TO PAUL ALLEN

Mr. Allen,

I do not know what happened regarding Tom Penn, nor do I really care.  I only care about the Trailblazers in their run for a championship.  You have made some excellent decisions in the recent past: Removing the jailblazers quickly, hiring KP, Nate, drafting Roy, Aldridge, Batum, Rudy, Bayless, and Oden (he will be healthy someday, we all hope), singing Howard, Miller, and the 'out of options' trade for Camby.  I am going to give you the benefit of the doubt that you made another good decision by letting Penn go regardless of the timing.   (continued after the jump)

However after seeing and hearing a dispirited and disheartened Kevin Pritchard at the news conference, something is terribly wrong.  If KP was part of something illegal, unethical, or even very irresponsible then he should start looking for a new job.  If this was about disagreements or something even more trite, then please intelligently consider all options without making a hasty decision.  KP was also part of every great decision that I noted above.  I know it was not him alone making these decisions, but he was the face that was put out in front of the fans.

While you are considering the future of the franchise, please let me offer some advise:  Do not listen to the speculative media...without good editors these days, their 'sources' could be the guy asking for change outside the parking garage.  Do not listen to your vulcanized 'yes' men/women...they are trained monkeys.  Do not listen to other NBA executives or their agents...they are only out for themselves and do not care about you, the fans, or the city of Portland (especially the slimy Mark Warkentien). 

Listen to the fans.  I realize that financially we offer the least in this equation (although advertising is directed at us), but we are not in it for the business side.  We are in it because we love the Portland Trailblazers (including you, KP, Nate, the team, and everyone else).  We are the ones that chant "BEAT L.A." at the top of our lungs, yell at the refs because of a bad call or no call (or sometimes the correct call), humorously chastise other players from the 'Birdman' to Garnett, keep our eyes fixed on every pass, shot, steal, block, deflection, etc., remain at our seats until the final whistle regardless of the score, and most importantly look to make sure that you are in your usual seat cheering right alongside all of us...especially in these difficult days. 

Yes the fans are completely irrational and sensitive, but they bring more passion and energy than all of the executives working alongside you, with the notable exception of Kevin Pritchard.