He Doesn’t Want to Be Taken for Granted

Although he has not made it an issue, there’s a possibility Portland power forward Brian Grant could exercise his free agency option this summer and sign with the Lakers for less money.

Grant’s stock around the league has leveled off some from last season, when he had a dominant postseason, but he could still demand top money with another team. But after getting a taste of playing heavy minutes a year ago, Grant wants to play and win.

“I don’t like to talk about that now,” Grant said. “I’ll let that stuff go on after the season.”

But Grant did acknowledge that the Western Conference finals has opened his eyes some.

“I know I don’t see myself playing center on this team the rest of my career,” Grant said. “I’m a power forward and I’m not going to be a center on somebody’s team. I don’t think that’s what is in the plan for me here anyway.”

Throughout the series against the Lakers, Grant has played out of position while matched against Laker center Shaquille O’Neal. Grant said he has gotten to know O’Neal during the series only because they’ve been pushing each other around.

“We don’t really talk too much,” Grant said. “We just bang. He’s exhausted from getting banged on and I’m exhausted from just trying to hold him up. Most of the time, we’re just giving each other a breathing look. . . . Shaq is the real deal. He is the [premier] player in this league. There’s nobody like him.”

*

If you missed it, there was an amusing fourth-quarter verbal exchange between Portland’s Scottie Pippen and the Lakers’ Rick Fox, which led to an even more heated confrontation between Portland Coach Mike Dunleavy and Fox.

Dunleavy said after the game that he only asked Fox what restaurant to visit since he was returning back to Los Angeles for Sunday’s Game 7 and Pippen said Fox gave him a preview.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Pippen said. “I’m just glad to have that we have the opportunity to play a Game 7.”

*

During the regular season, point guard Greg Anthony was a big contributor for the Trail Blazers, but he didn’t even take off his sweats in Game 6 because Portland opted to go big with Pippen in the backcourt.

But for a veteran like Anthony, not playing is fine as long as the Trail Blazers keep winning.

“This series is like most series where everyone will have an opportunity to shine,” Anthony said. “To have an opportunity to play the Lakers in Game 7, is a blessing. We’re now in position to shock the world.”