August 26, 1976 - Glickman Says Trade May Be Coming
There apparently is a deal coming soon in the Blazers future, but as Executive Vice President Harry Glickman admits, “…it is taking more time than we anticipated.” Glickman said the Blazers have talked with several teams but declined to identify the teams or the players involved. He added that the Blazers want to get any moves out of the way as soon as possible but “making connections on long-distance calls has been time consuming”
It is an open secret around the league that Sidney Wicks, embroiled in a contract dispute with the team, is most likely the player to be dealt but Moses Malone, recently acquired in the ABA Dispersal Draft, has also been talked about being moved. The Blazers are in the market for a veteran guard after trading Geoff Petrie earlier in the month.
It is an open secret around the league that Sidney Wicks, embroiled in a contract dispute with the team, is most likely the player to be dealt but Moses Malone, recently acquired in the ABA Dispersal Draft, has also been talked about being moved. The Blazers are in the market for a veteran guard after trading Geoff Petrie earlier in the month.
Blazers to Open Training Camp on Sept 22nd
The Fall Training Camp, which was expected to open Sept 25th at the Jewish Community Center in Portland has been relocated to Willamette University in Salem, and will open on Sept. 22nd instead.
It was originally to be at Mt. Hood Community College but a scheduling conflict forced the original change to the Jewish Community Center before the final move to Willamette.
It was originally to be at Mt. Hood Community College but a scheduling conflict forced the original change to the Jewish Community Center before the final move to Willamette.
Season Tickets Sale Increase
Blazers Business Manager George Rickles says season ticket sales have now set a team record with 6725 total sales, topping the record set last season 6561. Last season, the Blazers attendance averaged 10,097 in 41 home games.
August 25, 1976 - Blazers Road Schedule Released
The Blazers road schedule for the 1976/77 season was released today. Twice the Blazers have a 4-game in 5 nights road trip, once in early December and the second will be in mid-February.
Between January 14 and 26, the Blazers will play 8 straight games on the road. Bill Walton on the cover of the 1976/77 media guide (above)
Seating chart for the Memorial Coliseum (below) |
Thur Oct 28 @ Golden State
Thur Nov 11 @ Atlanta Sat Nov 13 @ San Antonio Tue Nov 16 @ New Orleans Fri Nov 26 @ Los Angeles Tue Nov 30 @ Milwaukee Wed Dec 1 @ Indiana Fri Dec 3 @ Phoenix Tue Dec 7 @ New York Knicks 1st game of 4 in 5 nights Wed Dec 8 @ Boston 2nd game Fri Dec 10 @ Buffalo 3rd game Sat Dec 11 @ Philadelphia 4th game Sun Dec 26 @ Seattle Tue Dec 28 @ Chicago Wed Dec 29 @ Detroit Thur Dec 30 @ Milwaukee Sun Jan 2 @ Los Angeles Fri Jan 14 @ Boston 8 straight road games coming Sat Jan 15 @ Washington Sun Jan 16 @ Atlanta Wed Jan 19 @ New York Nets Thur Jan 20 @ Cleveland Sat Jan 22 @ Houston Sun Jan 23 @ San Antonio Wed Jan 26 @ Denver end of 8 straight road games Wed Feb 2 @ Kansas City Thur Feb 3 @ Indiana Tue Feb 15 @ Cleveland 1st game of 4 in 5 nights Wed Feb 16 @ Detroit 2nd game Fri Feb 18 @ Chicago 3rd game Sat Feb 19 @ Denver 4th game Tue Mar 8 @ Buffalo Thur Mar 10 @ New York Knicks Fri Mar 11 @ Kansas City Thur Mar 17 @ Golden State Sun Mar 20 @ Phoenix Tue Mar 22 @ New Orleans Wed Mar 23 @ Houston Fri Mar 25 @ New York Nets Sun Mar 27 @ Philadelphia Sun Apr 3 @ Seattle |
Aug 23, 1976 - Harry Glickman: Lakers "...Close To Tampering"
Aug 19, 1976 - Blazers Home Schedule Announced
The Blazers will open their home portion of the 1976/77 season on October 23 when Julius Erving and the NY Nets play their only game in Portland. They will play 20 of the 41 games on either Friday or Saturday with an additional 6 games on Sundays. All teams will appear twice in Portland except the Nets.
