Damon Stoudamire: C-plus. It is a slightly above-average season for him, with averages of 12.5 points and 5.5 assists. He's shooting 40.7 percent from the field, including 33.7 from three-point range. He has been brilliant at times, but he also has disappeared, and hasn't materialized as the playmaking point guard he promised he would be at season's start. Stoudamire envisioned averaging 12 assists entering the season, but he has recorded as many as 10 assists twice.

Derek Anderson: D. It has been a disappointing first half for Anderson, who missed 31 games with a herniated disc in his lower back, forcing the Blazers to play Jeff McInnis out of position at shooting guard. Altho

Coaching: D. At some point, the team's record has to reflect on its coach, and the 17-24 record is a decided underachievement. Too often, Cheeks admits his team isn't putting out enough effort -- one of the main responsibilities of a coach -- and several times there have been tactical errors late in games, such as not fouling while leading by three in the final seconds against the Clippers. In fairness, Cheeks has been stuck with a team whose basketball IQ is probably the lowest in the league, which has led to botched assignments and straying from his plays, but again, at some point, Cheeks has to take responsibility for the poor record.

Ruben Patterson: B. He has given the Blazers everything they expected: energy and defense, scoring and passing. He has been one of the pleasant surprises to the season, which has put him on the cusp of becoming a full-time starter.

Zach Randolph: B-minus. His offensive statistics are All-Star wor

Some topics in this essay:
Maurice Cheeks, Dale Davis, Stoudamire C-plus, Rasheed Wallace, Randolph B-minus, Jeff McInnis, Patterson Blazers, Derek Anderson, Trail Blazers, Wesley Person,