November 1
1974
For the first time in @NBA history a sitting President attended an @NBA game when President Gerald Ford watched the Portland Trail Blazers defeat the Buffalo Braves 113-106.
The President was in Portland attending campaign rallies for Sen Bob Packwood and other Republicans before arriving. With 6:19 remaining in the 3rd quarter and Lenny Wilkens at the free throw line, the President and his entourage arrived. President Ford, Sen. Packwood, and Oregon Gov. Tom McCall sat behind the Blazers bench and stayed to see the home team victory behind Sidney Wicks 27 points and 11 rebounds. Rookie Bill Walton had 22 points and 14 rebounds while Bob McAdoo led the Braves with 27 points, who were missing the reigning Rookie-of-the-Year Ernie DiGregorio who injured his knee in the previous game
For the first time in @NBA history a sitting President attended an @NBA game when President Gerald Ford watched the Portland Trail Blazers defeat the Buffalo Braves 113-106.
The President was in Portland attending campaign rallies for Sen Bob Packwood and other Republicans before arriving. With 6:19 remaining in the 3rd quarter and Lenny Wilkens at the free throw line, the President and his entourage arrived. President Ford, Sen. Packwood, and Oregon Gov. Tom McCall sat behind the Blazers bench and stayed to see the home team victory behind Sidney Wicks 27 points and 11 rebounds. Rookie Bill Walton had 22 points and 14 rebounds while Bob McAdoo led the Braves with 27 points, who were missing the reigning Rookie-of-the-Year Ernie DiGregorio who injured his knee in the previous game
2006
Brandon Roy made his NBA debut in the Portland Trail Blazers 110-106 victory over the Seattle Supersonics in #Seattle. Roy played college ball nearby at University of Washington and was cheered by the local Seattle crowd when he entered the game. Roy finished with 20 points while Zach Randolph led Portland with 30 points and 10 rebounds. |
November 2
1970 - The @trailblazers are featured in an article in SportsIllustrated for the first time with @GeoffPetrie
|
1976 -
PORTLAND - The Blazers used a record setting first quarter to secure an easy 129-116 election night victory over the Atlanta Hawks. “That was a pretty good quarter” said Jack Ramsey referencing the 45 points. It was the highest first-quarter point total in the club’s seven year history. After Bob Gross scored five of the first six Blazer baskets staking the team to a 13-7 lead, the Blazers then scored the next 16 points and eventually lead 80-54 at halftime, making Hawk coach Hubie Brown to exclaim "What is this? A track meet?"
PORTLAND - The Blazers used a record setting first quarter to secure an easy 129-116 election night victory over the Atlanta Hawks. “That was a pretty good quarter” said Jack Ramsey referencing the 45 points. It was the highest first-quarter point total in the club’s seven year history. After Bob Gross scored five of the first six Blazer baskets staking the team to a 13-7 lead, the Blazers then scored the next 16 points and eventually lead 80-54 at halftime, making Hawk coach Hubie Brown to exclaim "What is this? A track meet?"
Walton led the Blazers with 22 points and 22 rebounds, four assists and three blocked shots. This is the twelfth time Walton has had more than 20 rebounds in his career and the sixth time he’s had more than 20 points and rebounds in the same game.
2013
Nicolas Batum records his 3rd triple-double as a Portland Trail Blazers when he gets 11 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists in the 115-105 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. The problem, at least in Batum’s eyes, was the way in which he ultimately achieved this statistical feat. The game’s outcome had firmly been decided, with Portland leading by seven points and in possession of the ball with just four seconds remaining. Instead of dribbling out the clock, Batum impulsively launched a long three-pointer that fell through the net as the final buzzer sounded.
But there was no celebration, no running around, and barely even a smile. Batum immediately regretted his decision, and while his teammates celebrated around him in the postgame locker room, he was clearly disappointed in himself for taking that final shot. From Joe Freeman of The Oregonian:
“That is maybe the worst thing I’ve done in my career,” Batum said. … “It went in — I was like, ‘Oh, no,” Batum said of his reaction. “I didn’t mean to disrespect this team. This is the San Antonio Spurs, the best team from the last 15 years in the NBA. I’ve never disrespected this team. I love this team. I have a lot of friends on this team.”
Nicolas Batum records his 3rd triple-double as a Portland Trail Blazers when he gets 11 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists in the 115-105 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. The problem, at least in Batum’s eyes, was the way in which he ultimately achieved this statistical feat. The game’s outcome had firmly been decided, with Portland leading by seven points and in possession of the ball with just four seconds remaining. Instead of dribbling out the clock, Batum impulsively launched a long three-pointer that fell through the net as the final buzzer sounded.
But there was no celebration, no running around, and barely even a smile. Batum immediately regretted his decision, and while his teammates celebrated around him in the postgame locker room, he was clearly disappointed in himself for taking that final shot. From Joe Freeman of The Oregonian:
“That is maybe the worst thing I’ve done in my career,” Batum said. … “It went in — I was like, ‘Oh, no,” Batum said of his reaction. “I didn’t mean to disrespect this team. This is the San Antonio Spurs, the best team from the last 15 years in the NBA. I’ve never disrespected this team. I love this team. I have a lot of friends on this team.”
“I know this is a bad thing to do,” Batum said. “I want to apologize to the Spurs organization, because that didn’t show good (respect) for the game, for myself, for the Blazers. I don’t really want to disrespect this team.”
Batum’s reaction, both on the court and in the locker room afterward, tells you that he knows what he did was wrong. This wasn’t an Andray Blatche or Ricky Davis situation; Batum made a poor decision in the moment, and immediately regretted it afterward. |
November 3
1970
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. |
1973
The largest crowd yet in Portland Trail Blazers history -12,086- witness a 107-100 victory over defending NBA Champions@nyknicks. Geoff Petrie and Sidney Wicks each score 21 points
The largest crowd yet in Portland Trail Blazers history -12,086- witness a 107-100 victory over defending NBA Champions@nyknicks. Geoff Petrie and Sidney Wicks each score 21 points
1974
Bill Walton records his first 20/20 game with 20 points and 21 rebounds in the Portland Trail Blazers loss to the Golden State Warriors.
Rick Barry scores 41 points and has 19 assists in the win
Bill Walton records his first 20/20 game with 20 points and 21 rebounds in the Portland Trail Blazers loss to the Golden State Warriors.
Rick Barry scores 41 points and has 19 assists in the win
1978
For the only the second time in Portland Trail Blazers history, teammates have 20/20 game when Mychal Thompson records 20 points and 22 rebounds and Tom Owens has 20 points and 22 rebounds in the 119-98 victory over the San Diego/ L.A. Clippers.
Bill Walton and Maurice Lucas were teammates to accomplish the feat on Dec. 18, 1976 versus the Los Angeles Lakers.
For the only the second time in Portland Trail Blazers history, teammates have 20/20 game when Mychal Thompson records 20 points and 22 rebounds and Tom Owens has 20 points and 22 rebounds in the 119-98 victory over the San Diego/ L.A. Clippers.
Bill Walton and Maurice Lucas were teammates to accomplish the feat on Dec. 18, 1976 versus the Los Angeles Lakers.
1981
The Blazers pull out a 102-100 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers despite 33 points by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and a triple-double by Magic Johnson. Highlights of the game can be seen here, without audio. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZlAqX3PM8 |
1989 - Bill Walton's number 32 is retired by the Portland Trail Blazers
November 4
1994
The Blazers and the Clippers opened the 1994/95 season in Japan, playing 2 games before coming back to the United States. On Nov. 4, the Blazers wore their road black uniforms and on the 5th, they wore their home whites. This is the 3rd set of regular season games that @NBA teams have played in Japan since 1990. |
On November 5th, for the then club-record 18th time, and his last time as a Portland Trail Blazers, Clyde Drexler tops 40 points when he scores 41 in leading the #Blazers to a 112-105 victory over the L.A. Clippers in Yokohama Japan. |
November 5
Drafted number 1 in the 1974 @NBA draft, Walton joined the Blazers as they entered their 5th season, never having won more than 29 games. Much was expected and the Blazers did increase their win total to 38 Walton's rookie season, 3 more games than he played due to various injuries. Despite the injuries Walton averaged 12.8 points and 12.6 rebounds. Injuries limited him his second year as well but statistically he improved to to 16 points and 13.5 rebounds but major changes were underway in Portland and the @NBA. The ABA was absolved into the NBA and with that a new team was surrounded around Walton, and 2nd year players Lionel Hollins and Bob Gross. ABA players Dave Twardzik and Maurice Lucas created a young, quick lineup that went on to win the 1976/77 NBA Championship! The defending champions would eventually get to 50-10 before injuries took another toll on Walton, Gross, Lloyd Neal, and Dave Twardzik as the team limpoed to a 58 win season before losing to the Seattle Super Sonics in the playoffs. That summer of '78 dissension between the Blazers Medical staff and Walton led to him to cut ties and move to the San Diego/ L.A. Clippers, where he played sparingly until the 1982/83 season through the 1984/85. Traded to the Boston Celtics he was instrumental to the Celtics championship in the 1985/86 season before injuries again took their toll. In the 4 years with Portland, Walton averaged 17 points, 13.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists. He had 16 games with at least 20 points and rebounds. He was selected to 2 All-Star teams, 1 Playoff MVP, 1 League MVP, 2 Defensive Team awards and 2 All-League Awards. He also led the legue in rebounding and blocked shots in the 1976/77 season. |
1970 -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.
1976
The Blazers started the scoring early when Lionel Hollins hit a jumper only 33 seconds into the game. Lucas then scored the next seven points to stake the Blazers to a 9-0 lead. After a Sixer basket, the Blazers continued to dominate on the offensive end moving their lead first to 20-4, then 36-16 before closing out the first quarter with a 41-24 lead. Coach Ramsey said, “We took advantage of their mistakes by having an awareness. When a guy was open, we got him the ball.”
