As the season opener approaches, nobody on the Blazers seems to know. The new-car smell is simply too strong to determine what this team really is, or will become.

"We're trying to learn about each other," said Dale Davis, who after 10 seasons is embarking on his first as a starting center. "Last year, there were a lot of people who didn't really know their roles. And this year, we are searching and finding out everybody's roles."

And that starts at the top, where Maurice Cheeks is adapting to his first head coaching job. It appears Cheeks will define his role as more a psychologist than a tactician, a coach who makes a bigger impact in the locker room than on the court. He is considered a player's coach, one who soothes and inspires through private conversations, while granting the freedom to let the players dictate what happens on the court.

"When I can rely on the strength of the players to play to their strengths, as opposed to me implementing a system that fits me, that's where positive things come from," Cheeks said.

It is a different coaching tactic for the Blazers, who spent much of last season playing tug of war over control with coach Mike Dunleavy. But as the exhibition season has shown, like any change, it takes time for a transition to be made.

"We have new players and we have a new coach, but it's still basketball to me," Cheeks said. "I think once we get out on the court and get to know each other and know the things that I like to do, then we will feel comfortable."