he's back! PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- After a year away from the NBA, Arvydas Sabonis is returning to the Portland Trail Blazers. The 7-foot-3 center agreed to a multiyear contract on Friday. Terms were not disclosed. "We are very excited to have Arvydas back in the Blazers family," general manager Bob Whitsitt said. "Sabas has been a big part of our success in the past and we are looking forward to having him back on the court." According to the Trail Blazers, Sabonis -- who has been spending time in his native Lithuania and at a home in Spain -- was still in Europe and unavailable for comment. Herb Rudoy, Sabonis' agent, did not return phone messages seeking comment. Sabonis, who turns 38 in December, was always a fan favorite during six seasons in Portland. He averaged 10.1 points and 5.4 rebounds in the team's disappointing 2000-01 season, missing 21 games because of injuries. After the season, he opted not to renew his contract. But Sabonis had a change of heart and traveled to Portland over the summer to talk with Whitsitt and work out for the coaches at the team's practice facility. He also played a bit with former teammate Damon Stoudamire. "We are glad to have him back," said Trail Blazers coach Maurice Cheeks, who took over the team after Sabonis left. "His skills and experience make him a great addition to our team. I have seen him play over the years and I am excited to have the opportunity to work with him." During his break from basketball, Sabonis broke bones in his left foot in a non-basketball accident. But the injury has healed, Rudoy said in an August interview with The Associated Press. "He's in great shape and he's well rested," Rudoy said. "I think the break did him good." Stoudamire said recently that Sabonis is still probably one of the top 10 centers in the league. "You have to respect what he does on the offensive end alone. With the right frame of mind, and the coaches understanding Sabas, there's no reason why he shouldn't be able to help this club," Stoudamire said. Because Sabonis did not play for another team last season and the Blazers did not renounce their rights to him, the salary cap did not limit what they could offer him. Sabonis was paid $11.25 million in his last season with the Blazers. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/news/2002/09/20/sabonis_blazers_ap/ This is good news for the blazers...even though they'll probably still suck.
Sabonis may make a small difference in the win column but he brings professionalism to the ball club. Guys like Wallace and to a certain extent Wells could learn a lot about the mental aspect of the game from him. Unfortunately for the Blazers things didn't go well even when Sabonis was there,but playing with the right attitude can go a long way to help them.
Sabonis will make a big difference on the Blazers. This will prevent them from having to use Davis and Wallace on Shaq so much,plus it gives them another big man who can shoot and pass. Sabonis will easily be a top 10 center in the NBA.
Sad but true... Sabonis' passing and 3 pt game are factors that shouldn't weaken with age. But isn't he around 280 pounds with reconstructed ankles? When he's on the court, they can be a dangerous team if they move the ball freely. But how long he'll stay on the court is another question.
