Lenny Wilkens Tenure
Player-coach in 1974–75, then full-time coach for one season; led Portland to its first playoff appearance in 1976.
Lenny Wilkens was a player-coach for the Portland Trail Blazers during the 1974–75 season, his final season as a player. He retired from playing in 1975 and then served as the full-time coach for one more season.
Lore & Background
Wilkens had been considering retiring from playing when Trail Blazers owner Herman Sarkowsky convinced him to coach the team. To Wilkens's surprise, Portland also acquired his playing rights from Cleveland. He retired from playing in 1975 and was the full-time coach of the Trail Blazers for one more season.
Reader's Guide
Wilkens's tenure with the Trail Blazers spanned the 1974–75 season as a player-coach and the 1975–76 season as a full-time coach. The franchise made its first playoff appearance in 1976.
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