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Paul Allen energized by Blazers rebuild

By Erik Gundersen, Columbian Trail Blazers Writer
Published: September 29, 2015, 5:00pm

TUALATIN, Ore. — The theme of the Portland Trail Blazers’ first practice of the season was youthful energy, excitement and a fresh start. And nobody seemed more excited about the future than Blazers owner Paul Allen, owner for 27 of the team’s 46 seasons.

Allen took in the proceedings Tuesday in Tualatin alongside Blazers President of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey and team President Chris McGowan.

It was the first time since the summer that changed the course of the franchise that Allen spoke with the media on all that happened.

Allen reiterated his support for Olshey and the new, youthful direction of the team. He also gave his thoughts on the discovery of water on Mars, which he found “super interesting.”

Given the option to discuss whether he felt betrayed by the departure of four-time All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge, Allen declined, saying that he felt the team gave its best shot. He holds no ill-will towards Aldridge.

“No,” he said in response to being asked whether he felt betrayed. “We went down to Dallas, Neil and I pitched him. He chose to go a different direction. He made it to his last few choices and he was good enough to call me up and all that. It’s tough for the franchise because we were all thinking that we had a shot of getting him back but in the end he chose a different direction.”

He also endorsed the team’s decision to offer Damian Lillard the richest contract in franchise history.

“Dame is both an extraordinarily talented player and a quality individual,” Allen said.”When you make those big financial commitments you need to have both those aspects there and you see the work he’s done in the community. Bringing the players together in the offseason, that was fantastic.”

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Going through yet another rebuild, he says, is invigorating.

“We’ve got a lot of youth. And to see how that youth matures, everything depends on how fast they come along,” he said. “Even with players like CJ and Meyers that have showed they can do it at a high level in the playoffs. I’m excited, are you guys excited?”

Allen, who says that he probably enjoys seeing the growth of young players more than most owners, is looking forward to seeing it again.

“If you remember when we drafted Brandon Roy and LaMarcus, I was really excited,” he said. “Drafting new players and I think some of the players Neil has been able to find that basically other teams weren’t interested in or were undrafted free-agents, there is some talent out there. I think the more fans and media see them, you’re going to be more excited about the team’s potential.”

Allen also addressed the notion that Blazers fans perhaps will not be so quick to embrace another rebuild.

“Well one thing about Portland fans have consistently demonstrated over the years is that if there are players that have talent, show they care, the fans will embrace them,” he said.

He was also asked about the other team he owns, the Seattle Seahawks, who were one yard short of another Super Bowl title and just got back safety Kam Chancellor.

“I think any time you come one yard short, from a second Super Bowl in a row that’s a challenge to get back at it the next year,” he said. “I think you’re going to see the team improve over the next few games.”

Allen also gave his thoughts on a potential NBA work stoppage in 2017, while choosing his words very carefully.

“If it’s something that I did predict I would get fined, so I’m not going to try to predict,” he said. “Clearly the league and the players are doing very well financially and I know that there are discussions but I can’t comment any further than that.”

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Columbian Trail Blazers Writer