The Blazers shot .591 from the field for the game as seven of the 11 Blazers scored in double digits, with no Blazer playing less than 12 minutes. Lucas joined Walton with double digits of 21 points and 11 rebounds. Johnny Davis and Larry Steele combined for 29 points off the bench. The 146 points equaled the Blazers record high, set in the inaugural season against Atlanta (146-131 on Nov. 18, 1970) and the win was the 11th straight home victory for the Blazers, dating back to last season. The 42 point victory is the second highest in franchise history, behind the 133-86 (47 point) victory over the New York Knicks on March 18, 1972
For the Sixers, only George McGinnis, Julius Erving and Doug Collins scored in double digits with 28, 21 and 20 respectively. McGinnis shook his head afterwards noting the Blazers “were awesome. Awesome.” Philadelphia coach Gene Shue stated the obvious when he said “We got killed tonight”
The Blazers shot .591 from the field for the game as seven of the 11 Blazers scored in double digits, with no Blazer playing less than 12 minutes. Lucas joined Walton with double digits of 21 points and 11 rebounds. Johnny Davis and Larry Steele combined for 29 points off the bench. The 146 points equaled the Blazers record high, set in the inaugural season against Atlanta (146-131 on Nov. 18, 1970) and the win was the 11th straight home victory for the Blazers, dating back to last season. The 42 point victory is the second highest in franchise history, behind the 133-86 (47 point) victory over the New York Knicks on March 18, 1972
For the Sixers, only George McGinnis, Julius Erving and Doug Collins scored in double digits with 28, 21 and 20 respectively. McGinnis shook his head afterwards noting the Blazers “were awesome. Awesome.” Philadelphia coach Gene Shue stated the obvious when he said “We got killed tonight”
1994 - For the club-record 18th time, and his last time as a Portland Trail Blazers, Clyde Drexler tops 40 points when he scores 41 in leading the #Blazers to a 112-105 victory over the L.A. Clippers in Yokohama Japan. The Blazers and the Clippers opened the 1994/95 season in Japan, playing 2 games before coming back to the United States. This is the 3rd set of regular season games that @NBA teams have played in Japan since 1990.
November 6
1969
The @NBA is looking to expand to possibly 16 teams for 1970/71 season, with HarryGlickman leading a group from Portland. Glickman believes Portland has a "heckuva chance" in gaining the team over cities such as Minneapolis, Cleveland, Memphis, and Kansas City.
Expected cost for a new team is $3 Million |
1970 - Nate Thurmond of the San Francisco @Warriors pulled down 25 rebounds and blocked 8 shots in the Portland Trail Blazers110-103 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.
1972
The Blazers suffer their 9th straight loss at the hands of the New York Knicks. The Blazers jumped to early leads, settling on a 52-51 lead at the half before falling apart in the 3rd quarter, getting outscored 34-18. The loss moves the Blazers to 1-11 on the season, with the Knicks getting to 11-2.
Sidney Wicks led the Blazers with 21 points and 13 rebounds, but also had 12 turnovers in the contest. Ollie Johnson, Geoff Petrie, and Greg Smith all had 13 points for the Blazers. Johnson pulled down 12 rebounds to help.
The Blazers suffer their 9th straight loss at the hands of the New York Knicks. The Blazers jumped to early leads, settling on a 52-51 lead at the half before falling apart in the 3rd quarter, getting outscored 34-18. The loss moves the Blazers to 1-11 on the season, with the Knicks getting to 11-2.
Sidney Wicks led the Blazers with 21 points and 13 rebounds, but also had 12 turnovers in the contest. Ollie Johnson, Geoff Petrie, and Greg Smith all had 13 points for the Blazers. Johnson pulled down 12 rebounds to help.
New York, which is on a 4-game Western swing, defeated the Seattle Supersonics three nights ago before losing to the Golden State Warriors a night later. The last visit the Knicks had in Portland was a 47-point drubbing by the Blazers on March 18, 1972. In this game, Bill Bradley had 24 points to lead all scorers, with Walt Frazier scoring 23 and Dave DeBusschere adding 21. Frazier had 11 rebounds and passed for 9 assists.
1974
John Havlicek led the Boston Celtics with 40 points and led Boston to a 128-110 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers
John Havlicek led the Boston Celtics with 40 points and led Boston to a 128-110 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers
1990
Magic Johnson scored 24 points & passed for 22 assists in the Los Angeles Lakers 125-123 OT loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. It was Magic's 21st time with more than 20 assists in a regular season game and the first time vs the Blazers. He did have 1 playoff game vs Portland where he recorded 21 assists.
Four of the 5 starters for Portland scored more than 20 points with Clyde Drexler leading the way with 27. Terry Porter had 23 points and 12 assists while Kevin Duckworth added 22 and Buck Williams had 20
Magic Johnson scored 24 points & passed for 22 assists in the Los Angeles Lakers 125-123 OT loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. It was Magic's 21st time with more than 20 assists in a regular season game and the first time vs the Blazers. He did have 1 playoff game vs Portland where he recorded 21 assists.
Four of the 5 starters for Portland scored more than 20 points with Clyde Drexler leading the way with 27. Terry Porter had 23 points and 12 assists while Kevin Duckworth added 22 and Buck Williams had 20
2021
Damian Lillard becomes the 98th NBA player (and the 103rd NBA/ABA) to record 17,000 points in the Blazers 105-90 defeat of the Los Angeles Lakers. He is also only the 2nd Blazer to hit that mark, behind Clyde Drexler, who scored 18,040 points in a Portland uniform. Drexler finished his career with the Rockets and totaled 22,195 points combined, which is the 38th highest in the NBA only and 38th in the combined list.
Lillard needed 25 points to reach the mark, and scored exactly 25. Currently, Lillard is 9 points behind George McGinnis in the combined list and 137 points behind Grant Hill in the NBA only list.
Damian Lillard becomes the 98th NBA player (and the 103rd NBA/ABA) to record 17,000 points in the Blazers 105-90 defeat of the Los Angeles Lakers. He is also only the 2nd Blazer to hit that mark, behind Clyde Drexler, who scored 18,040 points in a Portland uniform. Drexler finished his career with the Rockets and totaled 22,195 points combined, which is the 38th highest in the NBA only and 38th in the combined list.
Lillard needed 25 points to reach the mark, and scored exactly 25. Currently, Lillard is 9 points behind George McGinnis in the combined list and 137 points behind Grant Hill in the NBA only list.
November 7
1971
Bobby Washington of the Cleveland Cavaliers passes for a career-high 20 assists in the 120-99 drubbing of the Portland Trail Blazers. He also scored 13 points while future Blazers Rick Roberson grabbed a career-high 23 rebounds and John Johnson added 24 points. Washington, a 5'-11" point guard, played a total of 118 games professionally between the @NBA and the #ABA after not being drafted by either league. Seven times in his career he passed for more than 10 assists and averaged 3.5 in only 15 minutes of play time. Washington was a star High School player in Kentucky and was voted to that states Hall-of-Fame in 2017. After high school, Washington went on to be a star player at Eastern Kentucky University before his professional career. At his induction to the HOF, Washington said the basketball that meant the most to him was played in Lexington in the uniform of Dunbar High School. “Because I got to play with my friends, same guys I grew up with,” he said. “I played NBA ball, but the most fun I ever had playing basketball was playing with my friends in high school.” |
For the Blazers, Sidney Wicks was injured 7 mins into the game and went to the sidelines. He was initially listed as "doubtful" for the next game in Buffalo, but would play.
Fellow rookies Bill Smith and Jim Marsh made their marks in Wicks absence. Marsh played 33 minutes and scored a career-high 12 points while grabbing 6 rebounds. Smith had what were career-highs in points and rebounds, 12 and 11 respectfully. He would eventually top both numbers in his brief career. |
1975
@LionelHollins14 made his @NBA debut in @trailblazers victory vs #KansasCityKings. Hollins, who had missed the #Blazers first 6 games due to appendectomy surgery on Oct 18, started the game & played 25 mins & scored 14 pts. The last game Hollins played for the @trailblazers, an exhibition win over @celtics at @OregonState campus, was just before Hollins had to have his appendix removed. #Blazers coach #LennyWilkens is expecting Hollins to be PG of the future.
In the victory #LaRueMartin grabbed a then career-high 18 rebs in 29 mins. In two days, when the @nyknicks come to Portland, Martin would top the 18 boards for a new career-high of 22 boards.
@LionelHollins14 made his @NBA debut in @trailblazers victory vs #KansasCityKings. Hollins, who had missed the #Blazers first 6 games due to appendectomy surgery on Oct 18, started the game & played 25 mins & scored 14 pts. The last game Hollins played for the @trailblazers, an exhibition win over @celtics at @OregonState campus, was just before Hollins had to have his appendix removed. #Blazers coach #LennyWilkens is expecting Hollins to be PG of the future.
In the victory #LaRueMartin grabbed a then career-high 18 rebs in 29 mins. In two days, when the @nyknicks come to Portland, Martin would top the 18 boards for a new career-high of 22 boards.
Prior to game vs #KansasCityKings, in order to activate @LionelHollins14 for action, the @trailblazers released veteran forward #GregSmith. Smith played 3 seasons w/#Blazers plus 1 game this season. He avg 5 pts & 3 rebs in 15 mins. Smith was drafted by @Bucks out of @WKUBasketball and was a starter for #Milwaukee when they won @NBA Title in 1971 and was considered a vital part according to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who was quoted years later that the Bucks lost an edge when Smith was traded to @HoustonRockets midway into the defending season.Smith spent just over a year in Houston before coming to @trailblazers in a trade for @StanMcKenzie.
Smith stayed in Portland area after retiring & worked for @KGW in radio sales before working for @SalemMediaGrp. He would also occasionally play w/
@trailblazers #Alumni Team, helping to raise monies for various charities.
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=7940&context=dlsc_ua_records
Smith stayed in Portland area after retiring & worked for @KGW in radio sales before working for @SalemMediaGrp. He would also occasionally play w/
@trailblazers #Alumni Team, helping to raise monies for various charities.
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=7940&context=dlsc_ua_records
November 8
1970
Jim Barnett becomes the first Portland Trail Blazers player to score 40 points 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. 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.
Barnett, the Blazers leading scorer at over 22 per game, connected on 15 field goals and was 10-12 from the line. Stan McKenzie scored 21 and Geoff Petrie added 20.
Jim Barnett becomes the first Portland Trail Blazers player to score 40 points 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. 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.
Barnett, the Blazers leading scorer at over 22 per game, connected on 15 field goals and was 10-12 from the line. Stan McKenzie scored 21 and Geoff Petrie added 20.
