17 Comments
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Maverick's avatar

What a great story. I didn't know any of this background and it is fascinating! Oregonian readers must miss you! Spoelstra is one of the coolest guys - hell, he survived LeBron and never blinked. This will be a great series I hope.

Barbara Cameron's avatar

Loved this article. Oh what might have been….but won’t we feel proud and a bit wishful. watching the chase…

jeramy ybarra's avatar

I’ve seen lots of former Blazer coaches and players in these playoffs

Brad Weekly's avatar

The sins of former staff and current ownership are what put the Zers in draft lottery hell. You reap what you sow. Go Celtics.

Craig Gavin's avatar

Proving headlines are not the Whole Story😎

Dan Gemma's avatar

Great story, but I can’t imagine the Blazers Seattle based ownership/management ever giving the keys to the franchise to someone with Portland ties

Bill scharwatt's avatar

Great back story on ‘what might have been’.

Bob B's avatar

very interesting. good insights.

Oldcrankydude's avatar

I am not a sun or maverick fan but it sure felt like one of those team bet for the Mav’s in seven. Really? one of the best over all teams in the NBA is going to lose by 30+? Feels like the fix was on.

Brad Weekly's avatar

Ahem, Tim Donaghy is no longer in the league.

Jim Stewart's avatar

Wonderful stuff.

TJ's avatar

FYI - There are an additional 2 coaches on Boston's staff with Oregon ties. Ben Sullivan went to LO and Garrett Jackson to Westview. Pretty amazing.

John Canzano's avatar

Added it. Thanks for the reminder. Crazy fun.

Mark Gilman's avatar

I love these sort of trivia based stories.

Jjay's avatar

You forgot to mention Nico Harris the GM of the Dallas Mavericks. Another Portland native.

Thomas Elliot's avatar

An outstanding report on the Blazers who are stumbling in the.shadows.

Thev deserve better ownership.