from his days watching the Sonics prior to buying the Blazers.

It's possible, but there was only 1 season that Calabro worked the Sonics before Allen bought the blazers.
Would that really have been enough to make Allen hire Calabro almost 30 years later?

barfo

 

[tlongII]

I can be totally honest with you and will need some help from these geeks on here.......I can't remember a time being wrong on here.

Anytime you disagreed with me on here would count.

 

[e_blazer]

It's possible, but there was only 1 season that Calabro worked the Sonics before Allen bought the blazers.
Would that really have been enough to make Allen hire Calabro almost 30 years later?

barfo

I don't know, but I'd guess that PA watched a lot of Sonics games even after he bought the Blazers? Anyway, it seems likely that the order to can Mike & Mike came from high up in the organization given their contract status and their overall popularity.

 

[B-Roy]

I don't hate Lamar and Calabro as much anymore, but they can never replace Mike and Mike.

 

[THE HCP]

Dang man....I chuckled.

Why, did you google a picture of @SlyPokerDog with his shirt off?

 

[The Professional Fan]

If it wasn't McGowen then I feel bad for the incessant shit I gave him on twitter (and subsequent block from him, which, in hindsight, was totally warranted lol)