Would it be too much to expect a bunch of overpaid, pampered athletes to take at least a measure of responsibility for the consequences of their actions? If you're a Portland Tralblazers fan (as, sadly, I am), you would be hoping for WAY too much adult behavior.
For some reason, Portland fans have gotten tired of the Trail Blazers' act. Apparently, they have not been won back with the district attorney's decision to drop the domestic abuse charges on Ruben Patterson, a registered sex offender, after his wife, Shannon, refused to cooperate with the investigation.
Forward Bonzi Wells, naturally, blamed the fans."It's tough to go out there and play hard when you don't feel anybody is supporting you," Wells said. "We need not only us; we need the fans to support us, to clap for us, to get into it, to get involved. Negative things happen when everybody is so negative around you. I know a lot of things are going on around our team, but we are a family still. We need the fans to really support us.
"It's been tough, and I know it is a reflection on them, but we need them to stick with us through thick and thin. It won't take just 15 guys; we need 20,000-plus to turn it around. I have confidence in the fans. I know how they are. I've seen it when it was Blazer crazy around here. I know it will get back to that. Once we start winning and start rolling, the love affair's going to be back."
The sad truth is, he's right. Win, and no matter how many arrests follow, fans will be back.
No, Bonzi, this is not the responsibility of the fans. It is the responsibility of you AND your immature, spoon-fed teammates. Until y'all begin to act like you understand the responsibilities of your position and can carry them out in a responsible, professional manner, you do not deserve support. Why is it your birthright to have the undying support of Portland's fans? Whatever happened to earning that support- by working and playing hard, conducting yourselves in a professional manner, and acting as if you are blessed and grateful for the opportunities you have?
I am sick and tired of reading about pot busts, domestic abuse, whining about playing time, and all the other crap that seems to be part and parcel of the Trailblazers these days. I no longer even live in Portland, and I'm tired of it. I can't even imagine what it must be like to live in Portland and be exposed to this day after day after day.
Grow up, Bonzi- or go get a real job like the rest of us poor slobs who work 8-5 for a fraction of what you earn for wearing short pants. Perhaps then you'd realized just how blessed you are to play a game for a (handsome) living.
