September 1
1970
The Portland Trail Blazers signed Stan McKenzie to a contract on this day in 1970. McKenzie becomes the 13th player signed by the NBA expansion club.
The Portland Trail Blazers signed Stan McKenzie to a contract on this day in 1970. McKenzie becomes the 13th player signed by the NBA expansion club.
1987 -- Kenny Carr Retires
Portland obtained Carr from Detroit Pistons on June 23, 1982 in exchange for the Blazers 1982 1st rd pick (Rickey Pierce was later selected) During his career with the Trail Blazers, Carr averaged 12.1 points and 8.3 rebounds, finishing with 3,902 points with Portland and 2,549 rebounds, ranking him 6th all-time at the time of his retirement.
Carr continued to live in Portland and worked with his construction company he had started in 1986. Carr had intended to return to his hometown of Washington, D.C., but the success of his business in Portland and his three children have kept him in Oregon since. "My kids liked being here, and we were settled," Carr said. "Once that happens, you don't necessarily live your life for yourself anymore. You make compromises." Today, at Carr Construction, Carr works along side his son, Devon Carr, a graduate of Oregon State University with a degree in engineering. |
The Blazers power-forward Kenny Carr retired on this date, citing injuries that have finally caught up to him.
The 31-year old Carr told a news conference that a herniated disc suffered in the Jan. 18, 1987 game vs Golden State Warriors continues to plague him with spasms, pain, and will retire from the Portland Trail Blazers. 'We are going to miss his rebounding and his leadership and all the other great things he brought to the team,' said Trail Blazers President Harry Glickman. Carr, who played for the 1976 USA Basketball Olympic team, was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1977 and played 2 seasons with Lakers before moving to the Cleveland Cavaliers. |
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September 2
1976
Sidney Wicks, the 1971/72 Rookie Of The Year, had his contract sold to the New Orleans Jazz for reportedly between $500,000 to $750,000. The Blazers also traded the 1972 # 1 pick LaRue Martin to the Seattle Super Sonics while in another deal with Seattle, the Blazers acquired the contract Herm Gilliam. The Blazers also signed rookies Johnny Davis and Robin Jones and released veteran Barry Clemens.
1993
The contract between @trailblazers and @chris14dudley was ruled to not violate salary-cap rules, according to arbiter. Dudley signed a 7-yr $11M offer from #Blazers with an opt-out clause after 1 year. The @NBA plans to appeal the ruling.
Dudley would miss all but 6 games during the 1993/94 season but would opt-out and resign with the Blazers. Dudley would play with Portland until being traded to the Knicks in 1997. He would return to Portland in 2001 for 2 more seasons before retiring.
Dudley would miss all but 6 games during the 1993/94 season but would opt-out and resign with the Blazers. Dudley would play with Portland until being traded to the Knicks in 1997. He would return to Portland in 2001 for 2 more seasons before retiring.
September 3
Happy Birthday to former Portland Trail Blazers guard
Damon Stoudamire. Stoudamire was born in Portland in 1973 and attended Wilson High School, leading the Wilson Trojans to state championships in 1989 and 1991 before attending #ArizonaWildcats. Stoudamire was drafted by the Toronto Raptors in 1995 and was the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1996. Stoudamire was traded to the Blazers on Feb. 13, 1998 where he helped lead the Blazers to the Western Conference Championships in 1999 and 2000. The Blazers lost to eventual NBA Champions San Antonio Spurs(99) and Los Angeles Lakers (2000). On January 14, 2005, Stoudamire hit a career-high and Blazers franchise record 54 points, which included 8 3-pointers, against the New Orleans Hornets, breaking the team record of 51 points set by Geoff Petrie in 1973. Stoudamire retired in 2008 and entered the coaching ranks as an assistant with Memphis Grizzlies Arizona, and is currently the head coach at University of the Pacific Men's Basketball |
September 7
Happy Birthday to 3 former Portland Trail Blazers players ... Bob Verga, Charlie Davis, and Dorie Murrey.
