Tag Archives: Portland Trail Blazers

ProHoopsHistory HOF: Clyde Drexler

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Clyde Drexler (Manny Millan/SI)

Clyde Drexler (Manny Millan/SI)

To pull out an old writing trick… Webster’s Dictionary defines “glide” as the following:

: to move smoothly, continuously, and effortlessly

: to go or pass imperceptibly

It’s a term that connotes ease, that signifies freedom from agitation. Clyde Drexler as a basketball player encapsulated these attitudes and mores. Despite being one of the more exciting players in the NBA during the 1980s and 1990s, it was quite often an understated excitement, if possible.

His dunks came about in such a gliding ease. He rose majestically and flowed seamlessly through the atmospheric fluid flushing home the jam. Seemingly lacking even less effort was the way Drexler could extend  and wind his way into gorgeous finger rolls and scooping layups that no man should ever have any business of taking, let alone making.

Well, after viewing Drexler’s highlight package, it’s kind of clear that not all of his dunks were done devoid of invigorating passion. The man could throw down a hammer on opponents.

There was so much more to Drexler’s game than the dunks and flashy layups though. He was an extraordinary passer from the big guard spot, was great on cleaning up the defensive glass and was magnificent at anticipating woeful passes to steal. Combining all of those traits with his flair for dunking and Drexler became perhaps the most feared player on the fastbreak during his era.

He possessed great handles for a man 6’7″ tall, even if he dribbled with his head down. The tunnel vision drive, though, just made the ultimate outcome of his forays even less in doubt. He was going to glide in stride and leave you embarrassed at the end of the occasion.

His assortment of abilities led him to play in the NBA Finals three different times (twice in Portland, once in Houston) and delivered a membership on the Dream Team in 1992. However, when it comes to naming great shooting guards in the NBA’s history, Drexler’s name can often glide by without notice.

Well, let this serve as a reminder to always remember the magnificent ride of Clyde the Glide.

Seasons Played: 1984 – 1998

Accolades

NBA -
Champion (1995)
All-NBA 1st Team (1992)
2x All-NBA 2nd Team (1988, 1991)
2x All-NBA 3rd Team (1990, 1995)
10x All-Star (1986, 1988-’94, 1996-’97)

Statistics

NBA – 1086 Games
20.4 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 5.6 APG, 2.0 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 47.2% FG, 78.8% FT
7th All-Time in Steals, 10th All-Time in SPG
27th All-Time in Assists, 28th All-Time in Points
26th All-Time in FGs Made, 37th All-Time in FTs Made

ProHoopsHistory HOF: Maurice Lucas

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Maurice Lucas (ESPN)

Maurice Lucas (ESPN)

Lucas, the fearsome ABA enforcer, is another vegetarian, in addition to being one of the most complete power forwards in the league; at times [Bill] Walton appears stunned when, high over the backboard, he glances across the rim to witness Lucas ripping another rebound asunder and scattering the bodies below him. “Bill’s a gorilla until the fight starts. Then he goes in hiding while I straighten things out,” Lucas says.

That Sports Illustrated article accurately surmised Maurice Lucas in 1977. After decking 7’2″ Artis Gilmore in an ABA game his rookie season, the 6’9″ Lucas became the most feared enforcer in the basketball. The reputation never dissipated as Lucas continued to angrily confront other players for their transgressions against Lucas or his teammates. In fact, Lucas’ spirited confrontation with Darryl Dawkins is credited with helping swing the 1977 NBA Finals from Philadelphia 76ers to the Portland Trail Blazers.

35-year old Maurice Lucas scuffles with a young Hakeem Olajuwon in 1987 (Seattle Times)

35-year old Maurice Lucas scuffles with a young Hakeem Olajuwon in 1987 (Seattle Times)

As that SI article noted, however, Lucas was one of the most complete power forwards in basketball, not just some goon to physically intimidate opponents. As a scorer, Lucas was never likely to overwhelm but you certainly had to respect what he was capable of lest he did overwhelm you. As a rebounder he was second-to-none. The same goes for his defense. Never mind the blocks or steals totals, the man would get up in the opponent’s face, muscle him up, and force bad shots.

His dogged, determined play on both ends of the court endeared Maurice to teammates, even if that blustery attitude sometimes caused headaches for management. But Luke was never one to kowtow to authority. He was a rabble-rouser and committed to his class compatriots, his other four mates on the hardwood.

He was the man you despised playing against, and genuinely loved having on your side.

Seasons Played: 1975 – 1988

Portland Trail Blazers

Portland Trail Blazers

Accolades

ABA - 
All-Star (1976)

NBA -
Champion (1977)
All-NBA 2nd Team (1978)
All-Defensive 1st Team (1978)
All-Defensive 2nd Team (1979)
4x All-Star (1977-’79, 1983)

Statistics

ABA - 166 Games
15.2 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 46.3% FG, 77.5% FT

NBA - 711 Games
14.4 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 2.3 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 47.3% FG, 76.3% FT

ProHoopsHistory HOF: Scottie Pippen

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Scottie Pippen (NBA)

Scottie Pippen (NBA)

Sometimes glowingly, sometimes derisively, Scottie Pippen has often been called the Robin to Michael Jordan’s Batman. He was the dutiful sidekick that allowed the main star to shine and reach his true potential. The truth is that Scottie Pippen was a star in his own right and one of the finest all-around players to find his way to the NBA.

