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 |
| Head Coach | Nate McMillan |
| Championships | 1 (1977) |
| Conference Titles | 3 (1977, 1990, 1992) |
| Division Titles | 4 (1978, 1991, 1992, 1999) |
The Portland Trail Blazers are a professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the National Basketball Association (NBA). They are the only major league franchise in the state of Oregon.
Contents |
[edit] Home arenas
- Memorial Coliseum (1970-1995)
- Rose Garden Arena (1995-present)
[edit] History
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 2003. 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 [1]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 [2]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". [3] After a series of off-court incidents and playoff failures, as well as declining ticket sales, [4]Whitsitt was fired after the 2003 season.
The current management and team players have been re-connecting with the community at large. All of the players associated with the "Jail Blazers" years are gone, and a new crop of young players show 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 2005-06 season, the team posted a league-worst record of 21-61.
[edit] The Current Team
The Blazers finished the 2005-06 season with a 21-61 record, worst in the NBA. Despite that, they did not fare well in the NBA Draft Lottery, drawing the #4 pick in the 2006 NBA Draft. Regardless, they still acquired four first round draft picks, including Brandon Roy and Lamarcus Aldridge.
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.[5] The team, and the arena management, formally announced that the team and arena were jointly up for sale on June 7, 2006[6][7] On August 3, it was announced by Portland Arena Management that Allen had withdrawn the team from the market, instead intending to continue to own it himself.[8]
On May 30, 2006, the team announced that general manager John Nash would not be given a new contract; team president Steve Patterson became interim GM. Patterson served as both president and GM until unexpectedly resigning from both roles on March 1, 2007. Seattle Seahawks CEO Tod Leiweke became the new interim president and GM.[9]
[edit] 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. 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 State University) and two future 2nd-round picks
- Traded the rights to Johnson to the Memphis Grizzlies for a future second rounder
- Drafted Joel Freeland with the #30 pick; he remains playing for CB Gran Canaria of the Spanish ACB league
[edit] 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. [12]
- On July 5, Nikoloz Tskitishvili was waived.
- On July 20, the Blazers announced that rookie Sergio Rodríguez had been signed to a rookie scale contract, and the team had successfully negotiated a buyout with CB Estudiantes of the Spanish League.[10]
- On July 31, the team traded Steve Blake, Ha Seung-Jin, and Brian Skinner to the Milwaukee Bucks for center Jamaal Magloire.[11]
- On August 9, it was announced that draft pick Joel Freeland had signed a two-year deal with CB Gran Canaria.[12]
- Invited Ime Udoka, Stephen Graham, Aaron Miles, and Zendon Hamilton to training camp. Miles was unable to participate due to injury, and Hamilton was cut prior to the start of the season. Udoka and Graham made the team, and in a bit of a surprise, Udoka won the starting small forward position. Later, Ime received a guaranteed contract, and has started every game as small forward.
They made many transactions, but it all payed off in the end.
[edit] Transactions during the 2006-2007 season
- In December, 2006, it was announced that forward Darius Miles would need to undergo microfracture surgery on his ailing knee, and would miss the remainder of the season.
- On January 2, 2007, the team waived G/F Stephen Graham.
- On February 22, 2007, it was announced that the team had traded Juan Dixon to the Toronto Raptors for Fred Jones and future considerations.[13]
- On March 1, 2007, it was announced that President and GM Steve Patterson, whose contract with the team would have expired in summer of 2007, was resigning. Management oversight of the Trail Blazers was being assumed by Tod Leiweke, the chief executive officer of the Seattle Seahawks (also owned by Paul Allen); it was announced that the team would search for a new president and a new general manager. It was also announced that Leiweke would serve as CEO for a newly formed management company, Vulcan Sports and Entertainment, which would manage all of Paul Allen's sports-related properties, including the Trail Blazers and the Seahawks. [14]
- On March 2, the team called up forward Jeremy Richardson from the NBDL, signing him to a 10-day contract. He was subseqently cut on March 11, after appearing in one game for the team.
- On March 15, the team announced that center Luke Schenscher had been called up from the NBDL and awarded a 10-day contract. He was subsequently awarded a second 10-day contract.
- On March 29, the team promoted Kevin Pritchard to general manager.
