The outpouring of support for Blazers Owner Paul Allen since news of his cancer diagnosis became public yesterday has been remarkable. Here are links to a few of the many voices that have addressed the subject.
Brian Berger, Sports Business Radio writes...
I worked for Allen's Trail Blazers organization for 6 years. Not many people know that without Paul Allen, there very likely would not be NBA basketball in Portland.
Back in the early 1990's the team was selling out games every night in Memorial Coliseum and needed a bigger home with more revenue streams. But negotiations with the City of Portland for a bigger, more modern arena got tense and there was a time where conversations about moving the Trail Blazers out of Portland took place. But to get a deal done, Paul Allen put a lot of his own skin into what is now the Rose Quarter.
Allen could have taken his team and likely gotten a sweeter financial deal from a city that was hungry for an NBA franchise. But even though Allen is from Washington state, he knew how important the Trail Blazers are to the fabric of Portland. And he forked out millions of his own dollars to build the Rose Garden and keep the team in Portland - even though the City of Portland didn't bring much to the table (almost 20 years later, some things never change).
Dwight Jaynes writes...
I remember telling someone this summer, every time this man sets foot in the Rose Garden he ought to get a standing ovation. He's been that important not only to this franchise but this city. Do you really think Portland would have built a new arena unless he paid for it? Really? I don't. No way.
...
Allen treats this franchise as if it's located in New York or Los Angeles, spending what it takes to win and knowing the bottom line is going to be scary. He's tightened his belt at times, but who doesn't? It still hasn't deterred him from trying to make this the best franchise in the NBA.
Joe Freeman writes...
"It's sad," Blazers All-Star Brandon Roy said. "I sat there for a minute and thought about it, because he believed in me as a player, first in the draft, then later this summer. He has done a lot for my family. I just really feel for him. I wish there was something we could do. The biggest thing is to pray for him. He definitely means a lot to me."
Added Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard: "He is a warrior. He has beat this once. He is so important to who we are and what we are about. I think for me, the biggest thing is, and I think we all feel this: It shows how important he is. You could tell, everyone you talk to, and the players, we all think he is a great owner."
John Canzano writes...
Maybe you haven't always liked Allen or understood him. But as owners go, he's the best in sport. He grants his management autonomy, and plenty of cash. And for fans, he makes you feel as though you're all in it together.
The email that circulated internally at Allen's parent company, Vulcan Inc, talked about optimism. It was written by his sister, Jody Allen. The email pointed out that 25 years earlier her brother beat Hodgkins, and he'll continue to work around the offices, and "he has no plans to change his role."
I think he should, though.
He carried the Blazers for so long. It's time they carry him.
Rudy Fernandez tweeted a message of support to Mr. Allen...
Quiero mandar un mensaje de ánimo a Paul Allen. Just wanted to send an encouragement message to Paul Allen
Brier Dudley of the Seattle Times quotes Bill Gates...
Gates issued a statement of support.
"Melinda and I have Paul and his family in our thoughts and prayers," he said. "Paul is among my closest friends, and I know to him be a strong and resilient individual."
Jason Fleming of Hoopsworld writes...
HOOPSWORLD would like to offer our own well wishes to Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen in his quest for recovery after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma earlier this month.
Allen also fought and beat a similar diagnosis 25 years ago, an experience that changed his life and directly led to his leaving Microsoft (which he co-founded with Bill Gates) and branching out into various other endeavors, including owning the Blazers and NFL's Seattle Seahawks.
Bustabucket.com writes...
The news really makes you reflect on how much Allen means to this organization and the city of Portland. Since buying the team in 1988, he's been nothing but the best owner in all of sports. He's perfect for the city and has always done everything he can to make the Trail Blazers successful. He's also been one of the Blazers biggest fans.
Once again, our thoughts are with Paul Allen and his family as he takes on cancer for the second time.
The Los Angeles Times has some information about Allen's disease and has a bunch of relevant links...
The five-year survival rate for the disease has improved dramatically over the years, but it's far from guaranteed. It hit 69% in 2005, says the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter