Portland Trail Blazers (1970-Present)

Historical Moments:
1970/71: The Portland Trailblazers one of 3 new teams to join the NBA played their first game at home beating the Cleveland Cavaliers a fellow expansion team 115-112 on October 16th. The Blazers would god on to have a typical expansion type season finishing last in the Pacific Division with a record of 29-53. However, it was the best record of the 3 expansion teams, as they won 7 more games then the Buffalo Braves and 143 more then the Cavaliers. Leading the Blazers in scoring that first year was Geoff Petrie with 24.8 ppg while splitting Rookie of the Year honors with Boston Celtics star Dave Cowens.

1971/72: Geoff Petrie misses 22 games due to injury as he and the Trailblazers both suffer the Sophomore Jinx. Petrie who averaged 24.8 ppg in his rookie season would drop nearly 6 points per game as the Blazers finished dead last with a NBA worst record of 18-64. However Sidney Wicks would provide a bright spot winning the Rookie of the Year with a team best 24.5 ppg.

1972/73: Geoff Petrie would rebound off his disappointing second season to lead the Trailblazers in scoring by leading the team with 24.9 ppg as Sidney Wicks adds 23.8 ppg to provide a solid 1-2 punch. However, the Blazers would still finish in last place with a terrible record of 21-61.

1973/74: The Trailblazers continue to be led in scoring by Geoff Petrie and Sidney Wicks. However, they continued to be out muscled by the rest of the league finishing in last place again with a record of 27-55.

1974/75: To help improve the team's tough the Trailblazers draft UCLA Center Bill Walton who was a key ingredient to the Burins NCAA dynasty and 88-game winning streak, winning NCAA player of the year honors 3 times. However, injuries would limit Walton to just 35 games as the Blazers challenged for a playoff spot for the first time in franchise history falling just 2 games short with a 38-44 record.

1975/76: Bill Walton continued to be hampered by injuries playing just 51 games. However, when he did play he was an imposing force in the middle with 13.4 rebounds and 16.1 ppg. However, the Blazers fall back into last place posting a record of 37-45 that had to be deemed disappointing.

1976/77: Under new Coach Jack Ramsay the Trailblazers were able to vastly improve themselves by picking up Maurice Lucas and Dave Twardzik in the ABA dispersal draft. The revamped Blazers would end up getting off to a terrific start winning 22 of their first 29 games. However, the strain of the regular season would catch up with them as they played mediocre basketball in February and March. However, they would get hot again as the season ended winning their last 5 games to post a record of 49-33 good enough for 2nd place and the first playoff berth in franchise history. The Blazers would get off to a strong start in the playoffs beating the Chicago Bulls in a 3-game series. In the second round the city of the Blazers raced out to a3-1 lead before stunning the Denver Nuggets in 6 games. By now the Blazers were on fire and could not be contained, as they swept through the Los Angeles Lakers in 4 straight games on the way to the NBA Finals. By the start of the city of Portland was truly in the grips of "Blazermania" as tickets were hard to come by for the finals. However after losing the first 2 games on the road to the Philadelphia 76ers the Blazers seemed to have run out of fuel. Coming home to Memorial Coliseum for Game 3 and 4 was just what the Trailblazers needed to be rejuvenated as they blew the 76ers off the court twice winning by 22 and 33 points to even the series at 2 games apiece. The Blazers carried the momentum from their 2 blowout wins at home into Philadelphia for Game 5 as they took a 3-2 series lead with a solid 110-104 win on the road. Needing just 1 win to win the NBA Title at home the whole city of Portland had their eyes on Memorial Coliseum on June 5th. The Blazers would be scorched by Julius Erving who scored 40 points. However, Bill Walton would score 20 of his own while pulling down 23 rebounds and blocking 8 shots as the Blazers won the NBA Championship with a thrilling 109-107 victory.

1977/78: Coming off their first NBA Championship, the Trailblazers were smoking again winning 50 of their first 60 games as Bill Walton put together a MVP season with 18.9 ppg and 13.2 rpg. However injuries would knock Walton out for the rest of the season as the Blazers won just 8 of their final 22 games. Nonetheless their 58-24 was still the best in the NBA earning them a first round bye. However, without Bill Walton in the playoffs the Trailblazers would suffer losing to the Seattle Supersonics in 6 games.

