FanShot

What, You Think The Players Want To Lose?

2

Its a q and a with Ira Winderman. But one fan defintitely wants Paul Allen and the Blazers to lose every game. Quote: Q. I have been an NBA fan since Jerry West was on the court. I wish I could give up the NBA because of the (insert a very nasty adjective) owners and their (insert another bad adjective) commissioner. I tried to watch the NFL Sunday hoping to change my favorite sport away from the NBA. Couldn't do it. But, I will forever be bitter toward the commissioner and the small-market owners. I hope their teams lose every game, including Paul Allen and his Blazers. Teams like the T-wolves will always suck, and not because of any CBA. I lived in Minnesota in '91 and '92. Their management was bad then and it has been bad ever since. If anyone with one little iota of rationality wants absolute proof that management makes the difference, look at the equal market, equal arena, equal weather shared by Clippers and Lakers. Furthermore, what's to say future superstar players who are making zillions in off-court income won't take less than max contracts to play together? — Roland, Portland, Ore. A. Already amid the lockout there have been plenty of studies that show that finances, alone, hardly dictate success. The Knicks of the past decade stand as Example A, as do some of Allen's previous rosters in Portland. Again, with the proper degree of revenue sharing, that aspect should be satisfied. To a degree, though, you also address the pitfalls there. Why should the owner of a successful franchise, perhaps one not in the biggest of markets, subsidize a franchise that continually makes bad decisions and operates its team in a less-than-first-class fashion? Somehow, "Dollars for Donald T." just doesn't sound right