The Portland Trail Blazers have a long and proud history in the NBA. That’s undeniable. Also undeniable is that most of the glory in their story happened before the turn of the millennium. For much of their run, especially in the last 20 years, Portland has struggled.

Professional sports is a complex business. No single reason can explain 100% of a team’s fortunes. But even if there’s not a smoking gun, we can at least point to a fog machine in Portland’s case.

The Blazers are a smaller-market franchise, tucked in the corner of the country, playing in a city whose attractions pale compared to Miami or Los Angeles, and in a state with significant income tax. Portland is not exactly a free agent magnet. They can attract talent when they’re playing well, but absent an overwhelming reason to

See Full Page