Since joining the NBA in 1970, the Portland Trail Blazers have established a reputation as one of the league's most legendary teams. They have won six division titles, been in the playoffs 37 times, and won the NBA title in 1977. They have selected some of the greatest NBA players over the years, who have had an impact on the club and the league. Following are some of the best players the Blazers drafted in their history:
Damian Lillard
One of the top point guards in the league and the face of the company is Damian Lillard. He was a two-time Big Sky Player of the Year at Weber State when he was selected sixth overall in the 2012 draft. He was named to six All-NBA Teams and seven All-Star teams while playing with Portland, where he won the Rookie of the Year title in 2013. Additionally, he has made some of the most enduring baskets in the history of the team, including two buzzer-beating buzzer-beaters that won series against the Houston Rockets in 2014 and the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2019. In his ten seasons with Portland, he has averaged 24.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game.
Clyde Drexler
Portland had two trips to the NBA Finals under the leadership of the talented guard/forward Clyde Drexler in 1990 and 1992. He was selected in the top 14th round of the 1983 draft out of Houston, where he played for the renowned Phi Slama Jama squad. He was a member of the original Dream Team that won gold in the 1992 Olympics. He was selected to 10 All-Star teams and five All-NBA First Teams. He ranks second in points, assists, and games played and is the franchise's all-time steals leader. In 12 seasons with Portland, he averaged 20.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game.
Bill Walton
Portland won their sole NBA title in 1977 thanks to Bill Walton, a powerful center. Out of UCLA, where he had won three Naismith College Player of the Year honors and two national titles, he was selected first overall in the 1974 draft. He averaged 18.5 points, 19 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game against the Philadelphia 76ers in 1977, earning him the MVP title for the Finals. He also received the MVP award for the regular season in 1978, a year in which he led Portland to a league-best record of 50-10 while averaging a career-high 18.9 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 5 assists per game before suffering a season-ending foot injury. With Portland, he was selected to two All-Star teams and two All-NBA First Teams.
Brandon Roy
Before his career was ended by injury, shooting guard Brandon Roy rose to fame for Portland and became a franchise legend. He was selected sixth overall in the 2006 NFL Draft out of Washington, where as a senior he had been named Pac-10 Player of the Year. He was named to three All-Star teams, two All-NBA Second Teams, and the Rookie of the Year squad in 2007 while playing for Portland. A spectacular comeback against the Dallas Mavericks in Game 4 of the first round of the 2011 playoffs occurred when he scored 18 points in the fourth quarter to cut a 23-point lead. He was also a clutch performer who made multiple game-winning jumpers for Portland.
LaMarcus Aldridge
Power forward LaMarcus Aldridge rose to prominence as one of the best players of his generation and among the all-time greats to don the Trail Blazers uniform. Technically, he was selected by the Chicago Bulls with the second overall pick out of Texas before being traded to Portland on draft night in exchange for Tyrus Thomas and Viktor Khryapa. With Portland, Aldridge was named to three All-NBA Teams and four All-Star teams. Additionally, he guided them to two second-round trips and five playoff appearances. With 12,562 points, he is third on Portland's all-time scoring chart. With 5,434 rebounds, he ranks fourth.
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