Packman was incredible. Another talent that was lost to Denver. Atleast we got Nurk from them. Clifford Robinson, Billy Ray(when he first arrived), Hoody. All guys who could take over a game. Neal was great , and if i remember right, Herm Gilliam was pretty dang good too.
He was awesome. Can't believe he only played here one season as rookie, 72 games 12.4mpg 4.6ppg PER10.5
Good point. Yes he came off the bench for half of his games so he should be the Blazers bench team MVP.
I thought it would be interesting to lookup who had great bench season. My criteria was who started less than 1/3 of games and played over 1500 minutes in a season 2019 (2018-19) Evan Turner 2018 Shabazz Napier 2017 Allen Crabbe, Al Farouq Aminu, Evan Turner 2016 Allen Crabbe, Ed Davis 2015 Steve Blake 2014 Mo Williams 2013 - 2012 Jamal Crawford 2011 Rudy Fernández 2010 Juwan Howard 2009 Travis Outlaw, Rudy Fernández 2008 Jarrett Jack, Travis Outlaw 2007 Jamaal Magloire, Travis Outlaw 2006 Jarrett Jack 2005 Darius Miles 2004 Ruben Patterson 2003 Ruben Patterson 2002 Derek Anderson, Ruben Patterson 2001 - 2000 Detlef Schrempf, Greg Anthony 1999 Rasheed Wallace, Jim Jackson, Walt Williams (915 min lockout equivalent) 1998 - 1997 Chris Dudley 1996 James Robinson, Arvydas Sabonis, Buck Williams 1995 Harvey Grant, James Robinson 1994 - 1993 Mario Elie, Clifford Robinson 1992 Danny Ainge, Clifford Robinson 1991 Danny Ainge, Clifford Robinson 1990 Clifford Robinson 1989 - 1988 - 1987 Jerome Kersey, Jim Paxson 1986 - 1985 - 1984 Fat Lever 1983 Kenny Carr 1982 - 1981 and prior did not track games started https://www.basketball-reference.co...&c2stat=gs&c2comp=lt&c2val=27&order_by=season Only player who probably should have been mentioned and has not was Ruben Patterson. He had some very effective years on the court. Crawford was also effective in his one season but that year was such a mess.
If you reduced minutes in a season to 1400 we would add these players 2020 Anfernee Simons 2018 Pat Connaughton, Ed Davis 2016 Maurice Harkless, Gerald Henderson 2013 Meyers Leonard (lockout equivalent) 2010 Rudy Fernandez 1999 Stacey Augmon (lockout equivalent) 1998 Stacey Augmon 1994 Mark Bryant 1989 Steve Johnson 1986 Caldwell Jones 1985 Steve Colter 1984 Clyde Drexler https://www.basketball-reference.co...3stat=mp&c3comp=gt&c3val=1400&order_by=season If we reduced minutes to 1300 we would also have; 2019 Zach Collins, Seth Curry 2016 Meyers Leonard 2015 Chris Kaman 2011 Brandon Roy 2010 Jerryd Bayless 2008 Channing Frye 2007 LaMarcus Aldridge 2006 Theo Ratliff 2005 Sebastian Telfair 2003 Jeff McInnis, Zach Randolph, Damon Stoudamire 2000 Brian Grant 1993 Mark Gryant 1990 Danny Young 1982 Bob Gross, Darnell Valentine https://www.basketball-reference.co...3stat=mp&c3comp=gt&c3val=1300&order_by=season
This is a GREAT call that a lot of people are missing. I'm young enough I don't remember him much but this is IMO the correct answer.
There are certain bench guys who can completely change the complexion of a game. I'd definitely put Ruben Patterson in that category. Everything, both good and bad, just happened faster when he was out there. Ditto for Rudy Fernandez, come to think of it. Funny I forgot about Crabbe already. May be the best pure shooter coming off the bench we ever had. But he was pretty much useless at anything else. Can't believe we gave him an $18m/year contract, or that New Jersey helped us quickly erase that mistake.
Awesome thread. I need to read through it, but I had to post my first thought... Man we are really getting bored now if we are creating a list of our bench all stars. HAHAHA
feel ya man. next week lets go with the blazers worst starting five ever. Any combination that makes a starting five. Whats the worst ever?
Worst starting 5 in game that matters, so before tanking point of season would be interesting. Or worst player to have 5th most starts on team in a season.
I think the caveats should be worst starter who was tabbed as a starter on opening day roster. So this is a player that (even if their was an injury to someone who would start otherwise) the organization was planning to have start at the start of the season.
Lloyd Neal Neal (left) in 1977 Personal information Born December 10, 1950 (age 69) Talbotton, Georgia Nationality American Listed height 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) Listed weight 225 lb (102 kg) Career information High school Talbotton (Talbotton, Georgia) College Tennessee State (1968–1972) NBA draft 1972 / Round: 3 / Pick: 31st overall Selected by the Portland Trail Blazers Playing career 1972–1979 Position Center / Power forward Number 36 Career history 1972–1979 Portland Trail Blazers Career highlights and awards NBA champion (1977) NBA All-Rookie First Team (1973) No. 36 retired by Portland Trail Blazers Career statistics Points 4,846 (11.1 ppg) Rebounds 3,370 (7.7 rpg) Assists 632 (1.5 apg) Stats at Basketball-Reference.com