[edit] Season-by-season records
Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, % = Win-Loss %
| Season | W | L | % | Playoffs | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland Trail Blazers | |||||
| 1970-71 | 29 | 53 | .354 | ||
| 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 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 | 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, 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 | ||
| 2004-05 | 27 | 55 | .329 | ||
| 2005-06 | 21 | 61 | .256 | ||
| 2006-07* | 30 | 44 | .405 | ||
| Totals | 1586 | 1412 | .529 | ||
| Playoffs | 91 | 103 | .469 | 1 Championship | |
* Season in progress; updated April 4, 2007.
[edit] Players of note
[edit] Basketball Hall of Famers
- Clyde Drexler
- Dražen Petrović
- Dr. Jack Ramsay (former Blazer coach)
- Bill Walton
- Lenny Wilkens
[edit] Retired numbers
- 1 Larry Weinberg, Team founder-owner, 1970-88 (number in honor, it can still be worn by players)
- 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.
[edit] Other notable players
[edit] Current roster
| Portland Trail Blazers Current Roster |
||||
| Head Coach: Nate McMillan | Edit | |||
| PF/C | 12 |  |
LaMarcus Aldridge  |
(Texas) |
| PG | 2 | |
Dan Dickau | (Gonzaga) |
| PG | 1 | |
Jarrett Jack | (Georgia Tech) |
| SG/SF | 0 | |
Fred Jones | (Oregon) |
| PF/C | 9 | |
Raef LaFrentz | (Kansas) |
| PF/C | 21 |  |
Jamaal Magloire | (Kentucky) |
| SF/SG | 23 | |
Darius Miles |
(East St. Louis HS, East St. Louis, Illinois) |
| SF/PF/SG | 25 | |
Travis Outlaw | (Starkville HS, Starkville, MS) |
| C | 10 | |
Joel Przybilla |
(Minnesota) |
| PF | 50 | |
Zach Randolph |
(Michigan State) |
| PG | 11 |  |
Sergio Rodríguez | (Spain) |
| SG/PG | 7 | |
Brandon Roy | (Washington) |
| C | 24 |  |
Luke Schenscher | (Georgia Tech) |
| SG/SF | 5 | |
Ime Udoka | (Portland State) |
| SG/SF | 8 | |
Martell Webster | (Seattle Prep, Seattle) |
| ( - Player is injured) |
||||
| (FA) - Free Agent (DP) - Unsigned Draft Pick | Portland Trail Blazers | |||
[edit] Coaches and others
[edit] Current Coaching Staff
The head coach of the Trail Blazers is Nate McMillan. Assistant Coaches include Dean Demopoulos (Lead Assistant Coach), Bill Bayno, Maurice Lucas, and Monty Williams. The training and conditining staff includes Geoff Clark (Assistant Athletic Trainer/Equipment Manager), Jay Jensen (Head Athletic Trainer), Bob Medina, (Strength & Conditioning Coach), and Bradley Weinrich (Director of Basketball Operations)
The complete list of Trail Blazers' head coaches, and the time of their tenures, is as follows:
- 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
[edit] 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*
- Tod Leiweke, President (interim)
- Kevin Pritchard, General Manager
[edit] Current and former media personalities
- Mike Barrett, Television Play-by-Play
- Antonio Harvey, Radio Analyst
- Mike Rice, Television Analyst
- Bill Schonely, Founding Broadcaster/Ambassador
- Brian Wheeler, Radio Play-by-Play
[edit] References
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ [3]
- ^ [4]
- ^ [5]
- ^ [6]
- ^ [7]
- ^ [8]
- ^ Anne M. Peterson (2007-03-01). Trail Blazers' GM Patterson resigns. Associated Press. Retrieved on March 1, 2007.
- ^ [9]
- ^ [10]
- ^ [11]
- ^ http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/fred-211975-1218.html
- ^ http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/TOD_LEIWEKE_TO_ASSUME_MANAGEME-213195-1218.html
[edit] External links
- Portland Trail Blazers official web site
- Sports E-Cyclopedia
- OregonLive.com: Portland Trail Blazers
- Article about the Blazer logo history
- Fan sites
- Unofficial Fan Forum
- Portland trail Blazers Blog
- Portland trail Blazers Forum
- Unofficial Community Blog
- Wiki-editable Information about the Portland Trailblazers Usenet Newsgroup
| Preceded by Boston Celtics 1976 |
NBA Champions Portland Trail Blazers 1977 |
Succeeded by Washington Bullets 1978 |
