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Portland Trail Blazers
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Portland Trail Blazers | |
 |
|
| Conference | Western Conference |
| Division | Northwest Division |
| Founded | 1970 |
| History | Portland Trail Blazers 1970-present |
| Arena | Rose Garden Arena |
| City | Portland, Oregon |
| Team colors | Red, black, silver, and white |
| Owner | Paul Allen |
| General manager | Kevin Pritchard |
| Head coach | Nate McMillan |
| NBA D-League affiliate | Idaho Stampede |
| Championships | 1 (1977) |
| Conference titles | 3 (1977, 1990, 1992) |
| Division titles | 4 (1978, 1991, 1992, 1999) |
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are a professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The team owner is Paul Allen, who purchased the team in 1988. The team president is Larry Miller, and the general manager is Kevin Pritchard. The head coach of the Trail Blazers is Nate McMillan. [1] The team's NBDL affiliate is the Idaho Stampede[2]
The franchise, based in Portland throughout its existence, entered the league in 1970, and are the only major league franchise in the state of Oregon. From 1977 through 1995, the team sold out 814 consecutive home games, the longest such streak in American professional sports.[3] Since 1995 the Blazers have played their home games at the 19,980 seat Rose Garden Arena on the east side of the city; the team's original home arena was the 12,888-seat Memorial Coliseum, which stands adjacent to the Rose Garden in the area known as the Rose Quarter.
The team has advanced to the NBA Finals three times, winning the NBA Championship once, in 1977. The team also advanced to the NBA Finals in 1990 and 1992.[4] The team has qualified for the playoffs during 25 seasons of their 36-season existence, including a streak of 21 straight appearances from 1983 through 2003.[5] Four Hall of Fame players have laced up sneakers for the Trail Blazers (Lenny Wilkens, Bill Walton, Clyde Drexler, and Drazen Petrovic)[6], as well as one player (Scottie Pippen) who was recognized as one of the league's 50 greatest but who is not yet eligible for the Hall. Bill Walton is the franchise's most decorated player; he was the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player in 1977, and the regular season MVP the following year.[4][7] Three Blazer rookies (Geoff Petrie, Sidney Wicks, and Brandon Roy) have won the NBA Rookie of the Year award. Two Hall of Fame coaches, Lenny Wilkens and Jack Ramsay, have patrolled the sidelines for the Blazers, and two others (Mike Schuler and Mike Dunleavy) have won the NBA Coach of the Year award with the team.[6]
Contents |
The team has been known as the "Trail Blazers" throughout its history. Two weeks after being awarded an expansion franchise in 1970, team management held a contest to select the team's name. More than 10,000 entries were submitted. The most popular choice was "Pioneers", but that name was excluded from consideration as it was already used by sports teams at Portland's Lewis and Clark College. 172 entries recommended the name "Trail Blazers" and that was the name which was selected.[8]
The team's colors are red, white, black; silver was added in 2002.[9] The team's "pinwheel" logo, originally designed by the cousin of former Blazer executive Harry Glickman, is a graphic interpretation of two five-on-five basketball teams lined up against each other. One side of the pinwheel is rendered in red; the other side is rendered in a monochrome color (black, silver, or white). The logo has gone from a vertical alignment to a slanted one over time.[8]
Portland's home uniforms are white in color, with red and black accents; the primary road uniform is black, with red, white, and sliver accents. Prior to the 1977-78 season, the team wore red road uniforms, switching to black in that year. The team again wore red during the 1984–85 season, switching back to black road jerseys after that. The red uniform is still used as an "alternate" road uniform. [9]
The team's mascot is Blaze the Trail Cat, a two-tone silver-colored mountain lion,[10] which has been the team's official mascot since 2002.[11] Prior to Blaze's debut, the Trail Blazers never had any official mascot. A popular unofficial mascot was Bill "The Beerman" Scott, a Seattle beer vendor/cheerleader who worked for numerous pro teams, including the Trail Blazers, the Seattle Seahawks, and the Seattle Mariners. Scott worked for the Trail Blazers from 1981 through 1985.[12] He was diagnosed with cancer in 2001 and retired from professional cheerleading in 2003. He died in 2007.[13]
The Trail Blazers entered the NBA in 1970 as an expansion team, playing in the Memorial Coliseum. The team was led in its early years by charismatic players such as Geoff Petrie and Sidney Wicks, but as is common with expansion teams, did not achieve much success as a result. The Blazers failed to qualify for the NBA postseason in their first six years of existence. During that span, the team had three head coaches (including future hall-of-famer Lenny Wilkens); team executive Stu Inman also served as coach.[14] The team won the first pick in the NBA Draft twice during that span; the 1972 selection of LaRue Martin with the number one pick is considered by many NBA observers one of the worst draft picks in NBA history.[15] However, in 1974 the team selected Bill Walton from UCLA; a pick that would reverse the team's fortunes in a dramatic way.
