Thursday night the Trail Blazers paid tribute to Kevin Duckworth, who died Aug. 25 at the sorrowfully young age of 44 while participating as a team ambassador in the "Make It Better" State Wide Summer Tour. This season was dedicated to the 6-foot-11 Entertainment Center, an 11-year NBA veteran who had a weight problem much of his life. He remains the 10th leading scorer (7,188) and rebounder (3,327) in Portland history, compiling averages of 13.6 points and 6.3 rebounds in 527 games. During his tenure, the Blazers compiled a record of 356-193 (.648) and reached The Finals twice.

I really enjoyed being around Duckworth. He was Darryl Dawkins minus the jive talk and the addictions, other than overeating. I once interviewed Duckworth at his humble home for an NBC playoff halftime feature. When the questioning turned negative he threatened to dunk me in a huge fish tank that was in the living room, directly behind the couch where we were sitting. It was stocked with piranhas.

This just in, compliments of column contributor Brian McGunigle, who disputes my assessment of Cheikh Samb. McGunigle says Samb is not suitably "illustrious" to rank any higher than a tie with DaSagana Diop for No. 5 on the Senegalese All-Names Team.

Since you insist, here's the top of the list:

4. Ex-Clipper Boniface N'Dong: In Spain, Malaga, and doing very well. Better than any "big" man in NY and some other places, reports international scout.

3. Ex-Raptor Pape Sow: last spotted in Italy;

2. Babacar Cisse: playing in France;

1. Hands down, Bamba Fall; currently at SMU.

News » Hoop du Jour: Parker will be missed
Hoop du Jour: Parker will be missed
It's official: Tony Parker became the first player in league history to hit the double-nickel without emitting a single bead of sweat in last Wednesday's double-OT Spurs win against the Timberwolves. His 55 points - 17 more than his previous high - 10 assists and seven rebounds was by far Tony's best one-night stand not involving shacking up with Eva. Parker didn't fare as well in Friday's loss to Heat. He sprained his ankle in the first quarter and likely will miss 2-4 weeks, pending yesterday's MRI exam. NBA roundup Sherman: Peavy heading for... Vecsey: No 'Dyess' in Denver Blezow: Fly like an Eagle More from The New York Post