Blazers vs Mavericks

Lore & Background

The Trail Blazers' rallying cry is 'Rip City', coined by play-by-play announcer Bill Schonely during their inaugural season. The team holds the NBA record for most consecutive sell-out games – set between April 9, 1977, and November 16, 1995.

Reader's Guide

The Trail Blazers have retired several players jerseys, including Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame members Clyde Drexler and Bill Walton. Jack Ramsay, who was the Trail Blazers head coach from 1976 to 1986, had the number 77 retired in honor of Portland's only NBA Finals victory in 1977. Portland has had four NBA Rookies of the Year; Geoff Petrie (1971), Sidney Wicks (1972), Brandon Roy (2007) and Damian Lillard (2013). The only NBA Most Valuable Player that earned the award as a member of the Trail Blazers was Bill Walton in 1978.

Did You Know?

• The Trail Blazers were granted a franchise on February 6, 1970, along with Buffalo and Cleveland, for a $3.7 million admission fee.
• Harry Glickman got the money from real estate magnates Robert Schmertz, Larry Weinberg, and Herman Sarkowsky.
• The Trail Blazers won the NBA championship in 1977, their first time in the playoffs.
• Bill Walton was named MVP of the NBA finals in 1977 and the league's regular season MVP in 1978.