clarinews@clarinet.com (02/04/90)
PORTLAND, Ore. (UPI) -- Portland Trail Blazers coach Rick Adelman is in the process of negotiating a new contract with team owners. Blazers officials are refusing to comment on the matter other than to say that discussions are in progress. ``Discussions are under way,'' said Bert Kolde, vice chairman of the team. ``But I can't comment on them. It would be fair to say we're very happy with the job Rick is doing.'' The paper said Adelman is considering the team's three-year offer, which may be worth $300,000 per year. Adelman is being advised in the negotiations by Gary Fournier, a Los Angeles-based financial adviser who has worked with several National Basketball Association players. The 43-year-old coach, a former Portland player and the team's first captain, was an assistant with the Blazers under Jack Ramsay and Mike Schuler after a successful coaching career at Chemeketa Community College in Salem. He took over the team last February after Schuler was fired. On May 11th, he was given a one-year contract for this season, with an option year at the Blazers' approval. The Blazers have gotten off to a 31-12 start and are only a half-game behind the Los Angeles Lakers. Portland had the best January record, 12-2, in the team's history, and Adelman was runner-up to Philadelphia coach Jimmy Lynam for NBA coach of the month. The 76ers' record for the month was 12-3, and it marked the second time this season Adelman has been beaten out for the award by a coach with a poorer record than his for the month. In November, Indiana's Dick Versace won the award when his team went 8-4. The Blazers were 11-3. ``They picked us to finish fifth or sixth in our division and then when we do better than that, they say, `Well, they've always had the talent.' '' said forward Buck Williams.