Ian Thomsen of  Sports Illustrated says they did. And around that time such a move was discussed right here in this blog and at Blazers Edge. The reaction from Blazer fans wasn’t very positive — mostly outrage. I believe Portland did make serious inquiries about a deal for him. And I think Ian’s quotes from Shaq — there was no reason for him to say this stuff if it wasn’t true — verify that interest.

At the time, I felt two things about bringing him here would be positive: Someone to mentor Greg Oden and someone to insist that the ball be fed to the post more often that it has been around here. But I also wrote at that time that Shaq would have a “hissy fit” about coming here, which he apparently did. It’s just not his kind of town.

And by now, he’d have been politicking to get out of here and go play with LeBron, too. It might have been a move for just half a season.

But before you get all huffy about how horrible it would have been to have the Big Raindrop in Portland, stop and think a  moment. Do you think Houston could have beaten the Blazers if Shaq had been a Blazer? Do you think the Lakers or Magic could have? Honestly, I am not sure they could have.

Something to think about.

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Sports Illustrated’s Ian Thomsen (a Portlander, by the way) has received a copy of a memo sent out by Trail Blazer president Larry Miller that threatens other teams that may want to sign Miles. It says:

“Team Presidents and General Managers,

“The Portland Trail Blazers are aware that certain teams may be contemplating signing Darius Miles to a contract for the purpose of adversely impacting the Portland Trail Blazers Salary Cap and tax positions. Such conduct from a team would violate its fiduciary duty as an NBA joint venturer. In addition, persons or entities involved in such conduct may be individually liable to the Portland Trail Blazers for tortuously interfering with the Portland Trail Blazers’ contract rights and perspective economic opportunities.

“Please be aware that if a team engages in such conduct, the Portland Trail Blazers will take all necessary steps to safeguard its rights, including, without limitation, litigation.”

Miles’ agent, Jeff Wechsler, has all along accused the Blazers of trying to blackball his client and it’s possible this memo helps his cause. I don’t know what the team was trying to accomplish with this thing, but there are unintended consequences in a league full of teams that may already resent Paul Allen’s heavy wallet.

Among the people I’ve talked to within the league, nobody can ever remember a note like this going around to other teams, threatening legal action over something like signing a player to a 10-day contract. But on the other hand, the Miles situation has been bizarre for months now.

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