I've never really understood the negativity about D.Miles. He was INJURED and played INJURED in an attempt to prove himself. On a personal level this guy is an Eagle Scout when you compare him to Z. Randolph. He's also a very explosive and athletic player with tons of talent. Think about all the times he's driven the lane, soared above the rim and slammed it down like he owns the place. He has a nice outside touch as well. There is a real sleeper opportunity for the Blazers if his health stays intact, and he's able ignite his passion to put quality minutes down the road. In the back of my mind I've always been thinking...don't forget about Darius...let's hope I'm right.

Think about all the times he's driven the lane, soared above the rim and slammed it down like he owns the place.

In Portland? Mostly I think of the several nights I saw him where he didn't seem to know where he was supposed to be on the court.

this guy is an Eagle Scout when you compare him to Z. Randolph

Now you're damning him with faint praise.

Like I say, I'm cutting him some slack. The thing with the Canby family was beyond cool.

The thing with the Canby family was beyond cool.

Indeed. The cynic in me wonders how much of that was Darius and how much was the agent. I still believe the Blazers would be better off having Miles spread his brand of sunshine in a new town. It's only July. Everything I've read has said things should begin moving on the Darius front in August. The guy hasn't picked up a basketball in well over a year. That should tell you everything you need to know.

Jeff Wechsler did a good thing.

Nice story. I'm going to go ahead and believe it was him and not his agent buying some cheap PR.

Just like I don't necessarily believe we should judge a whole bucket as spoiled because of one bad apple, I don't know that one cool act compares to a bunch of crappy ones. Of course, we tend to only see the really, really positive or really, really negative with anyone. The question is what the general tone of what we don't see is.

I think you have to look at the indicators to get an idea of what a person is really like. The indicators with Darius are his propensity for showing up near bar fights, his cussing out Maurice Cheeks (not a great coach, but definitely a players' coach and good guy), his walking out on games, and his allowing himself to get so out of shape despite the fact that he's getting paid an a$$-load of money to be a professional athlete (even if he's injured, he should be working to maintain his conditioning). Even with Zach, who I didn't like, the work ethic was there. You don't see it with Darius.

Props to Darius for the tremendous act of kindness. But I don't but that the real Darius is that guy. I think the guy we see on the court, looking lazy, slacking and never meeting his substantial potential, is closer to the truth.

A nice gesture yourself Jack.

As far as cursing out Cheeks, have you seen that guy "coach?" If I had to play for him and I had any desire to win, I'd be a ticking time bomb as well.

Every interaction I've ever had with Darius has been positive. There was one time in particular where he was disrespected in public when it certainly wasn't warranted. He could have caused a scene, but instead he took the abuse and went on his way. That's not to say that the Blazers wouldn't be better off without him. In fact, they would, but Darius the person and Darius the basketball player probably shouldn't be judged by the same metric.