The Blazers will play host for Thanksgiving and Christmas as they host the Chicago Bulls on November 24 and then the Seattle Super Sonics on Christmas Day. This will be the Blazers first home Christmas game since 1972 when they defeated the Sonics 116-113 The Bulls will return to Portland to help bring in the New Year when they play on January 1. Other highlights are the defending Champion Boston Celtics playing January 4th and February 22nd. Always a crowd favorite, the New York Knicks will appear November 7th and January 11th. The Los Angeles Lakers will close out the season on April 9th but first appear on December 18th. The road schedule is expected to be released by the end of the month |
Sat Oct 23 New York Nets
Tue Oct 26 Golden State Sat Oct 30 Detroit Tue Nov 2 Atlanta Fri Nov 5 Philadelphia Sun Nov 7 New York Knicks Tue Nov 9 Kansas City Fri Nov 19 Milwaukee Sun Nov 21 Buffalo Wed Nov 24 Chicago Sat Nov 27 Washington Sun Nov 28 Indiana Sat Dec 4 Milwaukee Sun Dec 5 Cleveland Tue Dec 14 Houston Fri Dec 17 Denver Sat Dec 18 Los Angeles Tue Dec 21 Kansas City Sat Dec 25 Seattle Sat Jan 1 Chicago Tue Jan 4 Boston Fri Jan 7 New Orleans Sun Jan 9 San Antonio Tue Jan 11 New York Knicks Thur Jan 27 San Antonio Sun Jan 30 Phoenix Sat Feb 5 Washington Tue Feb 8 Denver Fri Feb 11 Atlanta Tue Feb 22 Boston Fri Feb 25 Houston Tue Mar 1 Philadelphia Fri Mar 4 Cleveland Sat Mar 5 Seattle Tue Mar 15 New Orleans Fri Mar 18 Indiana Tue Mar 29 Buffalo Fri Apr 1 Golden State Tue Apr 5 Detroit Fri Apr 8 Phoenix Sat Apr 9 Los Angeles |
Aug 17, 1976 - Blazers Have a Few Surprises for The Coming Fall Camp
Stu Inman, the Blazers director of player personal said of the recent Summer League “It was the most productive summer program we’ve ever had. Our new coaches got a good handle on the rookies and both were extremely pleased.”
Two invitees emerged from the summer camp living up to the advanced billing and while one was a surprise. Living up to expected billing, the Blazers’ first-round draft choice Wally Walker, was the 3rd leading scorer in the LA Summer League with an average of 22.8 points and Inman said he performed “beyond expectations offensively.” Johnny Davis, the 22nd pick in the draft, was one of the most talked about player with his quickness and passing ability. Davis also shot 48-percent from the field. |
The biggest surprise in the camp was Robin Jones, a 6 foot 10 center who played last season in Europe and was planning on doing so this coming season, but Inman said he was much “more impressive than Swen Nater” another member of the Blazers/Bucks combined summer team.
Inman and Executive Vice President Harry Glickman both confirm a trade is likely “in the near future” but neither would mention names of any Blazer to be moved though rumors continue to point to Sidney Wicks and/or Moses Malone to depart. Inman admits that the Blazers are looking to acquire a guard but deny a recent Sports Illustrated report of the Blazers interest in New York Knicks guard Walt Frazier. Coach Ramsey is said not to be interested in Frazier’s style of play and Glickman has said the Blazers aren’t interested in the enormous contract The Fall Camp, which is expected to open Sept 25th at the Jewish Community Center. It was originally to be at Mt. Hood Community College but a scheduling conflict forced the change. |
Aug 14, 1976 - Who will Blazers Acquire Next? And Who Will Leave Next?
