By Sam Amico

PORTLAND PRIDE

I am well aware that you're not supposed to write nice things about the Portland Trail Blazers.

I know that, as a member of the media, I'm supposed to trash Blazers general manager Bob Whitsitt, then say something about how Rasheed Wallace is lazy.

And I understand that I am never, ever to write anything like, "Golly, those Blazers sure are swell."

But I can't help it.

For the past month, I have fallen in love with the Blazers. Maybe it's because of the way they have moved the ball, buckled down and played defense, and resembled Coach Maurice Cheeks' calm and collected ways.

Or maybe it's just because my dark side needs a team to call its own.

Whatever it is, I think the Trail Blazers are again worthy of our attention. And dare I say Wallace is a big reason why?

As I sit down to write this, Wallace has just four technical fouls. That's three less than Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, a player with a reputation for doing and saying the right thing. And at this point last season, Wallace had 13 technicals on his way to leading the league for a second straight year.

There's never been any question about Wallace's talent. He's always been known as a guy who will get you anywhere from 18-30 points and 8-15 rebounds each night.

Of course, he's never been overly motivated on defense, as he once guarded Washington forward Kwame Brown and said, "Now show me why you were the No. 1 pick." Brown immediately hit a jumper in Wallace's face, and Wallace just laughed.

But things are different with the Blazers this season. Winning has become important. Yes, the drug busts and domestic disputes still cloud the franchise -- and a lot of die-hard fans have felt queasy just from reading the police blotter.

But I like how Whitsitt is handling things, publicly apologizing for the bad behavior and reportedly, trying to deal the main troublemakers (Damon Stoudemire, Ruben Patterson, Bonzi Wells). And if you ask me, those three are the team's most selfish players and biggest reasons why the Blazers can still self-destruct at any moment. So get rid of 'em, and fast.

At the same time, something has happened to this group. For some reason, the Blazers are finally acting like highly-paid professional athletes. And it's been a joy to watch 37-year old Scottie Pippen stay healthy and run the point to near perfection ... shooting guard Derek Anderson take a business-like approach to each game, yet seem to have a ton of fun on the court ... and Wallace work harder than perhaps any other time in his career.

And while the numbers may not show it, guys like Arvydas Sabonis, Dale Davis, and Jeff McInnis are having career years when the idea is fitting into their roles.

So do I think the Blazers can win the Pacific Division? Absolutely. Can they get to the Finals? You betcha. Is there still time for them to collapse, again? Darn tootin'.

But for now, I'm going to enjoy watching the Blazers play, and so far, win. Even if it's not supposed to be allowed.

RISING SUNS, AND WARRIORS

While on the subject of the NBA's most powerful division, no one has surprised or impressed me more than the Phoneix Suns and Golden State Warriors.

Let's start with the Suns, and when it comes to them, you have to start with point guard Stephon Marbury. When Marbury first came into the league, he ran his mouth and demanded trades. He couldn't get along with teammates, coaches, officials, you name it.

But Marbury has turned into a warrior on the court, and a gentleman off of it. It's been fun watching him mature from a bratty kid into the kind of man whom you would want as a good friend -- and teammate. Marbury has become everything a point guard should be, someone who looks to get others involved, realizing that big men are more likely to get back on defense and chase rebounds when they get a few touches on offense first. It may not be long before we call the Marbury-Jason Kidd trade a draw.

Of course, I couldn't mention the Suns without saying something about rookie Amare Stoudemire. If you've seen him play, you know I'm not going out on a limb by calling him The Next Great Power Forward. What amazes me most about Stoudemire is that for a kid who came straight out of high school, he seems to have a firm grasp of the fundamentals.

I wouldn't trade Stoudemire for Tyson Chandler, Eddy Curry, Kwame Brown -- or all three of them together. He's that good.

WARRIOR WAYS

As for the Warriors, don't look now, but they're closing in on .500. It would be a miracle if they actually got there, considering their youth and inexperience playing together. But two seasons from now, these guys are playoff regulars.