In 1976, the American Basketball Association merged with the NBA. Four ABA teams joined the NBA; the remaining teams were dissolved and their players distributed among the remaining NBA squads in a dispersal draft. The Trail Blazers selected Maurice Lucas in the dispersal draft;[16] that summer they also hired Jack Ramsay as head coach. The two moves, coupled with the emergence of Walton as a premier NBA big man, led the team to its first winning record (49—33), its first playoff appearance, and its only NBA Championship in 1977.[4] On April 5 of that year, the team failed to sell out a game, after which they would embark on a sellout streak of 809 straight games--the longest in sports history--which would not end until 1995, after the team moved into a larger facility.[3]
The team started the next season with a 50-10 record, and many predicted a dynasty in Portland, but it was not to be. Walton suffered a foot injury which ended his season and would plague his entire career, and the team struggled to a 58-24 record, losing to the Seattle Supersonics in the conference semifinals.[17] That summer, Bill Walton demanded a trade; when none was forthcoming he held out the entire 1978-1979 season and left the team as a free agent thereafter.[18] Maurice Lucas would leave the team in 1980, and the Blazers "dynasty" was finished.
During the 1980s, the team would be a consistent presence in the NBA postseason, only once failing to qualify for the playoffs (in 1982). However, they would never advance past the conference semifinals during the decade.[19] The Pacific Division of the NBA was owned by the Los Angeles Lakers throughout the decade, and only the Lakers and the Houston Rockets would represent the Western Conference in the NBA Finals. Key players for the team during the early 80s included Mychal Thompson, Fat Lever, Darnell Valentine, Wayne Cooper, T. R. Dunn, Jim Paxson, and Calvin Natt. But the offseasons of 1983 and 1984 would be instrumental in defining the future success--and failure--of the team into the next decade.
In 1983, the team selected University of Houston guard/forward Clyde Drexler with the 13th pick in the draft[20]; "Clyde the Glide" would become the face of the franchise for over a decade, and the team's most decorated player with the exception of Walton.[21] The following year, the Trail Blazers landed the #2 pick in the NBA Draft. After the Houston Rockets selected Drexler's college teammate Akeem Olajuwon at #1, the Trail Blazers selected Kentucky center Sam Bowie. Drafting third, the Chicago Bulls would select Michael Jordan. Many sportswriters and analysts have criticized the selection of the injury-plagued Bowie over Jordan as the worst draft pick in the history of American professional sports.[15][22] That summer, the Blazers also made a controversial trade, sending Lever, Cooper, and Natt to the Denver Nuggets for high-scoring forward Kiki Vandeweghe.[23]
However, the Blazers continued to struggle in the postseason, and in 1986 Ramsay would be fired and replaced with Mike Schuler.[14] That off-season, the team would draft two players from behind the Iron Curtain, Arvydas Sabonis and Drazen Petrovic.[20], and send Thompson to the San Antonio Spurs for former Oregon State University star Steve Johnson, a high-scoring forward-center who the team intended to pair with Bowie on the frontline. It was not to be, as Bowie broke his leg five games into the 1986-87 season, and would miss the next two and a half seasons.[24][25] During Schuler's brief tenure, the Blazers failed to advance out of the first round of the NBA playoffs.[19]
In 1988, the team was purchased by billionaire Paul Allen[26]. His first season as owner was one marked by turmoil, as conflicts over who should start erupted at several positions. Both Kiki Vandeweghe and Steve Johnson suffered injuries and were replaced in the starting lineup by Jerome Kersey and Kevin Duckworth respectively, and several players, most notably Clyde Drexler was accused of undermining Schuler[27] The team struggled to a losing record and appeared in danger of missing the playoffs. Schuler was fired[28] and replaced on an interim basis with assistant coach Rick Adelman, and Vandeweghe was traded to the New York Knicks.[29] Under Aldeman, the team rallied to a 39-43 record, barely qualifying for the playoffs. That offseason, the team traded Sam Bowie (who had returned to the team to end the season) to the New Jersey Nets for forward Buck Williams, and Adelman was given the coaching job on a non-interim basis.[14]
The addition of Williams, and the replacement of the defensively-challenged Vandeweghe with the defensive-minded Kersey, turned the team from a poor defensive squad into a good one.[30] Led by the charismatic Clyde Drexler, the team would reach the NBA Finals in 1990 and 1992, losing to the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls respectively. The year in between, the team posted a league-best 63-19 record before losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference finals. However, the team failed to win an NBA title; and failed to advance past the first round in 1993 and 1994.[19] Adelman was fired after the 1994 season[31], and replaced with P. J. Carlesimo.[32] Adelman's close friend, executive vice president Geoff Petrie, resigned[33].
