Upset over a failed trade that would have sent the Blazers power forward over to New Jersey, Shareef Abdur-Rahim plans to go straight to the very top with his complaints.  All the way to owner and Microsoft co-founder, Paul Allen, demanding a trade if he has to.

"I hope it doesn't come to (a holdout), but if it does, it does," Abdur-Rahim said. "I don't want that to happen; it's not me and I don't think it's indicative of who I am. But at the same time, when I left Portland after the season, I was put under the impression of one thing (being traded), and now it has changed."

The Blazers have apparently decided to keep Abdur-Rahim and do not seem to be flinching at the threats of their star forward and his agent Aaron Goodwin.  They (the Blazers) plan to convert Abdur-Rahim to small forward, playing him 24 minutes a game and another 12 minutes backing up Zach Randolph at power forward.  Abdur-Rahim and his agent feel that he is a true power forward and should start at that position.

The crux of the dispute is that Abdur-Rahim, 27, thinks he is still in his prime and should play extensive minutes at his natural, power forward position. Blazers officials indicate he is not better than Randolph, a blossoming power forward who won the NBA's Most Improved Player Award, and thus should be his backup.

Abdur-Rahim, who is set to make $14.6 million next season, said he is prepared to absorb as many fines as it takes.

"And if I have to sit out and do whatever I have to do, then I will do it. I don't want to, but I will."