November 2
The Blazers are the first expansion team to get featured in Sports Illustrated. While all were mentioned in the Pro Basketball Preview, Portland was expected to be the worst of the three new teams, yet they have a record of 4 wins and 5 losses as of the date of this issue. The Buffalo Braves are 1-7 while the Cleveland Cavaliers are still winless with a 0-11 record.
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November 3
PORTLAND - The Blazers face the Lakers for the first time, putting on a show in the first quarter before Wilt Chamberlain made his presence known and Portland wilted away in the final three quarters.
The Blazers jumped to a quick 14-4 lead and led after one quarter 29-26 but soon reality set in. The Blazers were ahead 37-32 when the Lakers went on a 19-5 spurt. The Blazers never recovered. |
Chamberlain ended the game-highs in points (23) rebounds (15), and blocked shots with 9. Happy Hairston added 20 points and grabbed 14 rebounds for the Lakers. For the Blazers, Jim Barnett lead with 18 points while Ed Manning pulled down 14 rebounds.
I'm of the belief that this is the game where "Rip City" came into existence as the Blazers led all of the first quarter, most of the second quarter, and made a few comebacks during the course of the second half. Legend has it though that the game was actually February 18, 1971 but based on the game reports of that game, the Blazers never once made a run or tied the game. So I shall put this game here as the "real Rip City" game.
I'm of the belief that this is the game where "Rip City" came into existence as the Blazers led all of the first quarter, most of the second quarter, and made a few comebacks during the course of the second half. Legend has it though that the game was actually February 18, 1971 but based on the game reports of that game, the Blazers never once made a run or tied the game. So I shall put this game here as the "real Rip City" game.
November 5
PORTLAND - The Portland Trail Blazers get their first victory against an established @NBA team when they defeat the Baltimore Bullets 135-131 despite 43 points and 22 rebounds by Bullet forward Gus Johnson. Wes Unseld also grabbed 21 rebounds.
Johnson, nicknamed "Honeycomb" was a 5-time All-Star who averaged over 18 points per game with the Bullets. Hampered by knee injuries throughout most of his career, Johnson's game was force despite his smooth nickname. He is known to have shattered 3 backboards in his 9-year career. Johnson had his number 25 retired by the Bullets in 1987 on his 48th birthday. A month later he was also honored by the two college programs he played for, Boise State University and University of Idaho, during a conference basketball game between the two teams on January 17, 1987. Johnson died less than four months later at Akron City Hospital on April 29, 1987, at the age of 48.
Earl Monroe had said of Gus Johnson – "Gus was ahead of his time, flying through the air for slam dunks, breaking backboards and throwing full-court passes behind his back. He was spectacular, but he also did the nitty gritty jobs, defense and rebounding. With all the guys in the Hall of Fame, Gus deserves to be there already."
The Blazers were led by Jim Barnett 30 points and 11 rebounds. Geoff Petrie added 28 points and LeRoy Ellis scored 23 points and 12 rebounds. Ed Manning had a double-double as well with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Johnson, nicknamed "Honeycomb" was a 5-time All-Star who averaged over 18 points per game with the Bullets. Hampered by knee injuries throughout most of his career, Johnson's game was force despite his smooth nickname. He is known to have shattered 3 backboards in his 9-year career. Johnson had his number 25 retired by the Bullets in 1987 on his 48th birthday. A month later he was also honored by the two college programs he played for, Boise State University and University of Idaho, during a conference basketball game between the two teams on January 17, 1987. Johnson died less than four months later at Akron City Hospital on April 29, 1987, at the age of 48.
Earl Monroe had said of Gus Johnson – "Gus was ahead of his time, flying through the air for slam dunks, breaking backboards and throwing full-court passes behind his back. He was spectacular, but he also did the nitty gritty jobs, defense and rebounding. With all the guys in the Hall of Fame, Gus deserves to be there already."
The Blazers were led by Jim Barnett 30 points and 11 rebounds. Geoff Petrie added 28 points and LeRoy Ellis scored 23 points and 12 rebounds. Ed Manning had a double-double as well with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
November 6
PORTLAND -Nate Thurmond of the San Francisco Warriors scored 18 points, pulled down 25 rebounds and blocked 8 shots in the Portland Trail Blazers 110-103 loss. Jeff Mullins led San Francisco with 32 points while Jerry Lucas had 23 points and 13 rebounds.
