owner Paul Allen held an impromptu question-and-answer session with local reporters Wednesday night at the Rose Garden.

For roughly 13 minutes, Allen addressed a host of topics, including the performance of general manager

and coach

, NBA relocation, Rose Garden naming rights, his health and whether or not he plans to sell the team. Here’s a transcript:

Q:

What are your thoughts on the season?

A:

“I think I said something before the season (to) the effect that this was going to be an interesting year. We’re going to see young players develop. And I think, certainly, with what we’ve seen from Damian (Lillard), in particular, and also Meyers (Leonard) and Victor (Claver) and Will Barton, we’ve brought in some good, young talent to this team. And later on, I’m going to give Damian, I think, it’s the fourth consecutive Rookie of the Month award before the game tips off. Although the end of the season has been disappointing because we’ve had quite a few injuries and it’s always painful to miss the playoffs, I think there’s some really encouraging progress. You have to remember, a year ago we were in a situation where, the GM situation was in transition, the coaching situation ended up being a transition. So there was a lot of change from last year to this year and I think it’s all been positive. But you’re never satisfied with a losing season. It’s painful to be on the outside looking in, in terms of the playoffs.”

Q:

Were you surprised that the team was in playoff contention for so long?

A:

“I think everybody was. For example, Damian is a better player than we even anticipated. I think I said this before the draft. So that was good. The way to team gelled and played a different style, with more flow, more movement, style of basketball, that was encouraging to see. Now, here in the latter part of the season, our defense has not been up to the standards we want to have in the future. So we’re going to have to look at different ways to explore improving that for next season.”

Q:

What would you like to accomplish in the offseason?

A:

“I think Neil has talked about getting somebody to do a better job protecting the rim. Our interior defense needs to improve. You can always have more shooting, more depth. Depth I think is something. We had a lot of young players (and), especially the international players, we didn’t know what they could do. But we need to add depth. Because I think statistically — you guys could probably rattle off the statistics better than I can — our bench scoring and some of those areas need to be bolstered.”

Q:

How would you assess the first seasons of Olshey and Stotts?

A:

“I think they’re both doing a very good job. Obviously, here at the end of the season, we’ve had — injuries can really get you. Between Wes (Matthews) and Nic (Batum) and (LaMarcus Aldridge) having issues with his ankle and so forth, there’s just been, that can always — especially when you don’t have as much depth as you would like — that can really hurt you. I think you saw Terry institute that new brand of basketball to start out the season. I think it’s, as compared to the styles we’ve had previous seasons, I think it’s a refreshing, unselfish style. In terms of what Neil did, I think we did very well on the draft. I don’t think there’s any question about that. And I think getting Eric Maynor at the trading deadline, that was a nice move. So we’re positioning ourselves with the future, with cap room, draft picks, flexibility. So it’s going to be a very interesting offseason.”

Q:

How is your health?

A:

“Good. The doctors seem to think less is more sometimes. You can see the results in my face [he pointed to scars]. But other than that, I have a few minor issues here and there, but not the major stuff.”

Q:

We’re hearing this is not a good draft. What’s your assessment of it so far?

A:

“Well, it’s funny. Some drafts definitely are deeper than others. But if your basketball staff is good, you can find — where we are going to be picking — you should be able to find a very good player. So that’s the challenge for them. They relish that challenge. They love it. And I haven’t watched the video of the players yet myself, so I can’t — I saw a few guys in the NCAA’s a little bit — but I can’t tell you who has the best shooting stroke or anything like that — yet — in my opinion. But that’s fun. You guys know I always enjoy that part of the season; getting ready for the draft.”

Q:

When do you start studying for the draft?

A:

“Oh, gosh, probably about a month-ish before. They’ve already given me some draft material that they’ve been preparing; their kind of assessments of some of the players. Those guys do so much work on the road and statistics and talking to coaches. And then of course you bring guys in and have them scrimmage and work out at the practice facility. So it’s a fun period for the staff and, of course, the fans that are following it, too.”

Q:

The sellout streak ended this season. How do you feel about fan support and how concerned are you about attendance in the future?

