For the first time since the 2020-21 season, the Portland Trail Blazers are in the playoffs. It has been a long time since fans have been able to watch the Blazers play meaningful basketball in the month of April. Now, they are trying to pull a massive upset over the Spurs.
In recent days, new Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon has been called cheap. He finalized the sale of the franchise earlier this year. Reports have emerged about his behavior, such as not flying out the two-way guys to Game 1 against the Spurs. That isn’t the only example of possible cheap behavior.
Dundon has now responded to those allegations, letting everyone know he doesn’t care how he’s being perceived.
Trail Blazers Owner Doesn’t Care About Being Perceived as Cheap
GettyPortland Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon attends the NHL Draft. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
According to The Athletic, Dundon doesn’t seem to care about what others think about his spending habits to this point.
“I think he thinks this is just the beginning,” a team source said. “I think he thinks this is just what taking over franchises is, where you have to change things. He said he went through a lot of rough times in Carolina … but ultimately, all people care about now is winning. So what I think is accurate is him being cheap as it relates to stuff that in his mind does not impact player performance.”
The Blazers have fielded complaints of masseuses not having space to work on the players before a game. That’s something that could actually affect the product on the court. Of course, the Trail Blazers are still looking at a possible coaching change since Tiago Splitter is still the interim.
Some within the organization are already trashing his approach to owning an NBA team.
“He’s already established that he’s very cheap,” the league source said. “And I know he doesn’t love Oregon, and is concerned that it is a state that can’t draw free agents. Well, with all due respect, you’re not helping the cause of drawing free agents when you treat everyone like s— there.”
New Blazers Owner Tom Dundon Only Cares About Winning
GettyPortland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija celebrates after a made shot. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Dundon also owns the Carolina Hurricanes, who are also in the playoffs right now. According to Jason Quick of The Athletic, Blazers sources don’t think that Dundon cares about his perception.
“He is unapologetic,” the team source said. “All he cares about is what is good for the team and what makes the team win. Which means he is going to be OK making tough decisions.”
Portland is trying to figure out its offense in the playoffs. They had the 10th-worst offense in the league in the regular season. Dundon knows that no one will care about his spending habits if the Blazers are able to win in the postseason this year. Portland winning in the postseason will end all of these criticisms.
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