Portland’s Nash has done a nice job

In his first trade, Nash dealt swingman Bonzi Wells to Memphis for veteran Wesley Person in December 2003. He then acquired forward Darius Miles from the Cleveland Cavaliers for guard Jeff McInnis and center Ruben Boumtje Boumtje in January 2004.

Nash’s boldest move came on February 9th when he acquired former NBA All-Stars Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Theo Ratliff as well as Dan Dickau from the Atlanta Hawks in return for forward/center Rasheed Wallace and Person.

With Ratliff and Abdur-Rahim in the lineup, the Blazers, who are currently on a five-game winning streak, have gone 5-2.

"Since John Nash and I came here last summer, we pursued a plan that would take character into account with talent, create cap flexibility while continuing to put a competitive team on the court," said Trail Blazers president Steve Patterson.

Even though Miles was a nice addition, the trade with Atlanta is the key. Ratliff and Abdur-Rahim are known as character players who are highly skilled at their specialties. Ratliff is a shot-blocking center who can score from inside the paint, while Abdur-Rahim is an athletic forward who can run the floor and light up the scoreboard.

In their first seven games with Portland, the 27-year-old Abdur-Rahim has averaged 13.3 points and 6.4 rebounds, while Ratliff has averaged 6.3 points, seven boards and 4.1 blocks.

Abdur-Rahim has not hit his offensive stride yet for the Blazers. He has averaged well below his 19.3 points per game this season while playing for Portland. However, their is no need for concern as the California product will put up big numbers statistically for the Blazers as he gets used to his new home.

The 30-year-old Ratliff is having a major impact for Portland on the defensive end. He gives head coach Maurice Cheeks an athletic center that can run the floor and will keep opposing players from driving the lane.

Nash has pieced together a formidable frontcourt for the present and possibly the future with all of his trades. Add up-and-coming 22-year-old power forward Zach Randolph, who has averaged a team-best 20.9 points and 10.9 rebounds in his first 57 games this season, to Abdur-Rahim, Ratliff and Miles, all of the sudden the Blazers look extremely athletic and tough up front.

Portland’s management and its fans have to be thrilled with what the trade with the Hawks has done for the Blazers.

"This trade (the deal with Atlanta) helps the franchise in many ways," said Patterson. "We get a younger core of players and can remain competitive in both the Western Conference and the league. Another factor in the deal is that we are also acquiring three players of good character. This trade also gives the franchise salary cap flexibility."

In its final 25 games of the season, Portland (29-28) will play 13 games at home and 12 on the road. Seventeen of the contests are against Western Conference teams, while six are against Pacific Division clubs.

The Blazers have not missed the playoffs since 1982. Earlier this season it seemed like the streak was going to come to an end. However, with the trades that Nash has made it appears that Portland is ready to make a run at earning its 22nd consecutive berth in the NBA playoffs.