Credit new coach Eric Musselman, a guy who has won wherever he's been. Of course, all of Musselman's head coaching jobs came in the CBA, but that's where Phil Jackson started, and he's done OK.

Anyway, Musselman has the rare ability to keep his players happy, while at the same time, working hard. He's not a control-freak, a la George Karl, but he's not a Lenny Wilkens, laid back-type either. Rather, Musselman seems to know exactly when to scream at a player, or when to put his arm around one and whisper, "Everything's going to be fine."

On a side note, I once booed Musselman as a high school player. His father, Bill, was coaching the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Eric was playing for Brecksville High, not far from where I grew up in Akron, Ohio. I don't remember much about the game, only that I was about 12 years old and shouldn't have been allowed to boo people.

But today I'm making up for it by cheering him on.

WELCOME, DIRECT FROM PLUTO READERS

Speaking of the Cavs, I wanted to take a moment to welcome you if you're among those who signed up for the Amico Report through Terry Pluto's newsletter, "Direct from Pluto." Terry is the sports columnist at the Akron Beacon Journal, and if you like Cleveland-area sports, you can sign up for his newsletter at www.ohio.com.

I have about three best friends in the world, and Terry is one of them. He's had a big influence on my career, and more importantly, in helping me to want to become a better person. And even if you don't care about Cleveland sports, being in Akron, Terry often writes about LeBron James.

NOTE TO CAVS FANS

If you signed up through Terry's newsletter, chances are you follow the Cavs. Well, I grew up following the Cavs, and here are some things you should know about me:

1) I no longer live in Ohio, but I still love the Cavs.

2) I haven't been to a Cavs game this season. In other words, I'm a lot like you.

3) I really like watching Ricky Davis, Dajuan Wagner and Darius Miles. Davis is a bit of a head case, and I have a feeling he'll always be a selfish 20-point scorer on a losing team. Then again, I once said the same thing about Stephon Marbury. In other words, Davis probably just needs to grow up. Miles has been injured and confused, but I absolutely love his attitude and potential. He and Wagner would have fit in well with those great Cavs teams of the early 1990s, as both love the game and are grateful for their fans.

4) I hated it when the Cavs moved to Gund Arena in 1994, and I hate it now. Don't misunderstand -- I don't hate Gund Arena. I just think moving downtown was the worst thing the Cavs could have possibly done, simply because NOBODY wants to spend a Tuesday night in February sitting next Lake Erie. Every time I think, "Hey, I'm gonna go to a Cavs game," the idea of driving downtown in the dark makes me reconsider (the Indians and Browns always start when it's still daylight). Besides that, the Cavs have won all of two games since leaving beautiful Richfield Coliseum. Leaving Richfield was a mistake, period.

5) Deciding to return to the wine and gold color scheme was the best thing the Cavs have done since the 1986 draft, when they landed Brad Daugherty, Ron Harper and Mark Price. The Cavs will be wine and gold again next season.

6) If Cleveland doesn't win the lottery and get LeBron James, I'm worried about the future of the franchise. Gordon Gund has been one of the best owners in all of pro sports, but he's losing money, and lots of it. And the worst news is, Ted Stepien still lives in Ohio.

RANDOM THOUGHTS

-- Last season, this newsletter featured something called, "The Vonteego Watch," which followed then-Philadelphia guard Vonteego Cummings. Next week, I will begin "The Earl Watch," and will will give updates in each newsletter about the career of 5-foot-5 Golden State guard Earl Boykins. Excited yet? Didn't think so.

-- One scout recently told me that Orlando guard Grant Hill "has the ankle of a 93-year old arthritic woman." It's a shame, but it looks like Hill's career is finished, and some reports have him making his retirement official as soon as the season ends.

-- Is it just me, or do the Washington Wizards look a lot like a team that could peak during the playoffs? They sure did look good in late December and early January. Michael Jordan has been much healthier than even I thought he would be -- and Larry Hughes has been much better. As for Jerry Stackhouse, well, he still hasn't learned how to play alongside another star. But he's getting there.