Verga was an ABA-All Star for the Carolina Cougars in the 1970/71 season when he averaged 27.5 points that season. Verga, who attended Duke Men's Basketball, averaged over 21 points in his five seasons in the #ABA, signed with the Blazers in December of 1973. He played 21 games with the Blazers during the 1973/74 season and averaged 5.0 in 21 games before retiring after the season. Davis played 77 games for the Blazers over two seasons, averaging 8.4 points in 18 mins per game. Davis played college ball at #WakeForest and was the first African-American player to win the #ACC Player of the Year before being drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 1971 draft. Murrey was an NBA veteran before being selected by Portland in the 1970 Expansion draft from Seattle SuperSonics, played only 2 games for the Blazers before being traded to the Baltimore Bullets. In his two games Murrey totaled 11 points and seven rebounds in 20 minutes. |
September 9
Happy Birthday to Walter Davis.
Better known as for his longtime career with the Phoenix Suns “The Greyhound” played 32 games for the Portland Trail Blazers during the 1990/91 season, providing extra scoring off the bench for the Blazer team that finished with an NBA best record of 63-19. The Blazers were heavily favored to win the NBA Championship that season but lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the WC Finals. Davis was the 1978 #ROY after being the 5th player selected in the 1977 draft by the Phoenix Suns. Davis averaged 20.5 points in his 11 seasons and was the Suns all-time scorer when he was traded to the Denver Nuggets in 1988 where he played for 3 seasons before the Blazers acquired him as part of a 3-team trade on January 23, 1991. The trade by the Denver Nuggets with a 1992 2nd round draft pick (Reggie Smith was later selected) to the Portland Trail Blazers; the Denver Nuggets traded Terry Mills to the New Jersey/ Brooklyn Nets while the Nets traded Greg Anderson and a 1992 1st round draft pick (Bryant Stith was later selected) to the Denver Nuggets; and the Portland Trail Blazers traded Dražen Petrović and a 1993 2nd round draft pick (Kevin Thompson was later selected) to the New Jersey Nets. Davis was released prior to the start of the 1991/92 season (link below) before signing a couple days later with the Nuggets and played 1 final season there. |
1986
#JonSpoelstra, father of @MiamiHeat coach #EricSpoelstra, is named GM of @trailblazers, replacing #StuInman, who has been w/#Blazers since 1970. As well, #BuckyBuckwalter is named of VP of basketball operations of Blazers #RipCity #thisdateBlazersHistory
#JonSpoelstra, father of @MiamiHeat coach #EricSpoelstra, is named GM of @trailblazers, replacing #StuInman, who has been w/#Blazers since 1970. As well, #BuckyBuckwalter is named of VP of basketball operations of Blazers #RipCity #thisdateBlazersHistory
September 10
1970
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1961_NCAA_University_Division_men%27s_basketball_gambling_scandal
http://www.espn.com/classic/s/basketball_scandals_molinas.html |
Portland Trail Blazers Sign Jim Barnett and Former #BradleyUniversity Ace Tim Robinson
The Portland Trail Blazers signed Jim Barnett, the former Oregon Men's Basketball star to a two-year extension today. Barnett had 1 more year remaining on his current contract that was to pay him $23,500. He reportedly agreed to a 2-year extension that will pay him between $35,000 to $40,000. Barnett, who was acquired in a trade this past May for Larry Siegfried, averaged over 17 ppg at Oregon and was the 8th pick overall in the 1966 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics . He played his rookie season in Boston before moving to the expansion San Diego/ Houston Rockets in 1967. In his 3 seasons with San Diego, he has raised his scoring average from 9.4 to 14.9. The Trail Blazers also invited former @bradleyumbb star Tim Robinson to their upcoming training camp. Robinson is 29-years old and is a 6-foot 6” guard/forward who averaged 16.5 points when he played for Bradley University in 1960/61. Robinson was later dismissed from the school after his name was associated with the point-shaving scandal in 1961, though that was not the official reason for his dismissal. Robinson was one of many players that were banned by the NBA during that time, including Connie Hawkins, Roger Brown, and Doug Moe. Robinson admitted to being approached but said he did not take any money but also did not report the contacts. Robinson recently had filed a $1-million suit against the NBA that was reportedly settled and allowed him to try out for an NBA team. |
September 11
1972
The Portland Trail Blazers waived the player that scored their first basket. Ron Knight, a 5th round draft pick in the 1970 NBA Draft, was released today. Knight finished his NBA career playing 101 games in the Blazers first two seasons, averaging 4.7 points in 11 minutes of play. Knight would go on to play with the Harlem Globetrotters from 1973 to 1978 |
September 12
1971
The Blazers trade their starting center to the Lakers for a 1972 Second Round Draft pick and cash.