In July of 1994, the Trail Blazers announced the hire of a new team president--former Seattle Supersonics GM Bob Whitsitt.[3] Whitsitt immediately set about retooling the Blazers; this included dismantling the Drexler-led team which had twice been to the finals[34], but which was getting long in the tooth. In 1993, Kevin Duckworth was traded to the Washington Bullets for forward Harvey Grant. Several key players were permitted to walk away in free agency, including Buck Williams (1996), Terry Porter (1996), and Cliff Robinson (1997).[35] Jerome Kersey was left unprotected in the 1996 expansion draft.[36] And Drexler himself would request and get a trade to the Rockets.[34] In the fall of 1995, the team left the Memorial Coliseum for a new home, the 20,000-seat Rose Garden.[14] The sellout streak would end in the new building[3].
In an effort to rebuild, the team acquired several players who were highly talented, but had reputations for off-court troubles. Isaiah Rider and Rasheed Wallace were acquired in trades, and point guard Kenny Anderson was signed as a free agent[37], and subsequently traded for Damon Stoudamire.[38] Initially, this approach worked, as the team returned to the Western Conference finals in 1999 under head coach Mike Dunleavy.[14] After being swept by the eventual champion San Antonio Spurs, Whitsitt sent Rider and guard Jim Jackson to the Atlanta Hawks for guard Steve Smith, and acquired former All-Star forward Scottie Pippen from the Houston Rockets. This team would again advance to the Western Conference Finals, where they faced a Los Angeles Lakers team led by Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. In that series, the Blazers dropped 3 out of the first 4 games before winning the next two, forcing a pivotal Game 7. The Blazers had a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter, but lost the game and the series to the Lakers, who would go on to win the first of three titles in a row.[39]
After that failure, the team made a series of personnel moves in the 2000 and 2001 off-seasons which failed to produce the desired results, and continued to alienate the community. Up-and-coming forward Jermaine O'Neal was traded to the Indiana Pacers for Dale Davis, and the team traded popular forward Brian Grant for troubled ex-Seattle forward Shawn Kemp.[40] The team started off well, posting the Western Conference's best record through March of 2001; but then signed guard Rod Strickland to augment their point guard corps.[41] The move backfired, and the team lost 17 of its remaining 25 games, and was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.[42] Many in the media began to criticize the team,[43] and Whitsitt, previously proclaimed a genius for his work in both Seattle and Portland, started coming under criticism.[42] A particular criticism was that Whitsitt was attempting to win a title by assembling a roster of superstars, without paying attention to team chemistry;[42] longtime NBA coach and analyst Doug Collins referred to Whitsitt as a "rotisserie-league manager".[41] A fan was ejected from the Rose Garden for holding up a banner that said "Trade Whitsitt"[44], and many in the national media started referring to the team as the "Portland Jail Blazers".[45]
That offseason, the churning continued. Dunleavy was fired,[46] and replaced with Maurice Cheeks, a "players coach" who it was thought would relate better to the players than did Dunleavy.[47] More transactions followed, as the Blazers traded Steve Smith to the Spurs for Derek Anderson[40]. In one of his most controversial moves to that time, Whitsitt signed free agent Ruben Patterson, who had previously plead nolo contendre to a felony sexual assault charge, and was required to register as a sex offender.[48] Popular center Arvydas Sabonis, who during the playoffs had a towel flung in his face by Rasheed Wallace[49] decided to leave the team.[50]
The next two seasons were just as disastrous for the team's reputation. Numerous players, including Rasheed Wallace, Damon Stoudamire, and Qyntel Woods, were arrested for marijuana possession. Rasheed Wallace was suspended for seven games for threatening a referee. Zach Randolph and Ruben Patterson got in a fight during practice, with Randolph sucker punching his teammate in the jaw.[51] Police answering a burglar alarm at Stoudamire's house noticed a marijuana smell, searched the premises, and found a pound of cannibas located in a crawlspace;[52] the search was later declared illegal and charges in the matter were dropped.[53] Guard Bonzi Wells famously told Sports Illustrated in a 2002 interview:[54]
they [fans] really don't matter to us. They can boo us every day, but they're still going to ask for our autographs if they see us on the street.