1984
Kiki VanDeWeghe returned to Denver for the first time since the massive trade that sent him to Portland and scored 30 points in the Portland Trail Blazers 128-125 loss to the Denver Nuggets. His former running mate Alex English led all scorers with 45 points, 2 points shy of his career-high until he scored 54 points a year later.
The Blazers traded Calvin Natt, Lafayette "Fat" Lever, Wayne Cooper, and 2 draft picks to the Nuggets for VanDeWeghe, who had spent 4 years with English. Together they averaged over 50 points per game in the running offense that the Nuggets ran under coach Doug Moe. When English became a Free Agent in 1990 and left Denver, he was the holder of nearly every team record, including most career points (21,645), assists (3,679), games (837) and minutes (29,893) , along with the highest career scoring average with the team (25.9) of any player. The Nuggets retired English's number 2 jersey in 1992.
As of 2019, English's career 25,613 points places him 18th on the @NBA all-time career scoring list. English was the first to achieve eight straight 2,000-point seasons, and he has the distinction of being the top scorer in the 1980's. He was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1997.
Kiki VanDeWeghe returned to Denver for the first time since the massive trade that sent him to Portland and scored 30 points in the Portland Trail Blazers 128-125 loss to the Denver Nuggets. His former running mate Alex English led all scorers with 45 points, 2 points shy of his career-high until he scored 54 points a year later.
The Blazers traded Calvin Natt, Lafayette "Fat" Lever, Wayne Cooper, and 2 draft picks to the Nuggets for VanDeWeghe, who had spent 4 years with English. Together they averaged over 50 points per game in the running offense that the Nuggets ran under coach Doug Moe. When English became a Free Agent in 1990 and left Denver, he was the holder of nearly every team record, including most career points (21,645), assists (3,679), games (837) and minutes (29,893) , along with the highest career scoring average with the team (25.9) of any player. The Nuggets retired English's number 2 jersey in 1992.
As of 2019, English's career 25,613 points places him 18th on the @NBA all-time career scoring list. English was the first to achieve eight straight 2,000-point seasons, and he has the distinction of being the top scorer in the 1980's. He was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1997.
2019
Damian Lillard becomes the first Blazer to ever score 60 points but it wasn't enough as Portland fell to the Brooklyn Nets 119-115.
Lillard was 19-of-33 from the field and made all 15 free throws, which was 1 free throw shy of equaling the teams best of 16 for 16. Jim Barnett initially set the mark in 1970 and Travis Outlaw tied the mark in 2007
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEEOzxwc7Ek
Damian Lillard becomes the first Blazer to ever score 60 points but it wasn't enough as Portland fell to the Brooklyn Nets 119-115.
Lillard was 19-of-33 from the field and made all 15 free throws, which was 1 free throw shy of equaling the teams best of 16 for 16. Jim Barnett initially set the mark in 1970 and Travis Outlaw tied the mark in 2007
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEEOzxwc7Ek
November 9
1971
#BuffaloBraves 7' ft rookie center #ElmoreSmith got the better of @trailblazers 7' ft rookie center #BillSmith this evening as the #Braves defeated the #Blazers. The Braves' Smith finished the game with 12 points, 17 rebounds, and 11 blocked shots while the @trailblazers' Smith finished with 10 points and 7 rebounds in the loss. The #Blazers' Smith played at nearby @SyracuseU and led the @Cuse_MBB to the 1971 #NIT Tournament before being drafted by Portland in 3rd round of the recent @NBA Draft |
1973
The Blazers make their second appearance in Sports Illustrated
The Blazers make their second appearance in Sports Illustrated
1974
The Blazers stop a 3-game losing streak and win for first time in Atlanta. The Blazers were 0-8 in 4 years
The Blazers stop a 3-game losing streak and win for first time in Atlanta. The Blazers were 0-8 in 4 years
1975
LaRue Martin, the former #1 pick in the @NBA draft, grabbed a career-high 22 rebounds in the Portland Trail Blazers 115-96 win over the NYKnicks. Martin is in the final year of his 4-year contract that guaranteed he couldn't be cut from the team. He had shown steady improvement his first 3 seasons but for a number 1 pick, he was improving rapidly enough. His statistics fell back in this season and was eventually traded to Seattle prior to the 1976/77 season.
The game was televised by CBS Sports and was the first game that former @NBA referee Mendy Rudolph did as a color analyst alongside Brent Musburger. Rudolph retired as an official due to health reasons and worked for CBS for 2 years. Rudolph passed away on July 4, 1979
LaRue Martin, the former #1 pick in the @NBA draft, grabbed a career-high 22 rebounds in the Portland Trail Blazers 115-96 win over the NYKnicks. Martin is in the final year of his 4-year contract that guaranteed he couldn't be cut from the team. He had shown steady improvement his first 3 seasons but for a number 1 pick, he was improving rapidly enough. His statistics fell back in this season and was eventually traded to Seattle prior to the 1976/77 season.
The game was televised by CBS Sports and was the first game that former @NBA referee Mendy Rudolph did as a color analyst alongside Brent Musburger. Rudolph retired as an official due to health reasons and worked for CBS for 2 years. Rudolph passed away on July 4, 1979
November 10
1971
Earl Lloyd, the first African-American to play in the NBA in 1950, will make his coaching debut with the Detroit Pistons today vs the Portland Trail Blazers. He was named head coach by Pistons on Nov. 3, following the resignation of Butch van Breda Kolff on Nov 1 with a 6-4 record. Forward Terry Dischinger coached Detroit for 2 games before Lloyd took over. The Pistons lost both games Dischinger was in charge and now are 6-6. The Blazers are 2-8.
Earl Lloyd, the first African-American to play in the NBA in 1950, will make his coaching debut with the Detroit Pistons today vs the Portland Trail Blazers. He was named head coach by Pistons on Nov. 3, following the resignation of Butch van Breda Kolff on Nov 1 with a 6-4 record. Forward Terry Dischinger coached Detroit for 2 games before Lloyd took over. The Pistons lost both games Dischinger was in charge and now are 6-6. The Blazers are 2-8.
After Van Breda Kolff’s sudden departure, the Pistons were looking to name perennial All-Star guard Dave Bing as a player/coach, at least to finish the season. Bing, however, recently suffered a detached retina and he hasn’t been medically cleared for play and there was worry in the front office what coaching would do for his recovery. It was at that point that Lloyd was approached to be coach, with Bing assisting Lloyd on the bench. Lloyd is the 3rd African-American to be coaching in the 1971/72 season. Al Attles coaches the Golden State Warriors and Lenny Wilkens is a player/coach with the Seattle Super Sonics. Bill Russell coached the Boston Celtics from 1966 to 1969 but has since retired. |
Lloyd worked in Pistons organization for years as a scout and as a broadcaster. From 1966 thru 1970, he had also worked for the Dodge Division of the Chrysler Corporation, working for the Pistons in his spare time before becoming an assistant coach to Van Breda Kolff in the 1970/71 season. Lloyd was originally considered to be head coach in 1965 by the Pistons GM Don Wattrick, but according to reports, Wattrick said to Lloyd "You'd be the answer to my problem, if only you were white." The Pistons instead hired 24-year old Dave DeBusschere to be player/coach instead. |
Lloyd was drafted in the 9th round by the Washington Capitols and played 7 games with the Capitols before being drafted into the US Army. Before his service time was done, the Capitols folded 30 games into the 1950/51 season. Lloyd was selected by the Syracuse Nationals in the dispersal draft and joined Syracuse when the 1952/53 season started. Lloyd helped the Cats to the 1955 Title, when he avg career-highs in points (10.2) and rebounds (7.7). After six years in Syracuse, Lloyd was traded to Detroit, where he played 2 years before retiring following the 1959/60 season. Overall, Lloyd averaged 8.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 560 games over nine seasons. |
Van Breda Kolff, known as VBK, resigned despite a winning record this year and after leading the Pistons to a 45-37 record last year. His stated reason was fans expectations had got to him. In a touch of irony, the Detroit Red Wings head coach Doug Barkley resigned just days before, saying, “I just could not live with the pressure of 15,000 fans booing and the pressure from the press and television and radio.” Van Breda Kolff echoed Barkley, stating, “The Detroit fans are supposed to be very good ones but I don’t think that are insofar as loyalty is concerned. The fans really get to you, especially when you hear them say how dumb you are and things like that.”
Sadly, #EarlLloyd would only coach @Pistons for just under a calendar year, going 20-50 in 1971/72 & starting 1972/73 season 2-5 before being dismissed on Oct 28 1972. Ironically, he would be fired prior to @DetroitPistons playing @trailblazers once again. He was replaced by his assistant coach Ray Scott, who played college basketball at Univ. of Portland. A member of @Hoophall as well as honored at Alma Mater @WVStateU, Lloyd continued to contribute to Detroit community as job placement admin for #DetroitPublicSchool system & ran programs for underprivileged children teaching job skills. Lloyd passed away in 2015
|
Now, on to the game ...
1974
The New Orleans Jazz won their first @NBA game 102-101 against the Portland Trail Blazers. Pete Maravich recorded his first career triple-double with 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists. The Jazz opened the season with 11 straight losses before this win and would get to 1-14 before firing their coach Scotty Robertson. Former Los Angeles Lakers legend Elgin Baylor would coach, and lose, 1 game before Butch Van Breda Kolff took over for the remainder of the season. The Jazz would get to a record of 3-34 before they would win their first back-to-back games and would finish at 23-59.
The New Orleans Jazz won their first @NBA game 102-101 against the Portland Trail Blazers. Pete Maravich recorded his first career triple-double with 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists. The Jazz opened the season with 11 straight losses before this win and would get to 1-14 before firing their coach Scotty Robertson. Former Los Angeles Lakers legend Elgin Baylor would coach, and lose, 1 game before Butch Van Breda Kolff took over for the remainder of the season. The Jazz would get to a record of 3-34 before they would win their first back-to-back games and would finish at 23-59.
