Quick: Tom Penn Fired by Trail Blazers
Jason Quick of The Oregonian breaks the biggest Blazers story of 2010...
-------------------------
Tom Penn, the right-hand man of general manager Kevin Pritchard, has been fired by the Trail Blazers, The Oregonian has learned. Tuesday's decision comes nearly 10 months after Penn was promoted to vice president of basketball operations.
It is unknown why Penn was fired, but it is believed to have come from owner Paul Allen and not Pritchard.
-------------------------
As recently as the Sloan Sports Analytics Conference less than two weeks ago, General Manager Kevin Pritchard and Tom Penn were interacting amicably.
Penn also attended Sunday night's game against the Toronto Raptors in Portland and mingled with both media and team personnel prior to tip.
Penn's charity -- Hoops For St. Jude -- has also been conducting a league-wide fundraising initiative this month.
-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter
PS Thanks to cLaRkY for getting it first in the FanShots.
almost 2 years ago
Ben Golliver
233 comments
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Comments
Wow
That is pretty shocking.
I hope I can get a bunch of championships, like 15. " - Greg Oden
by mxpx5678 on Mar 16, 2010 7:02 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
HUH???
I really wonder what he did??? I am very curious to see how this story unravels…
RUDY > MJ
Thank you KP
The timing makes me think this might be because of something other than incompetence…
RUDY > MJ
Thank you KP
damon stoudamires attic
3/7/10 - Andre Miller Tomahawk jams on the Denver Nuggets.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-JVgm7F1QA
1/4/10 - Juwan Howard dunks on Chris Kaman.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTkOqDgLb6s
by Eat Politicians on Mar 16, 2010 7:46 PM PDT up reply actions
Yikes.
Let’s speculate and start rumors. I bet he forgot to take care of someones pet while on vacation and it died.
Haha.
Actually, that’s not funny.
When I was little I forgot to take care of the neighbor’s 18 year old cat for a week. Fortunately it survived.
once they get that old you don't even have to feed them
they survive on crotchety alone
I was blinded to that by sick alley-oops and facials
not to mention Greg crotchifyin’ suckas
by Tyler Durrden on Mar 16, 2010 7:41 PM PDT up reply actions
He must have done something with PA's wife
Heartbroken..... Our goats have escaped.
by Starvin' Marvin on Mar 16, 2010 7:08 PM PDT reply actions
Which one?
" It was as if the Suns hatched a fiendish plot to ruin John Wayne's movie career by casting him as a cowboy." - Dave 2/10/2010
pa's married?
thought for sure he was not
by bunk moreland on Mar 16, 2010 7:14 PM PDT up reply actions
he's not
I was blinded to that by sick alley-oops and facials
not to mention Greg crotchifyin’ suckas
by Tyler Durrden on Mar 16, 2010 7:41 PM PDT up reply actions
he's married
to his lamborghini…which penn scratched.
3/7/10 - Andre Miller Tomahawk jams on the Denver Nuggets.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-JVgm7F1QA
1/4/10 - Juwan Howard dunks on Chris Kaman.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTkOqDgLb6s
by Eat Politicians on Mar 16, 2010 7:46 PM PDT up reply actions
I bet he has a Bugatti Veyron over a Lambo
I was blinded to that by sick alley-oops and facials
not to mention Greg crotchifyin’ suckas
by Tyler Durrden on Mar 16, 2010 7:47 PM PDT up reply actions
The 1961 Ferrari 250GT California. Less than a hundred were made. Paul Allen spent three years restoring that car. It is his love, it is his passion.
dinasour type of guys choir boys
Um-bopp-bopp chik chika-chika
I was blinded to that by sick alley-oops and facials
not to mention Greg crotchifyin’ suckas
by Tyler Durrden on Mar 16, 2010 9:32 PM PDT up reply actions
it is his fault that he didn't lock the garage
he never drives it…he just rubs it with a diaper
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Could it be that the new CBA will render his cap-ology expertise obsolete?