As a result, fan discontent soared; despite the team continuing to post a winning record, attendance at the Rose Garden started to decline.[44] In the summer of 2003, with attendance declining, the team going nowhere on the court, and an exorboriant payroll, Whitsitt announced that he would leave the team to focus on Paul Allen's other franchise (the Seattle Seahawks). [55]
To replace Whitsitt, the team split his role into two and hired two men. The new general manager was John Nash, a veteran NBA executive[56], and the new team president was Steve Patterson[57]. The new management promised a focus on character while remaining playoff contenders; the team soon published a "Twenty-Five Point Pledge" to fans [58] Troublesome players including Bonzi Wells, Rasheed Wallace, and Jeff McInnis were traded away.[14] However, the team failed to qualify for the 2004 NBA playoffs, ending a streak of 21 straight appearances.[5]
The following year was marked by more trouble, as the team plummeted to a 27-55 record. The bankruptcy of the Oregon Arena corporation, which resulted in the Rose Garden being owned by a consortium of investment firms, further alienated the fanbase, as did an incident in which forward Darius Miles (himself African-American) called coach Maurice Cheeks a "nigger".[59] The latter incident was compounded by what many viewed as inadquate discipline for Miles, followed by a secret agreement between the team and Miles to refund the amount of his fine.[59] Cheeks would be fired that season and was replaced on an interim basis by director of player-personnel Kevin Pritchard.[60] That summer, the team would hire Nate McMillan, who had coached the Sonics the prior season, to replace Cheeks.[61]
The following season was not better, as the Blazers posted a league-worst 21-61 record.[62] Attendance was dismal, and the year was not free of player incidents, as players such as Miles, Ruben Patterson, Zach Randolph, and Sebastian Telfair were involved in either on-court bickering or off-court legal incidents[62]. At the end of the season, GM John Nash would be fired, with Patterson assuming the role in addition to his duties as president.[63] In addition, the team had a poor relationship with the management of the Rose Garden, frequently complaining of a "broken economic model".[64] It was widely speculated by the end of the year that Allen would sell the team; and the team was offered for sale that summer, with several groups expressing interest.[65] However, the team had a successful draft, and Allen mysteriously took the franchise off the market.[66]
In the spring of 2007, Paul Allen entered into an agreement to re-purchase the Rose Garden.[67] Steven Patterson resigned as team president[68] On the court, the team finished with a 32-50 record, an 11 game improvement, and rookie Brandon Roy was name the 2006-07 Rookie of the Year.[69] That summer, Kevin Pritchard was promoted to general manager[70], and former Nike Inc. executive Larry Miller was hired as team president. To top it off, the Blazers won the 2007 NBA Draft Lottery, and selected Ohio State center Greg Oden with the #1 pick in the draft. However, Oden would suffer a pre-season knee injury requiring microfracture surgery; he is expected to miss the entire 2007-08 season.[71]
This section lists major transactions involving the team; for a more complete list see List of transactions involving the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Trail Blazers have had the #1 pick in the NBA Draft four times in their history; each time selecting a center. In 1972 the choice was LaRue Martin, Bill Walton was picked in 1974, Mychal Thompson in 1978, and Greg Oden was taken in 2007. Several Blazer picks have been criticized by NBA commentators as particularly unwise:[15]
- The selection of Martin (an NBA bust) over Bob McAdoo.
- The selection of center Sam Bowie with the #2 pick in the 1984 NBA Draft over Michael Jordan; other notable players taken in that draft include future Hall-of-Famers Charles Barkley and John Stockton.