1987
The Portland Trail Blazers signed Free Agent Maurice Lucas, who returns to Portland 6 1/2 years after being traded away in a contract dispute. Since being traded to the Brooklyn Nets in Feb 1980, Lucas has played for the Nets, @nyknicks, Phoenix Suns Los Angeles Lakers and #SeattleSuperSonics.As compensation, the Supersonics would receive a 2nd round pick in the 1990 NBA draft (center Abdul Shamsid-Deen of Providence). Lucas would play in 73 games for Portland during the ‘87-‘88 season, which would be his last in the NBA, averaging 6.1 points and 4.3 rebounds per contest as he came off the bench to help the Trailblazers go 53-29 under head coach Mike Schuler. Fittingly, Big Luke retired as a Trailblazer after having amassed a total of 14,857 points and 9,306 rebounds over his 14-year career, averaging 14.6 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. |
Lucas is the 2nd Blazer to return after being traded away. Dale Schlueter was traded in 1972 before returning to the club in 1978. All told, 10 players who were traded or left as Free Agents returned to be a Blazer again. Can you name them?
November 11
#TomHenderson passes for a career-high 17 assists in @ATLHawks last second victory over @trailblazers. #JohnDrew hit a 30-ft bomb w/:03 seconds remaining to pull off the win. The #Blazers had a chance at the end by had a lay in blocked as time expired
1977
Wally Walker, the Portland Trail Blazers number 1 draft choice in the 1976 @NBA Draft, was traded today to the #SeatlleSuperSonics for 2 future draft picks. The trade was made due to new #NBA rules regarding limiting the rosters to 11 players, 1 less than teams were allowed to carry in the 1976/77 season. Walker played in Seattle for 5 years, being an instrumental part of the Sonics lineup that competed for the 1978 NBA Championship and the won the 1979 NBA Championship. He was traded to the Houston Rockets in 1982 and retired in 1984.
Wally Walker, the Portland Trail Blazers number 1 draft choice in the 1976 @NBA Draft, was traded today to the #SeatlleSuperSonics for 2 future draft picks. The trade was made due to new #NBA rules regarding limiting the rosters to 11 players, 1 less than teams were allowed to carry in the 1976/77 season. Walker played in Seattle for 5 years, being an instrumental part of the Sonics lineup that competed for the 1978 NBA Championship and the won the 1979 NBA Championship. He was traded to the Houston Rockets in 1982 and retired in 1984.
On the same day of the Wally Walker trade, the Blazers blow out the Atlanta Hawks, establishing the largest road victory in franchise history.
|
Walker started his own money management company after working for 7 years with Goldman Sachs before returning to the #Sonics, where he worked in the front office as President and General Manager. During his tenure Walker built a roster primarily around Gary Payton, Shawn Kemp, Detlef Schrempf, Sam Perkins, Nate McMillan and Hersey Hawkins that made the NBA finals in 1996, losing to the Chicago Bulls.
|
November 12
1970 - 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
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
2006
@aldridge_12 made his @NBA debut in @trailblazers 103-96 loss to @dallasmavs Aldridge had 10 pts & grabbed 8 rebs in 19 mins. Three of his FG's came off Off Rebs. https://youtu.be/aThIbBJH_tc @aldridge_12 made his @NBA debut in @trailblazers 103-96 loss to @dallasmavs. Aldridge had 10 pts & grabbed 8 rebs in 19 mins. Three of his FG's came off Off Rebs. |
November 13
1971 - LeRoy Ellis returned for the first time to Portland as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers and led his new team with 27 points in the 130-108 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Ellis also grabbed 8 rebounds and passed for 7 assists in 30 minutes of the Lakers seventh straight victory. The Lakers would go on to record 33 straight wins, an NBA record, which would include two more victories against the Blazers
For Portland, rookie Sidney Wicks led all scorers with 33 points and 12 rebounds while fellow-rookies Charlie Yelverton added 17 points and 7'-0" center Bill Smith had 16 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and even blocked one of Wilt Chamberlain's shots in only his 13th game of his short NBA career. Smith is averaging 12 points and 7 rebounds in his past five games and just starting to adjust to the NBA but would injury his knee in his 22nd game on November 30.
For Portland, rookie Sidney Wicks led all scorers with 33 points and 12 rebounds while fellow-rookies Charlie Yelverton added 17 points and 7'-0" center Bill Smith had 16 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and even blocked one of Wilt Chamberlain's shots in only his 13th game of his short NBA career. Smith is averaging 12 points and 7 rebounds in his past five games and just starting to adjust to the NBA but would injury his knee in his 22nd game on November 30.
1975 -
The Portland Trail Blazers trade forward John Johnson to the Houston Rockets for center Steve Hawes. Johnson came to Portland in 1973 from the Cleveland Cavaliers and averaged over 16 points a game before this season. Coach Lenny Wilkens had moved Johnson to the bench almost 2 weeks ago and that had caused much dissension between the two, eventually with Johnson demanding a trade.
Ironically, when Johnson was traded from Houston to the #SeattleSuperSonics in 1977 where Wilkens soon took over as coach. By then the two and smoothed over any issues and Johnson was the starter for the Sonics that made 3 straight Western Conference e Finals in 1978, 79, and 80 and the @NBA Finals in 1978 and 1979, winning the 1979 Title.
The Portland Trail Blazers trade forward John Johnson to the Houston Rockets for center Steve Hawes. Johnson came to Portland in 1973 from the Cleveland Cavaliers and averaged over 16 points a game before this season. Coach Lenny Wilkens had moved Johnson to the bench almost 2 weeks ago and that had caused much dissension between the two, eventually with Johnson demanding a trade.
Ironically, when Johnson was traded from Houston to the #SeattleSuperSonics in 1977 where Wilkens soon took over as coach. By then the two and smoothed over any issues and Johnson was the starter for the Sonics that made 3 straight Western Conference e Finals in 1978, 79, and 80 and the @NBA Finals in 1978 and 1979, winning the 1979 Title.
Johnson would play for the Rockets for two seasons until a trade to Boston Celtics in June 1977. Johnson though never played for Boston. Just before the start of the 1977/78 season, #Celtics GM #RedAurebach asked the NBA to rescind the trade due to a "no-cut" clause that Boston had overlooked.
NBA Commissioner did return Johnson to the Rockets, but Houston then traded Johnson to Seattle Supersonics four days after he return to Houston.
In Seattle, Johnson would soon be reunited with Coach Wilkens when Bob Hopkins was fired 22 games into the 1977/78 season. At the time, Seattle was 5-17 but Wilkens would guid the team to 42- 18 record the rest of the season. By this time, the two had reconciled their differences and Johnson returned to the starting lineup after Wilkens adjusted the lineup. Johnson became what would later be known as the "point forward" as he distributed the ball from the wing, as opposed to from the point guard position, which was usually done. “When I coached him I would tell Gus Williams, Dennis Johnson and Fred Brown, if JJ got the ball on a rebound, you guys take off because he will find you,” said Wilkens. “He could do that, and he did it very well. Before they coined the phrase point forward, he was like that. I have great memories.”
NBA Commissioner did return Johnson to the Rockets, but Houston then traded Johnson to Seattle Supersonics four days after he return to Houston.
In Seattle, Johnson would soon be reunited with Coach Wilkens when Bob Hopkins was fired 22 games into the 1977/78 season. At the time, Seattle was 5-17 but Wilkens would guid the team to 42- 18 record the rest of the season. By this time, the two had reconciled their differences and Johnson returned to the starting lineup after Wilkens adjusted the lineup. Johnson became what would later be known as the "point forward" as he distributed the ball from the wing, as opposed to from the point guard position, which was usually done. “When I coached him I would tell Gus Williams, Dennis Johnson and Fred Brown, if JJ got the ball on a rebound, you guys take off because he will find you,” said Wilkens. “He could do that, and he did it very well. Before they coined the phrase point forward, he was like that. I have great memories.”
1990
Clyde Drexler records his 13th triple-double in the Portland Trail Blazers 155-129 rout of the Denver Nuggets, their 7th straight victory. Drexler finished with 39 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists. The Blazers opened the 1990/91 season with 11 straight wins and won 19 of their first 20 games to set an @NBA record. The Blazers would go on to win a franchise best 63 wins during the regular season but would lose in the Western Conference Finals to the Los Angeles Lakersin 6 games |
November 14
1970
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.
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, though the T was not the reason for his release.
Stricker, who attended @UOPacific and 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
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.
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, though the T was not the reason for his release.
Stricker, who attended @UOPacific and 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
VINCE REMBULAT
The Bulletin
Jul 3, 2020 -- Longtime East Union High basketball coach, teacher and mentor Bill Stricker passed away late Friday night at age 72. He was a trailblazer in more ways than one. In his brief NBA career, he played all of two minutes as an original member of the Portland Trail Blazers in 1970. It was six games into the inaugural season when the 6-foot-9 Stricker, a standout at the University of the Pacific, signed as a free agent, sitting on the bench for 11 straight games without even taking off his warm-ups.
The Portland fan favorite got his chance during a blowout loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers — before even getting into the game, he was slapped with a technical foul. Stricker went two for three from the field during that brief span, picking up a personal foul in the process. “He’s almost the basketball version of Moonlight Graham,” said CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Assistant Commissioner Will DeBoard via social media. “Played two minutes in one game, went back to his hometown, and made a difference in thousands of lives.” Bill Stricker impacted many lives. Eric Simoni will always remember the great support he received from his old coach. Stricker compiled a 367-277 record as boys basketball coach and spent 32 years with East Union.
The Bulletin
Jul 3, 2020 -- Longtime East Union High basketball coach, teacher and mentor Bill Stricker passed away late Friday night at age 72. He was a trailblazer in more ways than one. In his brief NBA career, he played all of two minutes as an original member of the Portland Trail Blazers in 1970. It was six games into the inaugural season when the 6-foot-9 Stricker, a standout at the University of the Pacific, signed as a free agent, sitting on the bench for 11 straight games without even taking off his warm-ups.
The Portland fan favorite got his chance during a blowout loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers — before even getting into the game, he was slapped with a technical foul. Stricker went two for three from the field during that brief span, picking up a personal foul in the process. “He’s almost the basketball version of Moonlight Graham,” said CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Assistant Commissioner Will DeBoard via social media. “Played two minutes in one game, went back to his hometown, and made a difference in thousands of lives.” Bill Stricker impacted many lives. Eric Simoni will always remember the great support he received from his old coach. Stricker compiled a 367-277 record as boys basketball coach and spent 32 years with East Union.
“Whenever I had tough times and would talk to my parents, they would often say, ‘Well, did you talk to coach,’” said Simoni, who is now principal at Escalon High.