1978/79: Plagued by injuries already through out his 5-year NBA career, Trailblazers MVP Bill Walton is loss for the entire season due to a stress fracture in his foot. Without Walton the Blazers would acquire Tom Owens from the Houston Rockets, Owens would fill in nicely scoring 18.5 ppg as the Blazers made the playoffs with a 45-37 record. However, in the playoffs the Blazers would be burnt by the Phoenix Suns in a 3-game series. Following the season the Bill Walton era in Portland would end as the Big Redhead signed a free agent deal with the San Diego Clippers.

1979/80: Without Bill Walton the Trailblazers would struggle all year as Maurice Lucas is traded to the New Jersey Nets during the season for Calvin Natt, as the Blazers decide to start a youth movement. Natt would average 20.4 ppg in just 25 as the Trailblazers snuck into the final playoff spot with mediocre record of 38-44. However, the Blazers would be knocked off by the Seattle Supersonics in a 3-game series.

1980/81: With the emergence of Jim Paxson and Mychal Thompson who led the team in scoring the Trailblazers bounced back nicely off their losing season finishing in 3rd place with a record of 45-37. However it would be another first round exit as the Trailblazers are crowned by the Kansas City Kings in a 3-game series.

1981/82: Mychal Thompson continued to be a workhorse leading the Trailblazers in scoring with 20.8 ppg and rebounding with 11.6 rpg. However, in a competitive Western Conference the Blazers 42-40 record is not good enough for a playoff berth as their 5-year run of playoff appearances comes to an end.

1982/83: With Jim Paxson and Calvin Natt each scoring more then 20 points per game the Trailblazers would return to the playoffs after a 1-year absence posting a record of 46-36 while finishing in 4th place. In the playoffs the Blazers would stun the Seattle Supersonics in the first round sweeping them in 2 straight games to win their first playoff series since the magical 1977 Finals. However, in the 2nd round the Blazers would be knocked off by the Denver Nuggets in 5 games.

1983/84: The Trailblazers continued to improve as they posted a solid 48-34 record good enough for 2nd place as Rookie Clyde Drexler provided energy off the bench with 7.7 ppg. However, in the playoffs the Blazers would experience a letdown as they are beaten by the Phoenix Suns in a 5-game series. Following the season the Trailblazers would make one of the biggest draft day blunders of all-time selecting Sam Bowie with the 2nd overall pick over Michael Jordan.

1984/85: Prior to the start of the season, the Trailblazers worked out a trade with the Denver Nuggets sending Calvin Natt, Wayne Cooper, Fat Lever, and a first-round draft pick for Kiki Vandeweghe. The trade would work out as Vandeweghe led the team in scoring with 22.4 ppg as the Blazers made it to the layoffs with a 42-40 record. In the playoffs the Trailblazers would overcome a loss in Game 1 to beat the Dallas Mavericks in 4 games. However, in the second round they would not be able to overcome losing their first 3 games against the Los Angeles Lakers who went on to beat the Trailblazers in 5 games.

1985/86: Kiki Vandeweghe has another solid season leading the Trailblazers in scoring with 24.8 ppg as Clyde Drexler makes his first All-Star Game with 18.5 ppg. However, the Blazers would play mediocre basketball all season posting a record of 40-42. In the playoffs the Blazers would make a quick exit as they are beaten by the Denver Nuggets in 4 games. Following the season the Blazers would fire Coach Jack Ramsay ending a 10-year tenure in which he won 453 games.

1986/87: Under new Coach Mike Schuler the Trailblazers were the top scoring team in the NBA with 117.9 ppg as Kiki Vandeweghe and Clyde Drexler continued to be a potent force on offense with each averaging more then 20 ppg as the Blazers finished in 3rd pace with a 49-33 record. However, in the playoffs the Trailblazers would be shot down by the Houston Rockets in 4 games.

1987/88: With Clyde Drexler posting an impressive 27.0 ppg the Trailblazers continue to establish themselves as a contender posting a solid record of 53-29. However, in the playoffs the Blazers would experience another first round letdown as they are beaten by the Utah Jazz in 4 games.

1988/89: The Trailblazers are purchased by computer magnate Paul Allen, a cofounder of Microsoft. However, the Blazers had system crash stumbling along to a record of 39-43, as Coach Mike Schuler is replaced by Rick Adelman. Despite the disappointing record the Blazers would sneak into the playoffs where they would be swept by the Los Angels Lakers in 3 straight games.

