What Was Clyde Drexler’s Best Trail Blazers Lineup?

The Portland Trail Blazers have fielded some incredible three-man lineups over the years. All week long we’ve been narrowing them down to the best of the best. Only one vote remains before the ultimate showdown. We know Clyde Drexler will champion one of the teams in the finals of our Best Trios Tournament; we just don’t know which. That’s up to you.

Technically Terry Porter and Jerome Kersey were members of both teams represented today, but they were nearing the end of their careers when Cliff Robinson and Rod Strickland rose to prominence as Trail Blazers. Robinson was an incredible big man, Strickland perhaps the best pure passer the franchise has seen. Can they knock off the classic Clyde lineup?

The winner of this ‘best of the Drexler’ matchup will go on to face Bill Walton, Maurice Lucas, and Lionel Hollins in the finals. The championship trio are fresh off of an overwhelming beat down of Rasheed Wallace, Arvydas Sabonis, and Steve Smith yesterday.

Here is how the tournament has shaped up so far:

Here are the cases for the two teams:

Clyde Drexler, Terry Porter, Jerome Kersey. 9 ¹⁄₂ seasons together (1985-1995)

Notables: Buck Williams, Kevin Duckworth

Their case: Three of the members that made it to the NBA finals in 1990 and 1992. 8 All-stars and 5 All-league selections for Drexler make him the most decorated Blazer of all time, but Porter also had 2 All-star nods of his own. Kersey was more than just a role player, averaging north of 19 points 8 rebounds and 3 assists per game in the 1987-88 season. In 1990, all 3 players averaged over 20 points per game in a 21 game playoff run. The trios’ year run is an unforgettable era in Blazer history, making the playoffs every single year during that time. In 1990-91 they set the franchise record with 63 wins.

Rod Strickland, Clyde Drexler, Cliff Robinson 2 ¹⁄₂ seasons together (1992- 1995)

Notables: Terry Porter

Their Case: Clyde was not quite as overwhelming at this point in his career but he still earned an All Star bid in all 3 seasons that these were together, including a 3rd team All-NBA honor in 1994-95. He was, however, traded to Houston of February of that year.

Only a year and a half passed between Strickland taking the helm at from Terry Porter and Drexler getting shipped out to Houston. But these three were more than formidable in that window. Iin the 1994-95 season their numbers looked like this:

• Clyde Drexler 22.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg 5.2apg, 1.9 spg
• Cliff Robinson 21.2ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.6apg, 1.1spg 1.1bpg
• Rod Strickland 19.2ppg, 5rpg, 8.9 apg, 2.0spg

So which Drexler squad deserves the right to face Walton and co in the finals?

Vote now and decide!