The Trail Blazers go on the road tonight — well, actually, it’s listed as a home game — to meet the Atlanta Hawks in Kansas City. Why Kansas City? This is apparently the exhibition game that’s usually played in Corvallis or Eugene.

From the Blazer media guide, perhaps this has something to do with it:

“From 1999-2002, (Kevin) Pritchard served as general manager, head coach and director of player personnel for the Kansas City Knights of the ABA, winning the ABA championship in 2001-02. A member of the 1988 Kansas Jayhawks NCAA Championship team, Pritchard is one of the University of Kansas’ all-time best. He averaged 12.2 points over four seasons while starting 129 of 139 games, was an all-Big 8 selection as a senior and was named to the All-Big 8 Academic Team three times. He ranks among the Jayhawks’ all-time top 10 in scoring, assists, steals and 3-pointers.”

I can’t believe I didn’t realize it sooner, but it’s a homecoming game for Kevin Pritchard! Can you imagine how rewarding it must have been to be the coach, general manager and director of player personnel for a team — then win the championship? Talk about building a franchise single-handedly. . .

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Tags: ABA, Atlanta Hawks, Corvallis, Dwight Jaynes, Eugene, Kansas City, Kansas Jayhawks, Kevin Pritchard, NBA exhibition games, Portland Trail Blazers