Portland Trail Blazers

Portland Trail Blazers
Name	Portland Trail Blazers
Founded	1970
History	Portland Trail Blazers (1970–present)
Arena	Moda Center
Location	Portland, Oregon
Colors	Red, black, silver, white
Conference	Western Conference
Division	Northwest Division
Generalmanager	Joe Cronin
Coach	Chauncey Billups
Owner	Jody Allen
Championship titles	1 (1977)
Conference titles	3 (1977, 1990, 1992)
Division titles	6 (1978, 1991, 1992, 1999, 2015, 2018)

Portland Trail Blazers. The franchise is an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon, competing in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference. Since their inaugural season in 1970–71, they have won one NBA championship in 1977 and have been a consistent presence in the NBA playoffs, led by iconic figures such as Bill Walton, Clyde Drexler, and Damian Lillard.

History

The franchise was established in 1970 as part of the NBA's expansion into the Pacific Northwest, with Harry Glickman serving as the original team president. The early years were marked by struggles, but the team's fortunes changed dramatically after drafting Bill Walton from UCLA in 1974. Under coach Jack Ramsay, Walton led the team to its first and only championship in 1977, defeating the Philadelphia 76ers in six games. The subsequent era, known as the "Rip City" years, featured high-scoring teams led by Clyde Drexler that reached the NBA Finals in 1990 and 1992, falling to the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls, respectively. The early 21st century saw the rise of the "Jail Blazers" era, a period of off-court controversy, before a resurgence built around stars Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge. The modern era has been defined by the stellar play of Damian Lillard, whose tenure included multiple deep playoff runs, most notably the 2019 Western Conference Finals.

Franchise records and achievements

The team's greatest achievement remains the 1977 NBA Championship. They have also won three Western Conference titles (1977, 1990, 1992) and six division titles. Individual franchise records are held by several legends: Clyde Drexler is the all-time leader in points and steals, while Damian Lillard holds the records for three-pointers made and is second in scoring. Terry Porter leads in assists, and LaMarcus Aldridge is the top rebounder. The organization has retired the jerseys of numerous greats, including Bill Walton (32), Clyde Drexler (22), Terry Porter (30), and Damian Lillard (0). Players and coaches have earned significant recognition, with Walton winning the MVP and Finals MVP in 1977, Drexler being named to the NBA's 50th Anniversary Team, and Geoff Petrie winning Rookie of the Year in 1971.

Players

The roster has featured a pantheon of NBA stars. The championship core included Bill Walton, Maurice Lucas, and Lionel Hollins. The 1990s contenders were led by Clyde Drexler, Terry Porter, Jerome Kersey, and Buck Williams. The 2000s featured the talents of Rasheed Wallace, Scottie Pippen, Arvydas Sabonis, and the duo of Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge. The most recent era was anchored by the prolific backcourt of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. Other notable contributors throughout history include Cliff Robinson, Kiki Vandeweghe, and Sidney Wicks. The current roster, under the leadership of general manager Joe Cronin, is in a rebuilding phase, featuring young talents like Anfernee Simons and Scoot Henderson.

Home arenas

The team initially played at the Memorial Coliseum from their inception in 1970 until 1995. In 1995, they moved into a new, state-of-the-art facility originally known as the Rose Garden, located in the Lloyd District. In 2013, after an agreement with a healthcare corporation, the arena was renamed the Moda Center, though many fans still refer to it by its original name. The Moda Center is renowned for its loud and passionate atmosphere, consistently ranking among the toughest venues for visiting teams in the NBA.

Culture and fan base

The team and its supporters are famously known as "Rip City," a nickname originating from a legendary call by broadcaster Bill Schonely. The fan base, spread throughout the Pacific Northwest, is considered one of the most loyal and knowledgeable in the NBA, with a consecutive sellout streak that lasted from 1977 through 1995. The mascot, Blaze the Trail Cat, and the dance team, the BlazerDancers, are staples at home games. The organization's community involvement is extensive, notably through the Trail Blazers Foundation. The distinctive pinwheel logo and the classic red and black color scheme are iconic symbols within the city of Portland.

Rivalries

Geographic and competitive history has fueled several intense rivalries. The most prominent is with the Los Angeles Lakers, stemming from numerous playoff battles in the late 1970s, 1990s, and 2000s, including the 2000 Western Conference Finals. A strong divisional rivalry exists with the Seattle SuperSonics (now the Oklahoma City Thunder), rooted in Pacific Northwest proximity. The rivalry with the Denver Nuggets intensified in recent years due to memorable playoff series, particularly in the 2019 Western Conference Semifinals. Other notable historical rivalries include those with the Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, and San Antonio Spurs.

Category:Portland Trail Blazers Category:National Basketball Association teams Category:Sports in Portland, Oregon Category:1970 establishments in Oregon