Tom Dundon Learned Quickly that the NBA Is Not Hockey

New Blazers owner Tom Dundon may have learned an important lesson quickly.

After criticism surrounding Portland’s decision not to travel its two-way players at the start of the playoffs, Dundon addressed the situation bluntly.

"I just made a mistake. I just don't understand the league. In hockey, we don't travel extra people because we're not on vacation. We're here to win. I don't want the distraction. The NBA seems to live with those distractions."

At least Dundon admitted it.

Because in the NBA, especially during the playoffs, those “extra people” matter more than outsiders might realize.

This is not hockey, where rotations are tighter and roster dynamics work differently. NBA locker rooms are heavily relationship-driven, and keeping developmental players connected to the team environment is part of the culture across the league. Two-way players are not just emergency depth pieces, they are often integrated into practices, film sessions, scouting prep, and daily routines.

Removing them from that environment during the biggest games of the season was always going to stand out.

The reaction around the league was not really about whether those players would get minutes. It was about what the decision signaled. In a league where chemistry, buy-in, and player relationships are constantly emphasized, the move felt unnecessarily rigid for a young team making its first playoff appearance in years.

That is why Dundon’s comments are interesting.

He basically admitted he approached the NBA with a mindset shaped by another sport. The “we’re not on vacation” line may work in hockey circles, but NBA culture operates differently. Teams often prioritize continuity and player inclusion, especially with younger rosters still building identity and chemistry.

And honestly, this may end up being a positive lesson long term.

New owners usually need time to understand how different leagues function, and Dundon publicly acknowledging the mistake is probably better than doubling down on it. The worst thing ownership can do early is assume every sport operates exactly the same way.

The NBA is different.

Players notice details. Agents notice details. Coaches and front offices notice details too. Small decisions can shape perception around an organization faster than people think, especially for a franchise trying to establish stability and credibility moving forward.

For Portland, this probably becomes a short-term controversy that fades quickly.

But it also served as an early reminder that building an NBA organization requires understanding more than just winning games. It requires understanding the culture around the league and how teams operate internally.

Dundon seems to realize that now.

And honestly, admitting the mistake may have been the smartest thing he has done since buying the team.