<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">On the NBA map, Theo Ratliff's Elba was Atlanta, a city in which pro basketball has remained in suspended animation, plotting for the future by competing more for salary-cap space than victories or attendance. Portland, where Ratliff and teammates Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Dan Dickau landed at the trade deadline in February, has renewed his joy for the game. The Wachovia Center Thursday night became the scene of a remembrance for Ratliff and the 76ers. The 6-10 center blocked six shots for the third straight game and helped lead the Trail Blazers to an 88-82 victory. Ironically, amid all that, Ratliff - perhaps the best weakside shot-blocker in the league - provided a service for Samuel Dalembert, the Sixers' sinewy 6-11 rising young center. On a night fans received a Dalembert growth chart, Ratliff represented a real-life growth and development chart. The Sixers hope the latest lessons learned will be of some help as the they face the New York Knicks tonight. </div> Full Story.