Geoff Petrie led the Blazers with 23 points with LeRoy Ellis nearly had Blazers first triple-double as he pulled down 16 rebounds, with 14 points, and 9 assists.
Geoff Petrie led the Blazers with 23 points with LeRoy Ellis nearly had Blazers first triple-double as he pulled down 16 rebounds, with 14 points, and 9 assists.
November 7
November 8
PORTLAND - Jim Barnett, at left driving past Walt Frazier, becomes the first Portland Trail Blazers player to score 40 points in a game but the defending @NBA Champions @NYKnicks prevail with a 125-113. The Memorial Coliseum had a record crowd of 10,259 fans watch the Knicks take over early and hold on behind the many heroics of the defending champs.
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Walt Frazier and Willis Reed each had 28 points. Frazier had a triple double with 10 rebounds and 12 assists to go along with his point total while Reed grabbed 26 rebounds. Reed's total rebounds is still a Knick record versus Portland
Barnett, the Blazers leading scorer at over 22 per game, connected on 15 field goals and was 10-12 from the line. His 40 points was a Blazer high against New York until Clyde Drexler scored 48 in 1989. Stan McKenzie scored 21 and Geoff Petrie added 20.
Barnett, the Blazers leading scorer at over 22 per game, connected on 15 field goals and was 10-12 from the line. His 40 points was a Blazer high against New York until Clyde Drexler scored 48 in 1989. Stan McKenzie scored 21 and Geoff Petrie added 20.
Dale Schlueter is profiled in the Oregonian
November 9
November 10
November 11
PHOENIX -
November 12
The Cleveland Cavaliers won their first game as an @NBA team with their 105-103 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. The Cavaliers had lost their first 15 games, 10 of which were on the road, and had tied the @NBA record of 15 straight losses to open a season. After their victory, Cleveland would go on to lose 12 more straight games before their 2nd victory. They were 3-37 before they won 2 consecutive games. They would have a 2 game winning streak twice more and end the season with a 15-67 record.
Walt Wesley led Cleveland with 21 points and grabbed 15 rebounds. Jim Barnett led the Blazers with 27 |
November 14
Bill Stricker is one of the original Trail Blazers as he was signed just days before the opening game on October 26, 1970 but had not entered a game until today. Though he had not played a minute, he became a fan favorite. Many times, as the Blazers fell behind, the home crowd would chant "We want Stricker! We want Stricker!" Coach Rolland Todd, who had not responded to the crowd's request until today's game, had informed Stricker that he was going to be waived soon after this game.
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With the Blazers comfortably ahead of the Cavs late in the fourth quarter, Todd motioned to him to take off his warm-ups and get in the game. Stricker made the most of it in his two minutes of glory, scoring two baskets on three attempts, picked up a personal foul, and for good measure a technical. The latter happened before he even got into the game as he went straight onto the floor without reporting and was slapped with a ‘T’ by Jerry Loeber. “I’m probably the only player in NBA history to get a technical before ever seeing a minute of action,” the chagrined Stricker commented later. Stricker was waived the next day
Stricker, who attended @UOPacific & is still ranked in Top-10 of many categories. He was the basketball coach of @EUHS_Lancers in Manteca, Calif. for over 32 years, where he compiled a 367-277 overall record and even coached 2010 @NBA Coach of the Year, Scott Brooks. He passed away on July 3,2020
Stricker, who attended @UOPacific & is still ranked in Top-10 of many categories. He was the basketball coach of @EUHS_Lancers in Manteca, Calif. for over 32 years, where he compiled a 367-277 overall record and even coached 2010 @NBA Coach of the Year, Scott Brooks. He passed away on July 3,2020
November 16
The only NBA double-header in Portland involving the Blazers occurred on this day. The opening game between the Seattle SuperSonics and the Buffalo Braves preceded the Blazers vs the San Diego Rockets nightcap.
Prior to the game, Bill Stricker was waived following his one and only appearance in the NBA. |
PORTLAND - Larry Siegfried, technically a "former Blazer", dished 21 assists in the San Diego Rockets 136-118 victory over the Blazers. Elvin Hayes led the Rockets with 29 points and 23 rebounds as the Rockets out-rebounded the Blazers 77-47. Jim Barnett had 24 for Portland and Stan McKenzie had 19.