Hit it. Yes he did. Ohhhh yeah.
by Badalona Baddie on Mar 16, 2010 7:09 PM PDT reply actions
The opposite is probably true
While a number of exceptions might get eliminated to introduce a harder cap, as long as nobody really understands the whole thing it pays to have someone cut through the legalese and find the potential loopholes.
Since Penn was one of the guys who crafted this CBA
probably making room for the cap expert working on the next CBA.
#52
Penn's not the only guy who can do this
Penn’s a bright guy, but he’s not the only one out there able to negotiate the cap, exceptions, loopholes, etc. So let’s not get our feathers too ruffled here. He had to have screwed up pretty badly. Paul wouldn’t let him go unless it was clearly necessary.
wow
My first thought was a loyalty issue…..I am so used to injury news that this is hard to process….oh well, at the end of the day Paul is the boss…
Portland Trail Blazers - where injuries and people come together"
Penn screwed up
Tom Penn had to have made one or more serious mistakes. No, not merely a mistake — willful insubordination, financial or personal scandal, etc.
Very curious.
This. I'm thinking along the lines of sabotage. It just had to be something bad. No way any Blazer fans will ever
believe this was just business.
by BRoyInThe4th on Mar 16, 2010 7:26 PM PDT up reply actions
Right
And you don’t just get fired for talking with the Clippers, even if you didn’t get permission first. Gets you a good slap on the hand, not a public execution in mid-March. But, this may be the story that gets pushed by the organization. I won’t buy it.
My theory: Penn was a leak inside the org. Where will A-Woj get his smear stories from now?
Free prezofdeath
Ha ha
Woj loves to think he’s a good journalist because he’s “got connections.” Guy has no idea what it means to be a good journalist. Can’t stand him.
We weren't talking about Canza... oh right
Oregon Football: Keeping Oregon State out of the Rose Bowl since 2008
A Woj reminds me of the reporter from the Wire
It’s my opinion that he makes up quotes
by billsfan4life on Mar 16, 2010 7:31 PM PDT up reply actions
Called him out
I called out Woj once on Twitter and we had a long DM back and forth about the use of sources. I have a journalism background (obviously not a NYT bestseller), so I felt obligated to call him out on the perpetual use of anonymous sources. He truly didn’t understand why it’s bad for journalism. I tried.
clippers
wendall maxey tweeted that his sources say he has been talking with the clipps for the gm job…..yep…loyalty
Portland Trail Blazers - where injuries and people come together"
maybe not
but Paul paid for and promoted Tom…maybe he’s not liking it much….just quoted what beyondthebeat tweeted…
Portland Trail Blazers - where injuries and people come together"
If you're under contract, generally your supposed to get permission first
When a job opportunity is a promotion, then permission is often granted—but if he got a promotion to stay, I could see how looking for ANOTHER gig could be a bad idea.
If that is the reason—note that the Blazers waited for the Clips to name a replacement. :)
I am Spartacus and I approved this message
by EngineerScotty on Mar 16, 2010 7:25 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah but Paul Allen has never shown a vengeful streak before....if anything he is forgiving than he should be
Possible that he asked for permission
PA said “no, we gave you a raise to keep you less than 6 months ago” and he talked to the Clips anyways. I could see that being a fireable offense here.
#52
And maybe last year's promotion was supposed to buy a few years with the Blazers?
Makes sense.
Still on the Rex bandwagon.
working for Donald Sterling?
either Penn really misses Steve/Travis or he wants an NBA GM job in the “worst” way
Hmmm…wasn’t there an article the other day about Dunleavy’s replacement being a Sloany?
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
great find
I think he must have done this. He got permission to talk to the wolves last year, and I am sure the promotion came with a blood oath and blazer tatoo. still wanted the big chair
by bunk moreland on Mar 16, 2010 7:26 PM PDT up reply actions
I agree with the others here.
He wouldn’t be fired for talking about his next contract. He would be allowed to resign or some such at the very worst.
