For every NBA team that is on a roll, there is a team that isn't. That's why we need the doctor -- Dr. Jack Ramsay. Each week in Dr. Jack's Prescription, the Hall of Fame coach will analyze a team in distress, and offer a cure to what ails them.

This week: Portland Trail Blazers

	Wallace

	Stoudamire

The Symptoms
It's really too early to identify a team in trouble, but since everyone likes to get off to a good start, when a potentially strong team is slow out of the gate, I want to take a closer look. The Blazers have lost 3 out of 4, their only win coming against Golden State -- which won the second matchup between the two by outrebounding Portland by a whopping 65-37 margin!

In the four games played, Portland hasn't outrebounded anybody -- and ranks 27th in the NBA in percentage of total rebounds. Other team weaknesses include their inability to shoot accurately from the field (42 percent) and scoring only 88.8 ppg (23rd in the league). Defensively, they're not exactly shutting teams down either, indicated by points allowed -- 96.8 (17th ranking) and 3-point defense (.466) -- a next to last 28th. These figures are indicators of a struggling team.

On offense, only Bonzi Wells, Derek Anderson and Shawn Kemp are shooting 50 percent or better from the field -- and Anderson played only in the opening game. Rasheed Wallace, an above 50 percent career shooter, is firing away at 35 percent; Damon Stoudamire is also shooting 35 percent; and Scottie Pippen is 39.5 percent from the field.

The Blazers lost decisively to the two quality teams they faced, the Lakers and San Antonio, and lost both road games they played. It appears that, in the early going, they haven't gotten their game together at either end of the floor.

	Davis

	Patterson

The Diagnosis
Rebounding is a key factor for this team They must at least hold their own in this department -- and a 27th ranking won't get it done. There was hope that more consistent minutes for Dale Davis, a better-conditioned Kemp, and the addition of Ruben Patterson and rookie Zack Randolph might improve their board work. So far, Davis and Kemp combine for less than 12 rebounds a game, Randolph averages only 7 minutes a game of playing time, and Patterson has yet to play while serving a league suspension. Wallace is pulling 8 boards a game, which is what one expects from him. But if he got 10, it would be a huge boost.

When a team like the Blazers lacks a single dominant boardman, rebounding becomes a team responsibility to which everyone contributes -- from Stoudamire to Davis, from Anderson to Pippen. That hasn't happened. (In the only game Anderson played, he had no boards in 25 minutes of court time.)

Lack of rebounding also affects the team's offense because it limits the opportunity to fast break. Stoudamire is at his best in the open court; Anderson, Wells, Wallace, Pippen and Patterson thrive there as well. That starts with defense and rebounding.

It may also be that the team is yet finding its offense under new coach , Mo Cheeks. Whatever the reason for its slow pace to date, there's too much fire power on hand for the Blazers to be struggling to score points and shoot poorly. Last year they shot just under 47 percent from the field -- second in the league. This year's team is capable of shooting just as well.

Wallace simply hasn't gotten his offensive game untracked. Neither has Pippen. Both are extremely versatile -- Wallace is the team's only big man, low-post threat; and Scottie has triple/double potential. The Blazers need their maximum offensive efforts in every game. Only Wells has provided a scoring spark. Bonzi has taken advantage of Anderson's sprained ankle to break out with a couple of 30-point games.

	Pippen

The Cure
Getting Anderson back and Patterson into the mix will help immensely. Both provide a lot of energy and will be consistent double-digit scorers over the season. Patterson will also get to the glass -- especially on offense. Both will help the Blazers become more of a running team -- and that will help boost point totals and field goal shooting percentages. The Blazers have the capacity to defend aggressively. Pippen, Wallace, Anderson and Davis are among the top defenders in the league at their positions. Portland needs to rebound hard, run the floor with speed, and keep opponents on their heels. It can be done.

Last season's team dissolved under a shadow of bitterness and discontent. There's no reason why this team cannot erase that memory under Cheeks and his top assistant, Jim Lynam. Mo will need to work out a rotation of players that utilizes his best talent and keeps his players focused on winning rather than playing time ... a delicate balance.

Finally, Wallace must step up and assume a leadership role. Rasheed is one of the top big forwards in the game -- on offense and defense. He needs to keep his emotions under control ... to just go out play to his maximum level every game. If that happens, and everyone else blends his individual skills into the game plan, the Blazers could be a surprise team in the West.