In the late 1990s, sources estimated that some 60% to 70% of the NBA smoked pot. For a time, the offenders all seemed to play in Portland. “I’m not a chemistry major,” former GM Bob Whitsitt quipped when questioned in 2001 about the composition of his roster. The motley bunch he stitched together proved him right. During the following two seasons, the Blazers’ Rasheed Wallace, Zack Randolph, Damon Stoudamire and Qyntel Woods were all cited in pot-related incidents.
Meanwhile, marquee free-agent acquisition Ruben Patterson inked a $34 million contract despite an ugly incident with his child’s nanny, repaying the team’s faith in him by allegedly assaulting his wife. Patterson then had his eye socket broken by a Randolph punch during a practice scuffle. After the city recoiled in horror at a team composed of players more likely to make local police blotters than All-Star games, the Blazers were mercifully dismantled.