Quick Question

[RoyIsClutch07]

Why do you think the blazers chose this year to mess around with contract negotiations in the manner they are? You know, back ten years ago, the Rasheed Wallace's, Jermaine Oneal's, Jeff McInnis, Ruben Patterson's, Damon Stoudemire's didn't have to work THIS hard to get a contract signed by Paul Allen. You look up and down this roster and the kind of players he has, if there was ever a model franchise for the league. This would be it. With the type of talent, character is involved. Why do you all feel Paul Allen has decided to complicate the process now, this year, with this group?

I personally think it's a negative that LMA was set into the season, in limbo, without a contract signed and not knowing what is going to happen day to day. But it's not just his contract, it was Roy's too. I don't know why, but I have this deep suspician if they bring this same kind of negotiation next year to the table with Oden. In the end, they won't get him signed.

I just want to know why Allen has decided to change the way he does business so much with the crew and players he now has on hand.

Makes no sense to me. If I wouldn't know better, I would say he does thing purprosely to destroy himself in business. This is just another potential example of it.

 

[Tince]

The collective bargaining agreement, economy, and NBA profit margins have all changed a lot in the last ten years. Some of that is due to the fact that owners (such as Paul Allen) were just giving anyone and everyone money. It's the reason the Blazers were severely in the red for many years.

Getting way over the salary and signing players to large contracts restricts the flexibility of your roster and can cause you to go into a long-term drought.

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

The collective bargaining agreement, economy, and NBA profit margins have all changed a lot in the last ten years. Some of that is due to the fact that owners (such as Paul Allen) were just giving anyone and everyone money. It's the reason the Blazers were severely in the red for many years.

Getting way over the salary and signing players to large contracts restricts the flexibility of your roster and can cause you to go into a long-term drought.

So you're saying this has nothing to do with the way Paul Allen is running the Portland Trail Blazers now compared to the way he did ten years ago?

 

[Tince]

So you're saying this has nothing to do with the way Paul Allen is running the Portland Trail Blazers now compared to the way he did ten years ago?

No, it's a combination of global factors and Paul Allen getting smarter.

I believe Paul Allen wants to break even and more importantly, maintain a flexible roster that would allow the Blazers to stay out of the lottery for 5 straight years.

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

No, it's a combination of global factors and Paul Allen getting smarter.

I believe Paul Allen wants to break even and more importantly, maintain a flexible roster that would allow the Blazers to stay out of the lottery for 5 straight years.

But at what cost? So far it hasn't cost him anything. That doesn't mean it won't. I would think there would have to be some kind of middle ground in the way he did his business then and how he is doing it now. I think what is convaluting things right now for him is Vulcan. I think Vulcan has really tightened things up and I'm not sure it's needed. I think Paul could break even without the convuluted process Vulcan has.

 

[STOMP]

I think Paul could break even without the convuluted process Vulcan has.

based on what exactly...

STOMP

 

[Tince]

But at what cost? So far it hasn't cost him anything. That doesn't mean it won't. I would think there would have to be some kind of middle ground in the way he did his business then and how he is doing it now. I think what is convaluting things right now for him is Vulcan. I think Vulcan has really tightened things up and I'm not sure it's needed. I think Paul could break even without the convuluted process Vulcan has.

I think you're seeing the middle ground between what he used to do and how the Donald Sterlings of the world run their teams.

If/when Paul Allen is no longer the owner of the Blazers, I think you'll realize how lucky we are to have the "frugal" Paul Allen.

It's easy to spend other peoples money. Just curious, how are you contributing to the financial health of the Blazers? I don't mean this as an attack on you.

 

[Big Frame]

How many Championships did Rasheed Wallace, Jermaine Oneal, Jeff McInnis, Ruben Patterson and Damon Stoudemire bring the city of Portland? Maybe you need to look at the bigger picture?

 

[THE HCP]

He has lost a ton of money since 1999 if I'm not mistaken. That and the state of the economy has to weigh heavily on the situation.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Why do you think the blazers chose this year to mess around with contract negotiations in the manner they are? You know, back ten years ago, the Rasheed Wallace's, Jermaine Oneal's, Jeff McInnis, Ruben Patterson's, Damon Stoudemire's didn't have to work THIS hard to get a contract signed by Paul Allen. You look up and down this roster and the kind of players he has, if there was ever a model franchise for the league. This would be it. With the type of talent, character is involved. Why do you all feel Paul Allen has decided to complicate the process now, this year, with this group?

I personally think it's a negative that LMA was set into the season, in limbo, without a contract signed and not knowing what is going to happen day to day. But it's not just his contract, it was Roy's too. I don't know why, but I have this deep suspician if they bring this same kind of negotiation next year to the table with Oden. In the end, they won't get him signed.

