By Irv Crombie
Associated Press
There’s a difference between falling and descending with purpose. Rip City finds itself in the latter—an intentional spiral downward, aiming for something deeper than wins. Call it a rebuild. Call it a reckoning. Call it what it is: a reset.
The franchise has moved on from cornerstone players, and while the headlines scream “sell-off,” the undercurrent is clearer for those paying attention: Rip City isn’t tanking—it’s training. The front office has confirmed that the current roster is well below the league’s salary floor, and while some might see that as neglect, those close to the team see a redirected investment—into youth, development, and a long runway for future relevance.
Fans won’t need a spreadsheet to see what’s coming. Relegation is expected. Whispered, maybe—but expected. This roster isn’t built to win now. It’s built to learn now.
There’s no illusion here. Rip City isn’t hiding from the spiral. It’s embracing it.
It’s not glamorous. ...