If the "Kobe-stopper" is vengefully looking forward to becoming the "Gary-stopper," he is keeping it to himself.

When former Seattle SuperSonics swingman Ruben Patterson is asked about facing his former team for the first time tonight as a Portland Trail Blazer, he smiles. Then he responds as politely as a Miss America contestant.

"I respect the organization and everybody in Seattle and what they've done for me the past years," Patterson said. "But you've got to move on. It's just business. I'm not dogging Seattle. I'm not dogging nothing. It's just business, and I'm just happy to be here."

Except that Patterson's departure from Seattle wasn't business as usual. He wasn't just a free agent seeking more money or more playing time with another team.

After two productive seasons in Seattle, Patterson was shown the door.

He feuded with Sonics star Gary Payton. He was held up as a bad citizen by new owner Howard Schultz. And when he signed an offer sheet with Portland, general manager Rick Sund said the Sonics would rather have salary cap room than match the offer to keep Patterson.

It was a less-than-fond farewell for a versatile player who provided 13 points, five rebounds, 27.1 minutes and plenty of fire in an average night on the court.

But the Sonics' icy farewell wasn't based on what Patterson did on the court.