PORTLAND'S KEMP ENTERS DRUG REHAB

PORTLAND - There were moments when Shawn Kemp made significant
contributions to the Portland Trail Blazers' quest for an NBA title,
and others when the former All-Star simply embarrassed himself on the
court.

But few expected the 31-year-old forward's first season in Portland
to end so ignominiously, leaving the team to check himself into a
drug rehabilitation program. Kemp will be treated for cocaine abuse
and won't return this season.

Since Kemp volunteered for the program he will continue on full
salary, Blazers general manager Bob Whitsitt said before Friday
night's game at Golden State.

Portland put Kemp on injured reserve Friday night and activated Antonio Harvey.

Portland players were asked not to comment on the situation before the game.

"The entire Blazer organization supports Shawn during this difficult
time," Whitsitt said in a press release. "He's taking steps to put
his personal life in order so that he can return to his professional
career, and Shawn should be commended for his actions."

"It is what it is," coach Mike Dunleavy said. "We wish Shawn the best
and the fullest recovery. We'll be waiting with open arms for him
when he recovers."

The situation couldn't come at a worse time for the Blazers, who had
lost 10 of their previous 15 games to fall from the top playoff spot
in the West to sixth. While Dunleavy has shifted to an eight-player
rotation that often excludes Kemp, he still was counted on to back up
center Arvydas Sabonis and power forward Rasheed Wallace.

Overall, it has been a disappointing 12th NBA season for Kemp, who is
averaging 6.5 points and 3.8 rebounds, his worst numbers since his
rookie season in 1989-90.

When he was traded from Cleveland to Portland last August - a deal
that also sent Brian Grant from the Blazers to the Miami Heat - Kemp
said he was fine with a supporting role. But eventually he complained
about playing time, and the weight problems and foul trouble that
marred his last two seasons with the Cavaliers further slowed his
comeback.

Woefully out of shape, Kemp constantly reached in to commit fouls.
And on offense, he wasn't close to the same player who ran the floor
gracefully and threw down ferocious dunks as the SuperSonics' "Reign
Man."

At close to 300 pounds, Kemp was more likely to settle for a long
jumper or bowl somebody over on his way toward the basket.

In late February, Dunleavy benched Kemp, playing him just 16 minutes
in a span of five games. Kemp got the message and started to make
more of an effort. One of his best performances of the season came on
March 3, when he scored 14 points in a 31-point rout of the Warriors.

Teammates praised his hard work, and Dunleavy said he was getting in
shape. Kemp himself thought he had turned the corner.

"Time makes a difference," he said then. "We've got a lot of guys on
the team, so I haven't seen a lot of time. You have to be patient.
It's not an easy situation to deal with, but I've managed this far."

Despite Kemp's troubled three seasons in Cleveland, Whitsitt coveted
the 6-foot-10 player. Whitsitt was the GM in Seattle when Kemp went
from a high school phenom to a star and led the Sonics to the 1996
Finals.

Upon arriving in Portland last Aug. 31, Kemp was thankful for what he
predicted would be "a rebirth of my career."

"Basketball has brought me so many things in my life," he said. "The
last thing I want to do is let people think I disrespect the game."