Third-year point guard Sergio Rodriguez is unhappy with his situation on the team.
"After two years, it's time to tell someone, 'I'm here,'" said Rodriguez, who is averaging fewer than 10 minutes through the first six games. "I will never put myself before the team, and I think I have been professional and a good teammate. "I told them last year ... I want to play. I really love everything here. But I can't be three years playing the same (role)."
Rodriguez, who had two points and five assists in 13 minutes against Minnesota, wouldn't go so far as to ask for a trade. General manager Kevin Pritchard, who said he had a 20-minute sitdown with the Spanish native on Friday, said that is not a possibility.
--C Greg Oden will make the Blazers' road trip, but it is uncertain whether the rookie -- recuperating from a sprained foot -- will be available for duty.
"He's still working, doing a little light running, not much," coach Nate McMillan said. "I think he needs to be with the team. We are adding and changing and doing some things, and he needs to be there to see it."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "The game was televised in Spain. No, I didn't play my best game ever, but I mean, I'm here (on the bench) again? It killed me." -- G Sergio Rodriguez, about playing five minutes, and none in the second half, in the opening-night loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