Portland Trail Blazers trade LeRoy Ellis to
Los Angeles Lakers In a surprise move, the #Blazers traded their starting center LeRoy Ellis to the #LosAngelesLakers for a 2nd rd pick in the 1972 NBA Draft. Ellis played his first 4 seasons with the Lakers after being drafted by the team in 1962 and will backup Wilt Chamberlain in the coming 1971/72 season. Ellis led the Blazers with 907 rebounds and an unofficial total of 218 blocks while scoring 15.4 points per game. Blazer Player Director of Personnel Stu Inman says in order to maintain the youth movement going into the 2nd season, trading the 31 year old center was needed in order to allow rookie Bill Smith of #Syracuse and 3-year veteran Dale Schlueter more playing time. Smith averaged 22.7 points per game and also grabbed 14.5 rebounds per game as a senior for the @Cuse_MBB while Schlueter averaged 8 points and 8 rebounds in a backup role to Ellis. The Blazers now have three 2nd round picks in next years draft. |
September 13
1970
1971
The Blazers opened their 2nd training camp
The Blazers opened their 2nd training camp
September 14
1971
The Portland Trail Blazers waived Ed Manning today in 1971. Manning was acquired in the NBA expansion draft off the Chicago Bulls roster in May and played 79 games with the expansion Blazers. He was the only veteran player to not start a game during the 70/71 season, despite scoring a career high 7.1 points in his 4-year career. Manning scored more than 10 points 22 times twice scored 19 points, his career high, in two games.
Manning would go on to play 5 more seasons in the #ABA; three seasons with the #CarolinaCougars before spending a season each with the New York/ Brooklyn Nets and the Indiana Pacers. As a Cougar, he played two seasons for coach Larry Brown who would eventually hire him as an assistant coach at @KUHoops #Kansas in 1983. Manning would follow Brown to the NBA and be an assistant coach before eventually being coming a scout. Manning is the father of Danny Manning, the number 1 pick in the 1988 NBA draft after leading Kansas to the 1987 NCAAchampionship.
Manning passed away in 2011 at the age of 67
1973
The Portland Trail Blazers traded their last remaining player chosen in the expansion draft when they sent guard Rick Adelman to the Chicago Bullsfor a 1974 2nd rd draft pick. The Blazers would select Phil Lumpkin with that pick. Only Geoff Petrie remains from the inaugural season. Adelman played 2 years with the San Diego/ Houston Rockets before the Blazers picked him in the draft. Adelman would average a career high 12.6 points in the Blazers first season along with 4.7 assists. In 3 seasons with Portland he averaged 9.8 points and 4.6 assists. He set the club record in 1971 with 17 assists. That would hold until Terry Porter passed for 18 assists in 1987.
The Portland Trail Blazers traded their last remaining player chosen in the expansion draft when they sent guard Rick Adelman to the Chicago Bullsfor a 1974 2nd rd draft pick. The Blazers would select Phil Lumpkin with that pick. Only Geoff Petrie remains from the inaugural season. Adelman played 2 years with the San Diego/ Houston Rockets before the Blazers picked him in the draft. Adelman would average a career high 12.6 points in the Blazers first season along with 4.7 assists. In 3 seasons with Portland he averaged 9.8 points and 4.6 assists. He set the club record in 1971 with 17 assists. That would hold until Terry Porter passed for 18 assists in 1987.