Siegfried was drafted by the Blazers in the expansion draft on May 11, 1970 from the roster of the Boston Celtics, then was traded to the Rockets for Jim Barnett. Siegfried played college basketball at The Ohio State Univ. and was a member of the 1960 NCAA Title team with future NBA Hall of Famers Jerry Lucas and John Havlicek as well as future Hall of Fame coach Bobby Knight. He was also a member of the 1960 US Olympic Basketball team that won the Gold Medal in Rome. He backed up the starting guards tandem of Oscar Robertson and Jerry West. Drafted as the 3rd pick in the 1961 NBA draft by the Cincinnati Royals, he played for the ABL Cleveland Pipers during the 1961/62 season and helped the Pipers to the Championship in the short-lived league. The team, owned by future New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner and coached by John McLendon and Bill Sharman. Future NBA players Dick Barnett and Connie Dierking were among that team's stars. He joined the Celtics for the 1963/64 season and won 5 NBA rings over the next 7 seasons as a reserve before the 1970 expansion draft.
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Following his NBA career, Siegfried counseled prisoners at the Mansfield Correctional Institution in Ohio and did motivational speaking. He also served briefly as the Executive Director of the Central Ohio Chapter of The Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC). He died of a heart attack on October 14, 2010.
November 17
November 18
PORTLAND - "Sweet Lou" Hudson hit for 49 points but it wasn't enough as the Atlanta Hawks fell to the Portland Trail Blazers in a 146-131 victory for the home team. The Blazers countered the 80-point first half by the Hawks with an 82-point explosion in the second half. Jim Barnett led the Blazers with 34 points and 10 assists. Geoff Petrie added 24 points while fellow rookie Pete Maravich added 32 points for the Hawks
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Game Notes: The 146 points against the Hawks still stands as the Blazers highest total against an Atlanta team. The 82-point second half stood as the most points in a half until 1986. Portland attempted 125 Field Goals in the game, which still stands as the most by a Blazer team. Jim Barnett hit all 16 Free Throw Attempts, setting a Blazer record that still stands today. At the time, Barnett was 1 attempt off the player high of 17 attempts that Stan McKenzie had attempted on October 27.
For the Hawks, the 46 points in the opening quarter is still an opponent high for the first quarter. The 49 points by Hudson was the most against Portland by an opponent in the opening season and ranks as the 9th highest by an opponent. His 22 made Field Goals is the 3rd highest by an opponent. |
Hudson became part of the first black recruiting class at Minnesota, as he, Archie Clark and John Yates enrolled at the University of Minnesota in 1964. He had also been recruited by North Carolina and Coach Dean Smith. Hudson had planned to play in college for North Carolina A&T, a historically black college. The University of Minnesota then offered Hudson a scholarship, and the North Carolina A&T coach “told me I should take this opportunity to play in the big time, that I was good enough for that,” Hudson told The Charlotte Observer in 2009. “And he was right."
In 1963-1964, Hudson made his varsity debut at Minnesota, making an immediate impact, averaging 18.1 points to lead the team and 8.0 rebounds, playing alongside teammate Archie Clark. Minnesota finished 17-7 under Hall of Fame Coach John Kundla. As a junior at the University of Minnesota, in 1964-1965, Hudson averaged 24.8 points and 10.7 rebounds. He was named an All-American and First Team All-Big Ten. Minnesota finished 19-5 and were 2nd in the Big Ten Conference behind Michigan. Hudson, who shot right handed, broke his right hand as a senior in 1965-1966 and missed seven games. He played in 17 games with the injury and led the Golden Gophers to a 14-10 record, averaging 19.8 points and 8.1 rebounds. He did this while shooting left-handed with his right hand in a cast. Hudson averaged 20.4 points and 8.9 rebounds, shooting 47% in 65 career games at Minnesota, totaling 1329 points and 576 rebounds.
Hudson made the All-Rookie team in 1966/67 after averaging 18.4 points and was an All-Star for six straight season starting in his 3rd season.
During this season, 1970/71, Hudson was joined in the backcourt with rookie Pete Maravich. The duo spent the next 4 years together though the Hawks, making the playoffs the first 3 seasons. During the 1972-1973season, Hudson averaged a career high 27.1 points, along with 6.2 rebounds and 3,2 assists, playing alongside Maravich in the back-court with his averages of 26.1 points 4.4 rebounds and 6.9 assists. Maravich scored 2,063 points with Hudson getting 2,029 points. They become only the second set of teammates in NBA history to each score over 2,000 points in a single season. Elgin Baylor and Jerry West first accomplished the feat for the Los Angeles Lakers in 1964–65.