I just want to know why Allen has decided to change the way he does business so much with the crew and players he now has on hand.

Makes no sense to me. If I wouldn't know better, I would say he does thing purprosely to destroy himself in business. This is just another potential example of it.

McInnis and Patterson weren't that highly paid. O'Neal didn't start making the really big bucks until he went to Indiana. Sheed was overpaid, but at least he was productive. Damon was the only indefensible deal of that bunch.

Now, if you want to talk about Miles and Theo....those were idiotic contracts!

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

based on what exactly...

STOMP

Based on their track record here in negotiating some of these contracts.

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

I think you're seeing the middle ground between what he used to do and how the Donald Sterlings of the world run their teams.

If/when Paul Allen is no longer the owner of the Blazers, I think you'll realize how lucky we are to have the "frugal" Paul Allen.

It's easy to spend other peoples money. Just curious, how are you contributing to the financial health of the Blazers? I don't mean this as an attack on you.

I go to games periodically.

I just hope the now frugal Paul Allen does not burn any bridges with the new way of conducting business. LaMarcus can't be happy with the way the negotations are going. Scratch that, we know he is not happy on how the negotations are going. There is a process in place now that wasn't in place ten years ago. Where Paul Allen used to be very willing to put out the money without the process. That has all changed. I think he and Vulcan have complicated the process in negotiating contracts. It's not a matter of Larry Miller having full control. Or Kevin Pritchard having full control. They go through Vulcan and Allen. I thought you hired your presidents and gms to do things like this. I think if it was left up to Miller and Pritchard both Roy and Aldridge would have been a signed a month ago. All this and still managing to break even.

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

McInnis and Patterson weren't that highly paid. O'Neal didn't start making the really big bucks until he went to Indiana. Sheed was overpaid, but at least he was productive. Damon was the only indefensible deal of that bunch.

Now, if you want to talk about Miles and Theo....those were idiotic contracts!

The difference is those players did not have to pull tooth and hair to get a contract done. I'm not sure there was a "process" when those contracts were signed.

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

He has lost a ton of money since 1999 if I'm not mistaken. That and the state of the economy has to weigh heavily on the situation.

But here is the thing. Eventually, the players will get what they want. They just have to go through the process. Eventually, Paul Allen is going to end up spending probably the same amount of money as he would have if he just would have caved in at the beginning of negotaitions. My point is why would you put your players through this kind of hardship when we know what kind of guys they are now compared to what they were like ten years ago?

Just take care of them Paul. No need to burn bridges.

 

[barfo]

There is a process in place now that wasn't in place ten years ago. Where Paul Allen used to be very willing to put out the money without the process.

And you think that was a good thing?

That has all changed. I think he and Vulcan have complicated the process in negotiating contracts. It's not a matter of Larry Miller having full control. Or Kevin Pritchard having full control. They go through Vulcan and Allen. I thought you hired your presidents and gms to do things like this. I think if it was left up to Miller and Pritchard both Roy and Aldridge would have been a signed a month ago.

Do you have any evidence that Vulcan is involved in the contract negotiations, or are you just speculating?

barfo

 

[STOMP]

Based on their track record here in negotiating some of these contracts.

in other words you've no idea what you're talking about. I know that sounds harsh, but come on... to understand whether how a business is doing financially you need real access to both sides of the ledger.

STOMP

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

And you think that was a good thing?



Do you have any evidence that Vulcan is involved in the contract negotiations, or are you just speculating?

barfo

Do I? I can only go buy reports. And yes, I'm sure they are part of the process. We know Tod Leiweke is.

Do I think that was a good thing? No. But he spent money very irresponsibly back then with the help of a very irresponsible GM in Bob Whitsitt. Bob had a blank check. But not every president will do business the way Bob did. You hire good people, that know what they are doing to handle the financial part of the business. To make good financial decsions. When you add Vulcan into the mix you complicate things. I don't believe for one moment that Larry Miller and Kevin Pritchard can make a decision on the terms of a contract. They might be an advisor but an ultimate decision maker.

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

in other words you've no idea what you're talking about. I know that sounds harsh, but come on... to understand whether how a business is doing financially you need real access to both sides of the ledger.

STOMP

I can only go by reports. Reports suggest they are involved.

 

[Ed O]

I think you're seeing the middle ground between what he used to do and how the Donald Sterlings of the world run their teams.

If/when Paul Allen is no longer the owner of the Blazers, I think you'll realize how lucky we are to have the "frugal" Paul Allen.

+1000.

Paul Allen might be the best owner of professional sports in the world. I don't see how he could be better for the Blazers and the franchise's fans...