1989/90: Clyde Drexler continued to be the leading scorer for the Trailblazers with 23.3 ppg, as the Blazers rebound off their disappointing season to post a solid 59-23 record good enough for second place in the Pacific, as the Blazers were made stronger by acquiring Buck Williams, a 6-8 rebounding machine from the New Jersey Nets for Sam Bowie. The acquisition of Williams helped make the Blazers stronger for the playoffs and it showed as they won their first playoff series in 7 years by sweeping the Dallas Mavericks in 3 straight. In the second round the Blazers would need 7 games to get past the San Antonio Spurs as the home team won all 7 games. In the Western Conference Finals the Trailblazers continued to defend their home court well jumping out to a 2-0 lead over the Phoenix Suns. The Suns would rebound to take the next 2 in Phoenix as the Blazers won Game 5 at home 120-114. However, there would be no need for a 7th game as the Blazers knocked off the Suns with a 112-109 win in Game 6 to reach the NBA Finals for the second time in franchise history. In the Finals the Trailblazers would get off to a solid start splitting the first 2 games on the road against the defending NBA Champion Detroit Pistons. However, the Blazers would drop all 3 games at home as the Pistons won the NBA title in 5 games.

1990/91: After their trip to the NBA Finals the Trailblazers came flying out of the gate winning their first 11 games on the way to an incredible 19-1 start. The Blazers would play strong basketball all season as they went on to post a NBA best 63-19 as they topped their early season 11--game winning streak with a16-game winning streak in March and April. In the playoff the Blazers stayed hot as they jumped out to a 2-0 lead over the Seattle Supersonics. However they would need to win a 5th to advance to the next round after losing Game 3 and 4 in Seattle. In the second round things would be slightly easier as the Blazers cruised past the Utah Jazz in 5 games. However, in the Western Conference Finals the Trailblazers would be tripped up by the Los Angeles Lakers in 6 games.

1991/92: The Trailblazers continued to lead the way in the West posting a 57-25 record for their 2nd straight division title as Clyde Drexler earned his way on to the Dream Team with an impressive 25.0 ppg. In the playoffs the Blazers would avenge their loss in the Western Conference Finals a year earlier by beating the Los Angeles Lakers in 4 games, as they are forced to play Game 4 in Las Vegas as Los Angeles is overrun by riots after a verdict in a police brutality case involving Rodney King. In the 2nd round the Blazers would fly past the Phoenix Suns in 5 games to reach the Western Conference Finals for the 3rd year in a row. In the Western Finals the Blazers would beat the Utah Jazz in 6 games to reach the NBA Finals for the 2nd time in 3 years. In the finals the Blazers were burned by Michael Jordan who had an incredible night from the 3-point line in Game 1 as the Bulls took Game 1 in Chicago 122-89. However, the Trailblazers would rebound to take Game 2 and send the series back to Portland tied at a game apiece. However, in Portland the Blazers could only manage to win 1 of 3 games as the Bulls emerged victorious in 6 games.

1992/93: Despite missing 33 games Clyde Drexler continues to be the top scorer on the Trailblazers with 19.9 ppg. However, what helped keep the Blazers afloat was the stellar play of Clifford Robinson off the bench as he was named the NBA's 6th Man, with 19.1 ppg. However, the Blazers would slide to 3rd place as they posted a 51-31 record in a competitive Pacific Division. In the playoffs the Blazers appeared to run out of gas as they are beaten by the San Antonio Spurs in 4 games.

1993/94: Trail Blazers began rebuilding for the future, as Rod Strickland replaced Terry Porter as the starting point guard, and Jerome Kersey gave way to Harvey Grant, who came over from the Washington Bullets in an off season trade for Kevin Duckworth. Meanwhile, Chris Dudley was signed as a free agent to provide rebounding and defense. However, an early ankle injury knocked Dudley out for most of the year, as the Trailblazers finished in 4th place with a 47-35 record. In the playoffs the Blazers would make a quick exit, as they are beaten by the Houston Rockets in 4 games.

1994/95: The Trailblazers 25th season was marked by change as they were playing their final year at the Memorial Coliseum with new Coach P.J. Carlesimo. Along the way the Blazers would deal away Clyde Drexler to the Houston Rockets for Otis Thorpe. Despite the Drexler trade the Trailblazers would sill make the playoffs the 13th straight season with a record of 44-38. However, in the playoffs would be another first round exit as the Blazers are beaten by the Phoenix Suns in 3 straight games.