In Bayless I trust.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
raise your hand if you saw this one coming
(crickets)
are the Vucans behind another purge?
Paul Allen to KP: “quant this”
Shot across the bow to the coaching staff?
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I don't think that is the case....this is too sudden and out of freaking nowhere
No….something went down
why would that have ANYTHING to do with the coaching staff?
reaching much?
He’d fire an assistant or something 1st.
Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash
by HurraKane212 on Mar 16, 2010 7:29 PM PDT up reply actions
Obviously, he fired Penn
because of Nate’s substitution patterns.
I am Spartacus and I approved this message
by EngineerScotty on Mar 16, 2010 7:29 PM PDT up reply actions
not enough Patty Mills
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Or Larry Coon?
Too bad he’s a Laker fan.
#52
You can't just pull a move like this out of the blue. Something had to happen. Paul Allen isn't just going
to all of a sudden fire one of them men responcible for the Blazers being this good, for no reason. This is a pretty big deal, we need more answers. I want to know the reason. Fans aren’t going to be content with this story ending with only the current details available.
security will be coming by to see you out the door
oh, and your login isn’t working
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I... I didn't receive my paycheck this week...
And they moved me down to Storage B… and they took my stapler…
Oregon Football: Keeping Oregon State out of the Rose Bowl since 2008
by GustyJ on Mar 16, 2010 7:33 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
that's the last straw...
"B-Roy is the best shooting guard I have played against"
-Ron Artest
I... I'll put strychnine in the guacamole...
Oregon Football: Keeping Oregon State out of the Rose Bowl since 2008
Now we can't trust IMDB... and Tom Penn gets fired... Who CAN we trust anymore??????
Oregon Football: Keeping Oregon State out of the Rose Bowl since 2008
And Ben:
This is not the biggest Blazers story of the year, whatever that could mean.
The Greg Oden story was bigger
I am Spartacus and I approved this message
by EngineerScotty on Mar 16, 2010 7:30 PM PDT up reply actions
I was talking about his knee
At least that’s my story…
I am Spartacus and I approved this message
by EngineerScotty on Mar 16, 2010 7:32 PM PDT up reply actions
I guess management knows how to get a "rise" out of every "lull" moment,
if u know what I mean
"B-Roy is the best shooting guard I have played against"
-Ron Artest
Think I'll just
slowly back away from this metaphor at this point.
#52
lol
Oden inuendo is never going away.
"B-Roy is the best shooting guard I have played against"
-Ron Artest
Shouldn't that be innuoden?
I am Spartacus and I approved this message
by EngineerScotty on Mar 16, 2010 7:38 PM PDT up reply actions
All you need to do is tag a "if you know what I mean"
to anything about Oden and voila!
"B-Roy is the best shooting guard I have played against"
-Ron Artest
FOX!
:)
I am Spartacus and I approved this message
by EngineerScotty on Mar 16, 2010 7:45 PM PDT up reply actions
That comment was supposed to go
on a different thread. (D’oh!)
I am Spartacus and I approved this message
by EngineerScotty on Mar 16, 2010 7:58 PM PDT up reply actions
very nice.
innuoden.
Like what you like, enjoy what you enjoy,
don't be afraid to make slurping sounds,
and don't take crap from anybody
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ae-5q8MaSSU
Completely out of left field.
And I feel bad for saying this, but I hope it was something personal, rather than a business issue that might hurt the on court product.
People say the dude was a major asset to a lot of what KP has been able to do.
"B-Roy is the best shooting guard I have played against"
-Ron Artest
Wow - didn't see that coming
Hopefully some details emerge, I can understand the speculation because on the surface, this is completely out of the blue
Free AK1984.
"The two women were of a certain age and were clearly drunk... The only thing that I can get out of this is Why, since all these things happen to me, they couldn’t be two young girls and pretty? :-)" - Rudy Fernandez
Maybe Penn
gave Oden photography advice?
Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash
The only advice Greg needs
is when the clothes go off, so does the camera.
I am Spartacus and I approved this message
by EngineerScotty on Mar 16, 2010 7:33 PM PDT up reply actions
Just saw on RealGM that they think it's because he was offered a job with the Clippers. Starting to make sense,
but why would Tom Penn not just quit? They said fired like it was bad, not some Portland preemptive strike.
RealGM doesn’t think itself, RealGM is quoting Wendell Maxey who is quoting unnamed sources. And RealGM posted a picture of KP instead of Penn on the front page. “Um, which of the three guys in the Oregonian photo is Penn? Ah, I think I once saw the grey-haired dude with the Blazers”.
Why do they always use
that picture of KP where he looks like a mafia don?
I am Spartacus and I approved this message
by EngineerScotty on Mar 16, 2010 7:40 PM PDT up reply actions
What ever he did, it
couldn’t be as bad as this former NBA player.
I am Spartacus and I approved this message
So did anyone hear?
Tom Penn got fired, bet he slept with a secretary or something. Or stole one of PA’s Star Wars figurines
Odenized
I bet he stole the 5-1/4 floppy
with the original MS-DOS code on it.
#52
lol. old school.
Like what you like, enjoy what you enjoy,
don't be afraid to make slurping sounds,
and don't take crap from anybody
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ae-5q8MaSSU
Brian T. Smith just put up an article on it
Said he was unpopular amongst the staff and considered a ‘ladder-climber’.
Wierd
I doubt that would get you dumped quite so unceremoneously...
I am Spartacus and I approved this message
by EngineerScotty on Mar 16, 2010 7:44 PM PDT up reply actions
Yup
Especially at a point where most of the GM’s work is behind them. The trade deadline is done, last roster spot is filled, and the majority of college scouting is over with. It seems like if they werent happy with them they could have waited until the end of the season and parted ways at a more appropriate time. This reeks of him doing something that really pissed somebody off quickly…
RUDY > MJ
Thank you KP
After reading Ben's newest post claiming that this is the busiest time of the year for GM's
I realize that I was completely wrong in assuming that most of the college scouting is behind them, quite the opposite actually. I am sure they have mountains of tape on prospects to analyze, silly me. That makes the timing even stranger though. Perhaps they wanted Penn out before their game plan for the draft came to fruition?
RUDY > MJ
Thank you KP
wow.
if you get fired for being ambitious…that’s not going to make the FO positions look attractive to potential hires.
"B-Roy is the best shooting guard I have played against"
-Ron Artest
Given that KP isn't going anywhere any time soon
and Penn had nowhere else up to go here, I’d guess that degree of ambition would necessarily be accompanied by some disloyalty, possibly the Clippers thing was the last straw?
Although it’s surprising to that there had been “rumblings for weeks”.
#52
it's gotta be tough for a ladder climber
to continue working hard when there is nothing to work for in that organization e.i. he could have become lazy or unmotivated knowing he couldn’t advance any higher.
the few, the proud, the blazers
by HD on Mar 16, 2010 8:40 PM PDT up reply actions
Penn knows how Rudy and Bayless feel?
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
In fairness, isn't virtually every front office member/coach a "ladder climber" to some degree?
It’s all in how you go about it, but this seems very sudden even if he was a jerk. Besides, from all appearances he’s a jerk who’s very good at his job, you think that would buy him the season…
Free AK1984.
"The two women were of a certain age and were clearly drunk... The only thing that I can get out of this is Why, since all these things happen to me, they couldn’t be two young girls and pretty? :-)" - Rudy Fernandez
by blazeraddict on Mar 16, 2010 7:48 PM PDT up reply actions
Not exactly...
It’s tough to work with a real jerk, a true opportunist. Penn always struck me as sort of sleazy, from a distance (of course).
There has to be more to it than that, but certainly his demeanor likely played a part in some way.
