Another embarassment for the Blazers

After today, I've decided that the Blazers really are intentionally self-destructing their franchise.

In the 80s and 90s, they were a model franchise - other than a notable draft gaffe. The Drexler/Porter Blazers were championship contenders who played the game the right way.

Then the wheels came off. I'm not sure exactly when. Arrest followed arrest. Suspension followed suspension. Embarassment followed embarassment. The team went from championship contender to consistent first-round exiter, and they did it while doing their all to shame the game.

The most recent series of events - and that which prompted this post: Darius Miles explodes on coach Mo Cheeks, using a host of racial epithets. Cheeks demands that the team suspend Miles for the year. They suspend him for two games, even though the incident is very public. To top it off, the Blazers offer to repay Miles his lost wages from those 2 games if he agrees to not protest the suspension via the union.

Today, they fired coach Cheeks.

From my perspective, he was the lone shred of respectability for that franchise. A hard-working player turned hard-working coach who went about things the right way. I admire him as a professional. He turned down the chance to go home to coach Philly because he'd made a commitment to Portland. A man of his word.

The Blazers choose Miles, Randolph, Patterson, Stoudamire et al over coach Mo Cheeks. They disgust me.

[Powerguy]

Originally Posted by IrishHand

He turned down the chance to go home to coach Philly because he'd made a commitment to Portland. A man of his word.

Well put. This is the kind of guy the league needs, but for 'players first' organizations, any coach is just a temporary fix.

[Condors]

I would love to have him back in Philadelphia, Billy King make a phone call!

[Pacersfan46]

It's a damn shame.