1995/96: After years of only accommodating less than 13,000 fans, suddenly Portland had a facility that ranked among the best in the NBA, as the Rose Garden opened on November 3rd. However, opening night would be spoiled as the Blazers lost to the expansion Vancouver Grizzlies playing in their very first games 92-80. The Blazers would struggle through most of the season posting a record of 26-34 through March 5. However, the Blazers would end the season on a strong note winning 18 of their last 22 games for their 14th straight playoff appearance a record of 44-38, as 31-year-old rookie. Arvydas Sabonis, who was originally drafted by the Blazers in 1986, out of Lithuanian, then part of the Soviet Union averaged 14.5 ppg and 8.1 rpg. However, in the playoffs the Blazers would be knocked out in the first round again losing a 5-game series to the Utah Jazz, in which the home team won all 5 games.

1996/97: The Trailblazers made three big moves in the off season acquiring 3 stars, Kenny Anderson, Isaiah Rider, and Rasheed Wallace with bad reputations off the court but solid play on the court. All 3 would have sold seasons as the Blazers made it to the playoffs with a record of 49-33. However, once again it would be a first round exit as the Blazers are beaten by the Los Angeles Lakers in 4 games.

1997/98: The Trailblazers under new Coach Mike Dunleavy continued to accumulate talent signing free agent Brian Grant as a Free Agent before the season and acquiring Damon Stoudamire at the trade deadline as they made the playoffs for the 16th straight season with a record of 46-36. However, for the 6th year in a row the Blazers fail to make it past their first round losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in 4 games.

1998/99: With a balanced team, that saw 9 different players lead the team 9 different statistical categories, and 5 players average double digits in scoring. The Trailblazers win the Pacific Division posting a record of 35-15 in a season delayed by a 4-month lockout. In the playoffs the Trailblazers would end their consecutive string of first round losses by sweeping the Phoenix Suns in 3 straight games. In the 2nd round the Blazers jumped out to a 3-1 series lead on the way to beating the Utah Jazz in 6 games to reach the Western Conference Finals. In the Western Finals the Blazers would drop Game 1 on the road against the San Antonio Spurs. However, they appeared to be on the way to evening the series before the Spurs won the game on a miracle shot by Sean Elliot. The Blazers would not recover losing the final 2 games at home as the Spurs completed the sweep.

1999/00: Despite the occasional bizarre behavior of Rasheed Wallace who set a record for Technical Fouls, and off court legal trouble the Trailblazers continued to play solid basketball as they finished in 2nd place with a solid 59-23 record. In the playoffs the Blazers would get past the Minnesota Timberwolves in 4 games, but before the 2nd round started they would have deal with heartache popular assistant coach Bill Musselman lost a 6-month battle with a rare disease, primary systemic amyloidosis. The Blazers would handle the loss well as they raced out to a 3-0 lead before beating the Utah Jazz in 5 games. In the Western Conference Finals for the second year in a row the Trailblazers appeared to be going down quickly again as they fell behind the Los Angeles Lakers 3 games to 1. However, the Blazers would rally to win the next 2 and force a 7th game in Los Angeles. In Game 7 the Blazers appeared to be on the way to an improbable upset as they led the Lakers 73-58 in the 4th Quarter. However, the Blazers would collapse as the Lakers came back to with the game 89-84 to advance to the NBA Finals where they went on to win the NBA Championship.

2000/01: Coming off their Game 7 collapse the Trailblazers continued to be among the top teams in the NBA as the started March with a 42-18 record. However, the Blazers would stumble down the stretch winning just 8 of their final 22 games as they finished in 4th place with a 50-32 record. The Blazers struggles continued into the playoffs, as they are swept by the Los Angeles Lakers in 3 straight games. Following the season Coach Mike Dunleavy is fired and replaced by Maurice Cheeks.

2001/02: Under new Coach Maurice Cheeks the off court troubles continue to embarrass the franchise as several players are involved in off court incidents that lead to the press calling the team the "Jailblazers." The off court distractions seemed to effect the team early as the Blazers were struggling along with a record of 13-18 early in January. However, the Blazers would turn it around winning 30 of their next 38 games as they made the playoffs for the 20th straight season with a record of 49-33. However, for the second year in a row the Trailblazers would be swept by the Los Angeles Lakers in 3 straight games.

