Trail Blazers Dispute Lapse

Portland Trail Blazer President Steve Patterson responded to a newspaper column about a reported draft agreement between the team and recently suspended forward Darius Miles.

The Oregonian reported that it had obtained an unsigned, typed proposal drafted by a team attorney titled “Settlement Agreement, Release and Covenant Not to Sue.”

Under the terms outlined in the reported document, Miles -- suspended for two games without pay after a tirade against Coach Maurice Cheeks -- would withdraw a grievance he has filed for the suspension, and in return, the team would agree to pay him for lost wages plus interest.

The columnist, John Canzano, wrote that proposing such a deal shows the team isn’t serious about its 25-point pledge to field a team that has character and is accountable to the community.

Patterson, in a statement, did not dispute that such a proposal exists, but said the team has adhered to its pledge, as evidenced by the trades of Rasheed Wallace and Bonzi Wells and the release of Qyntel Woods.

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Toronto guard Rafer Alston wants an apology from Raptor Coach Sam Mitchell.

Alston and Mitchell argued after Alston was benched in the first quarter of Tuesday’s loss at Cleveland.

Alston didn’t come out for the second half and was seen crying as he was escorted to the team bus by security during the fourth quarter.

He had just returned Thursday from a two-game suspension for storming out of practice.

“When I walked out of practice the other day I was man enough to apologize, man enough to say I made a mistake. Somebody better be man enough to say they made a mistake,” said Alston, who had 16 points and 12 assists in Wednesday’s loss to Milwaukee.