Adelman played 2 more years in the NBA before retiring and then moved into the coaching ranks, first at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, OR in 1977 before the Blazers hired him in 1983 as an assistant coach to Jack Ramsay. When Ramsay was fired and replaced with Mike Schuler in 1986, Adelman was retained. When Schuler was fired midway thru the 1988–89 season, Adelman was promoted to interim coach. After leading the team into the playoffs that year (despite a 39–43 record), Adelman was given the coaching position on a full-time basis in 1989.
The next three years were quite successful for Adelman and the Trail Blazers as the team went to the NBA Finals in 1990 and 1992 (losing to the Detroit Pistons and the Chicago Bulls respectively) and went to the Western Conference finals in 1991 (losing to the Los Angeles Lakers). Adelman spent two more years with the team, but was dismissed after the 1993–1994 season.
Adelman would coach the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, and Minnesota Timberwolves but would have his greatest success with the Sacramento Kings from 1998 to 2006. He guided the Kings to 7 straight playoff appearances but were never able to past the Western Conference Finals. |
September 15
1970
LeRoy Ellis
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First training camp to open
The inaugural edition of the Portland Trail Blazers opened their 1st training camp today in 1970. A total of 17 players were in attendance for the 8-day camp, including 7 rookies along with a rookie coach, Rolland Todd. Todd played in the National Industrial Basketball League in 1959 and 1960 as well as in the American Basketball League in 1961 to 1963 before moving into coaching. He spent the last 5 seasons at #UNLV where he compiled a 96-40 record for the @TheRunninRebels before being hired by the Blazers. an interview with Coach Todd can be heard at this link ... http://media.oregonlive.com/…/au…/BFT-RollandTodd2-20-12.mp3 |
The rookies include the first pick in team history Geoff Petrie as well as three others that will play during the season. The rookies that will play are Ron Knight, Claude English, and Walt Gilmore. Among the veterans attending that will contribute to the expansion season are Jim Barnett, Leroy Ellis, Rick Adelman, Gary Gregor, and Dale Schlueter.
Probably the first “Oh yeah, he was a Blazer” player entered camp today camp but soon will be traded. That player is Pat Riley, who’s contract will soon be traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Riley won a championship as a player in 1971/72 season with the Lakers before retiring and coaching the Los Angeles Lakers to 4 NBA titles as well as 3 other appearances in the finals. He also led the Knicks to an NBA finals appearance before winning 1 more title as the coach of the Miami Heat.
Stan McKenzie
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Walt Gilmore
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Gary Gregor
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September 16
Happy Birthday to former @trailblazer Ron Brewer
Brewer was selected by the Trail Blazers with 7th pick in the 1978 NBA draft. Entering the draft, the Blazers had the 3rd and 7th pick in the despite finishing the 1977/78 season with a league leading 58 wins. Portland traded the 3rd pick along with Johnny Davis to the Indiana Pacers for the number 1 pick. The Blazers had hoped to persuade Larry Bird to sign if chosen with the first pick, but chose Mychal Thompson when they were unable to do so. Blazer brass then held their breath for either Bird to fall to 7 or the Brewer would still be available. “It was down to Brewer and Bird for us,” said Director of Player Personnel Stu Inman. “We were scared to death that both of them would be gone by No. 7. In a way, I’m glad we didn’t have to make the decision between them. It would be tough.”
Brewer averaged 13.3 points and 2 assists as a rookie, and scored 30 points in his first start as a Blazer. A spot-starter early on, he became a member of the starting five by game 45. He continued to start in his 2nd season as he averaged 15.7 points and 2.6 rebounds and assists. Brewer is the first Blazer to connect on a three-point shot on October 14, 1979 versus the Denver Nuggets, when he hit a shot as time expired in the first half. |
Brewer made the All-Rookie team with fellow teammate Thompson, Phil Ford, Reggie Theus, and Terry Tyler. Brewer played 2 plus seasons with the Blazers and averaged 13.4 points, 2.3 assists and 2.5 rebounds in 192 games.
