Tip-Off Timer counts down the days until the first game of the 2009-10 season. On Wednesday, there are 20 days remaining.It's tough to imagine another assistant coach in the NBA getting a welcome back like Maurice Lucas will when the regular season opens for the Portland Trail Blazers later this month.
They don't forget their heroes in this town.
The Blazers retired his No. 20 jersey -- the only No. 20 in the NBA to be retired -- back in 1988, even though he played only five seasons in Portland. That's how much he meant.
Lucas -- a huge part of the Blazers miraculous NBA title run in 1977 -- has been on the Portland staff since 2005, but he is returning to the sideline now after an ongoing bout with bladder cancer that included surgery in the spring.