The New York Knicks are hurting at center even after drafting Randy Denton in the ABA Draft, and may be interested in Moses Malone. Also mentioned is Portland looking to get a lead guard to replace Geoff Petrie, with the Knicks possibly looking to move Walt Frazier
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A little past a week after the ABA Draft, many NBA writers and executives are wondering what the Blazers are going to do with regards to their loaded front-court. Coach Jack Ramsey and Stu Inman are adamant that Bill Walton and Maurice Lucas are sure to be on the 1976/77 roster but won't comment on the many rumors that have come from other teams local writers. Sidney Wicks and Moses Malone are most often mentioned to go in the rumored deals, especially with the Blazers needing a big scoring guard after trading Geoff Petrie. Inman has acknowledged that the Blazers do need a scoring guard, which further fuels the rumors. Of the Guards currently on roster; Lionel Hollins, Dave Twardzik, Danny Anderson, and Steve Jones, only Jones has every scored more than 14 points per game in a season but he last did that in the 1972/73 ABA season. Petrie averaged over 22 points in his Blazer career
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The Los Angeles Lakers biggest deficiency is known to be at forward and they are said to be interested in acquiring Sidney Wicks, who attended UCLA with current Laker center Kareem Abdul-Jabber. Many believe that the Blazers aren't wanting to trade with a division rival, not having done that since trading Jim Barnett to Golden State back in 1971
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The 1976 NBA Champion Boston Celtics are looking to get younger up front as Paul Silas and John Havlicek are both past 35 years of age, and with Portland needing a guard, possibly JoJo White or Charlie Scott might be moved in order to acquire Moses Malone.
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Aug 8, 1976 - Sidney Wicks Speaks of Contract Woes
Sidney Wicks, the Blazers leading scorer last season, was aware of the clubs recent transactions but isn’t concerned about his situation. “What are they going to do with all those high-priced ballplayers?” said Wicks, who completed his original 5-year contract he signed as a rookie with the conclusion of the 1975/76 season and would be playing out his option year with the Blazers next season. Upon completion of his option season, he would be able to sign with any team in the league, but the Blazers would have the right to match the contract and re-sign him. Wicks added “I don’t expect to be traded but something has to be done. I’m starting to get in shape and I’ll be there when camp opens.” Blazers Training Camp will open Sept. 25 in Salem.
When asked if the hangups with the negotiations were with a no-cut clause or length of the contract, he replied “It’s definitely the money. I’ll play for whoever pays me the most money. I’m a marketable player and a good one. Some people (in the NBA) like stats and I’ve got good stats.” Last season Wicks averaged 19.1 points and 8.9 rebounds but has averaged 22.3 points and 10.3 rebounds during his 5 seasons with the Blazers |
Aug 7, 1976 - $650,00 for Draft Possibly End Miser Image for Blazers
The Blazers have been accused of being tight with money in the past but Harry Glickman disagrees. "We've never been reluctant," Glickman says but adds "This is the first time players of this caliber have been available."
The Memorial Coliseum seats approximately 12,000 attendees and last season the Blazers averaged 10,097 for the 41 games with nearly half the games (22) were under 10,000. This was the first decline in average attendance in the 6 years for the Blazers but the team also had the 5 best attended games last season in their history. Tickets for the coming 1976/77 season will be $9.00 for the best seats. They scale down $8.00, $6.50, $5.50 and $3.50. At this time, there are 6.284 season tickets already sold and the team is expecting to top the attendance mark again. As to recouping the money that Blazer owner Lawrence Weinberg shelled out, ticket manager George Rickles says he doesn't know how it will be done but he does add "That's a lot of jack."
The Memorial Coliseum seats approximately 12,000 attendees and last season the Blazers averaged 10,097 for the 41 games with nearly half the games (22) were under 10,000. This was the first decline in average attendance in the 6 years for the Blazers but the team also had the 5 best attended games last season in their history. Tickets for the coming 1976/77 season will be $9.00 for the best seats. They scale down $8.00, $6.50, $5.50 and $3.50. At this time, there are 6.284 season tickets already sold and the team is expecting to top the attendance mark again. As to recouping the money that Blazer owner Lawrence Weinberg shelled out, ticket manager George Rickles says he doesn't know how it will be done but he does add "That's a lot of jack."
Aug 6, 1976 - Blazer loaded up front after Dispersal Draft
A list of players on Roster for the Blazers, including players participating in the Summer League
Portland Guards
Lionel Hollins Larry Steele Dave Twardzik Danny Anderson Steve Jones Johnny Davis Jeff Tyson |
Portland Forwards
Sidney Wicks Lloyd Neal Maurice Lucas Moses Malone Barry Clemens Bob Gross Wally Walker Major Jones Al DeWitt |
Portland Centers
Bill Walton LaRue Martin Robin Jones |
Aug 5, 1976 - Blazers Trade Petrie, Hawes: Draft Lucas and Malone
GEOFF PETRIE, the last Original Trail Blazer player, was traded today with back up center Steve Hawes to the Atlanta Hawks for the 2nd pick in the ABA Dispersal Draft. With the pick the Blazers picked Maurice Lucas formally of the defunct Kentucky Colonels. They also chose Moses Malone, formally with St. Louis, with their 5th pick.