- The selection of Thompson over Larry Bird (drafted #6 by the Boston Celtics) in 1978.
Other notable players drafted by the team include[20]
- Geoff Petrie, Princeton University, 1970, First round (#8)
- Sidney Wicks, UCLA, 1971, First round (#2)
- Larry Steele, University of Kentucky, 1971, Third round (#2)
- LaRue Martin, Loyola University, 1972, First round (#1)
- Dave Twardzik, Old Dominion University, 1972, Second round (#13)
- Lloyd Neal, Tennessee State University, 1972, Third round (#1)
- Bill Walton, UCLA, 1974, First Round (#1)
- Jan van Breda Kolff, Vanderbilt University, 1974, Second Round (#2)
- Lionel Hollins, Arizona State University, 1975, First Round (#6)
- Bob Gross, California State University, Long Beach, 1975, Second Round (#7)
- Wally Walker, University of Virginia, 1976, First Round (#5)
- Major Jones, Albany State University, 1976, Second Round (#3)
- Johnny Davis, University of Dayton, 1976, Second Round (#5)
- T. R. Dunn, University of Alabama, 1977, Second Round (#19)
- Mychal Thompson, University of Minnesota, 1978, First Round (#1)
- Ron Brewer, University of Arkansas, 1978, First Round (#7)
- Jim Paxson, University of Dayton, 1979, First Round (#12)
- Ronnie Lester, University of Iowa, 1980, First Round (#10)
- Jeff Lamp, University of Virginia, 1981, First Round (#15)
- Darnell Valentine, Kansas University, 1981, First Round (#16)
- Fat Lever, Arizona State University, 1982, First Round (#11)
- Audie Norris, Jackson State University, 1982, Second Round (#14)
- Clyde Drexler, University of Houston, 1983, First Round (#13)
- Sam Bowie, University of Kentucky, 1984, First Round (#2)
- Bernard Thompson, California State University, Fresno, 1984, First Round (#19)
- Steve Colter, New Mexico State University, 1984, Second Round (#9)
- Jerome Kersey, Longwood University, 1984, Second round (#22)
- Terry Porter, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, 1985, First round (#24)
- Walter Berry, St. John's University, 1986, First round (#14)
- Arvydas Sabonis, Soviet Union, 1986, First round (#24)
- Drazen Petrovic, Yugoslavia, Third round (#13)
- Mark Bryant, Seton Hall University, 1988, First round (#21)
- Anthony Mason, Tennessee State University, 1988, Third round (#3)
- Byron Irvin, University of Missouri, 1989, First round (#22)
- Clifford Robinson, University of Connecticut, 1989, Second round (#9)
- Alaa Abdelnaby, Duke University, 1990, First round (#25)
- Dave Johnson, Syracuse University, 1992, First round (#26)
- Reggie Smith, Texas Christian University, 1992, Second round (#4)
- James Robinson, University of Alabama, 1993, First round (#21)
- Aaron McKie, Temple University, 1994, First round (#17)
- Shawn Respert, Michigan State University, 1995, First round (#8)
- Jermaine O'Neal, high school, 1996, First round (#17)
- Alvin Williams, Villanova University, 1997, Second round (#19)
- Erick Barkley, St. John's University, 2000, First round (#28)
- Zach Randolph, Michigan State University, 2001, First round (#21)
- Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje, Georgetown University, 2001, Second round (#21)
- Qyntel Woods, Northeast Mississippi Community College, 2002, First round (#21)
- Travis Outlaw, high school, 2003, First round (#23)
- Sebastian Telfair, high school, 2004, First round (#13)
- Sergei Monia, Russia, 2004, First round (#23)
- Ha Seung Jin, Korea, 2004, Second round (#17)
- Martell Webster, high school, 2005, First round (#6)
- Linas Kleiza, Missouri, 2005 NBA Draft, First round (#27) traded on draft day along with Ricky Sanchez to the Denver Nuggets for Jarrett Jack
- Tyrus Thomas, Louisiana State University, 2006, First round (#4) Traded, along with Viktor Khrypha, to the Chicago Bulls for LaMarcus Aldridge
- Randy Foye, Villanova, 2006, First round (#7) Traded on draft day to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Brandon Roy
- Sergio Rodriguez, Spain, 2006, First round (#27) Drafted by the Phoenix Suns, pick traded to Portland on draft day
- Joel Freeland, England, 2006, First round (#30)
- Greg Oden, Ohio State University, 2007, First round (#1)
- Rudy Fernandez, Spain, 2007, First round (#23) Drafted by the Phoenix Suns, pick traded to Portland on draft day
- Petteri Koponen, Finland, 2007, First round (#30) Drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers and traded to Portland on draft day
- Josh McRoberts, Duke University, 2007, Second round (#7)
- Taurean Green, University of Florida, 2007, Second round (#22)
In the team's 36 years of existence, excluding the current season, the Blazers have qualified for the NBA playoffs 25 times. This includes a streak of 21 straight playoff appearances from 1983 through 2003. The team has one one NBA title, in 1977, and appeared in the NBA Finals two other times, in 1990 and 1992. The best record posted by the team was 63-19, in 1991; the worst record was 18-64, in the team's second season.
Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, % = Win-Loss %
| Season | W | L | % | Playoffs | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland Trail Blazers | |||||
| 1970-71 | 29 | 53 | .354 | Did not make the playoffs | |
| 1971-72 | 18 | 64 | .220 | Did not make the playoffs | |
| 1972-73 | 21 | 61 | .256 | Did not make the playoffs | |
| 1973-74 | 27 | 55 | .329 | Did not make the playoffs | |
| 1974-75 | 38 | 44 | .463 | Did not make the playoffs | |
| 1975-76 | 37 | 45 | .451 | Did not make the playoffs | |
| 1976-77 | 49 | 33 | .598 | Won First Round Won Conference Semifinals Won Conference Finals Won NBA Finals |
Portland 2, Chicago 1 Portland 4, Denver 2 Portland 4, Los Angeles 0 Portland 4, Philadelphia 2 |
| 1977-78 | 58 | 24 | .707 | First round bye (1st seed) Lost Conference Semifinals |
Seattle 4, Portland 2 |
| 1978-79 | 45 | 37 | .549 | Lost First Round | Phoenix 2, Portland 1 |
| 1979-80 | 38 | 44 | .463 | Lost First Round | Seattle 2, Portland 1 |
| 1980-81 | 45 | 37 | .549 | Lost First Round | Kansas City 2, Portland 1 |
| 1981-82 | 42 | 40 | .512 | Did not make the playoffs | |
| 1982-83 | 46 | 36 | .561 | Won First Round Lost Conference Semifinals |
Portland 2, Seattle 0 Los Angeles 4, Portland 1 |
| 1983-84 | 48 | 38 | .585 | Lost First Round | Phoenix 3, Portland 2 |
| 1984-85 | 42 | 40 | .512 | Won First Round Lost Conference Semifinals |
Portland 3, Dallas 1 Los Angeles 4, Portland 1 |
| 1985-86 | 40 | 42 | .489 | Lost First Round | Denver 3, Portland 1 |
| 1986-87 | 49 | 33 | .598 | Lost First Round | Houston 3, Portland 1 |
| 1987-88 | 53 | 29 | .646 | Lost First Round | Utah 3, Portland 1 |
| 1988-89 | 39 | 43 | .476 | Lost First Round | Los Angeles 3, Portland 0 |
| 1989-90 | 59 | 23 | .720 | Won First Round Won Conference Semifinals Won Conference Finals Lost NBA Finals |
Portland 3, Dallas 0 Portland 4, San Antonio 3 Portland 4, Phoenix 2 Detroit 4, Portland 1 |
| 1990-91 | 63 | 19 | .768 | Won First Round Won Conference Semifinals Lost Conference Finals |
Portland 3, Seattle 2 Portland 4, Utah 1 Los Angeles 4, Portland 2 |
| 1991-92 | 57 | 25 | .695 | Won First Round Won Conference Semifinals Won Conference Finals Lost NBA Finals |
Portland 3, Los Angeles 1 Portland 4, Phoenix 1 Portland 4, Utah 2 Chicago 4, Portland 2 |
| 1992-93 | 51 | 31 | .622 | Lost First Round | San Antonio 3, Portland 1 |
| 1993-94 | 47 | 35 | .573 | Lost First Round | Houston 3, Portland 1 |
| 1994-95 | 44 | 38 | .537 | Lost First Round | Phoenix 3, Portland 0 |
| 1995-96 | 44 | 38 | .537 | Lost First Round | Utah 3, Portland 2 |
| 1996-97 | 49 | 33 | .598 | Lost First Round | Los Angeles 3, Portland 1 |
| 1997-98 | 46 | 36 | .561 | Lost First Round | Los Angeles 3, Portland 1 |
| 1998-99 | 35 | 15 | .700 | Won First Round Won Conference Semifinals Lost Conference Finals |
Portland 3, Phoenix 0 Portland 4, Utah 2 San Antonio 4, Portland 0 |
| 1999-2000 | 59 | 23 | .720 | Won First Round Won Conference Semifinals Lost Conference Finals |
Portland 3, Minnesota 1 Portland 4, Utah 1 Los Angeles 4, Portland 3 |
| 2000-01 | 50 | 32 | .610 | Lost First Round | Los Angeles 3, Portland 0 |
| 2001-02 | 49 | 33 | .598 | Lost First Round | Los Angeles 3, Portland 0 |
| 2002-03 | 50 | 32 | .610 | Lost First Round | Dallas 4, Portland 3 |
| 2003-04 | 41 | 41 | .500 | Did not make the playoffs | |
| 2004-05 | 27 | 55 | .329 | Did not make the playoffs | |
