Sitting in the Harry Glickman Room in the underbelly of the Moda Center, the Blazer Booster Club had a sit down chat with the future and the past of Portland Trail Blazers basketball. Long time radio voice of the Blazers and mayor of Rip City, Bill Schonely, was ever charismatic. He was joined by the new President and CEO Chris McGowan, who has been here for around a year but has made waves all around Portland.
To start off the conversation, Schonely joked about how he was the last person left that was on the first Trail Blazers payroll in 1970 and still on the payroll today. Being around the team for all 43 years of its existence give Schonely a perspective that very few others have.
Throughout the course of the 30 minute question and answer session, there were great stories from the past, plans for the present and excitement for the future. Out of all the tidbits that came from the conversations, the major thing that stuck out to me was the 100% bode of confidence that Schonely placed upon McGowan, General Manager Neil Olshey, this current team and the organization as a whole moving in the future. He reiterated over and over again how smart he thought the front office was and how the general direction the team is moving in is extremely positive.
I realize that Schonely may be a little biased as he is a paid employee of the franchise but the general optimism that exudes from him and everyone else I have been in contact with within the organization has been really surprising. After a 2-2 start, you could expect some questions about whether or not this is an improved team, especially after being dismantled by James Harden, Dwight Howard and the Houston Rockets. However this is more than a 4-game plan; this is more than a 1-season plan; this is a plan for the team leading into the future.
In the city of Portland, it is common knowledge that the Blazers have been the only major professional sports team around for years. This has major benefits and major downfalls. One of those downfalls is this fan base tends to live in the past and dwell on the successes and failures of past teams. When a team underachieves, the fans wonder why it can't be like the championship team of '77 or the Clyde Drexler teams of the '90's. When a player has even slight trouble with the law (i.e. Thomas Robinson speeding ticket a couple weeks ago), you hear all kinds of moaning and assuming we are jumping right back into a "Jail Blazer" era. If someone has a slight injury, they revert back to memories of Brandon Roy, Greg Oden, etc.
However, at the same time, the organization led by Olshey and McGowan are moving full speed ahead into the future. The building they play in now has a new name, the concession choices are much more diversified and more "Portland,” the team has a new coach and building around young talent. To compare this team and organization to any of the past Trail Blazers teams is a hollow comparison. The city, colors and pinwheel may be the same but aside from that it is apples to oranges.
Whether this team is a playoff team or lottery team this year, the future is bright. As we look to the future we see the leader that Damian Lillard is becoming, the well rounded game of Nicolas Batum, the All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge, the intelligent and motivated front office and ever passionate fan base. With so much to look forward to, there is no time to look back.
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