By that same token, KP dumped his wife and ended up with an ex-Blazer Dancer
Not a shot at KP, but you can pick apart anybody on a personal level and find things that may smell. I have to think this is something more than that, general dislike would probably mean a “resignation” at the end of the year – this has to be motivated by something concrete I would guess
Free AK1984.
"The two women were of a certain age and were clearly drunk... The only thing that I can get out of this is Why, since all these things happen to me, they couldn’t be two young girls and pretty? :-)" - Rudy Fernandez
by blazeraddict on Mar 16, 2010 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Well, he WAS a lawyer before he got in the NBA.
by conspirator5 on Mar 16, 2010 8:02 PM PDT up reply actions
He's still a lawyer
we don’t stop being lawyers just because we’re not practicing for a firm.
Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash
by HurraKane212 on Mar 16, 2010 8:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Correct me, but didn't KP say in an interview with Ben that he would have failed at his job if he didn't prepare his staff good enough to get better jobs in the org or elsewhere?
A la Suns GM Buford, who spun out guys like Pritchard, Presti, …
My thoughts exactly, if KP/Nate were surrounded by people who didn't aspire, or more
importantly, have the ability to someday sit in the big chair that would concern me a great deal
Free AK1984.
"The two women were of a certain age and were clearly drunk... The only thing that I can get out of this is Why, since all these things happen to me, they couldn’t be two young girls and pretty? :-)" - Rudy Fernandez
by blazeraddict on Mar 16, 2010 7:52 PM PDT up reply actions
I think they would definitely assume that Penn would be a GM some day
but after promoting him and giving him a raise so recently it could be considered a slap in the face for that to not buy even a full season devoted to the Blazers from him.
#52
as long as they weren't planning a palace coup
say hello to the new boss, same as the old boss
keep your friends close, and your enemies closer
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
hmm
Brian T Smith states that sources in the organization called Penn a “ladder climber” and rubbed people the wrong way…maybe KP wanted him gone and Paul did the dirty work…
Portland Trail Blazers - where injuries and people come together"
Rubbing people the wrong way is seldom a firing offense
unless you’re Congressman Massa…
I am Spartacus and I approved this message
by EngineerScotty on Mar 16, 2010 7:46 PM PDT up reply actions
I once read somewhere
that most firings are not due to incompetence, but due to relationship issues, e.g. not playing well with the right people, etc. Or just not doing the job at all.
Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash
by HurraKane212 on Mar 16, 2010 7:50 PM PDT up reply actions
I just can't see him getting fired over rubbing people the wrong way.
Those guys probably all are jerks. There is something else going on I think. Something nasty.
"What people need to know is that those pictures were taken a year and a half ago, and I've grown since then." - Greg Oden
by dario argento on Mar 16, 2010 7:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Agreed - pro sports is about as competitive/exclusive as Wall Street, and the egos probably match
Free AK1984.
"The two women were of a certain age and were clearly drunk... The only thing that I can get out of this is Why, since all these things happen to me, they couldn’t be two young girls and pretty? :-)" - Rudy Fernandez
by blazeraddict on Mar 16, 2010 7:53 PM PDT up reply actions
Here's a crazy theory
This is the first step in a long expense dumping process that will precede the sale of the team.
I said it was crazy. I do have to say, with all honesty….Paul does not look good.
no point in firing the guy if that's the plan, might as well let him resign
I was blinded to that by sick alley-oops and facials
not to mention Greg crotchifyin’ suckas
by Tyler Durrden on Mar 16, 2010 7:52 PM PDT up reply actions
From what I have heard Paul is pretty much done with the chemo, and doing well.
"What people need to know is that those pictures were taken a year and a half ago, and I've grown since then." - Greg Oden
by dario argento on Mar 16, 2010 7:54 PM PDT up reply actions
He was missing most games a few months ago, but now is back at almost every game. I saw him eating junk food too at a recent game.
