(06-07-2017 07:31 PM)dbackjon Wrote:  

(06-07-2017 04:19 PM)ThunderDan49 Wrote:  

(06-07-2017 02:34 PM)dbackjon Wrote:  Blazers aren't going anywhere.


I am sure the Arizona Coyotes to Seattle rumors will begin again.

Blazers makes moving makes more sense than adding a team. For starters, the owner of the blazers is open to making the move. Second, the NBA owners don't want to have to split the pie up even more. Third, a bigger market allows the Blazers to keep their stars from going elsewhere because Portland isn't that big of a sports market and what superstar wants to come or stay in Portland. Lastly, the league is really only in position to add one team right now and it would throw off the numbers in the divisions and conferences.

Paul Allen (Seahawks owner, is the owner of the Blazers) has made no such indication. Any rumblings are from one sports columnist speculating.

Paul Allen's actions speak louder than words. He has hired a bunch of former faces of the SuperSonics. Management gets tearse and snappy when it is even remotely suggested in a question that they will move the team. It is understanding people's actions over what they say.

Not sure PA would move the biggest ticket in PDX plus he owns Moda Center. How would he fill up those dates? I mean we are talking about one of the wealthiest ppl in all the Earth so I know he wouldn't be hurting for the cash but he didn't get to be in his situation by making emotional decisions. The writer who has suggested that the Blazers are moving is kind of a crackpot too.

(06-07-2017 10:10 PM)Lopes87 Wrote:  Not sure PA would move the biggest ticket in PDX plus he owns Moda Center. How would he fill up those dates? I mean we are talking about one of the wealthiest ppl in all the Earth so I know he wouldn't be hurting for the cash but he didn't get to be in his situation by making emotional decisions. The writer who has suggested that the Blazers are moving is kind of a crackpot too.

Steve Ballmer and the Clippers are 5000x more likely to move to Seattle than the Blazers. And that isnt happening either (even though everyone knows they should)

(06-07-2017 12:33 PM)ThunderDan49 Wrote:  Both the NHL and NBA said they wouldn't talk about coming to Seattle until the arena is built. Build it and I am pretty sure they will come. On the NBA side I think it would be wise to move the Blazers up to Seattle because it gives them a bigger market and allows them to attract and retain free agents. NHL will likely expand to 32 to make the conferences even.

The Blazers are loved in Portland. Don't let the rivalry cloud your judgement.

(06-08-2017 07:39 AM)theultimateaggie Wrote:  

(06-07-2017 12:33 PM)ThunderDan49 Wrote:  Both the NHL and NBA said they wouldn't talk about coming to Seattle until the arena is built. Build it and I am pretty sure they will come. On the NBA side I think it would be wise to move the Blazers up to Seattle because it gives them a bigger market and allows them to attract and retain free agents. NHL will likely expand to 32 to make the conferences even.

The Blazers are loved in Portland. Don't let the rivalry cloud your judgement.

I'm not a fan of any Seattle sports, so it definitely isn't clouding my judgment. I'm saying that the NBA is going to move a team if it goes back to Seattle and I think that team is the Blazers because in my opinion it makes the most sense.

(06-08-2017 10:31 AM)ThunderDan49 Wrote:  

(06-08-2017 07:39 AM)theultimateaggie Wrote:  

(06-07-2017 12:33 PM)ThunderDan49 Wrote:  Both the NHL and NBA said they wouldn't talk about coming to Seattle until the arena is built. Build it and I am pretty sure they will come. On the NBA side I think it would be wise to move the Blazers up to Seattle because it gives them a bigger market and allows them to attract and retain free agents. NHL will likely expand to 32 to make the conferences even.

The Blazers are loved in Portland. Don't let the rivalry cloud your judgement.

I'm not a fan of any Seattle sports, so it definitely isn't clouding my judgment. I'm saying that the NBA is going to move a team if it goes back to Seattle and I think that team is the Blazers because in my opinion it makes the most sense.

The NBA already got enough backlash for moving a historic, decades old franchise to a tiny city. They're not going to do that again especially to that teams old rival city (sans tiny city)

Portland has an arena, loyal fans, history, no pro teams to compete with. There is nothing wrong with Portland. They arent moving. And we in Seattle dont want them. Thats our old rival.... itd be like the Raiders moving to San Diego

Plus, Seattle would not support the Blazers. They would support an expansion franchise.

An Expansion franchise that will select Kevin Durant in 2019 Expansion draft after he has won a few rings with Golden State.

(06-08-2017 12:37 PM)dbackjon Wrote:  Plus, Seattle would not support the Blazers. They would support an expansion franchise.

An Expansion franchise that will select Kevin Durant in 2019 Expansion draft after he has won a few rings with Golden State.

Lol you really think that Golden State would leave him unprotected.

That would never happen but what a great story that would be. I would gain a little respect for Durant which is currently at 0.

