If he’s not able to coach this year I think it’d be great to honor him one more time. I would say Bobby Gross because of the way he personified the hard working team nature of the 77 squad but it might feel redundant to have him back again.

For the ‘80s I really like the idea of Billy Ray Bates. The ultimate flash in a pan. Totally stunned an extremely experienced Brent Musburger and dominated the league at times. He has become something of a folk legend and maybe some added attention would get some more of his highlights on youtube. haha. It would also be nice to give something back to a player who may or may not have gotten the short end of the stick in the NBA. We don’t know for sure, but it seems likely both parties could have done SOMETHING differently to help him better adjust to the NBA. Although after some unfortunate off court incidents he would be a problematic choice.

Other suggestions would be Mychal Thompson or Kermit Washington. Two guys who seem to be of high character, were pretty decent for our team and (I believe) our on the record as having really enjoyed their time in Portland.

‘90s Gotta be Buck Williams. The final piece that knocked the team over the edge in ’90. As far as I know he hasn’t been honored since leaving. Other options would be Jerome Kersey who continues to give back to the team and Arvydas Sabonis who hasn’t been honored despite being an integral and honorable part of those ’90s teams.

’00s should be Brian Grant, for reasons already stated.

so, skipping the obvious (Drexler, etc):

70s: Petrie is a great choice, or Lucas
80s: Paxson, Bates, or Darnell Valentine, who keyed the Blazers for 5 seasons in the early part of the decade
90s: Gotta be Sabas
00s: Lots of turnover this decade, not too many guys who spent a long time here. Brian Grant works for me, and he did play out the 99-2000 season for us

70’s- Bill Walton. He was the main reason we have a championship banner.
80’- Clyde Drexler. Even though both finals appearances occured in the 90’s, Clyde established himself as the superstar of the 85-95 blazers in the 80’s, and was really the best player to don the blazers uniform in this decade
90’s- Terry Porter (I would pick Clyde again, but he gets the 80’s honor, so it would have to be his wingman for the 90’s)
00’s- Brandon Roy. Not only is he a 2-time all star, ROY, and the heart of this young franchise, but he is going to complete his 4th season with the blazers this year (which is part of this decade). He is already the most accomplished blazer since Clyde Drexler, but he also symbolically represents the upswing in the blazers’ fortunes this decade, which had been going downhill since the 2000 wcf debacle. Brian Grant gets sympathy votes, but in terms of straight up accomplishments and importance to this franchise and city, Brandon Roy is without a doubt the most important player for the blazers this decade.

It’s a shame so many folks have forgotten the mess Walton created when he left. He tried to blame all his health problems on the Blazer Doctors. It was Walton that was a vegetarian; getting high on who knows what with the Grateful Dead; it was his body that let him down, not the Doctors. If you put Walton in this group, you can count me out.

Sam Bowie? I was at the game where he broke a leg in pre-game warm-ups. If you put him in there, then you’d better include LaRue Martin for the 70’s. Bowie wasn’t the first bad draft… we took Martin when we could of had Bob McAdoo or Dr. J.

Here’s my list:
70s: Lloyd Neal (1972/73–79) — the heart and soul for so many years. At 6’7" he played an under-sized center even for his era. His career ended in a collision with Mo Lucas in a game at the Knicks. Honorable mention to Larry Steele.
80s: Clyde Drexler (1983/84–95) — his career was over-shadowed by MJ and Magic, but truly a great player. Honorable mention to Rick Adelman who was never recognized as such a good coach until after he left.
90s: Cliff “Uncle Cliffy; Gumby” Robinson (1989/90 – 97) — very versatile; played 18 years in the league. A. Sabonis and B. Grant deserve honorable mentions, but it was Cliff that could play the 3, 4, or 5 offensively and defensively.
00s: If longevity alone was a criteria, then you’d have to go with Joel or Travis. Fortunately, B. Roy (2006/07 -) has taken the team on his shoulders and earned this honor with just 3 years.

70s – Lucas – Still has a strong Portland presence and was the muscle behind the Championship.

80s – Kersey – Another strong Portland presence to this day and is seen helping many causes around the community.

90s – Grant – Words cannot describe all he has done for those in need.

00s – Outlaw – He does not get enough credit for coming out of HS into a situation where he could have been easily influenced by several “leaders” of the jailblazer era teams into bad decisions. Instead, he has been all class, improved his game immensely, and very accepting of his role on the team. Honorable mention to Roy for saving the franchise…:P

Doesn’t Dr. Jack get any love around here anymore?

1970’s Harry Glickman

This is the man who brought basketball to Portland and guided us through our initial years. It is who brought us our only championship. He selected the players. He selected the coaches. He established a rock foundation we could build on.

1980’s Bill Schonely

The voice of the Trail Blazers brought drama and reality into every game. His work was worth listening to win or lose. He was our audio logo, our theme song, our familiar voice through most of our years. He belongs in every decade but after Harry Glickman, Schonz rises in importance as a huge part of the connection of fans to the team. Blazermania was born and raised by Shonz.

1990’s Paul Allen

This man has invested a huge part of his life and fortune into the Trail Blazers. He brought us the Rose Garden while our rival to the north foundered on a new arena. He financed huge losses to give us 21 consecutive years of playoff basketball. Paul’s passion for the game and team has been the major influence that has brought us strong teams and a great place to play basketball for so many years.

2000’s Kevin Pritchard

The early part of the decade was ugly but Kevin has since been our rescuer. He is credited for re-creating a culture we can embrace as a community and a team we can love. KP is a fitting spire of hope for many years to come.

Players are memorable and necessary but the men behind those players have been the real MVP’s of the Trail Blazers. These four men much be included in the commemorations.

Walton=ring, so he’s gotta be the guy. Luke or Neal if not him

When I think 80’s blazers, Pax is the guy I think of, despite Clyde’s many great years in the 80’s

Since I bumped Clyde from the 80’s, he’s gotta go here, which mean no spot for TP…damn this is tough.

00’s-could go with Grant or Sabas for former players, BRoy obviously if not.

its really hard to make a choice for any decade. maybe rather than the usual suspects from the 90’s teams maybe someone like mr. mark bryant a realitively forgotten player. but really this comment is for the one true blazer other than mr. glickman. bill schonely. if anyone in the organization should be honored, no matter who, bill schonely should be included. the shonz will be sharing the play by play on nostalgia night and he is the one person thru thick and thin, good times and bad, on top of the broadcast world or takin a screwing by steve patterson that has been there. there is noone more influential or who has had more of an impact on blazer basketball than bill schonely. bill sharman once said in an interview in the 70’s that bill schonely was the best basketball play by play man he has ever heard. he has been on the ballot for the gowdy award ( HOF election for broadcasters) for many years and just dosent have enough votes. a damn shame.

80s – Drexler. Had a chance to meet him at this year’s all-star game and he is the nicest guy I ever met… and love’s Portland! I fit him in the 80s to open the door for…

90s – Buck Williams. I used to skip school to go to his and Drexler’s autograph shows at the local Payless Drug Stores! Good times.

00s – Paul Allen. Man, he has to have some war stories for these years of going from the rebuilding process. Thank you for sticking it out!