HoopsHype.com Rumors

Jason recently spoke with NBA Commissioner David Stern and he comes on the BFT to reveal what he learned from his interview. He talks about the rumors surrounding Paul Allen possibly selling the Blazers. He reports that Paul Allen told the commissioner he does not want referrals for possible buyers. He discusses why Commissioner Stern believes that Paul Allen is as motivated to win as he has ever seen him. Jason also provides an update on where the Blazers are in the team’s general manager search. KXL.com

Portland Trail Blazers, Paul Allen, David Stern, Owners 

The general manager search continues for the Portland Trail Blazers as owner Paul Allen recently interviewed two GM candidates – former New Orleans Hornets GM Jeff Bower and current Indiana Pacers GM David Morway. Trail Blazers' president, Larry Miller, says they're not done conducting interviews and the plan is to have at least three candidates sit down with Allen before it's all said and done. “We'll keep interviewing,” Miller told CSNNW.com. CSNNW.com

Portland Trail Blazers, Paul Allen, Larry Miller, Jeff Bower, David Morway 

The meeting took place in the lobby of a downtown skyscraper Friday afternoon. I was asked to meet informally with a three-member team of local well-connected political strategists and public relations experts. People so influential and well placed they're typically busy getting initiatives passed and politicians elected. And what they told me floored me. They believe the Trail Blazers are for sale. They also believe the next NBA owner is right under our noses. Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, Paul Allen 

Not according to Blazers owner Paul Allen. He stated as much in an open letter to Blazers fans this week. He couldn't have been any clearer with his love and commitment for the Blazers. And it's exactly what I wanted, and needed, to hear from Allen. The team isn't for sale. He's focused on rebuilding and hiring a general manager. But the group asked me to hold that thought, and consider floating a trial balloon to the basketball fans of this city. Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, Paul Allen 

So here it goes: Were you disappointed or thrilled when Allen announced he wasn't entertaining offers? When or if Allen does someday sell, what kind of owner would you want? And why hasn't Merritt Paulson crossed anyone's mind as the next Blazers owner? Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, Paul Allen 

Indiana Pacers general manager and Portland Trail Blazers GM candidate, David Morway, who is expected to meet with owner Paul Allen today, has an interesting past that found him being sued by one of his former clients back when he was an agent representing professional athletes. This 2005 San Diego Union-Tribune reports former San Diego Padres pitcher Greg W. Harris, filed a lawsuit against Morway for “fraud” and “racketeering” in 1999 and an undisclosed settlement was agreed upon. Soon after, Morway left the agent business and joined the Pacers' staff the following year. CSNNW.com

Indiana Pacers, Portland Trail Blazers, Paul Allen, David Morway 

Morway's agent, Steve Kauffman, told CSNNW.com that he knew nothing of this and refused to comment on anything further. Brent Schrotenboer, who reported this suit seven years ago, says he contacted the Pacers regarding this matter and they dismissed it. CSNNW.com

Indiana Pacers, Portland Trail Blazers, Paul Allen, David Morway 

The Portland Trail Blazers' year-long search for a new general manager has continued in earnest, as sources said owner Paul Allen met with former Hornets general manager Jeff Bower last week and Pacers general manager David Morway will meet with team officials on Wednesday. Blazers president Larry Miller told local media on Monday that Allen had met with a candidate last week, but Bower's identity was not revealed. Morway had previously indicated that he was focused on the Pacers' playoffs, but Indiana downed Orlando in the first round and the break in action before the second round allowed him to discuss the opportunity. SI.com

Portland Trail Blazers, Paul Allen, Jeff Bower 

Sam Amick: Source says the mystery man who interviewed with Portland owner Paul Allen in Portland last week was former New Orleans GM Jeff Bower. Twitter

Portland Trail Blazers, Paul Allen, Jeff Bower 

Former general manager of the New Orleans Hornets, Jeff Bower, is “very intrigued” by the Portland Trail Blazers' GM vacancy, according to a source familiar with his thinking. The source also says Bower “would definitely be interested in interviewing for the position” if the Trail Blazers made a call. CSNNW.com

Portland Trail Blazers, Paul Allen, Jeff Bower 

Executives whom I've reached out to about Bower's interest in the Trail Blazers says he's a people-person who gets along with other general managers, very tolerable with agents, a perfect character fit to work along side owner Paul Allen, and well respected throughout the league. CSNNW.com

Portland Trail Blazers, Paul Allen 

Jason Quick: Paul Allen also confirms he conducted his first interview for the general manager position and "ideally" have a hire by June 28 draft Twitter