In 1963-1964, Hudson made his varsity debut at Minnesota, making an immediate impact, averaging 18.1 points to lead the team and 8.0 rebounds, playing alongside teammate Archie Clark. Minnesota finished 17-7 under Hall of Fame Coach John Kundla. As a junior at the University of Minnesota, in 1964-1965, Hudson averaged 24.8 points and 10.7 rebounds. He was named an All-American and First Team All-Big Ten. Minnesota finished 19-5 and were 2nd in the Big Ten Conference behind Michigan. Hudson, who shot right handed, broke his right hand as a senior in 1965-1966 and missed seven games. He played in 17 games with the injury and led the Golden Gophers to a 14-10 record, averaging 19.8 points and 8.1 rebounds. He did this while shooting left-handed with his right hand in a cast. Hudson averaged 20.4 points and 8.9 rebounds, shooting 47% in 65 career games at Minnesota, totaling 1329 points and 576 rebounds.
Hudson made the All-Rookie team in 1966/67 after averaging 18.4 points and was an All-Star for six straight season starting in his 3rd season.
During this season, 1970/71, Hudson was joined in the backcourt with rookie Pete Maravich. The duo spent the next 4 years together though the Hawks, making the playoffs the first 3 seasons. During the 1972-1973season, Hudson averaged a career high 27.1 points, along with 6.2 rebounds and 3,2 assists, playing alongside Maravich in the back-court with his averages of 26.1 points 4.4 rebounds and 6.9 assists. Maravich scored 2,063 points with Hudson getting 2,029 points. They become only the second set of teammates in NBA history to each score over 2,000 points in a single season. Elgin Baylor and Jerry West first accomplished the feat for the Los Angeles Lakers in 1964–65.
Hudson stayed with the Hawks until being traded in 1977 to the Los Angeles Lakers before retiring in 1979. Hudson finished his career with 17,940 total points in 13 seasons. He averaged 20.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game in 890 games. He shot .489 from the field and .797 from the free throw line. He was the 12th all time leading scorer in NBA History at the time of his retirement. Hudson's jersey number has been retired by both the Atlanta Hawks and the University of Minnesota. While playing alongside many future Hall-of-Fame players, Hudson has yet to be selected. Dominique Wilkins, who Hudson mentored early in Wilkins' career said, “He should be a Hall of Famer, and it’s amazing to me he’s not. He was one of the best (shooting) guards, and that’s a fact. You go back and look at his career and look at the numbers and see what he did and you understand.”
Hudson died after a stroke in 2014 at the age of 69 |
November 20
November 21
November 22
PORTLAND - Lew Alcindor made his first appearance in Portland memorable with a 30 points, 26 rebound, and 6 blocked shots performance in the Bucks 126-104 victory over the Blazers. The 26 rebounds still stands as the most rebounds by a Bucks player against the Blazers as well as the 5th highest rebounds by an opponent.
Stan McKenzie led the Blazer with 17 points with Shaler Halimon and LeRoy Ellis each scoring 16 points. |
The win moves the Bucks to a 15-1 record, on pace to tie the current record for most wins in first 20 games, which is currently 19-1 set by the New York Knicks in the 1969/70 season. The Bucks would not tie the record when they lost game 18. The 1990/91 Blazers would tie the Knicks record when they were 19-1. The record would stand until the Golden State Warriors would go 20-0 in the 2015/16 season.
November 23
November 24
BALTIMORE - The Baltimore Bullets, the first established team to lose to any of the expansion teams of 1970/71, re-established their dominance in a 156-104 drubbing of the Portland Trail Blazers behind 25 points from Jack Marin. Gus Johnson added 24 points and grabbed 20 rebounds with John Tresvant adding 23 points more. The Blazers, led by Geoff Petrie's 22 points, have scored 100 points or more all 23 games they have played.
Game Notes: The 156 points, still the most ever by a Bullets or Washington Wizards team against Portland, would be an opponent high for only 14 months as the Phoenix Suns would score 160 points in March of 1972. Currently it is the third highest total by an opponent as the Denver Nuggets scored 162 points in 1981.