He was proud to follow in Stricker’s footstep, being the first to take over the Lancers’ hoop program when the old coach stepped down in 2000. Simoni led East Union to three straight Valley Oak League championships from 2003-05 and replaced the retiring Stricker as dean of athletics in 2009. “He was my biggest supporter. What I learned from him was to apply what works for me,” said Simoni, who was aware of Stricker’s ailing health over the years. He cherished the last time he talked to his old coach some three weeks ago, sharing stories and laughs along the way. |
Overall, the 6'9" forward still holds records in over ten categories at Pacific:
-14th all-time in program history in total points (1,270), member of the 1,000-point club -16th all-time in program history in rebounding (624 total, 8.43 average) -5th in career scoring average (17.16 ppg, 1968-1970) -10th in career field goals made (465, 1968-1970) -10th in career free throws made (340, 1968-1970) -most point scored in a single game (44 vs. Portland, 12/21/68) -most field goals made in a single game (18 vs. Portland, 12/21/68) -most free throws made in a single season (178, 1968-69) -2nd highest scoring average in a single season (22.38 ppg, 1969-70) -2nd most free throws made in a single season (178, 1969-70) -7th most total points in a single season (582, 1969-70) -7th most free throws attempted (224, 1969-70) |
“It hit me hard,” Simoni said upon hearing of Stricker’s passing. He was one of many in Bill Stricker’s coaching tree.
Included are 2010 NBA Coach of the Year Scott Brooks, currently of the Washington Wizards, along with Rick Inderbitzin, Jim Agostini, George Contente, Gary Kron and Brett Lewis, to name a few. “I’m a small branch off it,” said Lewis, remembering Stricker on his Facebook post. “The impact he had on my life and coaching career is enormous.” Stricker served as a mentor for Lewis during that first year to “mentor me and help me grow instead of enjoying his first full year of retirement (as EU Dean of Athletics through 2009).” Lewis later coached at Manteca High, where he led the Buffaloes to a 2016 CIF State Division III title, and is the current athletic director at Weston Ranch High. Stricker, in fact, worked individually with big men Anand Hundal (6-10), Kenny Wooten (6-9) and Tydus Verhoeven (6-7) during that previous season, according to Lewis. EU Athletic Director J.J. Ramirez was fortunate to have Stricker back at the Dalben Center for one last time in February. He along with Indelicato Family, track star Amy Haapanen, and fellow coach Butch Marliani were inducted in the Lancer Hall of Fame in the season finale against MHS. Three years earlier, EU honored Stricker by naming the basketball court at Dalben Gym in his honor. “We were happy to get that done,” said Ramirez, crediting Kron for spearheading the efforts. Kron, who was once an assistant coach for Stricker, used his jersey-retirement ceremony as a platform to plant the idea of the court dedication. |
“It came about because they wanted to retire my jersey and they had retired Scott’s (Brooks) jersey — this would not have happened without (Bill Stricker). Yet there were no signs of him being the coach here,” he said. Kron, who lives in Southern California, praised Stricker’s son-in-law Ryan Lagomarsino along with Ramirez, teacher/coach Brian Goulart, and Assistant Principal Megan Peterson, among others, for following through on the plan. “We’re so proud of what we were able to do collectively,” he said.
Stricker was more than a basketball coach. He also taught Algebra at EU and did many non-basketball endeavors. “He developed many personal relationships and touched the lives of hundreds and thousands of people,” Ramirez said. Added Simoni: “That’s his legacy.” “We lost a great person,” said Jim Agostini, who played on the old coach’s first-ever team at EU in 1977. He initially saw Stricker playing on a Manteca parks and recreation-sponsored semi-pro team as a youngster in the early 1970s. “I remember seeing him up close and asked (nervously) for his autograph,” said Agostini, who was 11 at the time. His biggest thrill came years later when Stricker, who was the junior varsity coach at Tracy High, was hired to coach the Lancers program. “I was so excited,” said Agostini, who is the longtime coach for the EU girls hoop program.
Stricker was more than just coach. “He played a big part in my life. He counseled, coached, taught, mentored and even served as a consultant,” said Agostini. He added: “Bill was a man that wore so many capes.” Inderbitizin was at a loss for words when he heard of Stricker’s passing over the weekend. “He was a father figure and was like second dad to me,” he said, remembering the example that Bill Stricker had on him. “He was deeply religious. He was good husband and a good father,” Inderbitzin noted.
Shortly before his retirement, Stricker was inducted into the Manteca Sports Hall of Distinction. He was honored but not necessarily overwhelmed with the personal accolades. Rather, he cared about the people in his life. “What’s more important is what you’re able to do for the lives of young people,” he said in 2009. “And I hoped that I was able to make their lives a little better.” Kron and others can attest to that. “He’s best human being that I’ve ever met,” he said.
https://www.recordnet.com/sports/20170805/east-union-names-basketball-court-after-father-figure-coach
https://www.mantecabulletin.com/news/local-news/trailblazing-lancer-dies/
Stricker was more than a basketball coach. He also taught Algebra at EU and did many non-basketball endeavors. “He developed many personal relationships and touched the lives of hundreds and thousands of people,” Ramirez said. Added Simoni: “That’s his legacy.” “We lost a great person,” said Jim Agostini, who played on the old coach’s first-ever team at EU in 1977. He initially saw Stricker playing on a Manteca parks and recreation-sponsored semi-pro team as a youngster in the early 1970s. “I remember seeing him up close and asked (nervously) for his autograph,” said Agostini, who was 11 at the time. His biggest thrill came years later when Stricker, who was the junior varsity coach at Tracy High, was hired to coach the Lancers program. “I was so excited,” said Agostini, who is the longtime coach for the EU girls hoop program.
Stricker was more than just coach. “He played a big part in my life. He counseled, coached, taught, mentored and even served as a consultant,” said Agostini. He added: “Bill was a man that wore so many capes.” Inderbitizin was at a loss for words when he heard of Stricker’s passing over the weekend. “He was a father figure and was like second dad to me,” he said, remembering the example that Bill Stricker had on him. “He was deeply religious. He was good husband and a good father,” Inderbitzin noted.
Shortly before his retirement, Stricker was inducted into the Manteca Sports Hall of Distinction. He was honored but not necessarily overwhelmed with the personal accolades. Rather, he cared about the people in his life. “What’s more important is what you’re able to do for the lives of young people,” he said in 2009. “And I hoped that I was able to make their lives a little better.” Kron and others can attest to that. “He’s best human being that I’ve ever met,” he said.
https://www.recordnet.com/sports/20170805/east-union-names-basketball-court-after-father-figure-coach
https://www.mantecabulletin.com/news/local-news/trailblazing-lancer-dies/
1986
Clyde Drexler records his 7th triple-double of his career when he scores 24 points, grabs 12 rebounds and passes for 11 assists in the Blazers 119-109 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. Kenny Carr grabs 20 rebounds, which ties his career-high which he has done 3 times previously. Later in the 1986/87 season he would set a new high when he gets 21 rebounds in a 134-100 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.
As well, former All-Star Jim Paxson, is adjusting to his role as back-up guard behind the starters Drexler and Terry Porter. Paxson would end this season with his lowest average since his rookie year. In the summer of 1987 he would be traded to Cleveland Cavaliers for Keith Lee but that trade would be rescinded when Lee didn't pass his physical. Paxson would later be traded to the Boston Celtics during the 1987/88 season.
As well, former All-Star Jim Paxson, is adjusting to his role as back-up guard behind the starters Drexler and Terry Porter. Paxson would end this season with his lowest average since his rookie year. In the summer of 1987 he would be traded to Cleveland Cavaliers for Keith Lee but that trade would be rescinded when Lee didn't pass his physical. Paxson would later be traded to the Boston Celtics during the 1987/88 season.
1987
Terry Porter passed for 17 assists in the Blazers 127-116 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. The assists is one off the team record of 18, set by Porter on January 23, 1987. At this time, only Rick Adelman is the only other Blazer to have 17 assists.
1992
Terry Porter sets an @NBA record of hitting all 3-point shots - 7 for 7 - on his way to his career-high 40 points in the Blazers 130-116 victory over the Golden State Warriors. The previous record was set by Indiana Pacers player Chuck Person who went 5 for 5. It would be broken in 2003 by Latrell Sprewell who went 9 for 9 when he was a member of the New York Knicks.
Terry Porter sets an @NBA record of hitting all 3-point shots - 7 for 7 - on his way to his career-high 40 points in the Blazers 130-116 victory over the Golden State Warriors. The previous record was set by Indiana Pacers player Chuck Person who went 5 for 5. It would be broken in 2003 by Latrell Sprewell who went 9 for 9 when he was a member of the New York Knicks.
1997
November 15
1973
Geoff Petrie scored 40 points in a 123-114 Portland Trail Blazers loss to the Atlanta Hawks. This is the 11th game of 40 or more for Petrie. |
A side note is in the last paragraph of the game story it is mentioned that the Blazers would soon be on National TV for the first time. That game will be in Houston.
|
1975
The Cavaliers snap a Blazers win streak as Jim Brewer scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Brewer was the 2nd pick in the 1973 Draft by Cleveland after Portland traded the pick for John Johnson and Rick Roberson.
Sidney Wicks, who fouled out after scoring only 9 points, made gestures to the fans as he was booed walking to the bench.
The Cavaliers snap a Blazers win streak as Jim Brewer scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Brewer was the 2nd pick in the 1973 Draft by Cleveland after Portland traded the pick for John Johnson and Rick Roberson.
Sidney Wicks, who fouled out after scoring only 9 points, made gestures to the fans as he was booed walking to the bench.