Brewer went on to spend eight seasons in the league with five other teams besides Portland as he played with the San Antonio Spurs, Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, New Jersey Nets, and Chicago Bulls. He finished his career with 5,971 total points for a 11.9 points per game average. |
1974
The Portland Trail Blazers traded Rick Roberson to the New Orleans/ Utah Jazz for Barry Clemens
The Portland Trail Blazers traded Rick Roberson to the New Orleans/ Utah Jazz for Barry Clemens
September 17
Happy Birthday to former Blazer Rasheed Wallace
Wallace played 544 games over 7 and 1/2 seasons with Portland. He was a major part of the Blazer teams that went to the Western Conference Finals in 1999 and 2000 but also a major part of the team that started to alienate the fan base with his technical fouls and other off-court issues.
While Wallace immersed himself into the community almost immediately, most notably with his Rasheed Wallace Foundation, his career suffered from numerous missteps on and off the court. While he set an NBA record with 38 technical fouls in the 1999/2000 season. he was also fifth in the league in field goal percentage. The following year, he broke his own record with 41 technicals. Wallace was also suspended by the NBA for seven games for threatening then-referee Tim Donaghy on an arena loading dock after a home game in 2003. That was the league's longest suspension for an offense that did not involve violence or substance abuse. |
Wallace, who helped lead the North Carolina Tar Heels to the NCAA Final Four in 1995. He was initially drafted by the Washington Bullets in the 1995 NBA draft. He played 65 games for the Bullets, scoring 10.1 points and grabbing 4.7 rebounds. During the 1996 off-season, the Blazers traded Rod Strickland and Harvey Grant for Wallace and Mitchell Butler
Due to a thumb injury, Wallace played only 62 games his first season with Portland but his scoring jumped to 15.1 points and 8.7 rebounds despite playing only 3 more minutes than he did in Washington. His scoring and rebounds dropped the next 2 seasons but rose in the 1998/99 season as he helped lead the Blazers to the Western Conference Finals against the eventual NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs. Wallace led the Blazers back to the WCF in 2000 against the Los Angeles but the Blazers again fell in 7 games to the eventual Champion Lakers. For his efforts on the court, Wallace was named an NBA All-Star in 2000 and 2001. He averaged a career best 19.3 points and 8.7 rebounds in the 2001/02 season but the off-court issues started to mount, not just with Wallace but with many teammates as well.
Overall, Wallace averaged 16.8 points and 7 rebounds. Wallace ranks in the Blazers Top-10 in Rebounds, Minutes Played, Points, Field Goals Made, Field Goal Percentage, Blocked Shots, and Personal Fouls.
On February 9, 2004, Wallace was traded to the Atlanta Hawks along with Wesley Person for Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Theo Ratliff and Dan Dickau. Wallace played only one game for the Hawks before being traded to the Detroit Pistons, where he helped the Pistons win the NBA title, beating the heavily favored Lakers 4 games to 1. After the championship season, he paid for replica WWE World Heavyweight Championship belts to be made for each of his teammates and presented them as gifts when the 2004–05 regular season started. Wallace led the Pistons back to the Finals in 2005 but Detroit fell in 7 games to the Spurs. Wallace was criticized for leaving Robert Horry open for the game-winning three-pointer in Game 5 but his defense and clutch shooting helped the Pistons get to Game 7, where they lost 81–74. Wallace and the Pistons lost in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2006 to the Miami Heat, in 2007 to the Cleveland Cavaliers, and in 2008 to the Boston Celtics. |
1982
Billy Ray Bates, who claimed cult status in 1980, was waived today.
Billy Ray Bates, who claimed cult status in 1980, was waived today.
September 18
1979
September 19
Happy Birthday to former Blazer Sidney Wicks.
