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Portland Trailblazers
Western Conference/Northwest Division

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History of the Trailblazers

In the 1970/71 season, the Portland Trailblazers were one of three expansion teams to enter the NBA (Blazers, Cavaliers and Buffalo Braves) and would finish with a better record (29-53) then the other two teams.  Forward Geoff Petrie would split Rookie of the Year honors with Boston Celtics Star Dave Cowens. 

Petrie would continue to lead his team for a number of years and coaches were determined to surround the All Star Forward with talent and the next year drafted Sidney Wicks who went on to become Rookie of the Year in 71/72 season as the team still finished dead last in the league with an 18-64 record.

Petrie and Wicks would continue to entertain NBA Fans in Portland helping to sell 333,480 tickets in the 72/73 season while finishing the year a dismal 21-61.  The 73/74 season was pretty much a copy of the season prior as the Blazers posted a 27-55 record but it would not be long that help would arrive in the form of a Big Red Head.

In an effort to get better low post play, the Blazers drafted 6’11” forward Bill Walton.  Management was hoping the 3 time college Player of the Year would help to make an impact but the center was hampered by injuries for two seasons breaking his nose, foot, wrist and leg.  It would not be until the 1976/77 season that Walton would play a significant amount of games (65) averaging 18 points and 14 rebounds and leading the Blazers to the NBA Championships going through the Bulls, Nuggets and the Lakers in route to defeating the Philadelphia 76ers 4 games to 2.  The team would not return to the finals until 1990 but have yet to regain a championship.

The Blazers have amassed numerous awards over their 38 seasons to include 26 playoff appearances, 4 Division Championships (1978, 1991, 1992 and 1999), have appeared in the Conference Finals 6 times (1977, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1999 and 2000), have appeared in three NBA Finals (1977, 1990 and 1992) and were the NBA Champions in 1977.  They have had 4 Hall of Fame Players (Clyde Drexler, 1983-1995, Drazen Petrovic, 1989-1991, Bill Walton, 1974-1979 and Lenny Wilkins, 1974/75) and 2 Hall of Fame Coaches (Jack Ramsey, 1976-1986 and Lenny Wilkins, 1974-1976).  They have retired 9 jerseys (#1 Owner Larry Weinberg, 1970-1988, #13 Dave Twardzik, #15 Larry Steele, #20 Maurice Lucas, #22 Clyde Drexler, #32 Bill Walton, #36 Lloyd Neal, #45 Geoff Petrie and # 77 Coach Jack Ramsay).

The team has won Coach of the Year twice (1987 Mike Schuler and 1999 Mike Dunleavy), 2 Most Improved Player Awards (1988 Kevin Duckworth and 2004 Zach Randolph), 3 Rookie of the Year Awards (1971 Geoff Petrie, 1972 Sidney Wicks and 2007 Brandon Roy), 1 Sixth Man of the Year (1993 Clifford Robinson) and 1 NBA MVP (1978 Bill Walton).



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