Portland Trail Blazers
Encyclopedia : P : PO : POR : Portland Trail Blazers
| Portland Trail Blazers | |
|
| |
| Conference | Western Conference |
| Division | Northwest Division |
| Founded | 1970 |
| History | Portland Trail Blazers 1970-present |
| Arena | Rose Garden |
| City | Portland, Oregon |
| Team Colors | Red, Black, Silver, and White |
| Owner | Paul Allen |
| Head Coach | Nate McMillan |
| Championships | |
| Conference Titles | |
| Division Titles | |
Home arenas
- Memorial Coliseum (1970-1995)
- Rose Garden (1995-present)
History
Main articles: The Trail Blazers entered the NBA in 1970 as an expansion team; and have played in Portland for the entire time. In 1977 they won their only NBA Championship. The team had been a regular fixture in the NBA Playoffs until as recently as 2002. The team was sold to Paul Allen in 1988; in 1990 and 1992 the Blazers advanced to the NBA Finals but were defeated both times; first by the Detroit Pistons and then by the Chicago Bulls.In 1996, general manager Bob Whitsitt began rebuilding the team using players who were talented, but who had questionable attitudes and/or criminal records. This worked initially, as the team reached the Western Conference Finals in 1999 and 2000, but the strategy soon backfired on the Blazers as the local community soured on a team better known for its off-court antics than for its on-court abilities. The team began to be known as the "Jail Blazers". After a series of embarrassing off-court incidents and playoff failures, as well as declining ticket sales, Whitsitt resigned after the 2003 season.
The current management has been attempting (with mixed success) to re-connect with the community at large. Most of the players associated with the "Jail Blazers" years are gone, and a new crop of young players is showing promise. However, the Blazers failed to qualify for the playoffs in 2003-04 and 2004-05, posting records of 41-41 and 27-55. In the 2005-2006 season, the team posted a league-worst record of 21-61.
The Current Situation
The ownership status of the team is currently unresolved. Paul Allen remains the owner of the team, and Portland Arena Management, a corporate entity representing the interests of bondholders who were the primary creditors of the former Oregon Arena Corporation, is the owner of the Rose Garden Arena. The current lease agreement between the team and the arena (negotiated as part of the initial borrowing agreement, in order to protect the bondholders' interests should a bankruptcy occur) is highly detrimental to the team. It has been widely reported that Allen wishes to sell the team (and that PAM is willing to sell the Rose Garden), however, a buyer with the resources to purchase the team and arena has not been identified. NBA Commissioner David Stern stated, "my goal on behalf of the league would be to keep the team in Portland, playing in the Rose Garden, with economic prospects that make some financial sense." It is highly unlikely the Blazers could move due to the fact that they are contractually obligated to play in the Rose Garden until 2023. [link] The team, and the arena management, formally announced that the team and arena were jointly up for sale on June 7 2006 [link] [link]
On May 30, 2006, the team announced that general manager John Nash would not be given a new contract; team president Steve Patterson would act as interim GM until a replacement could be found.
Two members of the team are unrestricted free agents in the 2006 offseason; center Joel Przybilla and guard Voshon Lenard. The latter is not expected to return; the former has made an oral committment to re-sign with the team (the signing may not occur until July 12). Due to the short length of his previous contract, the Blazers did not hold Larry Bird rights to Przybilla (and thus were not able to offer him more than the NBA's Mid-level exception as compensation). Przybilla reportedly received several offers from other teams, including the Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs.
2006 NBA Draft
The Blazers were by far the busiest team on the day of the 2006 NBA Draft, making numerous trades and landing four first-round picks; though two of them are not expected to join the team for the 2006-07 season. On draft day, the Blazers:
- Traded 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)
- Traded the rights to Foye, along with cash considerations, to the Minnesota Timberwolves for the rights to the #6 pick, Brandon Roy from University of Washington
- Drafted Tyrus Thomas at #4, and traded his rights, along with Viktor Khryapa to the Chicago Bulls for the rights to the #2 pick, LaMarcus Aldridge from Texas
- Acquired the rights to the #27 pick, Sergio Rodriguez, from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for cash.
- Drafted James White with the #31 pick; traded him to the Indiana Pacers for the rights to the #45 pick (Alexander Johnson from Florida) and two future 2nd-round picks
- Traded the rights to Johnson to the Memphis Grizzlies for a future second rounder.
- Drafted Joel Freeland with 30th pick
Other transactions during the 2006 offseason
- On June 30 2006, the team claimed Nikoloz Tskitishvili off of waivers; he had previously been waived by the Phoenix Suns.
- On July 4 2006, it was announced that the Blazers reached an agreement in principle to re-sign center Joel Przybilla to a 5-year, US $32 million contract. On July 17, the team announced that the deal was officially signed. [link]
- On July 5, Nikoloz Tskitishvili was waived.
