Getting Inside

Darius Miles has worked out for several teams, including Boston, Phoenix, New Jersey and Dallas, and it appears the question is not if the former Blazer forward makes a return to the NBA next season, but with what team.

“Darius’ talent is there, and his health is better than we were led to believe,” said Danny Ainge, Boston’s executive director of basketball operations/general manager.

Last spring, an independent medical examiner appointed by the NBA and its’ Players Association declared the 6-9 Miles to have a “career-ending” knee injury. Miles underwent microfracture surgery on the knee in November 2006.

It was an important gain for Portland, which was able to take the $18 million Miles was due the next two seasons off its salary cap. However, if Miles were to play 10 games with another team over the next two years, his salary would return to the Blazers’ cap.

“I’m physically 100 percent,” said Miles, 26. “I’m not in (basketball) shape, but healthwise and bodywise, I’m 100 percent. I have the explosion back. I can move.”

If he returns, Miles must serve a 10-game suspension for what was reportedly a failed drug test for the weight-loss drug Phentermine.


Notes, Quotes

• Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge and Jerryd Bayless have been among the 13-member U.S. Select team that has trained with and scrimmaged the U.S. Olympic team this week in Las Vegas.


“It’s a great opportunity,” said Blazer coach Nate McMillan, an assistant coach on the Olympic team. “The thinking with the (selection) committee was they wanted to bring in guys they felt would have a shot at being on the 2012 Olympic team.”

Others on the Select team include Kevin Durant, Al Horford, Andre Iguodala, Kevin Martin, O.J. Mayo and Derrick Rose.

“They got lots of quality time, and both had their moments,” said Portland general manager Kevin Pritchard, who observed the first two days of practice. “The first hour, they would go over offensive sets some of the (Olympic opponents) will run. The last hour, they scrimmaged.

“LaMarcus looked comfortable out there, and the one thing we know about Jerryd, he’s not scared. He didn’t look scared the first two days of practice, even going up against Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony.”

• C Greg Oden, who continues rehabilitation on the knee that underwent microfracture surgery last September, said he intends to be 100 percent ready by the start of training camp.

“I’m still rehabbing, but I’m ready to play,” said the 7-foot center, who missed his entire rookie year with the injury. “I’m pumped up to get out there. I can work out and lift, but they’re not allowing me to play three-on-three, five-on-five (until October).”


Quote To Note:

“Even if there was (a problem), and doctors told me there was doubt or something, I wouldn’t even care. I’d be out there playing.”—Greg Oden, on his eagerness to return to action following microfracture knee surgery.


Roster Report

Draft Picks:

Jarryd Bayless, G, 6-3, Arizona—Quick, athletic, offensive-minded combo guard whom the Blazers will try to convert to a point guard.

Nicolas Batum, F, 6-8, France—Won’t turn 20 until December. Athletic small forward is likely to remain in Europe for at least another season.


Biggest Needs: The Blazers need to help themselves on offense after finishing tied for 27th in the NBA in scoring (95.4 points per game), 20th in field-goal percentage (.448) and last in both points in the paint and fast-break points. Specifically, they are looking for shooters and feel their biggest needs are at the point guard and small forward positions.


Free Agent Focus: James Jones has a player option for $3.16 million for 2008-09 that the team expects him to exercise, although Jones has said he isn’t sure yet what he wants to do. Jarrett Jack is due a qualifying offer of $2.9 million for 2008-09.

Don’t expect the Blazers to be big players on the free agent market in 2008. Pritchard’s master plan has been to wait until the summer of 2009 to go after free agents, when he could have as much as $25 million to $30 million of cap room to burn.


Player Notes:

• G Jerryd Bayless was named MVP of the NBA Summer League after averaging 29.8 points and 4.8 rebounds. The 6-3 Arizona product shot .485 from the field and .430 from three-point range and made 50 of 61 free throws in his four games. Bayless sat out the final game against New Orleans with a minor injury to his left hand.

• C Steven Hill could have earned an invitation to October training camp off his summer-league play, despite averaging 2.6 points and 1.8 rebounds in 17.6 minutes a game. The 7-footer from Arkansas blocked 2.2 shots per game and “showed he can play in our league,” Pritchard says. “He did a great job defensively our last two games. He has to become a better rebounder, but he’s an NBA shot-blocker.”

• G Petteri Kopponen averaged 13.2 points and 3.4 assists in Summer League play, but shot only .380 from the field and played poorly in the final two games. The Blazers’ brass will decide next week whether or not to sign the 2007 first-round pick.

• F Nicolas Batum was signed to a contract, though he averaged 6.8 points and 4.6 rebounds and shot only .343 from the field in his Summer League stint. The 6-9 first-round pick out of France, who is 19, needs work on offense and getting stronger.