Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers are an American professional basketball franchise based in Portland, Oregon. The team competes in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Western Conference’s Northwest Division. Founded in 1970 as an expansion franchise, the Blazers won the NBA championship in their seventh season (1977) and became the first expansion team to accomplish such a feat since the Milwaukee Bucks’ instant success. Despite passionate fan support and one of sports’ most remarkable championship runs, the franchise has never returned to championship glory.

The Blazers are best known for the 1977 championship team led by Bill Walton, Maurice Lucas, and coach Jack Ramsay, a unit that overcame a 0-2 Finals deficit to defeat the heavily favored Philadelphia 76ers. Since the Seattle SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008, the Trail Blazers remain the only NBA franchise in the Pacific Northwest, creating a unique regional identity and devoted fanbase.

Expansion and Early Years (1970–1976)

The Portland Trail Blazers entered the NBA in 1970 alongside the Cleveland Cavaliers and Buffalo Braves as expansion franchises. The team’s name was chosen through a mail-in contest won by the entry “Trail Blazers,” which received 172 votes out of more than 10,000 submissions. The name honored Oregon’s pioneers who traveled the Oregon Trail.

The franchise struggled in its first seasons, posting losing records and missing the playoffs in each of its first six years. The team selected center Geoff Petrie in the 1970 draft (third overall), and he became the first expansion player to share Rookie of the Year honors. However, the franchise lacked star power and organizational direction.

In 1974, the Blazers selected center Bill Walton from UCLA with the first overall pick. Walton arrived as college basketball’s most dominant player, having led UCLA to two national championships and an 88-game winning streak. However, chronic foot injuries limited him to just 35 games in his first season and 51 in his second, delaying the franchise’s competitive breakthrough.

The 1977 Championship: “Blazermania”

In 1976, the Blazers hired Hall of Fame coach Jack Ramsay and acquired forward Maurice Lucas through the ABA dispersal draft following the ABA-NBA merger. The moves transformed Portland’s trajectory.

The 1976-77 Blazers finished 49-33, and Walton, finally healthy, led the NBA in both rebounds per game (14.4) and blocked shots per game (3.2). Portland defeated Chicago, Denver, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s Lakers to reach the NBA Finals against Julius Erving’s Philadelphia 76ers.

After falling behind 0-2 in the series, Portland became the second team to overcome such a deficit (after Boston in 1969) and the first to do so with four straight wins. In the clinching Game 6, Walton recorded 20 points, 23 rebounds, 7 assists, and 8 blocks in a heart-stopping 109-107 victory. Walton was named Finals MVP with averages of 18.5 points, 19.0 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.0 steals, and 3.7 blocks.

The championship created “Blazermania” across Portland. The team began a sellout streak of 814 consecutive games—the longest in American major professional sports history at the time—which lasted until 1995. The streak reflected unprecedented regional passion for the franchise.

The 1977-78 Blazers started 50-10, but Walton suffered a broken foot in February. He played the playoffs on painkilling injections, and X-rays after Game 2 against Seattle revealed the navicular bone below his left ankle was broken. Walton demanded a trade citing unethical medical treatment and sat out the entire 1979 season in protest before signing with San Diego as a free agent.

Post-Championship Struggles (1978–1990)

Following Walton’s departure, the Blazers remained competitive but never recaptured championship form. The 1990 team, led by Clyde Drexler, Terry Porter, and Jerome Kersey, reached the NBA Finals but lost to Detroit’s “Bad Boys” in five games. The 1992 squad returned to the Finals but fell to Michael Jordan’s Bulls in six games.

The Jail Blazers Era and Organizational Dysfunction (2000–2006)

The early 2000s brought the “Jail Blazers” era—a period of on-court talent undermined by off-court controversies, arrests, and locker room dysfunction. Despite making the playoffs, the team’s reputation suffered irreparable damage.

The Damian Lillard Era (2012–2023)

In 2012, the Blazers selected point guard Damian Lillard sixth overall. Lillard became the franchise’s greatest modern player, making seven All-Star teams and hitting one of the NBA’s most iconic shots, a series-winning 37-foot three-pointer against Oklahoma City in the 2019 playoffs while waving goodbye to the opposing bench.

However, playoff disappointment has persisted. The Blazers made eight playoff appearances during Lillard’s tenure but never advanced past the Western Conference Finals. In September 2023, Lillard forced a trade to Milwaukee, ending the most successful era since the championship team.

The 2024-25 Season: Anfernee Simons Trade and Rebuild

Following Lillard’s departure, the Blazers entered full rebuild mode. In July 2025, Portland traded Anfernee Simons to Boston for Jrue Holiday and draft picks, signaling a commitment to youth development.

The franchise drafted Cedric Coward 11th overall in 2025 but immediately traded him to Memphis for Yang Hansen (16th pick) and three future draft picks. Hansen, a Chinese center, has generated significant international interest.

The Chauncey Billups Gambling Scandal (October 2025)

On October 23, 2025, head coach Chauncey Billups was arrested for alleged involvement in an illegal gambling scheme and placed on indefinite leave by the NBA. Billups, who had coached the team since 2021, was immediately replaced by Tiago Splitter as interim head coach.

The scandal rocked the organization. Billups had compiled a 110-159 record (.409 winning percentage) over four-plus seasons but enjoyed organizational support. The gambling allegations involved connections to organized crime and potential game manipulation, though specifics remain under investigation.

Damian Lillard’s Return (July 2025)

In a stunning development, Damian Lillard signed a three-year deal to return to Portland on July 19, 2025, for his second stint with the franchise. However, Lillard suffered a torn Achilles tendon during offseason training and has missed the entire 2025-26 season—the same injury that ended his 2024-25 campaign with Milwaukee.

Ownership and Front Office

The Blazers are owned by the Paul Allen Trust, controlled by Jody Allen following her brother Paul Allen’s death from cancer in 2018. Paul Allen purchased the franchise in 1988 for $70 million and provided stable ownership for three decades.

Joe Cronin serves as General Manager after being promoted in December 2021. Cronin oversees the rebuild following Lillard’s trade and the organizational crisis surrounding Billups.

Arena and Facilities

The Blazers play home games at Moda Center (formerly Rose Garden), which opened in 1995 and seats 19,393 for basketball. The arena replaced Memorial Coliseum, where the 1977 championship was won.

Championships and Historical Record

The Blazers have won one NBA championship (1977) and advanced to the Finals three times (1977, 1990, 1992). The franchise has made 37 playoff appearances in 56 seasons.

Notable franchise records include Clyde Drexler’s career points (18,040) and Damian Lillard’s three-point makes (2,387).

Bill Walton’s Legacy

Bill Walton died on May 27, 2024, from cancer at age 71. The franchise honored him with a jersey band throughout the 2024-25 season and hosted a tribute night on March 9, 2025.