November 161970
Larry Siegfried, technically a "former Blazer", dished 21 assists in the San Diego Rockets 136-118 victory over the Blazers. Siegfried, who was drafted by the Blazers in the expansion draft on May 11, 1970 from the roster of the Boston Celtics, was traded to the Rockets for Jim Barnett the very same day. 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 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. 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 passed away from a heart attack on October 14, 2010.
|
1974
Larry Steele records the only triple-double of his career, sets a Blazer record, while nearly getting a quadruple-double, and ties an NBA record to boot, in the Blazers 112-99 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Steele finished with 12 points, a career-high 11 rebounds, and tied the NBA record of 10 steals. He also passed for 9 assists. Jerry West had set the record on Dec. 7, 1973, the first season the NBA started keeping steals as an official statistic. The 10 steals is still the Blazers record but has been equaled by Clyde Drexler (1/10/86) and Brandon Roy (1/24/09). The NBA record is now 11 after Larry Kenon set it on Dec. 26, 1976 and was tied by Kendall Gill on April 3, 1999. Steele is credited with 846 steals in his career. |
Steele was 1 assist away from recording a quadruple-double, which would have been the 2nd one in NBA History. Nate Thurmond is credited with recording the 1st one on Oct 18, 1974, just 29 days before Steele's game here. Warriors teammate Rick Barry nearly recorded the 2nd quad 11 days after Thurmond, finishing with 9 assists. After todays game, no player came close for 11 years.
|
1976
The @trailblazers road woes continue as #PeteMaravich scored 35 pts, grabbed a career-high 15 rebs, & punched #DaveTwardzik in the #NewOrleans Jazz victory vs #Blazers. With 2:37 remaining in 2nd qtr & Jazz leading 45-40, Maravich took a swing at Twardzik and connected to Twardzik's jaw, dropping the @trailblazers guard before @LionelHollins14 came to his teammates defense. @NBA referee Jake O'Donnell accessed both players w/a foul, but did not feel either player should be ejected. Twardzik ended the game w/12 pts & 2 broken teeth. @trailblazers trainer #RonCulp wasn't sure if his teeth were broken during the fight or earlier in the game when Twardzik had an errant elbow from Jazz forward E.C. Coleman. Twardzik went to dentist after the game
The @trailblazers road woes continue as #PeteMaravich scored 35 pts, grabbed a career-high 15 rebs, & punched #DaveTwardzik in the #NewOrleans Jazz victory vs #Blazers. With 2:37 remaining in 2nd qtr & Jazz leading 45-40, Maravich took a swing at Twardzik and connected to Twardzik's jaw, dropping the @trailblazers guard before @LionelHollins14 came to his teammates defense. @NBA referee Jake O'Donnell accessed both players w/a foul, but did not feel either player should be ejected. Twardzik ended the game w/12 pts & 2 broken teeth. @trailblazers trainer #RonCulp wasn't sure if his teeth were broken during the fight or earlier in the game when Twardzik had an errant elbow from Jazz forward E.C. Coleman. Twardzik went to dentist after the game
November 17
1972
Sidney Wicks gets his 2nd triple double of his career in the Portland Trail Blazers 105-97 victory over the Golden State Warriors. Wicks helps the Blazers win their 3rd straight game with 25 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists. Rick Barry led the Warriors with 23 points and Nate Thurmond pulled down 20 rebounds
Sidney Wicks gets his 2nd triple double of his career in the Portland Trail Blazers 105-97 victory over the Golden State Warriors. Wicks helps the Blazers win their 3rd straight game with 25 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists. Rick Barry led the Warriors with 23 points and Nate Thurmond pulled down 20 rebounds
1973
The Blazers make their 1st ever appearance on National TV when CBS Sports televises their 96-87 victory over the Houston Rockets. Bernie Fryer, the rookie guard from BYU came off the bench to score 21 points. Fryer played a single season with Portland, averaging 7 points, 2 rebounds and 3.5 assists. After playing in Portland, Fryer played briefly with the New Orleans Jazz and the Spirits of St. Louis in the ABA. |
After retiring as a player, Fryer embarked upon a lengthy career as an NBA referee, beginning in 1978. As of the beginning of the 2006–07 NBA season, he officiated 1,649 regular season, 145 playoff, and 11 NBA Finals games as well as the 1998 All-Star Game. Considered one of the top-rated referees in the league, he retired in 2007 following Game 3 of the 2007 NBA Finals having officiated 1,806 NBA games.
November 18
1970
|
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. 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
|
1987 - Kiki VanDeWeghe led the Portland Trail Blazers with 41 points, but it wasn't enough as Portland lost to the Seattle SuperSonics 120-114 for their 5th straight loss. Xavier McDaniel led the Sonics with 32 points.
1990
ClydeDrexler scored 30 pts for 4th game in-a-row & led
@trailblazers
to 2nd 9-0 start, topping
@chicagobulls
125-112. Drexler would win
@NBA
his 8th Player-of-the-Week award #Blazers opened 1979/80 w/9 str wins.
ClydeDrexler scored 30 pts for 4th game in-a-row & led
@trailblazers
to 2nd 9-0 start, topping
@chicagobulls
125-112. Drexler would win
@NBA
his 8th Player-of-the-Week award #Blazers opened 1979/80 w/9 str wins.
November 19
1971
Rick Adelman set a career-high and a then Blazers team record with 17 assists in the 118-105 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Stan McKenzie was a recipient of a few of Adelman's passes and scored a career-high 31 points.
Adelman is in his fourth NBA season, and second with Portland, and averaged 4.7 assists last season, which was the 18th best in the @NBA. He will up that this season and average 5.2 and be the 12th best in the #NBA. McKenzie's previous best scoring was 28 points when he was a member of the Phoenix Suns. His previous high as a Blazer was 27 points.
Rick Adelman set a career-high and a then Blazers team record with 17 assists in the 118-105 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Stan McKenzie was a recipient of a few of Adelman's passes and scored a career-high 31 points.
Adelman is in his fourth NBA season, and second with Portland, and averaged 4.7 assists last season, which was the 18th best in the @NBA. He will up that this season and average 5.2 and be the 12th best in the #NBA. McKenzie's previous best scoring was 28 points when he was a member of the Phoenix Suns. His previous high as a Blazer was 27 points.
1983
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar becomes the 2nd player in NBA History to score 30K points in his career. In his career as a member of the Bucks (25 games) or Lakers (75), Jabbar played an even 100 regular season games vs the Blazers and scored 2538 points. His team lost four times as a Buck and 27 as a Laker. Six times he scored less than 10 points but on the other end, seven times he scored between 41 to 50 points, and 76 times he scored more than 20 points. In the playoffs, Jabber faced the Blazers 17 games in 4 different series and scored 426 points. Despite a 4-0 sweep in 1977, Jabber was on the winning team in the other 3 series, going 11-6 overall. https://twitter.com/77Blazers/status/1594005734186192896?s=20&t=NjORWcYCe9KhYfZGbKaq3Q |
November 20
1978
Bill Walton is still on Blazers roster, on the injured list, but he is debating where to be traded to
Bill Walton is still on Blazers roster, on the injured list, but he is debating where to be traded to
1979
Jack Ramsay won his 500th game as an NBA coach in the Blazers 114-99 defeat of the Lakers. Maurice Lucas came off the bench to score 24 points and grab 11 rebounds. Tom Owens tied Lucas with 24 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. Kermit Washington grabbed a game-high 14 boards. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar led the Lakers with 24 points while rookie sensation Magic Johnson scored 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Ramsay first coached four seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers, where he was 174-154 before becoming coach of the Buffalo Braves. In 4 years with the Braves, Ramsay was 158-170, He arrived in Portland in 1976 and since gone 168-100 through today's game. He is in his 4th season with the Blazers.
Jack Ramsay won his 500th game as an NBA coach in the Blazers 114-99 defeat of the Lakers. Maurice Lucas came off the bench to score 24 points and grab 11 rebounds. Tom Owens tied Lucas with 24 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. Kermit Washington grabbed a game-high 14 boards. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar led the Lakers with 24 points while rookie sensation Magic Johnson scored 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Ramsay first coached four seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers, where he was 174-154 before becoming coach of the Buffalo Braves. In 4 years with the Braves, Ramsay was 158-170, He arrived in Portland in 1976 and since gone 168-100 through today's game. He is in his 4th season with the Blazers.
Besides @trailblazers coach #JackRamsay winning his 500th @NBA game, #SanDiegoClippers coach #GeneShue won his 500th as well. An All-Star player from 1958 to 1962, Shue has been coaching since 1967 when he was with the old #BatlimoreBullets, where he was coach for 6 1/2 seasons and was 291-257. In 1973 he was named the head coach for the @sixers, where he was 157-177, including taking the Sixers to the 1977 Championship, losing to Ramsay and the Blazers. With the Clippers he is currently 52-51
To top off the day, @nyknicks coach #RedHolzman won his 500th game as a coach with one team, matching former @celtics coach #RedAurebach as the only two coaches to do so. Since then, Gregg Popovich (San Antonio), Don Nelson (Milwaukee), Jerry Sloan (Utah), Pat Riley (Los Angeles Lakers), Phil Jackson (Chicago and Lakers), Erik Spolestra (Miami) and John MacLeod (Phoenix) have all won 500 or more with a single franchise |
1995
For 1st time since April 9, 1977, the @trailblazers did not sell out their home court ending a streak of 814 games A total of 20,381 - 1,020 under capacity - saw #Blazers defeat @LAClippers 113-94 as rookie @ArvydasSabonis scored a then career-high 20 pts. @rod_strickland led @trailblazers w/27 pts &
@UncleCliffy30 added 25 pts. The #Blazers had played the previous 25 years in the #MemorialColiseum which had a capacity of just under 13K & moved into #RoseGarden this season, which has a capacity of 21,401.
For 1st time since April 9, 1977, the @trailblazers did not sell out their home court ending a streak of 814 games A total of 20,381 - 1,020 under capacity - saw #Blazers defeat @LAClippers 113-94 as rookie @ArvydasSabonis scored a then career-high 20 pts. @rod_strickland led @trailblazers w/27 pts &
@UncleCliffy30 added 25 pts. The #Blazers had played the previous 25 years in the #MemorialColiseum which had a capacity of just under 13K & moved into #RoseGarden this season, which has a capacity of 21,401.
@trailblazers Pres & GM #BobWhitsitt spoke for team, saying the front office anticipated the streak to end once the team moved into the new arena. The streak ended after 4 games in the new Rose Garden arena. |
November 21
1970
Shaler Halimon came off the bench to record a career-high 28 points in leading the Blazers to their first road victory, albeit on a neutral court, when they secured a 112-108 victory over the "visiting" Buffalo Braves in Seattle, WA. The Blazers/Braves game was the opening game to the hometown Sonics/Rockets contest Halimon played only 23 minutes to record the 28 points, 17 of which were scored in the fourth quarter. Halimon's previous high was 23 points when he was a rookie with the Philadelphia 76ers in 1968.
