Trail Blazer centers Joel Przybilla and Theo Ratliff have shown it is possible to split time at a position and not be at war with each other ? or the coach.
 
?We make a great one-two punch,? says Ratliff, 32, who comes off the bench after having been a starter most of his 11-year career.
 
?We both know what we have to do for the team,? says Przybilla, 26, a six-year veteran who had a breakout second half of last season while Ratliff was on the mend from a pair of injured shoulders. ?And both of us are doing it pretty well.?

With Ratliff beginning a four-year, $46 million contract last season, Nash brought in the lowly regarded Przybilla with a two-year, $3.36 million deal to compete with Vladimir Stepania as Ratliff?s backup. Przybilla quickly accomplished that, then flourished in a starting role when Ratliff went down to injuries.