"What people need to know is that those pictures were taken a year and a half ago, and I've grown since then." - Greg Oden
by dario argento on Mar 16, 2010 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions
also if you don't have a good reason to fire someone, you better not do it, because it can result in a nasty unlawful termination suit
I was blinded to that by sick alley-oops and facials
not to mention Greg crotchifyin’ suckas
by Tyler Durrden on Mar 16, 2010 7:54 PM PDT up reply actions
absolutely
there was a reason….insubordination ….don’t ya think?
Portland Trail Blazers - where injuries and people come together"
Oregon is an at-will state, you don't need a reason.
At least what’s what I was told when I used to fire people at Papa Murphy’s back in the day.
Free prezofdeath
Did you get to fire anyone for insubordination?
Oregon Football: Keeping Oregon State out of the Rose Bowl since 2008
hhmmmm....no. I did fire someone for lying about being a felon, though. that was fun.
Free prezofdeath
I didn’t hire him, he was transferred in. But probably not. He would have been handling money, and was kind of sleazy anyway. I don’t know why he was hired in the first place
Free prezofdeath
just because he was a felon you'd fire him?
i thought america was all about second chances.
I'm going on a Dave boycott until AK1984 is brought back.
"Did they really expect me to bow down to Jesus?!?" ~Sophia
"At first glance, I saw a fairly unremarkable penis." ~Sophia on Greg Oden
by Philthyanimal on Mar 16, 2010 8:55 PM PDT up reply actions
no no no. the application asks if you're a felon. he checked the "no" box
but told lots of stories about doing time for stealing a car.
Free prezofdeath
Also, my brother-in-law is a felon. I'm certainly not anti-felon automatically.
As a pro-legalization of all substances person, there are lots of felons that have my sympathy.
Free prezofdeath
they just told you that because Papa Murphy's hates justice
I was blinded to that by sick alley-oops and facials
not to mention Greg crotchifyin’ suckas
by Tyler Durrden on Mar 16, 2010 7:57 PM PDT up reply actions
oh snap...
I was blinded to that by sick alley-oops and facials
not to mention Greg crotchifyin’ suckas
by Tyler Durrden on Mar 16, 2010 7:59 PM PDT up reply actions
The Murph= Extra Cheese
I was blinded to that by sick alley-oops and facials
not to mention Greg crotchifyin’ suckas
by Tyler Durrden on Mar 16, 2010 7:58 PM PDT up reply actions
Anyone can sue anyone for anything, and PA has DEEP pockets.
Lawsuits are a hassle for the legal fees, not just the possibility of losing. Ergo why the vast majority of lawsuits get settled out of court. My brother is a tort attorney, and plenty of his cases are wrongful termination suits.
"What people need to know is that those pictures were taken a year and a half ago, and I've grown since then." - Greg Oden
by dario argento on Mar 16, 2010 7:58 PM PDT up reply actions
Contract
Ry you’re right about at will, but not if their employment is bound by a contractual agreement. Then the four corners of the document begin to rule how things go forward.
Down with the Ruskies
and don't those kind of contracts explicitly outline grounds for immediate termination of employment and the contract?
I was blinded to that by sick alley-oops and facials
not to mention Greg crotchifyin’ suckas
by Tyler Durrden on Mar 16, 2010 8:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Possibly
or full payment of the rest of the contract. No way to know without seeing what they had drawn up.
Down with the Ruskies
it depends
depends on the jurisdiction and the judge and what theory they espouse. Typically, 4 corners stands, but remember that subsequent agreements and modifications stretch the corners. You can go outside the 4 corners in other special circumstances as well.
Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash
by HurraKane212 on Mar 16, 2010 8:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Well of Course
10 months old, I assumed without further evidence that we are lacking subsequent agreements or modifications. I’m simply saying that with a contract, employment is slightly more complicated than at-will. You’d be right that it can be even more complicated than that.
Down with the Ruskies
and you are absolutely right
that a contract will supersede “at will.”
Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash
by HurraKane212 on Mar 17, 2010 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions
Oregon is an at-will state, you don’t need a reason.
