The Trail of Cheers: Top 10 Unsung Heroes of the Blazers Franchise

As we hear about the Basketball Hall of Fame inductions this week, here is my list of the top ten unsung heroes from the blazers past. None of them are likely to ever make it to the hall of fame or have a special on them on NBATV, but they were all nevertheless important parts of the Trail Blazer franchise, whether as an important part of a championship run or the leader of the team during less glamorous years.

10. Lionel Hollins

Hollins played for the Blazers from 76-80 and was an important part of the championship team of ’77, leading the team in assists and was the third leader in ppg. He was in all-star that year and made the all defensive team twice. He now coaches the Grizzlies.

9. Kevin Duckworth

Duckworth was a Blazer '87-93. He made it to the all-star game his first season in the starting lineup and was again an all-star a couple years later. He was the third option on the Blazer teams of '90-92, when they made it to the finals twice and lost in the semifinals the other time. Tragically, he passed away in August of 2008. He is missed by the fans in Portland.

8. Clifford Robinson

Robinson was a member of the Blazers ’90-96. He led the 2nd unit on the championship competing teams of ’90-92 and led the Blazers post-Drexler until he left after the ’96 season. He was 6th man of the year in ’93 and an all-star in ’94, leading the team in scoring for three years.

7. Kiki Vandeweghe

Acquired in ’85, Vandeweghe played for the Blazers until he was traded during the ’89 season. He led the team in scoring twice, being part of an explosive scoring duo with none other than Clyde Drexler, and was also a free throw shooting prodigy. Unfortunately, he sustained a tough injury to his back towards the end of his career, causing him to miss 44 games his last full season with the Blazers.

6. Jim Paxson

Paxson played for the Blazers for nine seasons (79-88) and had the task of leading the team from the end of the Walton/Lucas era up until the drafting of Clyde Drexler and the acquisition of Kiki Vandeweghe. He led the team in ppg three different years, made the all-star game twice, and left as the Blazers all-time leading scorer.

5. Arvydas Sabonis

Sabonis played for the Blazers starting in the ’96 season; he retired after the ’01 season, but then came back for the ’03 season. Despite the fact that he didn’t begin his NBA career until he was past his prime, he became a key player and was a good inside player, as well as a good perimeter shooter for his size, a good post defender, and one of the best big-man passers of his time.

Though he never led the team in scoring or made it to the finals, he was a team player and I think it’s no coincidence that the Blazers made the playoffs every year while he was playing, and began a playoff drought the year after he left.

4. Buck Williams

Williams played for the Blazers from ’89-96. He was an important part of the championship contentions of ’90-92 and led the team in FG% and rebounds all three of those years. He brought toughness inside and was a superb defender. He was no slouch on the offensive end either, averaging over twelve points per game while being the fifth or sixth option behind three all-stars.

3. Geoff Petrie

Petrie was the first star on the Portland Trail Blazers and led the team during it’s early years. Petrie was the franchise’s first draft pick, in ’70, and played through the ’76 season. He led the team in scoring in three different years and won Rookie of the Year honors in ’71 (shared with Dave Cowen). He was a threat from long distance, and likely would have scored even more had there been a three point line in his day.

2. Terry Porter

Porter was a member of the Blazers from the ’86 season through the ’95 season. He was a leader in the championship contending Blazers of the early 90s. He was the second leading scorer and led the team in assists during that period. He was also a good free throw and long distance shooter.

1. Maurice Lucas

Lucas was a member of the championship team, playing for the Blazers from ’77-80, and ’88. Though Bill Walton won the finals MVP award and is generally the one associated with that team, Lucas was just as important, he led the team in scoring and rebounding and provided the inside play and toughness that are essential to championship teams, and provided the defining moment of the championship series when he stood up to the 76ers Darryl Dawkins, who was fighting with a smaller Blazer player. He was a four-time all-star and made the all defensive team twice. I think he is more than worthy of the hall of fame, though he sadly will probably never make it.