Raef LaFrentz felt an improvement in his left calf last week and knew he was ready to return.

LaFrentz had not taken part in a full practice this season with the Trail Blazers after tearing a muscle in the calf last month. Testing it last week, he still felt pain, but it wasn't the alarming kind.

"It's quite a difference between running and feeling like it's going to pull, and running and just being sore," said LaFrentz, who went through a full practice for the first time Sunday. "Soreness is no big deal, but when you feel ripping and tearing, that's no good."

LaFrentz joins the Blazers at a time they need front-line help. Darius Miles and LaMarcus Aldridge still have not practiced. We need bodies," coach Nate McMillan said. "We were down to 11 players, and Raef, I think, can be a big part of this team. He can help us."

LaFrentz, who is beginning his ninth NBA season, came to Portland in the draft-day trade that sent Theo Ratliff and Sebastian Telfair to Boson. At one time, the 6-foot-11, 245-pound LaFrentz might have been categorized as a prototype power forward in the mold of Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki. "I was when I moved better," LaFrentz said. "But now I'm just going to knock down shots. Hopefully my legs cooperate with that thought."

Knee injuries have made him less mobile than he was when he was drafted out of Kansas by Denver with the No. 3 pick in 1998. He may have found a home though in the Pacific Nortwest~!

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