Wondering…is the company that owns the Blazers based out of Mercer island?
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Does not matter
if the job is in Oregon, it’s under Oregon law.
As others have mentioned—if Penn has a contract, then he can probably only be fired for cause, or the Blazers have to pay him a severance package. Note that they can fire him (relieve him of his duties) regardless—they might just have to pay him anyway if there’s a contract and no cause.
I am Spartacus and I approved this message
by EngineerScotty on Mar 16, 2010 9:03 PM PDT up reply actions
I already played the Vulcan card
so stay out of my crazy pills
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Tom(inhawaii)Penn?
Oregon Football: Keeping Oregon State out of the Rose Bowl since 2008
by GustyJ on Mar 16, 2010 7:51 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
You solved it.
"What people need to know is that those pictures were taken a year and a half ago, and I've grown since then." - Greg Oden
by dario argento on Mar 16, 2010 7:54 PM PDT up reply actions
William and Mary playing UNC in the NIT
W&M has 13 made threes and only 7 made twos
Oregon Football: Keeping Oregon State out of the Rose Bowl since 2008
Top Ten Reasons Tom Penn got fired
10) IT found a Mac in his office.
9) Scratched PA’s car.
8) The fun-o-meter at Blazer HQ was off the scale; Allen need to whack someone to keep people from being too comfortable.
7) Caught writing “Clapton is God” on walls of Rose Garden tunnels
6) Complained about PA on Facebook.
5) Didn’t get job offer from Clippers—anyone not good enough for Sterling is not good enough for Paul.
4) To prove that the Penn is not mightier than the sword.
3) Doesn’t play well with Brandon Roy.
2) Revealed at recent Sloan conference that the Blazers use a magic 8-ball in making personnel decisions.
And the #1 reason…
1) Was caught leaking naked photos of Greg Oden onto the Internet.
I am Spartacus and I approved this message
by EngineerScotty on Mar 16, 2010 7:55 PM PDT reply actions 13 recs
you're on a roll today, ES
love #4.
"B-Roy is the best shooting guard I have played against"
-Ron Artest
LOL
Rec’d
Free AK1984.
"The two women were of a certain age and were clearly drunk... The only thing that I can get out of this is Why, since all these things happen to me, they couldn’t be two young girls and pretty? :-)" - Rudy Fernandez
by blazeraddict on Mar 16, 2010 7:58 PM PDT up reply actions
you forgot one
While at the Sloan conference, TP laughed too hard at one of Mark Cuban’s jokes
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I am so conspiracy theory on this it's sick
Free AK1984.
"The two women were of a certain age and were clearly drunk... The only thing that I can get out of this is Why, since all these things happen to me, they couldn’t be two young girls and pretty? :-)" - Rudy Fernandez
by blazeraddict on Mar 16, 2010 8:00 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm sad to report you meant 80's, unless you were talking about Beast Wars.
What am I saying?? Disregard this message.
PA just found out Tom Penn was responsible for Transformers 2?
by conspirator5 on Mar 16, 2010 8:05 PM PDT up reply actions
you mean I don't have to hate Michael Bay?
I was blinded to that by sick alley-oops and facials
not to mention Greg crotchifyin’ suckas
by Tyler Durrden on Mar 16, 2010 8:15 PM PDT up reply actions
Now, let's not jump the gun here.
We should wait until we get the facts straight.
First, did Penn find out about this over a meal and was said meal reported as finished at the time when Penn found out?
#10 & #52
by idoltime on Mar 16, 2010 8:17 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I'm completely missing this
I was blinded to that by sick alley-oops and facials
not to mention Greg crotchifyin’ suckas
by Tyler Durrden on Mar 16, 2010 8:20 PM PDT up reply actions
oh yeah I remember that
guess I didn’t put it together with this as getting traded and getting fired are not really the same thing…
.
