PORTLAND, Ore. -- Portland Trail Blazers forward Zach Randolph has been charged with driving under the influence of intoxicants after his arrest early Tuesday by a police officer who said he smelled marijuana in Randolph's car, authorities said.
Randolph was stopped about 2 a.m. in north Portland by an officer who "noted a strong odor of burning marijuana coming from the vehicle," said Sgt. Cheryl Robinson, a Portland Police Bureau spokeswoman.
Randolph was also cited for failure to drive within a lane, for not having an Oregon driver's license and for driving without insurance, Robinson said.
"Certainly if it turns out that the tests are not what we'd like to see, then, as I said, there will be consequences," team president Steve Patterson said.
Randolph was taken to the Multnomah County jail, where he was "very cooperative with our deputies, [saying] 'Yes sir, no sir,' " said Multnomah County sheriff's Lt. Mike Shults. "He went through it without any incident."
Randolph was released from jail at 5:13 a.m., Shults said.
The misdemeanor charge carries a potential sentence of up to one year in jail and up to a $5,000 fine, if convicted, Shults said.
Arraignment was set for Dec. 30 in Multnomah County Circuit Court.
Randolph, who became a starter this season, is averaging 20.7 points and 11.2 rebounds a game to lead the team.
The Blazers have been plagued by a series of arrests and infighting in the past few seasons. Most recently, Bonzi Wells was stripped of his co-captaincy and suspended for two games after cursing at coach Maurice Cheeks.
Wells was also fined by the team for making an obscene gesture at a fan at a home game against the Philadelphia 76ers early last month.
Player Damon Stoudamire, meanwhile, faces marijuana charges in Arizona following an offseason arrest at an airport. The Blazers initially suspended and fined Stoudamire, but he was later reinstated to the team after voluntarily undergoing treatment.
Last season, Stoudamire and Rasheed Wallace were both cited in Washington on marijuana charges. Both agreed to attend drug and alcohol counseling, and stay out of legal trouble for a court-specified period of time. Wallace also paid a $650 fine.
Also last season, Ruben Patterson's wife called 911 to report domestic abuse. Shannon Patterson later asked that the charges not be pursued by prosecutors.
Qyntel Woods was cited in late March for marijuana possession. He later pleaded innocent to the drug charges, but paid small fines for driving while uninsured and without a license.
Randolph was involved in a scuffle during practice late last season. He punched Patterson in the face, breaking his eye socket, and was suspended for two games by the team.
During the offseason, the Blazers made an effort to repair their tarnished image. They hired a new president, Steve Patterson, and a new general manager, John Nash, when Bob Whitsitt resigned.
Owner Paul Allen vowed that the Trail Blazers would be a team that Portland could be proud of. And the team released a 25-point pledge to fans that included a promise to hold players "accountable for their actions both on and off the court."
It's funny how we were just saying recently that Zach Randolph was on of the better ones (yeah, that doesn't say much.)
Clyde Drexler. Terry Porter. Buck Williams. Damn, what happened?
Paul Allen needs to fire literally everyone and start from the ground up.
Yay, my 2500th post coincides with the 2500th Blazers arrest!
Let's put this in the plainest terms possible: Darryl Strawberry has no business instructing anybody about anything. He has never done a thing in his life to warrant a position of guidance. Not on the field. Not off the field.-- David Vescey, si.com
How to Make the Wienerboard a Better Place, Chapter 1: Just because you can't spell "Heidenreich", doesn't make you clever.Too bad they couldn't get Skiles... they need someone in there to whip them into shape. What's R. Lee Ermey up to nowadays, besides "Mail Call"?
Originally posted by KawshenRandolph was involved in a scuffle during practice late last season. He punched Patterson in the face, breaking his eye socket, and was suspended for two games by the team.
Well, of COURSE he got into a scuffle...he didn't have any weed to mellow him out that night.
If Martha Stewart's obituary had a typo in it, would it read "Beloved Aunt"?
The biggest advantage to this trade, the Blazers' dirty little secret, is that they hope this trade even gives Rasheed Wallace a little peace.
Wells was Wallace's No. 1 sycophant. He's Wallace's headbanded sidekick. And by breaking up that duo, the Blazers busted up a budding mutiny.
As they were leaving the practice facility Wednesday, the morning of their final shootaround together, Wells and Wallace saw Ruben Boumtje Boumtje shooting jump shots some 100 feet away with his back turned to them.
Wallace slapped Wells on the back and said, "Watch this." Then he picked up a ball, reared back and fired a 100-foot, baseball-style strike that left Boumtje Boumtje writhing the floor. Trainers were summoned. After a few scary minutes, Boumtje Boumtje walked off, OK.
Wells and Wallace?
They giggled like schoolchildren and ran away the moment their teammate hit the canvas.
So, Grizzlies fans, this is what you're really getting in the deal.
I certainly hope Hubie Brown doesn't put up with crap like this.
Well you know something, Mean Gene... Hubie Brown won't put up with it. He's from a class of hard-ass coaches who won't take crap from any player. Bonzi will be riding the pine if he does something stupid.
I don't care if Bonzi is a trouble maker, if you get someone with his talent for someone like Wesley Person (no offense Wesley) then I do that deal in a heartbeat. I Jerry West knows what he's doing, they've got some pretty talented guys down their in Memphis if they can get it all together. Although it doesn't help being in a conference where the last place team is .500. Too bad they can't be in the Atlantic Division where the FIRST place team is .500
Are the Grizzlies in the East in the new realignment coming up?
How to Make the Wienerboard a Better Place, Chapter 1: Just because you can't spell "Heidenreich", doesn't make you clever.
Originally posted by QuezzyAre the Grizzlies in the East in the new realignment coming up?
Nope, ESPN.com (sports.espn.go.com) sez they're in the Southwest, with (gulp) New Orleans, San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston. I guess now's their time, since I don't see them getting past all FOUR of those teams.
Originally posted by JaguarThey put all the Texas teams in one division?
Why??
-Jag
It would likely be the same reason why they put all the California teams in the same division. They wanted the teams to be within relatively close proximity of each other in their respective divisions.
Yeah, it's this year or ... well, you figure out the rest. I just figure Stern's got a bet with someone that says the Grizzlies don't make the playoff their first 15 years of existence or something. Maybe in a few years, he'll hold a press conference in Memphis, saying "Hah! Fooled you, didn't I?" or something like that.
Either that, or the Grizzlies will be playing the role of the D-Rays. Proverbial win fodder. Joy.
Oh, and I've got 3 weeks in the "Bonzi gets busted in Memphis" pool. Place your bets now!
Originally posted by JaguarThey put all the Texas teams in one division?
Why??
-Jag
It would likely be the same reason why they put all the California teams in the same division. They wanted the teams to be within relatively close proximity of each other in their respective divisions.
It makes sense geographically and helps fuel good rivalries.
Eh, logistics I can see, but good rivalries? Maybe it's just me, but I prefer state to state rivalries instead of city to city ones. In the ACC we have 4 teams right here, and it gets tiring having to argue with the NC State and Duke fans (I hear Wake has fans somewhere too!) all the time. With Virginia and Maryland though, I can make sweeping statements like, "God, I hate Virginia" or "Maryland just plain sucks" and feel good about putting down not only the team, but everybody in the state.
-Jag
"I'm going to go now and demand beer money from my representative. We simply must deal with the problem of my sobriety." - PalpatineW