Portland's Randolph fined for missing flight

[ducks]

Randolph fined after missing Blazers' flight to Toronto

November 7, 2004

TORONTO (AP) -- Trail Blazers forward Zach Randolph was fined and had to pay his own way to Sunday's game at the Toronto Raptors after missing Portland's team flight.

The plane left Portland at 8 a.m. on Saturday, and Randolph said he woke up at 8:45 a.m.

``The alarm clock didn't go off,'' Randolph said Sunday. ``I can't help it if the alarm clock doesn't go off. Stuff like that happens. Hey, I'm here now.''

ADVERTISEMENT
click here
Randolph was in the starting lineup Sunday.

``He gets fined and he has to buy his plane ticket,'' Portland coach Maurice Cheeks said. ``Fortunately for us, he missed the plane yesterday. That's why you don't travel on the day of the games.''

Randolph, who signed a six-year, $84 million contract extension last week, averaged 13.5 points and 12 rebounds in Portland's first two games, both victories.

The Blazers have been trying to rebuild an image tainted in recent seasons by player arrests and misconduct.

[Drachen]

didnt he just get a huge extesion, you'd think he could afford an alarm clock to wake him up on time.