IF Bill would have done more for Portland, like stick around to win another one or two titles. He would probably get my vote. But, I feel Clyde is the greatest blazer at the moment.
For a single season? Walton. For a career? Drexler. I wouldn't be surprised to see Roy and Oden eventually eclipse Drexler. I'm not sure, though, that either will have as dominating a single season as Walton had.
I have been a Blazer fan from the first season and IMO Bill Walton is the greatest Blazer of all time and it isn't even close. I would put Roy and Drexler next and really think Roy is better then Drexler but they are close. I'm not talking about their career just how good of a player they were.
Ya, Walton and it's not close. He was the main reason we won our only title. He set a record grabbing 20 defensive rebounds in a finals and the next game duplicated it. That's domination on the biggest stage in basketball. Quick edit:
No doubt it was Drexler... not even close. You have to look at their entire career in Portland... Walton was just shooting star. A great Blazer no doubt (and a weird one), but Drexler brought it year after year.
How many championships did he bring? NBA MVP? Playoffs MVPs? How many times did he lead the league in any category let alone 2? He also had a questionable work ethic. Sure, injuries shorten Walton's career, but he was the best player the Blazers have ever had and it's really not close. If not for him we'd only be runner ups and no better. If you are asking about longevity and not best, maybe Drexler.
Drexler also played in the same era as arguably the greatest basketball player of all-time..Billy wouldn't be bringing home any titles or MVPS with MJ around. We probably have 2-3 rings if we had that team not in MJ's era. Drexler is the greatest, Roy will eventually become the greatest.
It's tough to debate between Clyde and Big Bill, because it's comparing 12 years of amazing play with a 1 1/2 year comet. I'll just say if Bill had different feet and ankles, this thread wouldn't exist because there wouldn't be a debate. However, there's only one reason Clyde isn't as well thought of as he should be--Michael Jordan. Still, that's one hell of a silver medal. Glide could do it all. Check his rebounding and assist stats. Look, I loves me some Brandon, but right now he's not even in the conversation.
I don't see how you can say they wold have won 2-3 if not for MJ. THey didn't even go 3 times. They didn't just lose to MJ. They lost to the pistons and LA which was the season they probably had there best chance, so you can't just say because of MJ. In all his years he did't match what Walton did in one. No MVP season or playoffs in all his years no championship or leading the league in two cats. And it's not like Walton didn't go against some of the best players. The Sixers had a MVP lineup. Walton easily. Quick edit because I didn't see the Billy comment. I believe Walton could have got us a championship on the team with a different player than Drexler on the team, but of course that is easy to say either way which is why I wouldn't go there originally. I think part of the problem is you weren't there to see Walton play and go through a season following that team. You probably grew up with Drexler so you probably are partial to Drexler. I've been a fan since 74 and have seen both, though Walton was who I got my first taste of the Blazers.
Walton was as much a detriment as he was good. He ruined the blazers also. My vote goes to Maurice Lucas. Walton was a little better than average without mo.
I'm asking out of curiosity, not picking shit..... How many voting for Clyde are old enough to have watched Big Red play? (and not as a little kid.)
I wasn't old enough to even see Clyde play. All I know is that my cat as a kid was named Clyde, so I liked him. I generally stay out of these conversations since I really have no say in it. It's like people my age (17) talking about Larry Bird and even MJ as their favorite players. They basically didn't see Bird play and can really only remember MJ on the Wizards.. which doesn't count.
I watched Walton... he had an amazing year and 3/4 but other than that he was a disappointment. If not for a few bounces he wouldn't have a championship either... that takes a certain amount of luck. We could have had a championship in the Drexler era... the team was good enough... just didn't get that lightning strike.
A few bounces? I know that it's true you need some luck, but we won the finals in 6 games and swept LA in the WCF. I think also what is very important is how you perform in the finals, as I said the biggest stage in the NBA. Here are Waltons finals stats. Walton was named 1977 NBA Finals MVP, averaging 18.5 points, 19.0 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game. Sure he had a shorten career here because of injures, but when he was here he dominated like no other Blazers.
I was going to say "How can you say Roy needs to improve his RPG and APG before he can catch Clyde." then I went and looked up his stats. I had no idea how many assists Clyde had!!!! He averaged 8 APG in his 3rd year!!! Basically his entire career he averaged more APG than Roy so far. Damn! Rebounds too! He averaged 10 RPG and 8 APG in 1988-89 !!! I never knew that! Almost a triple double every game!!
Assuming best player who played any time for the Blazers, not based on their play as Blazers: 1) Walton (not even close) 2) Pippen 3) Sabonis Sabonis was a hell of a player even after suffering a severe achilles tendon injury. I saw him play before that, and if he weren't injured and played in the NBA his entire career, we'd be talking about him and Wilt and Kareem as the top 3 of all time.
I would limit it players drafted by Portland or at least played their rookie NBA season with Portland which includes Sabonis. If we included any player that played for Portland then since it is the Greatest Blazer of all time I think you would have to include how they played with Portland. JMO Except for Walton being the best that's a fact. heh But it is nice to hear a outsiders opinion
