After week of unwanted headlines, Blazers turn to Fan Fest

It’s been quite a week for the Trail Blazers. So perhaps inviting everyone over to watch Damian Lillard and Ja Morant play basketball isn’t the worst idea.

Portland will hold its annual Fan Fest on Sunday at Moda Center, giving fans their first opportunity to see the new-look Blazers in an open scrimmage, as detailed by Sports Illustrated.

Admission is free. Parking is free. At the moment, some good vibes probably wouldn’t hurt, either.

The Blazers have spent much of the offseason dealing with questions about new owner Tom Dundon and the organization’s direction. We’ve noted that evidence of Dundon’s commitment to keeping the franchise in Portland has been difficult to find, even as NBA commissioner Adam Silver has said losing the Portland market would represent a failure for the league.

Then came this week’s broadcasting mess. Portland hired 29-year-old Braiden Bell as its new play-by-play voice, then fired him hours later after offensive social media posts from when Bell was a teenager resurfaced. That decision has since generated considerable backlash from fans. So, yes. Fan Fest.

Fans will get Lillard back on the Moda Center floor and their first look at Morant in a Portland uniform. Scoot Henderson said the Blazers want to bring “high energy” into the season and praised Rip City as one of the NBA’s most loyal fan bases.

He’s certainly right about that last part. After an offseason featuring ownership questions, cost-cutting concerns and a broadcasting controversy, perhaps Sunday can provide something considerably simpler. Namely, basketball.