In 1996, general manager Bob Whitsitt began rebuilding the team using players who were talented, but who had questionable attitudes and/or criminal records. This worked initially, as the team reached the Western Conference Finals in 1999 and 2000, but the strategy soon backfired on the Blazers as the local community soured on a team better known for their off-court antics than for their on-court abilities. The team began to be known as the "Jail Blazers". After a series of embarassing off-court incidents and playoff failures, as well as declining ticket sales, Whitsitt resigned after the 2003 season.
The current management has been attempting (with mixed success) to re-connect with the community at large. Most of the players associated with the "Jail Blazers" years are gone (though a few questionable attitudes remain), and a new crop of young players is showing promise. However, the Blazers failed to qualify for the playoffs in 2003 and 2004, posting records of 41-41 and 27-55.
--Wikipedia
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