Ed O.

 

[Minstrel]

I can only go by reports. Reports suggest they are involved.

[citation needed]

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

+1000.

Paul Allen might be the best owner of professional sports in the world. I don't see how he could be better for the Blazers and the franchise's fans...

Ed O.

By removing Vulcan and trusting his president and gm to do the job. After all, thats what they are there for.

But I agree he is a good owner. But I think he complicates things for himself needlessly.

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

[citation needed]

We know Tod Lewieke is part of the "process". He oversees both the blazers and seahawks.

 

[barfo]

Do I? I can only go buy reports.

Well, by all means, go buy as many as you can afford and let us know what they say.

And yes, I'm sure they are part of the process. We know Tod Leiweke is.

I don't believe for one moment that Larry Miller and Kevin Pritchard can make a decision on the terms of a contract.

Maybe I missed it - it wouldn't be the first time - but I've never seen any hints in the press that they don't have authority to negotiate the contracts.

barfo

 

[Minstrel]

We know Tod Lewieke is part of the "process". He oversees both the blazers and seahawks.

That says absolutely nothing about whether Allen could break even without the process, as you alleged and claimed you had figured out from "reports."

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

Well, by all means, go buy as many as you can afford and let us know what they say.





Maybe I missed it - it wouldn't be the first time - but I've never seen any hints in the press that they don't have authority to negotiate the contracts.

barfo

I think and believe they make the final decision. It should be clear as day. We know they handle the financial part of the business in their office. We know that the CEO of both the blazers and seahawks is located in that office. Why wouldn't he be part of the process? Why wouldn't the numbers and terms come from that office? If it didn't, what would be the real purpose for Vulcan?

 

[Draco]

Restricted free agency is another major factor. Back when Sheed and Damon were given huge deals there was more fear that they'd leave for another team, now that just isn't the case for quality young players. They can always get the most from their current team, so they always stay put.

If Aldridge doesn't want to accept a $10 million per year extension because he thinks he is worth more then he should go out and prove it this season. There isn't any incentive for the team to hand out extra money now when they can surely sign him to a similar deal next summer.

Paul Allen handing out huge deals in the past, such as the Miles deal, hurt this franchise. I'm glad the team is more careful. If anything I thought they were far to generous with Roy, there was no reason to give him a player option. There is no way he would have turned down a max 5 year deal next offseason and left for a team who couldn't pay him as much. I suspect the team decided to give in for PR reasons, the cost in ticket revenue and negative press would hurt the team so as a result Roy was able to cash in.

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

That says absolutely nothing about whether Allen could break even without the process, as you alleged and claimed you had figured out from "reports."

Paul Allen can break even by removing the organization and hiring good people to do the things they do.

 

[barfo]

I think and believe they make the final decision.

Some here think and believe the earth is 6000 years old. Doesn't make it so.

It should be clear as day. We know they handle the financial part of the business in their office. We know that the CEO of both the blazers and seahawks is located in that office. Why wouldn't he be part of the process? Why wouldn't the numbers and terms come from that office? If it didn't, what would be the real purpose for Vulcan?

Well, first of all Vulcan is a lot bigger than the Seahawks and Blazers. So there would be plenty of purpose for it even if Paul sold the sports teams. Secondly, the fact that KP and Miller have a boss doesn't prove that they have no decision making power. There's no reason to assume that the boss can't delegate.

barfo

 

[barfo]

Paul Allen can break even by removing the organization and hiring good people to do the things they do.

So are you saying that people at Vulcan aren't good at what they do? What do you base that on?

barfo

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

Restricted free agency is another major factor. Back when Sheed and Damon were given huge deals there was more fear that they'd leave for another team, now that just isn't the case for quality young players. They can always get the most from their current team, so they always stay put.

If Aldridge doesn't want to accept a $10 million per year extension because he thinks he is worth more then he should go out and prove it this season. There isn't any incentive for the team to hand out extra money now when they can surely sign him to a similar deal next summer.

Paul Allen handing out huge deals in the past, such as the Miles deal, hurt this franchise. I'm glad the team is more careful. If anything I thought they were far to generous with Roy, there was no reason to give him a player option. There is no way he would have turned down a max 5 year deal next offseason and left for a team who couldn't pay him as much. I suspect the team decided to give in for PR reasons, the cost in ticket revenue and negative press would hurt the team so as a result Roy was able to cash in.

I'm very glad they are careful too. My point is this, you can hire talented, smart business men to fill the void at president and gm that would have a firm understanding of what it take to break a profit without convuluting things in adding in a silly organization from Seattle. That should have been Paul's move from the beginning. Now, the players and organization are stranded in the middle of a "process".