Wicks was considered to be the #1 pick in the 1971 NBA draft but was the 2nd player chosen that year after the Cleveland Cavaliers chose Austin Carr. The reason for the Cavs to take Carr? Eventually it was learned that the Portland Trail Blazers paid Cleveland $250,000 to draft him, allowing the Blazers of picking Wicks. Everyone assumed that with Wicks joining the reigning Rookie of the Year Geoff Petrie, the Blazers would improve upon their 29 wins. |
Wicks led the Blazers with 24.5 pts and 11.5 rebounds his rookie season and would easily win the #ROY award but Petrie missed 22 games and the Blazers would only win 18 games. When the duo did play together over the next few seasons, there were reports of how he and Petrie didn’t get along. Wicks voiced his frustration with his teammates, coaches, and to the media (radio and newspapers) and after 4 All-Star seasons in 5 years, he was traded not once but twice. First trade was to the New Orleans/ Utah Jazz where he refused to report before his contract was eventually sold to the Boston Celtics.
During his five seasons, Wicks was among the most decorated Blazers of all time. He was a four-time All-Star, and had seven triple-doubles. He ranks sixth on the franchise list in rebounding with 4,086, twelfth in scoring with 8,882 points and twelfth in assists with 1647 and still holds the single-game rebounding record of 27. In his 5 seasons he led the team in scoring three times, rebounding three times and assists twice. Wicks averaged over 22 points and 10 rebounds in his 5 seasons with the team.
But despite those accomplishments, his time was clouded by the ongoing feud with Petrie. Teammate John Johnson said the early Blazers teams were defined by constant bickering between Petrie and Wicks, a notion that Lenny Wilkens supported after he coached them in the 1974-1975 season."I had always heard that they didn't respect one another," Wilkens said. "And I witnessed some of it."
During his five seasons, Wicks was among the most decorated Blazers of all time. He was a four-time All-Star, and had seven triple-doubles. He ranks sixth on the franchise list in rebounding with 4,086, twelfth in scoring with 8,882 points and twelfth in assists with 1647 and still holds the single-game rebounding record of 27. In his 5 seasons he led the team in scoring three times, rebounding three times and assists twice. Wicks averaged over 22 points and 10 rebounds in his 5 seasons with the team.
But despite those accomplishments, his time was clouded by the ongoing feud with Petrie. Teammate John Johnson said the early Blazers teams were defined by constant bickering between Petrie and Wicks, a notion that Lenny Wilkens supported after he coached them in the 1974-1975 season."I had always heard that they didn't respect one another," Wilkens said. "And I witnessed some of it."
Happy Birthday to former coach Jack McCloskey
1972
The Portland Trail Blazers waived backup guard Charlie Yelverton today in 1972.
Yelverton made the #Blazers last season and averaged 7.9 points in 17 minutes of action but was noted not only for his intensity he brought to the court on the defensive end but for his silent protest prior to the February 1, 1972 loss to the Phoenix Suns
Yelverton made the #Blazers last season and averaged 7.9 points in 17 minutes of action but was noted not only for his intensity he brought to the court on the defensive end but for his silent protest prior to the February 1, 1972 loss to the Phoenix Suns
Prior to the game the Blazers waived little used but popular guard Willie McCarter, a very unpopular move among the players. During the warmups, Yelverton walked to the top of the foul circle and assumed a sitting yoga position and remained seated even during the National Anthem, while his teammates stood, rising only when the music was done. Yelverton, from @FordhamMBB, would play in various #EuropeanLeaguesfrom 1973 until 1987 and would be rewarded by being named one of the 50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors in 2008 |
September 21
1973 - First victory ever over the Lakers.
After 18 attempts and 18 failures , the Portland Trail Blazers finally slayed the dragon known as the Los Angeles Lakers defeating the defending Pacific Division champs 105-88. Lloyd Neal came off the bench to lead the #Blazers with 20 points in the nightcap of a double-header at the Memorial Coliseum. In the first game, the Golden State Warriors defeated the #Seattle #SuperSonics 119-93 and ruined the debut of new coach Bill Russell.
