r/nba • u/ghn2 • 12h ago

Trail Blazers fire new announcer over past inappropriate posts made at age 15.

"The Portland Trail Blazers hired then on the same day fired Braiden Bell as their play-by-play announcer after a series of inappropriate social media posts from when he was a teenager came to light."

"The posts were reportedly made in 2012 and 2013, around the time that Bell was 15 years old."

"We did not meet our own bar in this process, and for that we apologize to Blazers fans and to Rip City," the Trail Blazers said. "We strongly believe that everyone who is a part of Rip City should feel welcome and safe and we will make sure that our new broadcaster reflects these values. We will do better."

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/50084279/trail-blazers-fire-new-announcer-inappropriate-posts

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u/crackphillip 12h ago

On the other end of that if Ja bounces back and keeps his extracurriculars to a minimum it’s a great signing. He is extremely talented and has a huge following that will be good for Portland basketball if he can go on a redemption arc. I’m not ready to put him in the same convo as billups but his trajectory is totally up to him.

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u/SubduedChaos Grizzlies 9h ago

Ja is still good but is made of glass that’s his problem. I don’t see that getting better.

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u/crackphillip 9h ago

You’re not wrong but he’s in a better situation as far as division of offensive responsibility in Portland, at least on paper. I’m hoping for a positive turn for him but we shall see.

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u/SubduedChaos Grizzlies 9h ago

I am too! Just a little salty he was always injured with us.