Chauncey Billups was picked to lead the Trail Blazers, and the press conference to announce him was an absolute shit show. I’m questioning if he makes it to the season opener.
Portland still has PTSD from the Jail Blazers era, so character is perhaps a bit more important to many fans than with some other franchises. With this history and our reputation as bleeding heart commies to uphold, many fans were concerned when it became clear the Blazers were locked in on Billups for the vacant head coach position, despite rape allegations from 1997 that led to a confidential out-of-court settlement.
But with advance warning that fans had concerns and plenty of time to plan, surely the Blazers were prepared to address these concerns head on? Uh, no. The press conference was one unforced error after another.
Among the highlights:
- GM Neil Olshey opens by assuring everyone that the sex was consensual. I’m sorry, but no. Maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t. But you don’t know.
- When asked for details on the independent investigation they commissioned, Olshey said it was “proprietary” and “you’re just going to have to trust us.” We started with no reason to trust you, and you somehow just made it even worse.
- He was condescending to Becky Hammon, one of the other finalists and in line to someday be the first female NBA head coach, saying the fact she made it so far in the process was an endorsement by itself.
- Billups said something in his opening remarks about the 1997 incident shaping his world view. When asked by a reporter to elaborate on how his views were shaped, Olshey apparently gave a prearranged signal, and a Blazers PR rep shut it down, interjecting “asked and answered, next question.”
I personally think the allegations against Billups are credible enough to preclude him from the position in Portland, but I can respect people who feel there’s a valid discussion to be had around that. But the way the Blazers handled it is unforgiveable.