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Mar 9, 2001
NBA BASKETBALL 
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Rod Joins Rasheed and Company
By SCOTT STEVENS

I’ve always been an observant young man.

Is Mike Dunleavy sadistic or just plain crazy? Why would he take on the responsibility of Rod Strickland and possibly ruin team chemistry? Juggling playing time during the season is one thing but playoff time is payoff time and every player who’s been in the league over three years knows it. Strickland, a contract casualty, joins a canyon-deep Trailblazer team and brings one-on-one point guard skills in the big guard body. He also brings a curious appreciation for drinking, bad habits, and pressure for Damon Stoudamire. Stoudamire has flourished this season but appeared easily distracted when pushed by other ready backups.  Dunleavey already has the task of tempering Rasheed Wallace’s commendable fire, motivating the enigmatic Scottie Pippen, and keeping Shawn Kemp within a limit. Now throw in Strickland! Why Mike, are you some type of weekend daredevil?

As an observant young man, I know that getting Mike to answer is totally out of the question. No creds man, no creds. 

So through meditation and introspection, I will answer why Dunleavy pricked his thumb. 

Dunleavy did it for some piece of mind. The Trailblazers can ill afford a stumble on the path to the Finals. If Allen doesn’t get em, the screaming northwest faithful will. Those riots in Seattle were nothing compared to what may be on the horizon. The Blazers have the best roster in the NBA, and the most expensive. Not making the Finals could be seriously detrimental. If the Lakers had a power forward and a point guard they would be unbeatable. I don't know if Phil Jackson was interested in Strickland (remember no creds man) but he would have juiced up the Lake Show‘s ratings. Phil probably meditated at the rate of an addict with Rider, Kobe, Shaq, and Strickland but Dunleavy would’ve been suffering from insomnia. What if the Spurs would have tried to bolster their bench with Strickland, since Avery Johnson has been injured? Could Dunleavy and Allen have pulled a “Steinbrenner” and horded the available talent at crunch time to solidify their status as the kids with the deepest pockets?

The acquisition of Strickland may have simply been an attempt at fortifying the one spot.  If Stoudamire doesn’t shoot well, he’s a liability versus the Lakers. They take him into the post and defend him with Kobe. Greg Anthony the defensive specialist is injured and may not be ready for the post-season.

Enough; with no creds, this rambling is just speculation. Only Dunleavy knows why he picked up Strickland. Based on my observations, I know one thing without the benefit of you know what, - Strickland has to be happy. He went from ashy to classy. It can’t buy love but 2.25 million may be able to buy you piece of mind. The question is whose mind and whose sanity was for sale? 

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