“We hate to lose a guy like Geoff Petrie” said Blazer Executive Vice-President Harry Glickman. “There was a lot of sentiment there. But to complete this deal, we had to forget sentiment and think about putting the best team on the floor. I think with these acquisitions that up front, we’re as good as any team in the NBA” The deal was made about 30 minutes before the draft started at 11am, just in time as after Atlanta had agreed and notified the commissioner, the Pistons made an offer that was considered to be better. Glickman said “but they (Atlanta) were committed to us and honored that commitment” Since the draft, Glickman indicated that a few NBA teams have already inquired as to what players the Blazers may be interested in moving. “I even had one call … asked if Bill Walton was now available. I told them absolutely not.” Other forwards besides Lucas and Malone on roster right now include Sidney Wicks, Lloyd Neal, Bobby Gross, Barry Clemens and Larry Steele. Malone joins Walton and LaRue Martin at the center position Petrie, Portland’s 1st pick in the 1970 draft from Princeton University, holds all the clubs scoring records, including most points in a season and a game, twice scored 51 points in 1973. He shared the Rookie of the Year Award in 1970 with Boston’s Dave Cowens and twice played in the annual All-Star game (1971 and ’74). Contract talks had stalled between the Blazers and Petrie, and he was entering into his option year.
Steve Hawes joined the Blazers last season when John Johnson was traded to Houston. Hawes played for Univ. of Washington prior to joining Rockets in the 1974 draft. |
MAURICE LUCAS ended last season with the Kentucky Colonels after starting the year with the Spirits of St. Louis and was the 2nd best ABA rebounder with 970 boards, behind teammate Artis Gilmore. Lucas, who played at Marquette before joining the ABA, averaged 17 points, 11 rebounds and shot .465 from the field last season. He is projected to battle Sidney Wicks for the starting power forward position, although with the Lucas pick, rumors have begun swirling again that Wicks may be traded, especially considering his contract situation is unresolved. o edit.
MOSES MALONE, a former High School prodigy from Virginia, jumped straight to the Utah Stars of the ABA in 1974, was the Blazers pick at the 5th position. Last season Malone broke his ankle before during the pre-season yet still averaged 14 pts and 9.6 rebounds in 43 games. He is expected to back-up both the forward and center positions
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A Few Surprises During Dispersal Draft But Not The First Pick
1 Chicago Bulls Artis Gilmore 1,100,000
2 Portland Trail Blazers Maurice Lucas 300,000 3 Kansas City Kings Ron Boone 250,000 4 Detroit Pistons Marvin Barnes 500,000 5 Portland Trail Blazers Moses Malone 350,000 6 New York Knicks Randy Denton 50,000 7 New Orleans Jazz Passed 8 Buffalo Braves "Bird" Averitt 125,000 9 Indian Pacers Wil Jones 50,000 10 Los Angeles Lakers Passed 11 Houston Rockets Ron Thomas 15,000 12 Phoenix Suns Passed 13 Seattle Super Sonics Passed 14 Philadelphia 76ers Passed 15 Buffalo Braves Passed 16 Washington Bullets Passed 17 San Antonio Spurs Louie Dampier 20,000 18 New York Nets Jan Van Breda Kolff 60,000 19 Cleveland Cavaliers Passed 20 Boston Celtics Passed 21 Denver Nuggets Passed 22 Golden State Warriors Passed ----2nd Round ----- 23 Chicago Bulls Passed 24 Atlanta Hawks Passed 25 Kansas City Kings Mike Barr 15,000 All Teams passed from this point on. The players not drafted are free to sign with any team they choose. Those players are .... Steve Green Freddie Lewis Barry Parkhill Mike D’Antoni Johnny Neumann Allen Murphy Jimmie Conner Jim Baker |
A total of 12 players of the 20 available for total cost of $2,832,750 with 2/3rds going to the ABA to take care of obligations to ABA players. The other third goes to NBA teams that gave up earlier draft rights to players.
