There was a "sold-out crowd of 4,852 at the Chiles Center" for Trail Blazers F LaMarcus Aldridge's Rip City Basketball Classic yesterday, according to Mike Tokito of the Portland OREGONIAN. For just under two hours, the players "played loosely and gave the crowd -- many decked out in Trail Blazers jerseys -- endless offensive highlights" (OREGONLIVE.com, 11/7). In Portland, John Canzano notes the most memorable moment of the exhibition "came in the second half when 5,000 fans began chanting, 'Let's go Blazers!!" The Trail Blazers front office "could learn something about game operations, promotion, and the deep hearts of fans on a night like this." But "ultimately, everyone knows these sideshow 'night club' games are no substitute" for actual NBA games. Canzano: "Sign the deal, players. Sign it now. Lock it up. Get it done. Or risk finding out how a public that enjoyed a one-time night of dunking and three-point shooting would soon stop showing up with passion and enthusiasm." Canzano notes the Trail Blazers front office "was working its magic behind the scenes," as they "forbid employees from being around the event." Sources said that they "even pressured sponsors of the charity event into pulling support." Canzano writes, "I'll take the NBA product over the club scene. You will, too, I'll bet" (OREGONLIVE.com, 11/7). Meanwhile, in Memphis, Ronald Tillery reports all employees for Hoops LP -- the Grizzlies' parent company -- "are prohibited from working or even attending Rudy Gay's charity basketball game Tuesday night at the DeSoto Civic Center." Grizzlies President of Business Operations Greg Campbell "delivered the message to team employees in an e-mail." It is "unclear whether arena workers risk termination by attending Gay's game" (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 11/7).
CITIES FEEL EFFECTS OF LOCKOUT: In N.Y., Ken Belson wrote the lack of NBA games has "left a larger-than-normal void in places like Portland, Salt Lake City and Oklahoma City, where basketball is pretty much the only professional game in town during the winter." The lockout has "started to pinch local businesses that depend on the teams, as well as city and state governments that rely on the tax revenue generated by players, teams and fans." Belson noted accurate figures on "how much money is being lost because of the NBA lockout are hard to come by" (N.Y. TIMES, 11/6). In DC, Michael Lee noted the Wizards "employ between 120 and 170 part-time workers -- ushers, security guards, custodians, etc. -- for each game at Verizon Center." Another 200 people are "involved in concessions, which are generally contracted through the food services company Aramark and have no affiliation with the team or the building." Levy Restaurants "also provides workers" (WASHINGTON POST, 11/5).
