Whitsitt steps down after turbulent season
Finally, there is the possibility of some sanity, normality, and (dare I say it?) dignity returning to the Portland Trailblazers. Trader Bob Whitsitt, the man responsible for building the Jailblazers, has stepped down as President and General Manager. Good riddance.
Whitsitt, who has held the job for the past eight years, will retain his job as president of the Seattle Seahawks. Both the Trail Blazers and the Seahawks are owned by Microsoft pioneer Paul Allen....
But he has faced increasing criticism for the team's on-court performance and off-court problems.
The past season has been especially turbulent. Forward Rasheed Wallace, guard Damon Stoudamire and rookie Qyntel Woods were all cited for marijuana possession. Ruben Patterson was arrested for domestic abuse, charges his wife later asked not be pursued.
Wallace was suspended for seven games by the league for threatening a referee on the loading dock after a game in January, and Patterson scuffled with forward Zach Randolph during a practice. Randolph was suspended for two games by the team for punching Patterson and breaking his eye socket.
The Blazers -- who have the highest payroll in the league at $105 million -- were ousted from the playoffs in seven games by the Dallas Mavericks, after first-round sweeps by the Los Angeles Lakers in the previous two seasons.
Whitsitt will be remembered for building a team filled with overpaid, undermotivated, self-absorbed miscreants, most of whom feel they are above the law. I just hope that whoever replaces Whitsitt realizes the depth of the housecleaning that is screaming to be done. I love the Trailblazers, but I hate what Bob Whitsitt has turned the team into. Perhaps now we can look forward to seeing a roster populated with players who can win games AND stay off the police blotter. However, if it takes starting over with 12 beer truck drivers who go 3-79 next season, so be it. It's time for some changes in Paul Allen's playpen.