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August 3, 1976 - Rumors abound with Blazers, League and Dispersal Draft
STU INMAN, the Blazers Director of Player Personal, has expressed interest in Ron Boone, William "Bird" Averitt, or former Blazer draft pick Jan Van Breda Kolff as a potential pick at # 5, but the President of the club, Harry Glickman, has not indicated a preference. "We are still hoping to strengthen our team," Glickman says, " but some players may be gone by the time we pick"
One rumor is that the Blazers might pick a player, such as Marvin Barnes whom the Detroit Pistons favor, strictly to trade, though Inman and Glickman will not talk about specific players. Other sources say that due to the uncertain contract status of Sidney Wicks and Geoff Petrie, a possible trade may be on hand as well, especially as the Atlanta Hawks are more interested in trading their pick than selecting a player. The Hawks had the first pick in the recent college draft but traded it to the Houston Rockets and are rebuilding this season with a new coach, Hubie Brown, and are looking to get veteran players. |
THE ONLY thing certain at this time is that at 11am in two days hence, the Chicago Bulls plan to announce the name Artis Gilmore as the first pick in the ABA Dispersal Draft. After that, it is is per speculation based on the team.
The Atlanta Hawks have the 2nd pick and their new coach, Hubie Brown who coached the last 2 seasons for the Kentucky Colonels, apparently isn't in favor of many of the players as the Hawks seem to be working a deal with the Detroit Pistons, who have the 4th pick. Brown coached Gilmore and Maurice Lucas last season, but had issues with Lucas, meaning if the Hawks keep the pick, they would possibly select Moses Malone or Marvin Barnes. The Kansas City Kings, picking 3rd, reportedly are shying away from the big price tags of the front-line men and appear to be leaning towards Guard Ron Boone to play along side Nate Archibald. The Detroit Pistons are in favor of drafting of either Barnes or Malone, to play along side Bob Lanier, leaving the Blazers with the 5th pick and choosing the remaining big name, be it Malone, Randy Denton or possibly Wil Jones, the brother to the Blazers recent collegiate pick Major Jones |
Aug 1, 1976 - Merger is Finalized; Draft to be held Aug 5th.
US District Judge Richard Carter has given final approval to the ABA-NBA Merger, paving way for the Merger Draft to be conducted. Under the agreement, modifications have been made in the annual collage draft, the option clause and the compensation system.
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The ABA Merger draft will be conducted in 4 days, Aug 5th. at 11am via conference call and conducted in similar style to college draft with teams drafting in inverse order of finish. Chicago will draft first while the Blazers have the 5th pick. The Bulls have already said the will draft Artis Gilmore, formally of the Kentucky Colonels. The price tag for Gilmore is $1.1 million, proceeds of which go to satisfy obligations to other ABA players and the ABA Players’ Association.
Besides the Gilmore price tag of $1.1 million the other 19 players and their price tag are .... Marvin Barnes ($500,000) Moses Malone, ($350,000) Maurice Lucas, ($300,000) Ron Boone, ($250,000) William “Bird” Averitt ($125,000) Steve Green ($100,00) Jan Van Breda Kolff ($60,000) Randy Denton & Wilbert Jones ($50,000) Johnny Neuman ($40,000) Allen Murphy ($25,000) Freddie Lewis & Louis Dampier ($20,000) Mike D’Antoni, Mike Barr, Jimmie Conner Jim Baker and Ron Thomas, Barry Parkhill ($15,000) Player price-tags will be reduced by 10% in the 2nd round. The money raised will be used to pay the indemnification to the 2 ABA teams that folded. |
Blazers hope to get "player or make a trade"
Harry Glickman will not comment on the potential Blazer pick other than to say that the team has been looking over the available players and their respective price tags. “We don’t know who we are going to draft right now, because we don’t know what the other 4 clubs ahead of us will do. At the very least we hope to come out with a player or hope to make a trade"
The Chicago Bulls have already publicly said they will draft the 7' 2" Artis Gilmore, the 1972 ABA MVP formally of the Kentucky Colonels despite the $1.1 million price tag.
The Chicago Bulls have already publicly said they will draft the 7' 2" Artis Gilmore, the 1972 ABA MVP formally of the Kentucky Colonels despite the $1.1 million price tag.