Blazers vs Warriors

Lore & Background

The Trail Blazers finished with the second-best record in the league with a 59–23 record, finishing in second place in the Pacific Division and earning the third seed in the Western Conference. They qualified for the NBA playoffs for the 18th consecutive year, and also for the 23rd time in 24 years.

Reader's Guide

In the Western Conference First Round, the Trail Blazers defeated the 6th-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves in four games. In the Western Conference Semi-finals, they defeated the 2nd-seeded Utah Jazz in five games. In the Western Conference Finals, they lost to the top-seeded Los Angeles Lakers in seven games.

Did You Know?

• Rasheed Wallace was selected for the 2000 NBA All-Star Game, his first All-Star appearance.
• Scottie Pippen was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team.
• The Trail Blazers finished third in the NBA in home-game attendance, with 835,078 at the Rose Garden Arena during the regular season.

Franchise Origins and Ownership Evolution

The Portland Trail Blazers trace their existence to Harry Glickman's persistent vision for an NBA presence in Oregon, dating back to the 1960 opening of the Memorial Coliseum. Although initial league resistance cited geographic distance, Commissioner J. Walter Kennedy eventually approved expansion into the West. On February 6, 1970, Portland secured franchise rights alongside Buffalo and Cleveland after a $3.7 million admission fee was raised by investors Robert Schmertz, Larry Weinberg, and Herman Sarkowsky. The team debuted in the 1970–71 season under coach Rolland Todd, finishing with a respectable 29–53 record as the best of the three expansion teams. Decades later, ownership transitioned significantly; Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, held the reins until his death in 2018. His sister, Jody Allen, briefly assumed control before Thomas Dundon acquired the franchise, marking a new chapter for the organization that had long been defined by its unique Pacific Northwest identity.

The Historic Championship and Bill Walton Era

The franchise's defining golden age arrived with the drafting of Bill Walton from UCLA in 1974. After initial struggles under coach Lenny Wilkens, the hiring of Jack Ramsay in 1976 catalyzed a transformation. The 1976–77 season saw the Blazers achieve their first winning record and secure an improbable NBA championship as a playoff debutant. Led by Walton's dominance in rebounding and shot-blocking, the team defeated the Chicago Bulls, Denver Nuggets, and the favored Los Angeles Lakers before sweeping the Philadelphia 76ers to claim the title. Walton was named Finals MVP, while Ramsay's number 77 was later retired to honor this singular victory. The following season began with a historic 50–10 start and saw Walton earn regular-season MVP honors. However, a devastating foot injury derailed their dynasty ambitions, leading to a difficult finish and eventual friction that caused Walton to hold out in 1978–79 before departing as a free agent.

Rip City Culture and Record-Breaking Loyalty

The Blazers cultivated an unparalleled bond with their fanbase early on, earning the enduring nickname "Rip City" from legendary announcer Bill Schonely during the team's inaugural season. This connection manifested in one of sports' most staggering records: a streak of consecutive sell-out games running from April 9, 1977, to November 16, 1995. Even as key stars like Bill Walton and Maurice Lucas departed due to injuries or contract disputes in the late 1970s, the crowd's support remained unwavering through the early 1980s. The team maintained competitive relevance, reaching the playoffs nearly every year despite a Western Conference dominated by the Los Angeles Lakers. This era also saw the selection of Mychal Thompson with the number one pick in 1978 and the acquisition of talents like Jim Paxson and Fat Lever, all while the arena remained packed night after night, solidifying Portland's reputation as a bastion of basketball passion.

Hall of Fame Legacy and Draft Distinctions

Portland's history is punctuated by exceptional individual accolades and Hall of Fame careers that have shaped its identity. The franchise has retired jerseys for Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famers Clyde Drexler and Bill Walton, alongside the number 77 for coach Jack Ramsay. While Bill Walton remains the sole player to win the league's Most Valuable Player award while wearing a Blazers uniform, the team has consistently identified elite talent through the draft. This includes high-profile selections like Clyde Drexler in 1983 and Sam Bowie in 1984, though the latter's career was hampered by injuries similar to those that plagued Walton. These achievements underscore a franchise history rich with individual brilliance and significant contributions to NBA lore.