| 2005-06 | 21 | 61 | .256 | Did not make the playoffs | |
| 2006-07 | 32 | 50 | .400 | Did not make the playoffs | |
| 2007-08 | 7 | 12 | .368 | ||
| Totals | 1595 | 1429 | .527 | ||
| Playoffs | 91 | 103 | .469 | 1 Championship | |
Several league record performances have been recorded by members of the Trail Blazers or the team as a whole; or against the Trail Blazers by an opponent. A partial list is as follows:
- Most blocks in a game / half
- Elmore Smith recorded 17 blocks against the Trail Blazers, October 28, 1973. That game, he set the record for the most blocks in a half (11); the latter record has since twice been tied.[72]
- Fewest points (combined) in the first half of an NBA game
- The Trail Blazers and the New Jersey Nets combined for 55 points in the first half of a game on November 28, 2004 (Portland led 30-25).[73]
- Largest margin of victory in overtime
- The Blazers outscored the Houston Rockets 17-0 during the first (and only) overtime period on January 22, 1983[73]
- Most games holding an opponent scoreless in overtime
- In eight games, a team has been held scoreless in an overtime period; the Trail Blazers are the only NBA team to hold a team scoreless in overtime on two separate occasions.[73]
- Most three-point field goals, half
- The Trail Blazers made 12 3-pointers against the New Orleans Hornets on January 14, 2005, and allowed the same against the Milwaukee Bucks on January 5, 2001. In the latter game, Tim Thomas hit eight 3-pointers in a half, also an NBA record.[74]
- Most three-point attempts, game (combined)
- The Blazers and the Golden State Warriors combined for 69 3-point attempts on April 15, 2005. In that game, Damon Stoudamire of the Blazers attempted 21 three-point shots, also a record.[74]
- See also: Category:Portland Trail Blazers players
The current roster for the Trail Blazers is as follows:[75]
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Portland Trail Blazers roster
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The starting lineup for the Trail Blazers is:[76]
- C: Joel Przybilla
- PF: LaMarcus Aldridge
- SF: Martell Webster
- SG: Brandon Roy
- PG: Steve Blake
Key rotation players include:[76]
- G: Jarrett Jack
- PG: Sergio Rodriguez
- F: Travis Outlaw
- C: Raef LaFrentz
- F: James Jones [77]
Other active players are: [76]
- F: Josh McRoberts
- F/C: Channing Frye
Inactive players for the Trail Blazers are:
- C: Greg Oden; knee injury, out for season[71]
- F: Darius Miles; knee injury, out indefinitely [78]
- PG: Taurean Green
Members of the Trail Blazers who have been nominated for the NBA All-Star Game at least once while a Blazer include:
- Clyde Drexler: Ten nominations total, eight as a Trail Blazer (1986, 1988-1984).[34]
- Maurice Lucas: Four nominations total, three as a Trail Blazer (1977, 1978, 1979). Also participated in an ABA All-Star Game.[79]
- Sidney Wicks: Four nominations total, all as a Trail Blazer (1972-1975).[80]
- Rasheed Wallace: Three nominations total, two as a Trail Blazer (2000, 2001)[81]
- Kevin Duckworth: Two nominations, both as a Blazer (1989, 1991)[82]
- Jim Paxson: Two nominations, both as a Blazer (1983, 1984) [83]
- Geoff Petrie: Two nominations, both as a Blazer (1971, 1974)[84]
- Terry Porter: Two moninations, both as a Blazer (1991, 1993)[85]
- Bill Walton: Two nominations, both as a Blazer {1977, 1978)[86]
- Cliff Robinson. One nomination, 1994.[87]
