The Trail Blazers' new direction continued to take shape Wednesday with the announcement of reduced season ticket prices and a 25-point mission statement that will include a player code of conduct.

Team president Steve Patterson unveiled the new ticket prices and the list of franchise "values" at the Rose Garden in a special meeting called for the team's estimated 11,000 season ticket holders.

About 3,000 people showed, and hundreds asked questions that were fielded by Patterson, general manager John Nash, coach Maurice Cheeks and executive vice president Erin Hubert.

The session was closed to the media, but as ticket holders exited the Rose Garden they said they were more impressed by the team's executives reaching out to communicate than the reduction in ticket prices.

"They have made a commitment to change, and it's a positive change," said Warren Winner, a season ticket holder since 1975. "We have never had that. We have complained before, but it fell on deaf ears. So I think this was very positive, but I don't think they are moving fast enough in making decisions and getting rid of some of the bad players."

Of 17 fans interviewed, all mentioned how impressed they were with Patterson, who took over as president after Bob Whitsitt resigned in May. Patterson fielded most of the questions.

"Steve Patterson is a straight-shooter," said Dale Hermanson, who has been a season ticket holder for four years. "He is going to be a pleasure. And the one thing you realize about Steve Patterson is how bad Bob Whitsitt was. I wish we could fine Bob Whitsitt."

Patterson has spent most of his time since being hired talking to corporate sponsors and ticket holders. He said Wednesday's announcements came after digesting many of those conversations.

"We are trying to say to the community that we are listening," Patterson said. "We recognize the difficulties the franchise has had in the past, and we are here to deal with them in as effective and immediate fashion as we can."