1978
The movie "Fast Break" about the @trailblazers championship season is released to #FoxTheater. Local producer/director #DonZavin hoped to recoup his investment but release of "Fast Break" was apprx a month after #BillWalton had asked to be traded from @trailblazers. Similarly a recent book release that also promotes Bill Walton & #Blazers suffers from trade demands.
In other news of the day, @trailblazers extended coach #JackRamsay contract for an additional 4 years. "He's been here 2 years & won 1 championship" said #Blazers Communications VP John White.
The movie "Fast Break" about the @trailblazers championship season is released to #FoxTheater. Local producer/director #DonZavin hoped to recoup his investment but release of "Fast Break" was apprx a month after #BillWalton had asked to be traded from @trailblazers. Similarly a recent book release that also promotes Bill Walton & #Blazers suffers from trade demands.
In other news of the day, @trailblazers extended coach #JackRamsay contract for an additional 4 years. "He's been here 2 years & won 1 championship" said #Blazers Communications VP John White.
September 22
1973
To prove the first win wasn't a fluke, just a day later in Seattle, the Blazers again defeated the Lakers 115-102 in the opening game of the exhibition double-header.
To prove the first win wasn't a fluke, just a day later in Seattle, the Blazers again defeated the Lakers 115-102 in the opening game of the exhibition double-header.
September 24
1970
The Portland Trail Blazers played their first game ever. Playing at #MarkMorris High School in Longview Washington, the #Blazersshowed the San Francisco/ Golden State Warriors how the game was played for three quarters before Portland ran out of gas falling 119-118 after leading by 16 points entering the final quarter. The two teams travel to #Roseburg and will play there on Sept. 26 before traveling to #Albany to play on Sept. 27. |
People always say things were simpler in the olden days.
Bill Ammons proved that adage back in 1970 when he dialed up the telephone operator to get ahold of the Portland Trail Blazers’ owner, Harry Glickman, to find out if he could help put on the fledgling franchise’s very first game. The best part was that Ammons wanted to bring the Blazers to Longview.
Ammons was sitting in his barbershop when the idea took root and decided to give the brand new NBA owner a ring to see if he could host the team’s inaugural game at Mark Morris High School. The game wouldn’t count in the standings, but it would bring big NBA players to the small town and help to grow the fan base on the north side of the Columbia River.
Bill Ammons proved that adage back in 1970 when he dialed up the telephone operator to get ahold of the Portland Trail Blazers’ owner, Harry Glickman, to find out if he could help put on the fledgling franchise’s very first game. The best part was that Ammons wanted to bring the Blazers to Longview.
Ammons was sitting in his barbershop when the idea took root and decided to give the brand new NBA owner a ring to see if he could host the team’s inaugural game at Mark Morris High School. The game wouldn’t count in the standings, but it would bring big NBA players to the small town and help to grow the fan base on the north side of the Columbia River.
September 25
Happy Birthday to Former
Blazer Scottie Pippen The Portland Trail Blazers landed one of the top 50 players in NBA on October 2, 1999 from the Houston Rockets when Pippen joined #Portlandbefore the start of the 1999/2000 season. "This is a great fit for me," Pippen said at the time. "If I had my choice, I would probably choose this team because I feel like they're more on the verge of winning a championship.” After losing to the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference finals in 1999, Portland was considered to be the favorite to win the championship in 2000 with Pippen being a final piece to a puzzle. |
In his first season with the #Blazers, the team won 59 games, tied for the 2nd best in franchise history before running into the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2000 #WCF. The Blazers were down 3-1 in the series and stormed back to force a 7th game. The 4th quarter of the final game will go down in Blazer/Laker lore as one of the games that got away. The Lakers outscored Portland 31 to 13 to win the deciding game 89-84. The Blazers would go 13 season before winning a playoff series.
Pippen played 3 more seasons with Portland then signed as a Free Agent with the Chicago Bulls for his final season before retiring.
Pippen played 3 more seasons with Portland then signed as a Free Agent with the Chicago Bulls for his final season before retiring.
September 26
1970 - First Blazer Victory!