.
my bad
I was blinded to that by sick alley-oops and facials
not to mention Greg crotchifyin’ suckas
by Tyler Durrden on Mar 16, 2010 8:23 PM PDT up reply actions
I can't believe I know what DYERTJD means.
Spending waaaaay too much time on the ’Edge.
"B-Roy is the best shooting guard I have played against"
-Ron Artest
I've missed a lot of junk lately, work has been really busy
I was blinded to that by sick alley-oops and facials
not to mention Greg crotchifyin’ suckas
by Tyler Durrden on Mar 16, 2010 8:25 PM PDT up reply actions
It's excuses like these.
That won’t hold their water during the championship season.
Think about it.
#10 & #52
a reference to the Camby trade announcement, when Yahoo wrote that “it is unknown if Camby finished his meal at this time” or something to that effect.
If he is talking to the Clippers about a GM position
He could easily be a threat to try and sabotage resigning Camby with Portland to get him back in LA.
Maybe he already started talking to Marcus about it. . .
Maybe he broke into KP's home and stole his laptop.
"Nicolas! You're the strongest boy in the world!"
Wait! I got it figured out!
They found voodoo dolls of the entire team, coaching staff, and PA in his desk drawer, and all the pins line up with this seasons injuries. Next to that they found a gift box of fancy cheeses with a Minnesota postmark.
A-Woj article blaming the Penn dismissal on KP's Machiavellian tendencies
coming to a web browser near you in…3…2…1
“Anonymous sources have told me…”
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Tom Was looking to....
Penn Slap somebody……
by fairwayfreddy80 on Mar 16, 2010 8:23 PM PDT reply actions
yeah...
just doesn’t have the same ring to it. no wonder he got fired.
...and that's the bottom line 'cause nicolas batum said so!
Penn had just started to mention that perhaps Przybilla's EC could be used to gain a trade exception
KP slapped his Blackberry battery down the desk and shouted “THAT’S it! Clean out your desk! I want you outta here in 2 minutes!”
(and let that be a lesson to all of you Joel-stabbers!)
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
now...you've...gone...too....far
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
clearly this is because tom penn was a closet
hipster and ppl just couldn’t stand it anymore
the few, the proud, the blazers
updated story
on oregonlive with quotes from Tom
Portland Trail Blazers - where injuries and people come together"
interesting
Penn late Tuesday night said he was "surprised" and "disappointed" when team president Larry Miller called him into his Rose Quarter offices Tuesday afternoon and informed him he was being relieved of his duties.
Penn, however, would not say why he was fired.
"I can’t speak to specifics and I prefer not to,’’ Penn said. "I don’t think it is appropriate.’’
Penn was gracious and thankful Tuesday night.
"I’ve moved on. It’s been an unbelievable run,’’ Penn said. "I fell in love with Rip City.’’
Free prezofdeath
Yeah I looked funny at the "I've moved on"
From what? Earlier today?
I can believe this is primarily about the Clipper job, combined with some unhappiness at his internal attitude. That would cause an erosion of trust and would make sense to cut ties.
But it’s going to be speculation until at least tomorrow. I suspect Quick’s article will be a rare must-read.
I rarely take anything said by an NBA exec at face value
KP included. I’m admittedly curious what really went down. But I won’t rule out the released rumors.
BECAUSE EVERYONE IS WONDERING WHAT YOU HAVE RULED OUT! =)
I love breaking news. People (like me) get all snooty, as if our final conclusion means something.
“I, TheTinfoil, I am withholding judgment until all the facts come out, at which time I will announce my opinion on the matter.”
Free prezofdeath
Chip Kelly
is that you?
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
The Vulcans strike again...
Free AK1984.
"The two women were of a certain age and were clearly drunk... The only thing that I can get out of this is Why, since all these things happen to me, they couldn’t be two young girls and pretty? :-)" - Rudy Fernandez
by blazeraddict on Mar 16, 2010 9:20 PM PDT up reply actions