Season-by-Season Records
Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, % = Win-Loss % {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |- bgcolor="#efefef" ! Season !! W !! L !! % !! Playoffs !! Results |- |1970-71 || 29 || 53 || .534 |- |1971-72 || 18 || 64 || .220 |- |1972-73 || 21 || 61 || .256 |- |1973-74 || 27 || 55 || .329 |- |1974-75 || 38 || 44 || .463 |- |1975-76 || 37 || 45 || .451 |- |1976-77 || 49 || 33 || .598 || Won First RoundWon 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 || 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 |- |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, Phoenix 2 |- |1996-97 || 49 || 33 || .598 || Lost First Round || Los Angeles 3, Phoenix 1 |- |1997-98 || 46 || 36 || .561 || Lost First Round || Los Angeles 3, Phoenix 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 |- |2004-05 || 27 || 55 || .329 |- |2005-06 || 21 || 61 || .256 |- !Totals || 1556 || 1368 || .536 |- !Playoffs || 91 || 103 || .469 || 1 Championship
Players of note
- Clyde Drexler
- Dražen Petrović
- Dr. Jack Ramsay (former Blazer coach)
- Bill Walton
- Lenny Wilkens
Retired numbers
- 1 Larry Weinberg, Team founder-owner, 1970-88
- 13 Dave Twardzik, G, 1976-80
- 15 Larry Steele, G, 1971-80
- 20 Maurice Lucas, F, 1976-80 & 1987-88
- 22 Clyde Drexler, G, 1984-94
- 32 Bill Walton, C, 1974-78
- 36 Lloyd Neal, C, 1972-79
- 45 Geoff Petrie, G, 1970-76
- 77 Dr. Jack Ramsay, Head Coach, 1976-86 (number in honor of 1976-77 season, Portland's first and only NBA Title to date)
In addition, Drexler, Lucas, Petrie, Twardzik, Walton, Danny Ainge (Number 9, G, 1990-92, also Oregon native) and Jim Paxson (Number 4, G, 1980-87) are members of the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame.
Not to be forgotten
- Rick Adelman
- Kenny Carr
- Kevin Duckworth
- Lionel Hollins
- John Johnson
- Steve Johnson
- Jerome Kersey
- Calvin Natt
- Tom Owens
- Jim Paxson
- Geoff Petrie
- Scottie Pippen
- Terry Porter
- Cliff Robinson
- Arvydas Sabonis
- Steve Smith
- Damon Stoudamire
- Rod Strickland
- Mychal Thompson
- Kiki Vandeweghe
- Rasheed Wallace
- Bonzi Wells
- Sidney Wicks
- Buck Williams
Current roster
| Portland Trail Blazers Current Roster
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| Head Coach: Nate McMillan | [Edit]
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| PF/C | 12 | LaMarcus Aldridge | (Texas)
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| PG | 2 | Steve Blake | Maryland)
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| PG | 21 | Dan Dickau | Gonzaga)
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| SG | 3 | Juan Dixon | Maryland)
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| PF | 14 | Joel Freeland (DP) | (England)
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| C | 5 | Ha Seung-Jin | (South Korea)
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| PG | 1 | Jarrett Jack | Georgia Tech)
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| PF/C | 9 | Raef LaFrentz | Kansas)
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| SG | 0 | Voshon Lenard (FA) | Minnesota)
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| SF/SG | 23 | Darius Miles | (East St. Louis HS, East St. Louis, Illinois)
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| SF/SG/PF | 25 | Travis Outlaw | Starkville, Mississippi>Starkville, MS)
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| C | 10 | Joel Przybilla | Minnesota)
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| PF | 50 | Zach Randolph | Michigan State)
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| PG | 11 | Sergio Rodriguez | (Spain)
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| SG | 7 | Brandon Roy | Washington)
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| PF/C | 54 | Brian Skinner | Baylor)
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| SG/SF | 8 | Martell Webster | Seattle Prep, Seattle)
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| (FA) - Free Agent (DP) - Unsigned Draft Pick C - Captain CC - Co-Captain | Portland Trail Blazers
| |||
Coaches and others
Current Coaching Staff
- The head coach of the Trail Blazers is Nate McMillan. Previously, Kevin Pritchard was interim coach for the last two months of the 2004-2005 season, after Maurice Cheeks was fired.
- Assistant Coaches:
- * Dean Demopoulos (Lead Assistant Coach)
- * Bob Burke
- * Maurice Lucas
- * Monty Williams
Trail Blazers Basketball Staff
- Geoff Clark, Assistant Athletic Trainer/Equipment Manager
- Jay Jensen, Head Athletic Trainer
- Bob Medina, Strength & Conditioning Coach
- Darnell Valentine, Director of Player Programs
- Bradley Weinrich, Director of Basketball Operations
Trail Blazers head coaches
- Rolland Todd, 1970-1972
- Stu Inman 1972 (interim)
- Jack McCloskey, 1972-1974
- Lenny Wilkens, 1974-1976
- Dr. Jack Ramsay, 1976-1986
- Mike Schuler, 1986-1989
- Rick Adelman, 1989 (interim), 1989-1994
- PJ Carlesimo, 1994-1997
- Mike Dunleavy, 1997-2001
- Maurice Cheeks, 2001-2005
- Kevin Pritchard 2005 (interim)
- Nate McMillan 2005-present
Current Team Management
- Paul Allen, Owner
- Mike Fennel, Vice President, General Counsel
- J.E. Isaac, Senior Vice President, Business Affairs
- Gregg Olson, Chief Financial Officer*
- Steve Patterson, President, Interim General Manager
- Kevin Pritchard, Director of Player Personnel
Other Persons of Note
- Mike Barret, Television Play-by-Play
- Antonio Harvey, Radio Analyst
- Mike Rice, Television Analyst
- Bill Schonely, Founding Broadcaster/Ambassador
- Brian Wheeler, Radio Play-by-Play
External links
- [Portland Trail Blazers official web site]
- [Portland TrailBlazers blog fan site]
- [Official Portland Trail Blazers Summer Pro League practice web site]
- [Unofficial Trail Blazers Forum]
- [Sports E-Cyclopedia]
- [OregonLive.com: Portland Trail Blazers]
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