(06-08-2017 12:58 AM)SeattleVandals Wrote:  

(06-07-2017 10:10 PM)Lopes87 Wrote:  Not sure PA would move the biggest ticket in PDX plus he owns Moda Center. How would he fill up those dates? I mean we are talking about one of the wealthiest ppl in all the Earth so I know he wouldn't be hurting for the cash but he didn't get to be in his situation by making emotional decisions. The writer who has suggested that the Blazers are moving is kind of a crackpot too.

Steve Ballmer and the Clippers are 5000x more likely to move to Seattle than the Blazers. And that isnt happening either (even though everyone knows they should)

That would be a good move I think. And the Clippers name will fit for Seattle. But LA is too big to give up the whole area to the Lakers.

(06-08-2017 01:08 PM)ThunderDan49 Wrote:  

(06-08-2017 12:37 PM)dbackjon Wrote:  Plus, Seattle would not support the Blazers. They would support an expansion franchise.

An Expansion franchise that will select Kevin Durant in 2019 Expansion draft after he has won a few rings with Golden State.

Lol you really think that Golden State would leave him unprotected.

Depends on what Durant wants. He could structure a new contract to allow him to opt that way.

At some point, salary/luxury tax will catch up with GS. Unless all the stars are willing to play for below market, they can't keep everyone.

They are all going to play below market value and win a million championships.

(06-08-2017 12:37 PM)dbackjon Wrote:  Plus, Seattle would not support the Blazers. They would support an expansion franchise.

An Expansion franchise that will select Kevin Durant in 2019 Expansion draft after he has won a few rings with Golden State.

I think Seattle would prefer expansion but wouldn't be picky if they got a retread team. But whatever team is in Seattle will have to be called the Sonics and rock green and gold.

Hockey seems the most likely. Las Vegas already made a 31st, 15 in West, 16 in East, and Seattle makes sense. And I think that is what Seattle should be aiming for.

Basketball I don't see. NBA not looking to expand. It would have to be a lure. Smaller market Kings (unlikely, just built state of the art arena) and Trailblazers (logical target - owner is Paul Allen of Miscrosoft) make the most sense. Their lease and title sponsorship on the Moda Center runs through 2022-23 season, so they are there for the next 6 years. They could put a D-League team there in a few years. The thing is, you are probably looking at a Hockey first venue.

(06-08-2017 03:07 PM)dbackjon Wrote:  

(06-08-2017 01:08 PM)ThunderDan49 Wrote:  

(06-08-2017 12:37 PM)dbackjon Wrote:  Plus, Seattle would not support the Blazers. They would support an expansion franchise.

An Expansion franchise that will select Kevin Durant in 2019 Expansion draft after he has won a few rings with Golden State.

Lol you really think that Golden State would leave him unprotected.

Depends on what Durant wants. He could structure a new contract to allow him to opt that way.

At some point, salary/luxury tax will catch up with GS. Unless all the stars are willing to play for below market, they can't keep everyone.

Two points:

No expansion is coming in the NBA. The league is allowing 2 guys to be optioned to the D-League, which means 17 players per team, not 15. So the Union effectively added 2 teams of players without diluting the product.

The Warriors have a core of 5 players (Curry, Green, Thompson, Igoudala, Durant) who basically committed to being together for 3 years. The Warriors will push right up to the Luxury tax line, and may even cross over a bit the next couple years to make it happen. Green and Thompson are under contract for 3 and 2 more years, Durant has signaled he'll do another shorty contract and take less than Max (we are talking $29M instead of $30.6M, as his current option is $27.7M). Curry might demand the full $35.7M Super max, or he might take Max $30.6M. Igoudala for his part is looking at a final 2 year deal for $20-25M, and then he'll retire. Andre has indicated he plans to work in Silicon Valley with investor friends he has linked up with the last few years (note: Patrick Willis, former 49er All-Pro LB is doing that, and surprisingly he is on the Engineering side). So the League can look forward to these 5 being here for the next 2 years together at least.

When Igoudala retires, McCaw is likely to take his role, and he looks very promising. His contract will be at renewal and a big raise. The dilemma the team will have is to pay Thompson and trade Green or let Thompson go. So that will be the first break up in 2019. My guess is they are hoping a draft pick will shine by then who can step in his role. They keep drafting PF/SF/C rim protectors and so far none has shown much - they cut them loose after 3 years.

What the league has to realize, is while Curry is super special, and Durant is a monster, the rest of the team is no better than other players. It's the system. You can play Westbrook, Paul, Anthony type ball and never win anything. The key is sharing the ball and playing team defense. The Spurs with less talent than the Warriors have now rode the same formula to success. And a big part of it is work atmosphere. Ask anyone which locker room is better to be in, especially if you are a marginal player, and they all say the Warriors and Spurs (Rockets are getting that rep as well). Everyone says it sucks at the Cavs, Thunder, Clippers, Knicks.