An email message to Portland Trail Blazers season ticket holders from owner Tom Dundon today, has been getting some buzz. In this exclusive communication, Dundon’s words may put a temporary salve to what feels like a third degree burn that won’t heal. Sean Highkin, of the Rose Garden Report first reported the email’s content.
Dundon opens with the customary reasons Rip City should be fired up for this season, and called the end of last season “the starting point.” He alludes firsts to Portland’s young
core as having not yet hit their ceiling, and feels the veteran additions of Damian Lillard, Ja Morant, and re-signing Robert Williams III are there to help them (aka the young core) take “the next step.” Dundon runs down praise for the younger players before giving Ja, Jrue, RW3, and Dame their flowers.
Taking note of that intentionality, Dundon frames the younger players as the steak, and these specific vets are the seasoning. While the names of the vets might be bigger or carry more weight, this Blazers team would not be in the competitive position its in, without Deni Avdija (25), Toumani Camara (26), and Donovan Clingan (22).
What are Tom’s expectations for this season?
“Micah Nori takes over a team with talent, depth, and momentum. The expectation is straight forward: Compete every night and take another step forward. No Shortcuts.” – Tom Dundon
The team declared last week one of its goals is a 50-win season. That would put them in the hunt for home court advantage in the first round. Making the playoff semifinals would be the natural next step, after losing in the first round last spring. I don’t think Micah Nori has to make the second round of the playoffs or be fired. I do think he’s expected to do a better overall job than Tiago Splitter, and demonstrate he’s laying the foundation for long-term success. I wouldn’t be surprised if Nori unlocks a nice incentive in his contract for making it out of the first round.
He then turns to the Moda Center situation.
On the arena, our focus is the long-term. We’re working to ensure the Moda Center remains one of the best buildings in the NBA. There’s work ahead, and we’ll keep pushing until we get there.
Keep in mind, Dundon went through a similar issue with city of Raleigh and the good state of North Carolina. It took both parties 5 years to come to an arrangement, and it’s been harmonious ever since with the raising of a Stanley Cup Championship banner. There were times the fanbase was worried Dundon might move the Hurricanes out of Carolina, due the the years-long legislative tussle. The last sentence of the quote above, coupled with his early NHL history, gives one hope that he’s focused on getting it right in Portland. Does he care how he’s perceived in the mean time? Apparently not. However, he ends by giving the Portland fanbase something to get excited about.
While the Blazers and their political stakeholders sit at the negotiating table and decide the future of NBA basketball in Portland, Tom Dundon’s statement today sheds some optimism for the upcoming season and beyond. It definitely would have been appreciated when rhetoric in the media was stacking the deck against him, and creating his villain narrative. Is he just being sales-y with this message to his most valuable fans, the season ticket holders? Maybe. However, when you declare “I don’t believe in making promises I can’t back up,” and then follow that up with “championship” and “Portland” in the same sentence, do you take the billionaire for his word?
