u/akade1996

What a game, Matisse and Deni were so phenomenal in that first half, and the centers were solid throughout. The the defense absolutely CLAMPED DOWN on the clippers the entire 4th quarter, and Deni played like a superstar and carried us home.

That was quite literally the biggest blazers basketball win in FIFTY NINE MONTHS, since game 4 against the nuggets in May of 2021. I was glad it was a sell out crowd but if and when we beat the Suns to snag the 7 seed, I hope the Rose Garden is ROCKING like the days of old (Roy and Dame era’s) and show our young core how fantastic and basketball smart our Rip City faithful are 💪😤 in game 3 against the spurs.

Fuck it, let’s go ahead and take a game or two off the Spurs too while we’re at it, we’ve got the defensive talent and intensity to do it. Just need the three ball to fall and Deni to look like a damn SUPERSTAR.

RIP CITY BABY

https://www.wweek.com/news/2026/02/18/in-arena-funding-talks-oregon-officials-are-playing-not-to-lose/

I’ve read the above, all the awful Bill Oram articles, the OPB study on dundon’s possibly illegal and certainly predatory subprime activities, as well as the other OPB article detailing the full extent of the genuinely nasty pressure campaign from the Blazers on the Oregon legislature to pass the 365 million without substantial debate.

I’ve also read the article explaining that passage occurred with none of the proposed amendments except for a below standard number of years lease and a partial clawback provision of funds if the blazers break the lease early (they will certainly be sued for full repayment of remaining principle and interest were they to try to break the lease early so it’s actually a non concession masquerading as a concession to allow that amendment to pass).

That article also detailed that there was very limited debate. I’ve read multiple articles stating that most (though not all) of state Democrats have been eager to see this pushed through, and basically all that this era’s negative partisanship is accomplishing is that rural republicans, rather than opposing the deal outright or asking for stronger protections of the state taxpayer, are just asking for Democrats to make other concessions on different spending priorities around state unemployment insurance, food stamp programs, the state ACA market exchange, and more. I find that to be incredibly disappointing, but not completely surprising, but I do find it surprising that the combination of the ask of a $600 million dollar slush fund for a group of out of state billionaires PLUS cuts to various gov programs that Dems typically like isn’t leading to a revolt among rank and file Dems, at least those on the left flank of the state legislature and city council? It just seems like an awful lot to swallow for a group of elected officials that are at least allegedly ideologically committed to basically the precise opposite outcome.

I do know that the Portland city manager is extremely leery of redirecting funds away from the climate slush fund to an arena bill that’s already platinum certified by LEEDS, and I think that’s a noble bastion of some resistance and slowing down the avalanche. I also heard some rumors that the Peacock in Portland city council are realizing that this kind of paying of ransom money to out of state billionaires with a history of extortionate loans to people that can’t afford them is going to call their allegiance to their stated positions into serious question with their constituents, and it looks like there may be some resistance stirring in that quarter. That’s all well and good, Great in fact! I just want to know where I can read about the details, whether it be one of the local papers or somebody’s substack or just, like, a tik tok channel or literally anything.

So, does anyone know what the current state of the fight over whether Portland and Oregon should try to negotiate at all or just pay the full amount without negotiation is, and if there are any good videos, podcast videos, articles, or substacks about the current state of that fight?

Thank you in advance!

https://www.ripcitynotripoff.com

I’d put money on someone putting another “Let’s Trade Deni” post in here tomorrow, the 12th of the last 2 days; I don’t even mind because that win was so excellent ❤️💪

Has anyone read an article or any other piece of journalism that details what if opposition there is to giving the new ownership group a $600 million handout in exchange for a shorter than average lease?