The Blazers were this close to reaching the NBA Finals.

This close.

Yeah, that close.

The team is still in tact, but part of their base may be taking off. The team was built for depth. No one in the league has the bench the Blazers do. Their subs are better than lots of starters around this over-expanded league. Portland came very close to achieving their goal - if not for the worst quarter a team could possibly suffer, they'd have eliminated the Lakers, and, in our opinion, would have taken the Pacers out in about 6 games to win their first championship since the Bill Walton days.

Now, they've got a problem.

Brian Grant might leave.

Team management must do anything possible to prevent that from happening. The problem is that there might not be any real solution. Grant is a terrific power forward, and very valuable. Unfortunately for him, Rasheed Wallace decided to become a star. The two guys play the same position. So Grant has been forced to spend tons of time playing center, and he's sick of it. He wants to play power forward, and only power forward, apparently even if it means making less money to play on a different team. Even if the team is far weaker than the Blazers and has less of a shot at winning the big one.

The guy wants to play his game, not someone else's. Can you blame him?

In the Eastern Conference, where a power forward like Dale Davis can make the all star team, a huge number of teams could use Brian Grant's services. If getting a chance to spend big minutes on the floor is more important to Grant than money or a championship, why hang in Portland and watch Rasheed take his minutes?

Jermaine O'Neal is another Blazer who wants out due to lack of minutes. Just 21 years old, O'Neal is about to begin his second year on a four-year, $24 million  contract. The kid is confident he should be on the floor for most of the game, and with the aforementioned power forwards (with Grant playing as much center as power forward), plus Arvydas Sabonis, O'Neal isn't going to get much of a chance to show his stuff. Unless he starts putting up triple doubles in practice runs, Jermaine has a season or two (or a Sabonis injury or two) before Portland would grant him real minutes.

Although, if Brian Grant did leave, Jermaine might suddenly find himself with about 21 extra court minutes per game, which could make him reasonably happy.

Greg Anthony and Stacey Augmon are free agents as well. Though, they should probably stick with the Blazers, as neither guy is too high up on anyone's list. Both can play defense; neither has too much offense to excite anyone. They're both excellent backups, but no one is confusing either guy with a starter.

Detlef Schrempf is 37 years old and has recently pondered retirement.

At least Bonzi Wells is still around to throw down nasty dunks in warmups. Steve Smith, old knees and all, and Damon Stoudamire, are still around. Old Sabonis is still under contract to take (and make) funny hook shots and throw the best passes any center since Bill Walton has thrown. Pippen and Rasheed aren't going anywhere, either.

If Brian Grant does leave but no other major changes occur, the Trail Blazers still have more than enough talent to finish next season with the Lakers as one of the top two teams in the league.

InsideHoops.com
7/20/2000
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