Led by rookie Geoff Petrie's 22 points, the Portland Trail Blazers secured their first victory today vs the San Francisco / Golden State Warriors in Roseburg, OR. The Blazers put up 115 shots in the 48 minutes, 10 less than the Warriors put up but neither team shot well leading to 102 rebounds for the two teams with Gary Gregor gathering 18 rebounds in 19 minutes. LeRoy Ellis scored 19 points and held Nate Thurmond to a 3-24 shooting night.
The teams will meet once more in Albany, OR tomorrow before the Blazers moving north to face the Seattle SuperSonics in Chehalis, WA
Led by rookie Geoff Petrie's 22 points, the Portland Trail Blazers secured their first victory today vs the San Francisco / Golden State Warriors in Roseburg, OR. The Blazers put up 115 shots in the 48 minutes, 10 less than the Warriors put up but neither team shot well leading to 102 rebounds for the two teams with Gary Gregor gathering 18 rebounds in 19 minutes. LeRoy Ellis scored 19 points and held Nate Thurmond to a 3-24 shooting night.
The teams will meet once more in Albany, OR tomorrow before the Blazers moving north to face the Seattle SuperSonics in Chehalis, WA
September 27
1970
Bill Brudvig awaits tonights NBA matchup between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors in #Albany OR at West Albany High School. The teams have split the previous two games in Longview WA and Roseburg OR.
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1974
September 28
Happy Birthday to former #Blazer Gawen"Bonzi" Wells.
Wells was originally drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the 1998 NBA Draft but the Portland Trail Blazers acquired him in exchange for a 1999 1st rd pick. Not counting the 7 games he played with the #Blazers his rookie season and the 13 games before he was traded in 2003, |
Wells spent 4 full seasons with the #Portland and made the most of his time. He improved his scoring from 4.4 to 17.2 and his rebounding from 1.2 to 6.0. Bonzi's set the franchise record for most points scored in a playoff game with 45 against the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the 2003 NBA Playoffs.
Wells also had a reputation off the court as well with various run-ins with law enforcement. This led to his eventual trade to the Memphis Grizzlies. Wells continued to play in the NBA for 5 more seasons before playing overseas in China for 2 years.
Wells also had a reputation off the court as well with various run-ins with law enforcement. This led to his eventual trade to the Memphis Grizzlies. Wells continued to play in the NBA for 5 more seasons before playing overseas in China for 2 years.
September 29
1992
The Blazers announce their new radio voice will be Eddie Doucette, replacing Bill Schonely, who was reassigned to TV coverage earlier on August 19.
Long before there was “Bang!” by Mike Breen there was “Bango!” by colorful NBA announcer Eddie Doucette. Eddie was the longtime voice of the Milw Bucks, including their ‘71 title team & coined many classic hoop terms like Kareem’s “Sky Hook.”
The Blazers announce their new radio voice will be Eddie Doucette, replacing Bill Schonely, who was reassigned to TV coverage earlier on August 19.
Long before there was “Bang!” by Mike Breen there was “Bango!” by colorful NBA announcer Eddie Doucette. Eddie was the longtime voice of the Milw Bucks, including their ‘71 title team & coined many classic hoop terms like Kareem’s “Sky Hook.”
September 30
1970
For the first time the Portland Trail Blazers play the Seattle SuperSonics in #Chehalis WA, falling 144-126
1974
#LennyWilkens denies he is thinking of playing with the @trailblazers despite talking how #Blazers need an experienced point guard. Wilkens was hired as coach on May 24 after retiring as a player with Cleveland @cavs and is currently 1-1 in preseason games. Wilkens will become an active player with Blazers on October 7 after Cleveland sent his playing rights to Portland for an undisclosed amount of cash
#LennyWilkens denies he is thinking of playing with the @trailblazers despite talking how #Blazers need an experienced point guard. Wilkens was hired as coach on May 24 after retiring as a player with Cleveland @cavs and is currently 1-1 in preseason games. Wilkens will become an active player with Blazers on October 7 after Cleveland sent his playing rights to Portland for an undisclosed amount of cash