- Kermit Washington. One nomination, 1980.[88]
Other participants in NBA All-Star Weekend include:
- Arvydas Sabonis. Participated in the Rookie Challenge, 1996.[89]
- Brandon Roy. Participated in the Rookie Challenge, 2007.[89]
- Alvin Williams. Participated in the 1998 Rookie Challenge.[89]
- Jerome Kersey and Clyde Drexler have represented the team in the Slam Dunk Contest; each finishing high as second.[90] Drexler also appeared in the 1991 Three-Point Shootout.[91]
- Terry Porter appeared in the 1991 Three-Point Shootout, finishing second to Craig Hodges; he also appeared in the 1993 shootout, again finishing second, this time to Mark Price[91]
- Cliff Robinson appeared in the 1996 Three-Point Shootout.[91]
- Kiki Vandeweghe appeared in the 1987 Three-Point Shootout.[91]
- Geoff Petrie. Co-Rookie of the Year, 1970-71.[92]
- Sidney Wicks, Rookie of the Year, NBA All-Rookie Team, 1971-72[92]
- Lloyd Neal, NBA All-Rookie Team, 1972-73[92]
- Bill Walton. NBA Finals MVP (1977)[4] Regular season MVP (1978).[7] First-team All Defense, 1976-77, 1977-78[93] First team All-NBA, 1977-78, second team, 1976-77[94]
- Maurice Lucas First team All Defense, 1977-1978; second team All-Defense, 1978-1979[93], Second team All-NBA, 1977-1978[94]
- Lionel Hollins, First team All Defense, 1977-1978[93]
- Bobby Gross, Second-team All Defense, 1977-1978[93]
- Mychal Thompson. 1978-1979 All Rookie team[92]
- Ronnie Brewer. 1978-1979 All Rookie team[92]
- Calvin Natt. 1979-1980 All Rookie team[92]
- Kermit Washington, Second Team All Defense 1979-1980, 1980-1981[93]
- Kelvin Ramsey. 1980-1981 All Rookie team[92]
- Sam Bowie. 1984-1985 All Rookie team[92]
- Kevin Duckworth, Most Improved Player, 1987-88.[95]
- Clyde Drexler, Second team All-NBA 1987-88, 1990-91; Third Team All-NBA, 1989-90; First Team All-NBA, 1991-92[94]
- Buck Williams, First Team All-Defense, 1989-90, 1990-91; Second Team All-Defense, 1991-1992 [93]
- Cliff Robinson, Sixth Man of the Year, 1992-1993[96]
- Terry Porter, J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, 1992-1993.[97]
- Arvydas Sabonis, First team All Rookie, 1995-96
- Chris Dudley, J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, 1995-96[97]
- Brian Grant, J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, 1998-99[97]
- Scottie Pippen, Second Team All-Defense, 1999-2000 [93]
- Zach Randolph, Most Improved Player, 2004.[95]
- Theo Ratliff, Second Team All-Defense, 2003-2004[93]
- Brandon Roy. Rookie of the Year, 2007.[92] Participated in Rookie/Sophomore game during All-Star weekend, 2007.
- LaMarcus Aldridge. First team All-Rookie, 2007[92]
Five players who have been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame as players have played for the Trail Blazers.[6]; as have four players named to the NBA's Top 50 Players:[98]
- Clyde Drexler. Hall of Fame, Top 50.
- Drazen Petrovic. Hall of Fame.
- Bill Walton. Hall of Fame, Top 50.
- Lenny Wilkens. Hall of Fame (as player), Top 50. Spent two years as head coach of the Blazers in the 1970s, including one year as player-coach. Also name one of the Top 10 coaches--the only person to make both lists.[99]
- Scottie Pippen. Top 50. Not yet eligible for the Hall of Fame, but considered a likely candidate[100], though some consider him unworthy[101].
Center Arvydas Sabonis is also considered a likely Hall candidate, chiefly for his international career.