-- Don't ask why, but I've become addicted to following the Atlanta Hawks. Maybe it's because I enjoy listening to Steve Holman do play-by-play on the radio. Or maybe it's because I love watching Jason Terry, Glenn Robinson, and Shareef Abdur-Rahim. Or maybe it's because saying, "I'm an Atlanta Hawks fan," automatically makes me unique. As my wife says, "You always seem to root for teams that can't catch a break. You're a foul-weathered fan." Or in the case of the Hawks, I'm a "fowl-weathered fan." Sorry. I couldn't resist.

-- Dallas owner Mark Cuban predicted that the Hawks will make the playoffs. "They're only four games or whatever out of the eighth playoff spot," Cuban told the Atlanta-Journal Constitution on Jan. 8. "Hey, they're just as close as the Lakers are."

-- After the firing of Atlanta coach Lon Kruger, much was said and written about how college coaches have had trouble adjusting to the pros, blah, blah, blah. But what about pro coaches in college? Bob Hill has been horrible at Fordham, and John MacLeod, who once led the Suns to a Finals appearance, nearly ruined Notre Dame. Perhaps there are others you can fill me in on.

-- Anyone know what's become of Keith "Mister" Jennings? How about SirValiant Brown? Or God Shammgod? Just curious.

YOUR E-MAILS

From Shari Valentine

Q: You mentioned several times that Houston guard Cuttino Mobley is one the league's most underrated players. As a Rockets fan since they came from San Diego, I applaud your insight. The Cat is an unselfish, motivated and hustling player. His enthusiasm for the game is equaled only by his enthusiasm to see other people do well. It is rare to find a "hot-dog" who is also a team player, but that's what Mobley is.

A: Dear Shari, thanks. Now tell Cuttino to get Yao Ming the ball and get out of the way!

From Marc James

Q: I was wondering what your opinion is on the importance of shooting percentage. I've been debating this on the Sports Central NBA board, and I seem to be the only one who says shooting percentage is one of the most important stats in the game. Those against me say that guys like Allen Iverson who shoot low percentages are examples of why it doesn't matter. What's your take?

A: Dear Marc, if shooting percentage doesn't matter, I'm wondering why those against you aren't playing in the NBA. Of course it's important! I love Allen Iverson, but could you imagine if he made even 45 percent of his shots? He would be considered the game's best player, no questions asked. Now, he's looked at as a guy who shoots way too much -- by his own teammates and other players throughout the league. The reason the 76ers reached the Finals two seasons ago was because of their defense -- and their defense is the reason they have a chance to get back. Iverson is an all-star because he plays with passion and wants to win. But no one has the guts to tell him it'd be easier if he didn't shoot so much.

From Mike Erickson

Q: Like you stated in the previous newsletter, I am just waiting for the Lakers to reel off one of those patented 15-game winning streaks. But the way I see it, they'll have to finish better than .500 just to make the playoffs, and for that to happen, they'll have to play exceptionally well the rest of the year. Do you think they can make the playoffs?

A: Dear Mike, I sure do, especially since Seattle is, for whatever reason, beginning to collapse. Then again, it's getting to the point where it will take another team's collapse for the Lakers to get in. And whoever thought we'd be saying that in January? I'll tell you this much, if the Lakers don't make the playoffs, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see Phil Jackson retire at season's end.

From Alex Dunlop

Q: Are there any teams that Michael Jordan hasn't scored at least 40 points against at any time in his career?

A: Alex, great question, and I have no idea -- although it sure ain't the Cavs or the Knicks. Perhaps someone can send us the answer.

SAM'S SLAMS

Next week, I promise to get to a neat e-mail from Marc LaGuardia of NYC pertaining to Wilt Chamberlain, and how he may have come close to becoming a Knick. ... Anyone know if the Lakers are afraid of the Sacramento Queens yet? ... Chicago forward Marcus Fizer is slowly gaining consideration for my Most Underrated Player award. No word on whether he cares. ... Tracy McGrady is now my favorite for MVP, simply because any team that starts Shawn Kemp and Pat Garrity shouldn't be in playoff contention. ... Hope everyone enjoyed the Holidays, and thanks for reading!

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