Don May led Buffalo with 30 points. May, a third-year veteran, is leading the Braves with over 18 points per game. May played his first 2 seasons with the New York Knicks, earning a Championship Ring during the 1969/70 season, averaging 3.5 points in a reserve role. May, drafted by the Braves in the 1970 Expansion Draft, will end the 1970/71 season with a 20.2 average before being traded to the Atlanta Hawks after the 1971/72 season. May never averaged in double figures again as he moved from Atlanta, to Philadelphia before ending his career with the Kansas City-Omaha Kings in 1975.
This clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z__ibfh1XH0 has an interview with Halimon, Geoff Petrie, Jim Barnett and Bill Schonely
Shaler Halimon came off the bench to record a career-high 28 points in leading the Blazers to their first road victory, albeit on a neutral court, when they secured a 112-108 victory over the "visiting" Buffalo Braves in Seattle, WA. The Blazers/Braves game was the opening game to the hometown Sonics/Rockets contest Halimon played only 23 minutes to record the 28 points, 17 of which were scored in the fourth quarter. Halimon's previous high was 23 points when he was a rookie with the Philadelphia 76ers in 1968.
Don May led Buffalo with 30 points. May, a third-year veteran, is leading the Braves with over 18 points per game. May played his first 2 seasons with the New York Knicks, earning a Championship Ring during the 1969/70 season, averaging 3.5 points in a reserve role. May, drafted by the Braves in the 1970 Expansion Draft, will end the 1970/71 season with a 20.2 average before being traded to the Atlanta Hawks after the 1971/72 season. May never averaged in double figures again as he moved from Atlanta, to Philadelphia before ending his career with the Kansas City-Omaha Kings in 1975.
This clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z__ibfh1XH0 has an interview with Halimon, Geoff Petrie, Jim Barnett and Bill Schonely
1978
The @trailblazers fall to @Bucks as #KentBenson has a then career-high 23 pts & the #Bucks set a #Blazers opponent record by recording 48 assists. The Bucks made 56 & @olskool888 scored 24 pts. #RonBrewer led all scorers w/25 pts
The @trailblazers fall to @Bucks as #KentBenson has a then career-high 23 pts & the #Bucks set a #Blazers opponent record by recording 48 assists. The Bucks made 56 & @olskool888 scored 24 pts. #RonBrewer led all scorers w/25 pts
1982 - #JimPaxson scored 23 points & #DarnellValentine added 18 to lead the Blazers to a 129-79 victory over the Cavaliers. The 50 pt margin still stands as the largest victory in franchise history. The previous record was 47 points vs @NYKnicks (133-86) on March 18, 1972. At the time, there were 13 games with a 50 pt or larger margin of victory. As of 2023, there are currently 51 games with a margin of 50 or more. The @trailblazers largest lead was 59 pts
Prior to this victory, the largest margins of victories for the Blazers were ...
47 points over the @NYKnicks (133-86) on March 18, 1972
45 points over the Capital Bullets (132-87) on Oct. 13, 1973
44 points over the Boston Celtics (128-84) on Jan. 4, 1977
Prior to this victory, the largest margins of victories for the Blazers were ...
47 points over the @NYKnicks (133-86) on March 18, 1972
45 points over the Capital Bullets (132-87) on Oct. 13, 1973
44 points over the Boston Celtics (128-84) on Jan. 4, 1977
November 22
1970
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.
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.
1973
1975
The Blazers defeated the Buffalo Braves 109-104 with Geoff Petrie and Lloyd Neal each had 28 points and the Blazers held Bob McAdoo to 18 points, despite a 33.4 point average. McAdoo would finish the 1975/76 season with a 31.1 average, the third season he topped the 30 point mark. He was awarded the NBA Most Valuable Player Award in the 1974–75 season when he averaged 34.5 points, 14.1 rebounds and 2.12 blocks per game, while shooting 51.2 percent from the field and 80.5 percent from the free throw line. He also led the league in fan voting for the 1975 All-Star Game with 98,325 votes. |
1983
1992
November 23
1971
Sidney Wicks scored a bucket for the Bulls off the opening tap to start the 4th quarter. The basket gave the Bulls a 40-point lead before settling to a 36 point win.
Sidney Wicks scored a bucket for the Bulls off the opening tap to start the 4th quarter. The basket gave the Bulls a 40-point lead before settling to a 36 point win.
1993
The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Denver Nuggets 109-94 and in the process, two accomplishments were recognized. #Blazers Coach Rick Adelman won the 250th game as an NBA coach, all with Portland. Adelman was third fastest coach to get to 250 wins in 373 games. Only Pat Riley and Phil Jackson secured that many win quicker. Adelman was a player during the first 3 seasons and was on the winning side only 68 times. He was also an assistant coach under #JackRamsay and #MikeSchuler, where he was on the winning side an additional 257 wins. Added together, Adelman has witnessed 575 wins |
The Blazers also won their 1000th game in franchise history, the fourth fastest team to do so in NBA History. Only the Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, Philadelphia/Golden State Warriors, and Philadelphia 76ers. Their record after the win was 1,000-896. The Blazers entered the NBA in 1970 along with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Buffalo, Home of the Braves / L.A. Clippers. On this date the #cavs were 819-1076 while the #clippers were 709-1185.
2013
For the 3rd time in his career, LaMarcus Aldridge gets 30 points and 21 rebounds as the Portland Trail Blazers win their 10th straight game, a 113-101 victory over the Golden State Warriors. Aldridge would end the Blazer side of his career with 4 games of 30/20, the most by all players. See Dec 12 for list of players
Aldridge also tied team record with 14 FT attempts in a quarter with 14 and in a half with 17.
Aldridge also tied team record with 14 FT attempts in a quarter with 14 and in a half with 17.
2016
Damian Lillard scored 40 and dished for 11 assists, but the big news in the Portland Trail Blazers 137-125 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers was the 1st quarter the Kevin Love had.
Love, who attended High School in Lake Oswego, scored 34 points in the 1st quarter, 3 points shy of tying the @NBA record of 37 points set by Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors in 2015. Love was 11 of 14 from the field in the quarter, including 8 of 10 from the 3-point. Love would finish the game with 40 points and 8 rebounds in 31 minutes. LeBron James had a triple-double with 31 points, 10 rebounds, and 13 assists in 37 minutes. Lillard finished the game with 40 points and 11 assists, the 10th time he has scored 40 or more and became only the 3rd Blazer to do so. Clyde Drexler holds the club record with 18 games and Geoff Petrie is second with 13 games. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHpTIA7wDy4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qA2e7Pbjhcs |
November 24
1970
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.
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.
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.
1971
Nate "Tiny" Archibald had an unofficial "triple-double" in the Cincinnati Royals 114-112 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Archibald is credited with 33 points and 16 assists. As well, Tiny is credited with 11 steals. While not an official @NBA stat until 1973, many teams, including Portland, keep track of steals and blocked shots, but an accurate count has never been totaled.
Stan McKenzie led Portland with 29 points while rookie Sidney Wicks grabbed 12 rebounds, scored 19 points and had 8 assists.
Nate "Tiny" Archibald had an unofficial "triple-double" in the Cincinnati Royals 114-112 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Archibald is credited with 33 points and 16 assists. As well, Tiny is credited with 11 steals. While not an official @NBA stat until 1973, many teams, including Portland, keep track of steals and blocked shots, but an accurate count has never been totaled.
Stan McKenzie led Portland with 29 points while rookie Sidney Wicks grabbed 12 rebounds, scored 19 points and had 8 assists.
It was this day that DB Cooper hijacked a plane that traveled from Portland to Seattle. For a full reading of the event, click the link below and read the Substack column I wrote
https://blazershistory.substack.com/p/not-your-typical-thanksgiving-eve
https://blazershistory.substack.com/p/not-your-typical-thanksgiving-eve
1991
Clyde Drexler was a bucket shy of his career-high, despite coach Rick Adelman even asking him to get the bucket in the Portland Trail Blazers 116-111 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. Drexler ended the game with 48 points on 17 of 28 shooting and 11 of 13 from the line. His career-high is 50 points.
Highlights of Clyde Drexler's 48 points at link .... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BARkc-cWhZs
Clyde Drexler was a bucket shy of his career-high, despite coach Rick Adelman even asking him to get the bucket in the Portland Trail Blazers 116-111 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. Drexler ended the game with 48 points on 17 of 28 shooting and 11 of 13 from the line. His career-high is 50 points.
Highlights of Clyde Drexler's 48 points at link .... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BARkc-cWhZs
1992
Clyde Drexler had a typical game with 24 points but what wasn't typical is the turn-around jumper with 3:33 left in the 3rd quarter of the Portland Trail Blazers 95-91 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. That basket gave Drexler 15,000 points over his career, the 62nd player to do so in NBA History. Drexler would end his career with 22,195 points, 18,040 with Portland, and is currently the 32nd highest scorer in NBA History
Clyde Drexler had a typical game with 24 points but what wasn't typical is the turn-around jumper with 3:33 left in the 3rd quarter of the Portland Trail Blazers 95-91 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. That basket gave Drexler 15,000 points over his career, the 62nd player to do so in NBA History. Drexler would end his career with 22,195 points, 18,040 with Portland, and is currently the 32nd highest scorer in NBA History
November 25
Happy Birthday to Portland Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts.
Stotts, the 14th coach for the Blazers since 1970, has been guiding Portland since 2012 and has a 331-261 with the Blazers. Only Jack Ramsay has coached more games (820 to 609) or won more than Stotts (453 wins to 331)
1972
Sidney Wicks scores his 3rd triple-double of his career with 30 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in the Portland Trail Blazers 117-106 victory over the #Philadelphia76ers. Rookie center Lloyd Neal pulled down 20 rebounds for the first time in his career. He will do this 5 times his rookie season and once more next year.
Kevin Loughery led Philadelphia with a season high 38 points, hitting 16 of 18 from the free throw line. Loughery is in the last year of his 11-year career and the 76ers, with this loss, are 1-21 enroute to a 9-73 record, the worst in NBA History. Coach Roy Rubin will be fired when Philadelphia gets to 4-47. At that point Loughery will take over as a player-coach. The team slightly improved under Loughery, posting a 5–26 record for the remainder of the season. Following the season, Loughery was replaced by Gene Shue. The season is the subject of the Charley Rosen book "Perfectly Awful"
Sidney Wicks scores his 3rd triple-double of his career with 30 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in the Portland Trail Blazers 117-106 victory over the #Philadelphia76ers. Rookie center Lloyd Neal pulled down 20 rebounds for the first time in his career. He will do this 5 times his rookie season and once more next year.
