Jeff McInnis isn't the answer to the Blazers' problems.

CAN MONEY BUY HAPPINESS?
Not in Portland, even if you count buying out Shawn Kemp -- and the Blazers most assuredly do. Their massive payroll has yielded puny results. The return of Arvydas Sabonis gives them a legit center and spares Dale Davis another Big Shaq attack. But adding Jeff McInnis and Antonio Daniels extends the tradition of stockpiling expensive but flawed and mismatched talent. If this were college, they'd definitely get an F in chemistry.

STARTING FIVE
This has to be the most talented starting lineup (Davis plays center until Sabonis is ready) to enter the playoffs as a sixth seed. They must be very proud.

Pacific Division

1. Kings

2. Lakers

3. Clippers

4. Blazers

5. Sonics

6. Suns

7. Warriors

Scouting Report Index

Rasheed Wallace, PF: Team leader in points, T's and pouts
Scottie Pippen, SF: Decent in many areas, dominant in none
Arvydas Sabonis, C: The sooner he starts, the better
Bonzi Wells, SG: Scoring ability far ahead of PR skills
Damon Stoudamire, PG: Unless McInnis or Daniels beats him out

BENCH
Daniels, McInnis, No.1 pick Qyntel Woods join Davis, Derek Anderson, Ruben Patterson. Still, the whole is less than the sum of the parts.

GLOBAL VIEW
When Sabonis (Lithuania) was
drafted in 1986, Woods was 5.

FREEWHEELIN'
Damon says, "Play me or trade me." Shouldn't he start playing first?

This article will appear in the November 11 issue of ESPN The Magazine.