Rip City Project
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Blazers Organization Shines in the Face of NBA Dysfunction

By Steven Dewald

Mar 26, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers gather during a break in the action against the Philadelphia 76ers at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers gather during a break in the action against the Philadelphia 76ers at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Trail Blazers vision outlines the blue print to stability and character

NBA drama is dominating the media on the cusp of the postseason, but the Trail Blazers have remained out of the spotlight. Massive roster turnover, shifting focus to another star player, and an expected downturn in on court production are all key ingredients to dysfunction. Somehow Portland has overcome all the adversity and sit on the verge of reaching the same playoff seeding as last season. The credit for this feat starts from ownership and trickles all the way down to the fans.

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True vision is something that is becoming more and more of a scarce commodity in pro sports. Cynicism has run rampant amongst NBA GM’s. The result of this cynicism is on full display in Philadelphia and Los Angeles. The Lakers and Sixers have decided that winning comes second, acquiring a favorable draft pick comes first. In the Lakers case, it has produced an extremely toxic locker room.

The Nick Young and D’Angelo Russell drama is a result of poor leadership and lack of character in all parties involved. Young is a subpar role player with an ego that could make Donald Trump blush on the right day. He is a victim of his own infidelity and poor veteran leadership skills. The combination of these two things has him in this situation.

Russell has broken the “bro-code” and lost the trust of his teammates by recording and posting Young’s stories of sexual triumph. Locker room ettiequte is taught by veterans, but it appears that Russell missed the memo. I don’t blame the rookie, a locker room that features Kobe Bryant and Young most likely means that keeping infidelity out of the media is a lesson that is implied and not spoken aloud.

Now the future of the Lakers franchise (Russell) has been ostracized by his peers. Instead the team has rallied behind a player who is barely worthy of an NBA contract (Young). Character is huge, but that is something the Lakers casted to the wayside when they decided to put winning on the back-burner. Culture and character is forged by putting forth your best effort in an attempt to win. Cohesion is not built by Byron Scott (Lakers Coach) rolling out an outdated game plan that is being executed by players who have their best years behind them.

It is hard to imagine this situation going on inside the Trail Blazers’ locker room. Portland is led by two players (Damian Lillard, C.J. McCollum) who have very close relationships with the female heads of their respective families. Lillard has encouraged team bonding from the outset of this season, which has produced a tight knit locker room. Neil Olshey (Portland’s GM) has also played a role in the strong character of this team, as he kept winning on the table in the face of a rebuild.

“…a locker room that features Bryant and Young most likely means that keeping infidelity out of the media is a lesson that is implied and not spoken aloud.”

Besides the Lakers SnapChat debacle, the media has once again focused their attention to LeBron James‘ every move. James has once again drawn the spotlight to himself and his contract uncertainty. He has recently hinted at wanting to join forces with Carmelo Anthony and some other old friends before his career comes to a close (full article here). The context is more sensitive than that, but seriously, what team leader speaks out on that subject to a reporter in the middle of a season?

James’ erratic behavior doesn’t end there. His unfollowing and re-following of the Cav’s twitter account is extremely odd. James is no idiot when it comes to his public perception, he has to know what actions like this look like to his fans and teammates. His odd behavior was on full display as he sat on the bench (resting) when the Cav’s fell to the Rockets. He sat like a pouting five year old instead of giving words of encouragement and showing signs of support to his teammates.

Mar 29, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) and head coach Tyronn Lue talk during the second quarter against the Houston Rockets at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) and head coach Tyronn Lue talk during the second quarter against the Houston Rockets at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

This is another thing that the Trail Blazers have seemed to have gotten right. Olshey has attached his wagon to Lillard’s leadership and talent. When Lillard missed time earlier this season with plantar fasciitis he remained a constant positive presence on the bench. The former Weber State guard had every reason to be upset with management this season. Imagine how James would have reacted if he was forced to watch the majority of his established teammates walk in free agency.

Next: More From Rip City Project

It hasn’t always been great in Rip City, as we will see in the “Jail Blazers” documentary that is underway. At some point in that documentary it will likely cut to a montage of “problem” players being shipped out of Portland. It takes courage to sacrifice talent in a performance based industry, but it is often necessary when the talent is coupled with questionable character. Making that call shouldn’t be confused with the choice to abandon talent just to move up a few spots in the NBA Draft. Balancing these obstacles takes a clear vision from the entire organization. Judging by the results of this season it appears that the Trail Blazers have the vision situation handled.