Kevin Loughery led Philadelphia with a season high 38 points, hitting 16 of 18 from the free throw line. Loughery is in the last year of his 11-year career and the 76ers, with this loss, are 1-21 enroute to a 9-73 record, the worst in NBA History. Coach Roy Rubin will be fired when Philadelphia gets to 4-47. At that point Loughery will take over as a player-coach. The team slightly improved under Loughery, posting a 5–26 record for the remainder of the season. Following the season, Loughery was replaced by Gene Shue. The season is the subject of the Charley Rosen book "Perfectly Awful"
After the disastrous 1972/73 season, Loughery retired as a player and became head coach of the American Basketball Association's New York @Nets the following season. With superstar Julius Erving, Loughery won the 1974 and 1976 ABA championships. After the ABA disbanded and the Nets joined the NBA, Loughery continued to coach the Nets for their first five seasons in the league. The team would struggle in their first couple of seasons without Erving, whose contract was sold to the Philadelphia 76ers due to financial struggles. The team would also move to New Jersey and become the New Jersey Nets. He was fired midway through the 1980–81 season
|
1979
Maurice Lucas set team record with 12 turnovers.
Maurice Lucas set team record with 12 turnovers.
1990
The Portland Trail Blazers had the best opening quarter of their history when they jumped to a 49-18 lead over the San Antonio Spurs. The 31-point lead would eventually melt away but the Blazers pulled out a 117-103 victory and moved to 11-0 on the 1990/91 season.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYzo9BlBpIE
The Portland Trail Blazers had the best opening quarter of their history when they jumped to a 49-18 lead over the San Antonio Spurs. The 31-point lead would eventually melt away but the Blazers pulled out a 117-103 victory and moved to 11-0 on the 1990/91 season.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYzo9BlBpIE
November 26
1976
Bill Walton had 26 points and 21 rebounds in the Portland Trail Blazers 99-96 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers
Bill Walton had 26 points and 21 rebounds in the Portland Trail Blazers 99-96 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers
1986
Steve Johnson scored a career-high 40 points but to no avail as the Portland Trail Blazers lost 118-114 to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Blazers acquired Johnson in the summer of 1986 for Mychal Thompson and planned to play him at the power-forward position alongside Sam Bowie. When Bowie broke his leg 5 games into the season, Johnson moved over to the center position and had the best season of his career, with highs in scoring (16.8), rebounding (7.2) and assists (2.0). Johnson, who's Father-in-Law was Blazers General Manager Stu Inman, was an All-Star in 1987 but was injured and unable to play. |
Johnson was a 1st team All-American at Oregon State University and the Pac-12 Conference Player of the Year in 1981. The Beavers were the No. 1 team in the nation entering that years NCAA March Madness but were upset in the first round by Kansas State. Johnson was drafted by the Kansas City Kings in the 1981 NBA Draft, playing there for 2 plus seasons before being traded to the Chicago Bulls and then moving to the San Antonio Spurs in 1985.
|
Johnson was picked by the expansion Minnesota Timberwolves in 1989 and finished his career with the Seatlle SuperSonics and the Golden State Warriors before retiring in 1991. Johnson lives in the Portland area and is involved with many businesses including an organization called The Best of Yachting
|
November 27
1995
The Bulls came in to steal a win as Michael Jordan scored 33 points
The Bulls came in to steal a win as Michael Jordan scored 33 points
November 28
1970
The Portland Trail Blazers suffer a 111-95 loss to the #BuffaloBraves after a 4-hour bus ride from Cleveland after their game last night. Leo Marty, the Blazers trainer who doubles as the traveling secretary, made the decision after the Blazers victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers last night after news reports of a potential airport closure in Buffalo due to a snow storm in the area.
The two long-held stories about that bus ride in Blazer-lore are that Jim Barnett climbed in back of the bus to sleep during the drive to the amazement of the rest of the players, who were unable to sleep.
The other story is that Leo Marty sat in front conversing with the bus driver during the drive, to make sure he stayed awake as Marty once told. Marty later learned from the driver that the Buffalo airport hardly ever closed while the road the team was traveling would usually close due to snow accumulation.
The Portland Trail Blazers suffer a 111-95 loss to the #BuffaloBraves after a 4-hour bus ride from Cleveland after their game last night. Leo Marty, the Blazers trainer who doubles as the traveling secretary, made the decision after the Blazers victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers last night after news reports of a potential airport closure in Buffalo due to a snow storm in the area.
The two long-held stories about that bus ride in Blazer-lore are that Jim Barnett climbed in back of the bus to sleep during the drive to the amazement of the rest of the players, who were unable to sleep.
The other story is that Leo Marty sat in front conversing with the bus driver during the drive, to make sure he stayed awake as Marty once told. Marty later learned from the driver that the Buffalo airport hardly ever closed while the road the team was traveling would usually close due to snow accumulation.
1972
Bob Lanier bested his career-high, getting 48 points in the Detroit Pistons 120-116 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Adding 16 rebounds, and hitting of 10 of 12 from the line, Lanier helped the Pistons down the stretch. His previous high of 44 points was also against the Blazers on October 19, 1971.
The Blazers were led by Geoff Petrie who scored 39 points while playing all 48 minutes
Bob Lanier bested his career-high, getting 48 points in the Detroit Pistons 120-116 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Adding 16 rebounds, and hitting of 10 of 12 from the line, Lanier helped the Pistons down the stretch. His previous high of 44 points was also against the Blazers on October 19, 1971.
The Blazers were led by Geoff Petrie who scored 39 points while playing all 48 minutes
1986
Charles Barkley scored 31 points and 21 rebounds and nearly had a triple-double as he finished with 9 assists. It is the 3rd time Barkley has accomplished a 30/20 feat in career. He would tally 20 such games in his career.
4 Blazers scored 20 points or more, the 19th time in franchise history that has happened.
4 Blazers scored 20 points or more, the 19th time in franchise history that has happened.
2018
Damian Lillard connects on 10 3-point field goals, setting a team record on his way to 41 points. It is the 20th time Lillard has topped 40 points. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3FdtUsG544 Along the way, Terry Stotts became the 47th coach to win his 400th game as an NBA coach. He has 285 wins with the Blazers |
November 29
1970
LeRoy Ellis had one of his best games of his 9-year career, scoring 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 Lew Alcindor 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. The rebound total still ranks as third highest in Blazer History, as well as the most by a Blazer against the Bucks |
1975
Bill Walton records his 2nd career triple double with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in the Portland Trail Blazers 130-115 beating of the #BuffaloBraves despite 40 points from Bob McAdoo. McAdoo was the 2nd choice in the 1972 NBA Draft behind the Blazers selection of LaRue Martin. The rumor around the NBA at the time was that McAdoo had signed with the #VirginiaSquires of the rival American Basketball Association after a "secret" ABA draft in which names of those drafted were not made public. The draft in question was held on March 2, 1972. Eventually, McAdoo was indeed noted as the No. 1 pick of the 1972 American Basketball Association Draft but no contract was ever produced. Even without a contract and with McAdoo denying he signed one, NBA Commissioner Walter Kennedy advised NBA teams not to draft McAdoo. Other reports were that a contract was signed and voided, because McAdoo was too young to have signed it and that Buffalo somehow knew this. Later, McAdoo was indeed noted as the No. 1 pick of the 1972 American Basketball Association Draft. Despite the rumors, the Blazers and McAdoo met on a couple of occasions but contract talks between them didn't come to fruition regarding the first pick so Portland moved forward with picking Martin and Buffalo selected McAdoo. He won the 1973 NBA Rookie of the Year Award and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. He earned the first of three consecutive NBA scoring titles in only his second season and retired from the NBA in 1986. In his NBA career, McAdoo scored 18,787 career points, averaged 22.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.0 steals in 852 games before moving to Italy and played an additional seven seasons in the Italian League, where played in 201 games, and averaged 27.0 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. |
1991
The defending NBA Champion Chicago Bulls made their first appearance in Portland and came away with a 116-114 double-overtime win over the Portland Trail Blazers behind MichaelJordan 40 points. Clyde Drexler scored 38 points The teams are expected to meet for the Championship of 1991/92 season and this is the first meeting. The second meeting was a Bulls victory as well. The teams did meet for the Championship but that story is for another day.
Highlights of the Chicago Bulls 116-114 double-overtime win over the Portland Trail Blazers can be seen here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaTAletnVFc
The defending NBA Champion Chicago Bulls made their first appearance in Portland and came away with a 116-114 double-overtime win over the Portland Trail Blazers behind MichaelJordan 40 points. Clyde Drexler scored 38 points The teams are expected to meet for the Championship of 1991/92 season and this is the first meeting. The second meeting was a Bulls victory as well. The teams did meet for the Championship but that story is for another day.
Highlights of the Chicago Bulls 116-114 double-overtime win over the Portland Trail Blazers can be seen here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaTAletnVFc
November 30
1971
Geoff Petrie made his return to the Portland Trail Blazers lineup and scored 11 points in the 121-111 OT loss to the Phoenix Suns. While his return was heralded, the Blazers first 7' center, Bill Smith, injured his knee after only playing 3 minutes. He would miss the rest of the season after only playing 22 games. Petrie had missed the first 21 games of the season and the Blazers had a 3-18 record before this loss. |
2015
DeAndre Jordan grabbed 24 rebounds in the 102-87 victory over the Blazers despite shooting 12 for 34 from the free throw line.
DeAndre Jordan grabbed 24 rebounds in the 102-87 victory over the Blazers despite shooting 12 for 34 from the free throw line.
2021
CJ McCollum becomes the 5th highest scorer in Blazers History. @CJMcCollum entered the 2021/22 season with the 8th most points in @trailblazers history with 9,971. This season, he has passed Jim Paxson (10,003) and Jerome Kersey (10,067) and was only 8 points behind @UncleCliffy30 (10,405) entering tonights contest vs the Detroit Pistons. McCollum finished with 28 points in the 110-92 victory. |