ducks
11-09-2005, 08:26 AM
Allen: Blazers committed to youth plan
FACTBOX
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
JASON QUICK
Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen on Monday said he is committed to the team's youth movement and trusts himself not to veer from the rebuilding plan by trading for a veteran to make the team more competitive.
"A transition like this is not something you take lightly," said Allen, who watched Monday's practice before hosting a function at the Portland Art Museum for the team's sponsors.
"We had extensive discussions during the summer about the direction we wanted to take leading up to the draft, and we all looked at each other and said, 'This is the direction we are going to take.' It's a multiyear process, and the fans and I are going to have to be patient with it."
Allen said the Blazers' long-term plan to build around young, and thus less expensive players, is also predicated on the financially changing times of the NBA.
"I think the payrolls of the league have gotten to a level now -- depending on the arena deal and the revenues locally -- where it's more challenging for smaller- and medium-sized markets to justify higher payrolls," Allen said. "That's one of the reasons we and other teams have had to have more modest payrolls."
The Blazers long have carried one of the largest payrolls in the league; in 2001-02 they paid a league-record $104 million in salaries. But this year, general manager John Nash said, their payroll will be just less than $60 million.
Allen acknowledged that other small-market teams, specifically San Antonio and Sacramento, have achieved success without paying astronomical salaries, saying, "That's definitely the direction we are trying to head toward."
Trades already have been a topic this season on the Blazers. Players have suggested roster moves to become more competitive, and unsubstantiated rumors out of New York have suggested the Blazers were looking to acquire expiring contracts from the Knicks. But Allen said his priorities are centered more on the future.
"You want to see (the youth) develop, because often you don't know what you have on your roster until a few years," Allen said.
"The more veteran players . . . team's are always calling other teams, so you have to listen and think, 'Will this make it better two, three, four, five years down the road?' Because this is much less about how this is going to change immediately, but rather, is it a solid change for the franchise down the road, when the younger players are reaching their peak?"
Allen said he was out of the country Saturday, making him a rare no-show for the Blazers' home-opening win over Atlanta, which came down to a referee's call in the final second.
"I can't even remember the last time I wasn't there for opening night, but I watched it on television, and it was great to have our first victory at home," Allen said. "I was trying to remember how many times you see a foul called in the last few seconds to decide a game. . . . You just don't see calls like that very often."
Blazers victories might be a rarity as well, and Allen said he is prepared to accept losing in return for watching the young players develop.
"I think we are all just watching the development of the young players, and how it will evolve," Allen said. "Which players will exceed expectations, which will need more coaching. When you play this many young players, the season is going to be full of ups and downs."
Notes:
Allen made a pledge of $1 million to assist in the needs of those affected by Hurricane Katrina, with a $500,000 donation going to the Red Cross and $500,000 to Gulf Coast charitable organizations. . . . The Blazers and Wells Fargo also raised $253,000 for Mercy Corps through benefits at the team's Fan Fest, a Wells Fargo concert donation and the Pink Martini benefit at the Rose Garden. . . . Forward Darius Miles did not practice Monday because he had fluid on his left knee, coach Nate McMillan said. "I wanted to give him a break, but he's fine," McMillan said.
Jason Quick: 503-221-4372; [email protected]
FACTBOX
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
JASON QUICK
Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen on Monday said he is committed to the team's youth movement and trusts himself not to veer from the rebuilding plan by trading for a veteran to make the team more competitive.
"A transition like this is not something you take lightly," said Allen, who watched Monday's practice before hosting a function at the Portland Art Museum for the team's sponsors.
"We had extensive discussions during the summer about the direction we wanted to take leading up to the draft, and we all looked at each other and said, 'This is the direction we are going to take.' It's a multiyear process, and the fans and I are going to have to be patient with it."
Allen said the Blazers' long-term plan to build around young, and thus less expensive players, is also predicated on the financially changing times of the NBA.
"I think the payrolls of the league have gotten to a level now -- depending on the arena deal and the revenues locally -- where it's more challenging for smaller- and medium-sized markets to justify higher payrolls," Allen said. "That's one of the reasons we and other teams have had to have more modest payrolls."
The Blazers long have carried one of the largest payrolls in the league; in 2001-02 they paid a league-record $104 million in salaries. But this year, general manager John Nash said, their payroll will be just less than $60 million.
Allen acknowledged that other small-market teams, specifically San Antonio and Sacramento, have achieved success without paying astronomical salaries, saying, "That's definitely the direction we are trying to head toward."
Trades already have been a topic this season on the Blazers. Players have suggested roster moves to become more competitive, and unsubstantiated rumors out of New York have suggested the Blazers were looking to acquire expiring contracts from the Knicks. But Allen said his priorities are centered more on the future.
"You want to see (the youth) develop, because often you don't know what you have on your roster until a few years," Allen said.
"The more veteran players . . . team's are always calling other teams, so you have to listen and think, 'Will this make it better two, three, four, five years down the road?' Because this is much less about how this is going to change immediately, but rather, is it a solid change for the franchise down the road, when the younger players are reaching their peak?"
Allen said he was out of the country Saturday, making him a rare no-show for the Blazers' home-opening win over Atlanta, which came down to a referee's call in the final second.
"I can't even remember the last time I wasn't there for opening night, but I watched it on television, and it was great to have our first victory at home," Allen said. "I was trying to remember how many times you see a foul called in the last few seconds to decide a game. . . . You just don't see calls like that very often."
Blazers victories might be a rarity as well, and Allen said he is prepared to accept losing in return for watching the young players develop.
"I think we are all just watching the development of the young players, and how it will evolve," Allen said. "Which players will exceed expectations, which will need more coaching. When you play this many young players, the season is going to be full of ups and downs."
Notes:
Allen made a pledge of $1 million to assist in the needs of those affected by Hurricane Katrina, with a $500,000 donation going to the Red Cross and $500,000 to Gulf Coast charitable organizations. . . . The Blazers and Wells Fargo also raised $253,000 for Mercy Corps through benefits at the team's Fan Fest, a Wells Fargo concert donation and the Pink Martini benefit at the Rose Garden. . . . Forward Darius Miles did not practice Monday because he had fluid on his left knee, coach Nate McMillan said. "I wanted to give him a break, but he's fine," McMillan said.
Jason Quick: 503-221-4372; [email protected]