2002/03: The Trailblazers continue to be an embarrassment off the court as Oregon State officials and Owner Paul Allen express displeasure in the continued troubles with Blazers players and the law. All total in 6 years since 1997, 14 different players had been either arrested or citied for 30 different incidents ranging from sexual assault to marijuana possession. However, on the court the Trailblazers continued to play strong basketball finishing in 3rd place with a solid 50-32 record. In the playoffs the Blazers would lose 3 straight to the Dallas Mavericks. However, with the first round being changed to a best of 7 the Blazers were not done. Instead they won 3 straight to force a 7th game. However a late 4th quarter scoring drought would due the Blazers in as the Mavs won Game 7 in Dallas 107-95.

2003/04: After years of off the court troubles and playoff under achieving the Trailblazers under new GM John Nash, decided to rebuild. Through out the season the Trailblazers dealt away talented by troubled stars like Bonzi Wells and Rasheed Wallace. Taking up the slack was Zach Randolph who led the team in scoring with 20.1 ppg and rebounding with 10.5 boards per game on the way to being named NBA's Most Improved Player. However the Blazers 21-year streak of making the playoffs would come to an end as they finished in 4th place with a record of 41-41.

2004/05: It was a year of transition for the Trailblazers as the team began a youth movement. Giving players like Rookie Sebastian Telfair significant playing time down the stretch as the team focused on the future. When the season started the Blazers were actually competitive posting a winning record in November. However as the New Year rolled around the Blazers took their lumps winning just 4 of 15 games in January as they went on to finish in 4th Place in the Northwest Division with a dreadful 27-55 record, as Coach Maurice Cheeks was replaced the final 2 months with interim Coach Kevin Pritchard. Following the season the transition continued as veterans like Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Nick Van Exel and Damon Stoudamire were allowed to go elsewhere as they signed free agent CoachNate McMillian to lead the young team into the future.

2005/06: With new Coach Nate McMillian the Trailblazers were looking more toward the future, as going into the season it was clear there was a lack of talent to compete on a high level, especially in the Western Conference. One player that was a bright spot was Zach Randolph who was the Blazers leading scorer with 18.0 ppg. However, points were not plentiful for the Blazers who were the lowest scoring team in the NBA. Things would go bad to worse after the All-Star Break as the Blazers won just 5 of their last 39 games which included an 11-game losing streak, and an 8-game losing streak in their last 20 games as the Blazers finished with the worst record in the NBA at 21-61. Following the season the Trailblazers were the busiest team on draft day, trading Sebastian Telfair, Theo Ratliff, and the Blazers 2nd round pick in 2008 to the Boston Celtics for Raef LaFrentz, Dan Dickau, and the rights to the #7 pick in the draft Randy Foye, whom was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves for the #6 pick Brandon Roy. They would also trade their #4 pick Tyrus Thomas along with Viktor Khryapa to the Chicago Bulls for the rights to the #2 pick, LaMarcus Aldridge.

2006/07: With players like LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy it was clear the youth movement was on in Portland, and there were plenty of growing pains early on as the Blazers started out 7-14. In December it was Zach Randolph who helped them start winning, as they had a solid five game winning streak to approach .500. However, the Trail Blazers would not be a factor in the playoffs as so much inexperience in the tough Western Conference had them buried early as they posted a record of 32-50. That did not mean it was a disappointing season in Portland as the young Blazers helped build a solid foundation for the future as Brandon Roy was named Rookie of the Year with a solid 16.8 ppg, while Aldridge averaged 9.0 ppg, with a solid 5 rebounds per game. Following the season the young Blazers future got even brighter as they won the draft lottery, allowing them to select Greg Oden out of Ohio State, a player with limitless potential. Drafting Oden allowed the Blazers to trade Zach Randolph to the New York Knicks, for Channing Frye, completing the total remake of the Portland Trail Blazers franchise.

2007/08: Sadly for the Trail Blazers the debut of Greg Oden would be delayed as an injury in the preseason, shelved him for the entire season with microfracture surgery. The Blazers would start the season in a hole again as they won just 5 of their first 18 games. However, in December the Blazers would completely turn things around as they went on a 13-game winning streak led by Brandon Roy who was named Player of the Week on consecutive weeks, as the Blazers were strongly in contention as 2008 began. The Blazers still were playing solid basketball into the middle of January, as they held a 25-16 record at the season's mid point on January 21st. However, in a Western Conference that had eight teams win at least 50 games, eventually the young Blazers would be overwhelmed as they struggled in the second half. February would be the harshest month as the Blazers start to slip out of the playoffs with a record of 5-9. The struggles would continue into March and April as they lost seven of their last ten games and finished with a 41-41 record.