History of The Portland Trail Blazers - The Cheeks Era

The Cheeks Era

Dunleavy was fired and replaced with Philadelphia 76ers assistant and Hall of Fame guard Maurice Cheeks. He had a reputation as a "players coach" (he was successful working with Allen Iverson).

A few other key additions to the team were made in 2001. In the draft, the team selected Zach Randolph, who would later start at forward (though not in the 2001–02).

However, Cheeks had numerous run-ins with Stoudamire; the latter had a reputation for shooting first and passing second, much like Iverson. The result of the season was the same as the previous season: a three-game sweep at the hands of the Lakers.

For the 2002–03 season, Arvydas Sabonis returned to the team. However, the relationship between Cheeks and Stoudamire worsened to the point where Cheeks benched Stoudamire and started Pippen at "point forward" (alongside Wells). Wallace received a 7-game suspension for threatening a referee after a game. The team barely made the playoffs and drew the Dallas Mavericks in the first round. The Blazers quickly dropped a 3–0 lead to the Mavericks, and in the process suffered several key injuries. But the Blazers won the next three to force game 7, which they ended up losing. That playoff series was also remembered for the "national anthem" incident, in which a young girl who was to sing the Star Spangled Banner before one of the games forgot the words, and Cheeks helped her sing the tune.

At the end of the season, Pippen signed with the Chicago Bulls and Sabonis retired from the NBA. Bob Whitsitt resigned his position with the Blazers on May 7, 2003, stating that he wanted to focus his attention on the Seattle Seahawks NFL team, also owned by Paul Allen. The team's numerous off-court troubles, meanwhile, resurrected the nickname 'Jail Blazers'.

To replace Whitsitt, the team hired Steve Patterson as team president on June 18, 2003 and announced that John Nash would become general manager on July 15.