A:

“I think our fan support, given we’re in this mode of, whatever you want to call it — retooling, rebuilding, whatever — it’s been great. And of course, with Chris McGowan as the new team president/executive, I think we’re doing a better job connecting with the community. Listening to them. Getting their feedback on how we can improve everything from concessions to game production to every part of what goes into fielding the Blazers and giving the fans a great experience. I’ve been hardened by the attendance. Now of course you always have some games where maybe we’re struggling and you’re playing a team that’s viewed as being weaker or there’s no marquee players, so you’re going to have less attendance. But I think it’s been pretty — I don’t know how you guys feel — but I think it’s been pretty great.”

Q:

How would you describe the team’s finances and where do things stand with the Rose Garden naming rights?

A:

“I haven’t heard anything new on the naming rights. I think we talk to people from time to time, make presentations. But I don’t think there’s anything new I can report on that front. In the past, we’ve had financial challenges every year. And some huge financial challenges in the past, where we were not so focused on the financial side of things. But now with the new CBA in place, I think all small market teams will be better.”

Q:

In light of the new luxury tax penalties, is it safe to say you won’t enter that payroll threshold?

A:

[laughs] “I’m not going to be a repeat offender, or whatever it is, with the multiplicative tax. So, no, that’s something that we’ll try to stay; we’ll be moderate in terms of, we’re not going to be like the big market teams that may go deep, deep in the tax if they’re in a championship window. People should understand, you think about those things. When you’re a big market, you have a huge local cable deal or whatever and you can afford it. Or you think you’re in a championship window. Otherwise, those taxes will become so punitive that will have their desired affect of keeping payrolls in balance.”

Q:

Where do you stand on the Sacramento-Seattle basketball relocation situation?

A:

I think there was a league announcement that said there wasn’t going to be a decision at this owner’s meeting. If there was, I would be back in New York, talking to people and forming my final opinion. I think it’s a tough call. Because, although I supported the Sonics staying in Seattle when they ended up leaving, I think in general, there’s some feeling that if there’s good fan support in an area and there’s good political support sufficient enough to have a state-of-the-art facility, that’s more than enough to keep a franchise in the same place. Then you can get all the parameters of who’s made the best offer, who hasn’t made the best offer, all those things. So it’s a very difficult thing. And, of course, Steve Ballmer is a very good friend of mine. I think he’d be a great owner. So I reserve my final decision.”

Q:

Do you expect there to be significant roster turnover this offseason?

A:

“I certainly expect there to be some. I think, given some of the areas we need to improve, there’s definitely going to be turnover. We have a number of unrestricted free agents and so, yeah, there’s going to be some turnover. But that’s part of what is involved in rejuvenating and retooling and building back up the strength of your team. So it goes with that part of the process.”

Q:

Is it safe to say you still enjoy owning the team and have no plans to sell it?

A:

“That is correct. In spite of strange reports from unknown places.”

Q:

Did you read that story?

A:

“I read some of it. And I was disappointed again [laughter in the room]. Secret meetings that never happened. Yeah, I read enough to say, ‘Not accurate. Extremely, extremely inaccurate.’”

Q:

Back to Rose Garden naming rights. Why have you decided to seek naming rights? Did you have a change of heart?

A:

“Oh, no, no. In the past, we had an alternative strategy that involved pylons that were supposed to be sold that would give at least as much revenue as some additional naming as part of the facility. I came up with the name Rose Garden. So, believe me, I’ve got an attachment to it. But with all franchises, you want the franchise to be in a positive financial footing. And naming rights, whether it’s ‘Something Something at the Rose Garden.’ Whatever. Whatever transpires, if we find somebody that’s excited about it, that’s part of putting your franchise in a good financial position so you feel good about making other player moves or whatever. So I understand people’s investment in a particular name. I tried to pick a name in Rose Garden that was something, frankly, like Boston Garden or Madison Square Garden. Whatever. There was something in those names that appealed to me as having some permanence. So we’ll see what happens there. But I just wanted to make sure you knew my assessment.”

--Joe Freeman