Portland Trail Blazers, Draft, Paul Allen 

He is not selling the team, is hoping to have a new general manager in place by the June 28 NBA draft and wants to get the Trail Blazers “back on a path to being a top echelon team,” but in a manner that is financially “judicious” and “sustainable.” Those are some of the highlights of a 1,140-word commentary written by Blazers owner Paul Allen and posted on the team’s website Tuesday. The piece features Allen's most expansive comments on the Blazers since the team's March 15 franchise-changing moves that included firing coach Nate McMillan and trading two starters. Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, Paul Allen 

Jason Quick: Donnie Walsh on Monday said he has NOT interviewed with Allen: "I have had no contact with the Blazers and certainly haven't interviewed.'' Twitter

Portland Trail Blazers, Paul Allen, Donnie Walsh 

Adrian Wojnarowski: "There's a lot of guys capable of doing the job and doing it well. There's more than one out there. They just need to pick one. They just need to hire one. This has gone on for a long time. They've had a lot rejection, quietly, a lot of rejection. "They checked in with a few standing GMs in the league. I think the feeling among GMs everywhere - on the surface, it's an attractive job. Resources, unbelievable fanbase, history, an owner who is willing to spend historically. All of those things. The ownership situation - people aren't sure about it. Is [Paul Allen] going to keep the team? Is he going to sell it? And then obviously, the layers of bureaucracy in being the GM there. Whether it's dealing with the people in Seattle, whether it's the role [president] Larry Miller is going to have. Paul Allen obviously. Blazers Edge

Portland Trail Blazers, Paul Allen, Larry Miller 

So they settle for a No. 2 guy? Adrian Wojnarowski: "Yeah, that's who I think it will end up being. An assistant GM, a number two guy somewhere. "It was reported out there about David Morway from Indiana. He's very good. I think Indiana - that's a good model for a lot of teams. The way they built that Pacers team, through the draft, some smart trades. That Pacers group, when you look where those guys were picked - I can't give Indiana enough credit. When you're picking in that 10-11 to 17-18 range, you don't get many impact players, and they have. They've put together a good group, a playoff team, drafting not in great spots. From Roy Hibbert to Danny Granger to Tyler Hansbrough, the George Hill trade was tremendous. I think David Morway would be a good GM for Portland. For me, it's how much more rejection are they willing to take publicly? Blazers Edge

Portland Trail Blazers, Paul Allen, Larry Miller 

Because on Wednesday, I realized I should have said this: "Beware of Angry Billionaires." Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen threw a haymaker at me via Twitter while he was apparently en route to his team's final home basketball game of the NBA season. He linked to his own PaulAllen.com website that featured a four-photograph strip titled "The Four Stages of reading a John Canzano column about the Portland Trail Blazers." Included were four photographs of a Dumbo octopus that Allen recently encountered, complete with clever captions that jabbed at this columnist. Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, Media, Paul Allen 

When I saw it, I was pleased to learn that Allen continues to read my column. Also, fascinated by the cool photographs of the odd- looking octopus. Also, confused as to why the Blazers owner believes I am either a floppy-eared octopus or that my reach extends to the bottom of the Ironbottom Sound. (I assure you, Mr. Allen, my bald head is the generally accepted running insult around here. Also, if the octopi were aware you still hadn't hired a GM, they would never appear this peaceful in the wild.) Mostly, I was disappointed that in all Allen's creative expression, the guy who nicknamed himself "Idea Man" failed to do the one thing that most of us care to know. You know, share an idea. I ask in the column: "You in or out?" Allen replies: "Have you seen this octopus?" Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, Media, Paul Allen 

By the way, whoever runs the Trail Blazers Inc., Twitter account saw the Allen shot at me and immediately retweeted it to the team's 75,000-plus followers. This is as viral as it gets around here. Some who saw it laughed. Some shook their heads. Some weren't sure what to do. One guy tweeted out, "Fight! Fight! Fight!" Others, savvy with computers, rummaged around Allen's personal website and found his mother's booklist for him, some of his sister's stuff, and a random smattering of Allen's videos and photographs. Deadspin, a blog read by the sports universe, called Allen's creation "a rage comic" even as I have a difficult time imagining the somber guy I've encountered in the hallway after Blazers games filled with that kind of emotional response. I must be under Allen's skin. Not my intention at all with the column. Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, Media, Paul Allen 

Executives whom I've reached out to about Bower's interest in the Trail Blazers says he's a people-person who gets along with other general managers, very tolerable with agents, a perfect character fit to work along side owner Paul Allen, and well respected throughout the league. CSNNW.com

Portland Trail Blazers, Paul Allen, Jeff Bower