Q: It seems the Warriors are just good enough to land a late lottery selection. Does this team have any hope of becoming a championship contender without a LeBron- or Kobe-caliber draft pick?
— Roger Grant, Calif.

A: The window that seemed to have such a bright outlook two years ago amid that playoff success against the Mavericks seemingly snapped shut the moment Baron Davis bolted for the Clippers as a free agent.

The deeper reality might merely be a case of Nellie being Nellie, Don Nelson once again getting his team to the precipice of ultimate success, before allowing his personal agendas to get in the way.

We've already seen it during the first go-round with the Warriors, and then with the Mavericks, when the relationship with Mark Cuban soured.

In some ways, it is remarkable how one man can find himself amid so much melodrama, such as the current devaluation of Chris Mullin in the Warriors' front office.

What Nellie had in recent years was a team that was one piece shy of true contention. Yet, instead of stepping forward, the Warriors regressed with the departure of Davis (and, no, Corey Maggette does not even come close as a replacement).

Now there is the soap opera with Monta Ellis, regarding the guard's suspension, and the standoff with Al Harrington, whose lack of a defined role has led to a trade demand.

Remember, it's not as if the Warriors have lacked high draft picks for Nelson. There was Anthony Randolph last June, Brandan Wright the year before, Patrick O'Bryant in 2006.

What the Warriors need is another Davis-type trade, like the one that delivered Baron from the Hornets.

That, and a bit less drama from Nellie.

Q: Will Jerryd Bayless ever see time in Portland? If not, why would a team, with so many guards like the Blazers, add him to their roster?
— Anonymous

A: Considering how Sergio Rodriguez can't crack the rotation and already has been linked to trade demands, it is difficult to conceive of steady minutes for Bayless in a backcourt that features Brandon Roy, Steve Blake and Rudy Fernandez. And it's not as if the available perimeter minutes will increase, with Martell Webster on the verge of a return.

But also consider that the Blazers acquired the draft rights to Bayless in the trade with the Pacers that sent Jarrett Jack, Josh McRoberts and the draft rights to Brandon Rush to Indiana for Bayless and Ike Diogu. So, in a way, the deal thinned out Portland's roster, while providing a potential upgrade on Jack.

What Bayless is, for now, is a trade chip. Kevin Pritchard not only has done a remarkable job in collecting such chips during his tenure, but also has shown he is not averse to making deals.

If Bayless proves up to the NBA, displays decided skills as a true point guard, there will be a spot for him in the league.

Whether that spot is in Portland is another issue.

Q: What do you think the future holds for Alonzo Mourning? Will he retire after this season?
— Chioke Hassan, Baltimore, Md.

A: Coming off last December's massive knee injury in Atlanta, Mourning has yet to return to any court work. Instead, he currently is out promoting his new biography.

Slideshow   Week in Sports Pictures A boxing champ celebrates, a kicker regrets, fans mourn a hero, and much more. more photos

Still, Mourning maintains a locker at AmericanAirlines Arena and regularly pushes himself through Zo-like workouts.

If there is a return, it likely would not come until midseason, and only would come if the Heat puts itself in playoff contention. The last thing Mourning would do is subject himself to anything close to what the Heat endured last season.

At the most, Mourning would adopt the P.J. Brown plan, about 30 regular-season games and then the playoffs.

The passion for the game hardly is gone, with Mourning taking recent time to mentor Heat first-round pick Michael Beasley.

But it likely will be at least another month until Mourning knows whether his body, and specifically his knee, will be capable of one more comeback.

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