J.J. Hickson, Minutes From Joining Golden State, Is Diverted To Portland

"On Wednesday, J.J. Hickson was at New Orleans Arena before the Golden State Warriors played the Hornets. He had been waived Monday by the Sacramento Kings, and with the 48-hour waiver period about to end, he was prepared to accept the Warriors' offer to join them for the rest of the season. With about five minutes left until the deadline passed, he made his way out to the court, wearing Warriors gear. "I was walking out to go shoot, get some shots up before the game, and they (previously) said I couldn't go on the court until the deadline," Hickson. "So I was going out to go out and get some shots and they told me I couldn't go on the court because I didn't clear waivers." It turns out Hickson was claimed in a late grab by the Trail Blazers. That's how he ended up at the Rose Garden on Thursday, wearing a No. 21 Blazers uniform. Although he did not play, Hickson got to watch his new team beat Memphis 97-93. "I feel great," Hickson said after the game. "Just being on the bench and cheering for my teammates, I was on the bench licking my chops, seeing how these guys play. I think I'll fit right in." Hickson didn't get to Portland until after the Blazers' morning shootaround, but he did arrive in time to take a physical. The Blazers immediately activated him, and he got a front-row seat to try to get a feel for the team's style of play."