More from RealGM
 Portland Trail Blazers WiretapTrail Blazers LinksNews Archive
NBA News
Telfair Puts Brakes On Return
After missing the past six games with a ligament sprain in his right thumb, Telfair had hoped to return to the Blazers' lineup tonight when former coach Maurice Cheeks and the Philadelphia 76ers come to the Rose Garden. But Telfair said Tuesday that his target return date has been pushed back to Jan. 3. The Blazers insisted Telfair go through another checkup with doctors and endure more full-speed practices before returning to action, the second-year guard said. Under that scenario, he'll miss at least three more games. "I feel like I could play right now," Telfair said. "If it was up to me . . . you know how it goes." Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Przybilla's Wish: Stay A Blazer
"That's my top priority, is to try to get back here to Portland," Przybilla said before the Trail Blazers' 91-83 victory over the Timberwolves on Friday night at Target Center. "But we'll wait till the season's over, and we'll worry about it then." Przybilla was active during the game, blocking three shots and being whistled for a double-technical foul with Kevin Garnett over some cross words late in the second quarter. The incident didn't turn physical. Przybilla, who attended Monticello High School, might have reason to return to Minnesota. He lives in Milwaukee during the offseason, but his parents still live in the house in which he was raised. Przybilla said he is sure he will make more trips to Minnesota next summer because he and his wife are expecting their first child, and his parents will want to see the baby. But he feels ties to the Blazers. "This is the first time, and last year, since I came into the league that I really felt as a family with guys on the team," he said. "That means a lot to me. In the past, when I was playing in Milwaukee, I really wasn't happy. Here, I'm happy because I'm playing and I have a relationship with the guys." And what about the possibility of playing with Garnett? "K.G. may be one of the best power forwards in the league, but we have Zach (Randolph), who's a 20 and 10 guy," Przybilla said. Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Nets Eye Patterson
The Nets have talked to the Blazers about mercurial swingman Ruben Patterson, according to league sources. New Jersey's prime initiative, though, is to get an athletic big man. Chris Wilcox, Stromile Swift, Melvin Ely and Steven Hunter remain on the Nets' radar. The Blazers are discussing scenarios with many teams involving Patterson, who recently requested a trade after being suspended for cursing at coach Nate McMillan. Marc Jackson and Jeff McInnis likely would be part of the Nets' package for Patterson. The 6-foot-5 Patterson, who is the self-proclaimed "Kobe stopper," would back up Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter. Patterson is also physical enough to guard some power forwards. But the Nets are concerned about Patterson's past. He pled guilty to attempted rape in 2001, and has been convicted of misdemeanor assault. New Jersey Nets, Portland Trail Blazers Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Trail Blazers Dec 2005 Archive
|
These are trying times for one of the Trail Blazers' prized possessions, 20-year-old point guard Sebastian Telfair. 
Portland Trail Blazers center and ex-University of Minnesota player Joel Przybilla said he plans to explore the free-agent market next summer, but he clearly has affection for his current team.
The Nets are so concerned about getting better defensively that they've considered a stopper with some heavy baggage.