The 52-point loss, still the largest against a Bullets or Wizards team, was the largest Blazer loss until a 56-point loss (74-130) to the Chicago Bulls in 1976. It would eventually be topped with a 65-point loss (59-124) to the Indiana Pacers in 1998.
Game Notes: The 156 points, still the most ever by a Bullets or Washington Wizards team against Portland, would be an opponent high for only 14 months as the Phoenix Suns would score 160 points in March of 1972. Currently it is the third highest total by an opponent as the Denver Nuggets scored 162 points in 1981.
The 52-point loss, still the largest against a Bullets or Wizards team, was the largest Blazer loss until a 56-point loss (74-130) to the Chicago Bulls in 1976. It would eventually be topped with a 65-point loss (59-124) to the Indiana Pacers in 1998.
Marin, a 6'-7" guard/forward from Duke Men's Basketball was named to the 1967 NBA All-Rookie Team and spent 11 seasons in the NBA (1966–1977) playing for the Baltimore Bullets, Houston Rockets, #BuffaloBraves and Chicago Bulls. Marin was a two-time All-Star and scored 12,541 points in his career. He is perhaps most remembered for being traded to the Rockets (along with future considerations) for Elvin Hayes on June 23, 1972.
After retiring from the NBA, Marin entered Duke University Law School and graduated with his Juris Doctor in 1980. He is a partner in the Richmond, Virginia-based law firm of Williams Mullen where he focuses his practice on sports law. He acts as outside counsel to the National Basketball Retired Players Association, and also represents basketball players performing abroad. As well, Marin served for three years (1998–2000) as the executive director of the Celebrity Players Tour, a professional golf circuit for notable ex-pro athletes and entertainers. During his tenure, the tour grew from five to 15 events that support various charities around the country.
Marin is currently involved with the United States Marine Corps and Hope For The Warriors, a non-profit based out of Jacksonville, N.C. He teaches golf and other sports activities to United States Marines who were severely wounded in combat.
After retiring from the NBA, Marin entered Duke University Law School and graduated with his Juris Doctor in 1980. He is a partner in the Richmond, Virginia-based law firm of Williams Mullen where he focuses his practice on sports law. He acts as outside counsel to the National Basketball Retired Players Association, and also represents basketball players performing abroad. As well, Marin served for three years (1998–2000) as the executive director of the Celebrity Players Tour, a professional golf circuit for notable ex-pro athletes and entertainers. During his tenure, the tour grew from five to 15 events that support various charities around the country.
Marin is currently involved with the United States Marine Corps and Hope For The Warriors, a non-profit based out of Jacksonville, N.C. He teaches golf and other sports activities to United States Marines who were severely wounded in combat.
November 25
November 26
The Blazers spend Thanksgiving in Cleveland
November 27
CLEVELAND - The Blazers rally in the final quarter to pull out a 111-102 victory over fellow expansion team Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs, who started the season with 15 straight losses until finally getting a win versus the Blazers on November 12, have lost nine more straight games to fall to 1-24 on the season.
Jim Barnett led the Blazers with 20 points and 7 assists while LeRoy Ellis added 19 points and 9 rebounds. Walt Wesley led the Cavs with 24 points and 14 rebounds. McCoy McLemore nearly recorded his first triple-double of his career with 15 points, 18 rebounds, and 9 assists.
Jim Barnett led the Blazers with 20 points and 7 assists while LeRoy Ellis added 19 points and 9 rebounds. Walt Wesley led the Cavs with 24 points and 14 rebounds. McCoy McLemore nearly recorded his first triple-double of his career with 15 points, 18 rebounds, and 9 assists.
November 28
November 29
MILWAUKEE - LeRoy Ellis had one of the best games of his 9-year career when he scored 27 points and gathered 25 rebounds, but sadly he and the Portland Trail Blazers were on the losing end of a 124-111 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar getting 33 points and 10 rebounds.
Game Notes: The 25 rebounds is one off of his career-high 26 rebounds he gathered just over a month ago vs Cleveland Cavaliers. The rebound total still ranks as third highest in Blazer History, as well as the most by a Blazer against the Bucks
Game Notes: The 25 rebounds is one off of his career-high 26 rebounds he gathered just over a month ago vs Cleveland Cavaliers. The rebound total still ranks as third highest in Blazer History, as well as the most by a Blazer against the Bucks