History of the Portland Trail Blazers
Dave Deckard's complete history of the Portland Trail Blazers, from their inception in 1970.
WATCH: How did the “Jail Blazers” come to life?
The Blazers were once a contender, but off the court issues got in the way of their greatness.
History of the Blazers: How Do We Define This Era?
As we revisit the history of the Portland Trail Blazers, we discuss the modern era, and how we'll look back upon it.
History of the Blazers, 2010: Limbo Land
Our ongoing history of the Portland Trail Blazers covers the 2010-11 season. Prominent names include LaMarcus Aldridge, Brandon Roy, Gerald Wallace, Greg Oden, Andre Miller, and Wesley Matthews.
History of the Blazers, 2009: The Cookie Crumbles
An ongoing history of the Portland Trail Blazers. This edition covers the 2009-10 season. Prominent names include Greg Oden, Brandon Roy, Andre Miller, and Marcus Camby.
History of the Blazers, 2008: Return to Playoffs
The next installment of our ongoing history of the Portland Trail Blazers franchise. This edition covers the 2008-09 season and Portland's triumphant return to the post-season. Prominent names include Greg Oden, Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, Rudy Fernandez, and Yao Ming.
History of the Blazers, 2007: Dynasty Rising?
An ongoing history of the Portland Trail Blazers...this installment covers the 2007-08 season. Prominent names include Greg Oden, Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, Kevin Pritchard, Travis Outlaw, and Rudy Fernandez.
History of the Blazers, 2006: Resurrection
An ongoing history of the Portland Trail Blazers franchise. This installment covers the 2006-07 day from the craziest draft in league history to a Rookie of the Year celebration to a changing of the guard in the front office. Notable names include Brandon Roy, Lamarcus Aldridge, Kevin Pritchard, Steve Patterson, Zach Randolph, and Paul Allen.
History of the Blazers, 2005: The Darkest Days
An ongoing history of the Portland Trail Blazers franchise. This installment covers the years 2004-2006. Prominent names include Zach Randolph, Darius Miles, Sebastian Telfair, Martell Webster, Theo Ratliff, and Nate McMillan.
History of the Blazers, 2004: The Regime Change
An ongoing history of the Portland Trail Blazers, this edition covering the beginning of the John Nash-Steve Patterson front office regime. Notable names include Rasheed Wallace, Bonzi Wells, Zach Randolph, and owner Paul Allen.
History of the Blazers, 2002: Whitsitt Era Ends
The next installment of our ongoing history of the Portland Trail Blazers, this edition covering the years 2001-2003 and the end of the Bob Whitsitt Era. Notable names include Rasheed Wallace, Bonzi Wells, Zach Randolph, Arvydas Sabonis, and Maurice Cheeks.
History of the Blazers, 2001: Chemistry Failure
The next installment in our continuing history of the Portland Trail Blazers. Today we cover the 2000-01 season, the moment when General Manager Bob Whitsitt's trades turned toxic and the team began the journey to futility. Prominent names include Shawn Kemp, Dale Davis, Rod Strickland, and Damon Stoudamire.
History of the Blazers, 2000: Oh, so close.
An ongoing history of the Portland Trail Blazers. In this installment Portland experiences the peak of the Bob Whitsitt Era, pushing the Los Angeles Lakers to Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals, within 12 minutes of contending for a title, before the house comes crashing down. Key names include Rasheed Wallace, Scottie Pippen, Steve Smith, Damon Stoudamire, and more.
History of the Blazers, 1999: The Blazers Rise
An ongoing history of the Portland Trail Blazers...this installment covers the years 1997-1999 as General Manager Bob Whitsitt was hitting his stride and bringing massive doses of talent to the team. Events include the Western Conference Finals run of 1999 and the Memorial Day Miracle.
History of the Blazers, 1995: Transition
A continuing look at the history of the Portland Trail Blazers, this installment covering 1994-1997, the inaugural seasons of the Bob Whitsitt Era in Portland. Prominent figures include Rod Strickland, Kenny Anderson, Arvydas Sabonis, Jermaine O'Neal, and J.R. Rider.
History of the Blazers, 1993: Farewell, Finals.
The next installment in an ongoing journey through Portland Trail Blazers history. This edition covers the 1992-93 and 1993-94 seasons, the decline of the Drexler teams and the end of the Adelman-Petrie regime.
History of the Blazers, 1992: One More Chance
An ongoing history of the Portland Trail Blazers, this edition covering the pinnacle years of the Clyde Drexler era: '90-'91 and '91-'92. Relive Portland's glorious triumphs punctuate by their mightiest falls.
History of the Blazers, 1990: Hello, Finals!
An ongoing history of the Portland Trail Blazers, this time covering the 1989-90 season in which the Drexler-led Blazers returned to the NBA Finals with miraculous post-season performances against incredible odds.
History of the Blazers, 1987: The Rise of Clyde
The ongoing history of the Portland Trail Blazers. This installment covers the summer of 1986 through the spring of 1989, chronicling the ascension of Clyde Drexler and the maelstrom that whirled around him during those up and down seasons.
History of the Blazers, 1985: The Lost Years
The latest installment of the ongoing history of the Portland Trail Blazers covering the summer of 1984 through the spring of 1986 including the Sam Bowie draft, the Kiki Vandeweghe trade, and the end of Jack Ramsay's tenure with the team.
History of the Blazers, 1980: Goodbye Title Team
A look at the history of the Portland Trail Blazers from the fall of 1979 to the spring of 1984, a time of fading championship memories, painful first-round playoff losses, and a raft of players who achieved cult-figure status.
History of the Blazers, 1978: Walton Goes Down
The continuing history of the Portland Trail Blazers from the perspective of a writer who lived through it. Today we recap a 1977-78 season filled with unimaginable highs and a crashing low, ending Portland's first and only championship era.
Reliving the 1977 Championship
The History of the Portland Trail Blazers: The Championship Year A look back at the only title for the franchise. Part of an ongoing series of historical reflections.
History of the Blazers, 1970: The Beginning
The first installment of a running history of the Portland Trail Blazers including key historical events and personal memories from those who lived it. This installment covers the inception of the franchise in 1970 through the spring of 1976, just prior to the Blazers' title season.