If creating a prototypical small forward in a laboratory, Pippen’s frame, physique, and skills are likely the result. His frame was 6’8″, which is big enough and small enough to defend most forwards and guards. His physique was wiry yet strong. His hands large and quick. He could muscle smaller opponents while being fast enough to beguile larger ones.

The skills were tremendous. He could make the right pass at the right moment. His jump shot grew to respectable accuracy. His drives to basket or dunks on the break became fearsome. His long arms allowed him to block many shots and poke away even more steals.

His career averages speak to this excellent versatility: 16 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and a block.

Alongside Michael Jordan he likely formed the most devastating perimeter defensive duo in basketball history. The pair delivered six titles to Chicago and strung together the largest single season win total in NBA history. Without Jordan, Pippen took the Chicago Bulls to a 55-win season in 1994 where they fell in a controversial 7-game series with the New York Knicks. In 2000, he was the veteran linchpin to catapult Portland to within minutes of an NBA Finals.

Success without Michael Jordan ultimately proved elusive. Just keep in mind Michael Jordan had the same elusive problem without Scottie.

Seasons Played: 1988 – 2004

Accolades

NBA -
6x Champion (1991-’93, 1996-’98)
3x All-NBA 1st Team (1994-’96), 2x All-NBA 2nd Team (1992, ’97), 2x All-NBA 3rd Team (1993, ’98)
8x All-Defensive 1st Team (1992-’99), 2x All-Defensive 2nd Team (1991, 2000)
7x All-Star (1990, 1992-’97), All-Star Game MVP (1994)

Statistics

NBA – 1178 Games
16.1 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 5.2 APG, 2.0 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 47.3% FG, 70.4% FT
6th All-Time in Steals, 12th All-Time in SPG, 21st All-Time in Minutes Played
SPG Leader (1995)

The Lowdown: Buck Williams

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Years Active: 1982 – 1998
Regular Season Stats: 1307 games, 32.5 mpg
12.8 ppg, 10 rpg, 1.3 apg, 0.8 bpg, 0.8 spg, 54.9% FG, 66.4% FT
Postseason Stats: 108 games, 34.4 mpg
11.2 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 1.0 apg, 0.6 bpg, 0.8 spg, 52% FG, 67.2% FT
Accolades: Rookie of the Year (1982), All-Rookie 1st Team (1982), All-NBA 2nd Team (1982), 2x All-Defensive 1st Team (1990-91), 2x All-Defensive 2nd Team (1988, ’92), 3x All-Star (1982-83, ’86)

“Desire is the key to rebounding; you have to want that ball,” says Williams. “Good anticipation – knowing where the ball will go- also is important.” Williams relishes the hard-nosed aspect of the pro game. “The physical play in the pros gives you a chance to play without the nitpicking fouls you see in college.,” he says. “It lets you see who’s a man out there.”

- via “Buck Williams: Nets’ rising star”, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

At 6-feet-8-inches tall and 215 pounds, Charles Linwood Williams was certainly not the most imposing figure on a basketball court at first glance. However, don’t let the slender frame fool you. When “Buck” stepped on the court, suddenly his agility would present itself. His determination and rough style would throw you off. And he may have been just 215 lbs at the power forward spot, but fight with him for position in the post or for a rebound and you’d quickly determine that all of that weight was composed of muscle.

For 17 years Williams played in the NBA and for 14 of them (1982 to 1995) he was as solid and dependable a PF you could ask for. He appeared in all but 26 games in this span. For the 1st half of this reign of dependable front court terror, he was the star anchor of the New Jersey Nets. The sometimes woeful, the sometimes surprisingly good New Jersey Nets. For the last half of it, he was the final piece of the Trail Blazer puzzle that propelled Portland from team-of-the-future to legitimate championship contender.
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The Lowdown: Kermit Washington

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Years Active: 1974 – 1982; 1988
Career Stats: 507 games, 25.3 mpg
9.2 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 1.1 bpg, 0.8 spg, 52.6% FG, 65.6% FT
Postseason Stats: 9 games, 29.2 mpg
8.0 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 0.7 bpg, 1.1 spg, 50% FG, 70.6% FT
Accolades: All-Star (1980), 2x All-Defensive 2nd Team (1980-81)

via Los Angeles Times

“Is that Kermit Washington? Oh my God, it’s Kermit Washington!”

Via Nathan Dolezal, wide-eyed basketball fan, former co-host of Ain’t it Funky Now!

So, there I was exiting American University’s radio station after another funky good time on Ain’t it Funky Now! with my good friend and c0-host Nathan Dolezal. As we’re strolling down the hallway, a gargantuan man with a friend of his own is walking a little aimlessly, clearly a bit lost. Instantly, we recognize this as legendary American University Eagle, Kermit Washington. He spots us and very politely asks where the student television station is. We point him in the right direction and he leave us with a simple, soft-spoken “thanks fellas.”

Now, if you know anything about Kermit Washington it’s most likely the punch he threw in December 1977. So let’s go ahead and get that out of the way. It was a terrible act that nearly killed Rudy Tomjanovich and turned Kermit into a villainous figure. Context, however, is golden. Admittedly, contextualizing a brutal act of violence is difficult, but then again the 70s NBA was a brutal place. If you think Charles Oakley was tough, and he was, then you would soil your Depends with the likes of Maurice Lucas and Bob Lanier prowling the court.

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