22 years ago, on Feb. 14 1995, the Blazers traded number 22 to the Rockets for Otis Thorpe, the rights to Marcelo Nicola and a first round pick. Seems like a good time to remember what Clyde The Glide could do:
I had to stop the video. I'm not in the right setting to watch it now. I'm about to cry, this brings me back to my youth...
The best part of that video is I was at many of those games. Back then, my wife's employer was a major Blazers corporate sponsor. Between her boss' season tickets (12th row) and the regular employee gratis tickets (top 2 rows), we went to about 25 games a year at the Memorial Coliseum back then. He was such an incredible athlete, people forget how skilled he was. Sure, he was right up there with Dominique Wilkins as one of the best in-game dunkers ever, but he also had the finger roll, the reverse lay up spun off the glass, the turn around jumper off the glass, the hook shot coming across the lane and a pull up jumper that was unblockable. He could, and did, dunk on anyone and everyone. Just watch the way he posterized David Robinson starting at 7:09 - especially the slow motion replays. He completely destroyed David Robinson on that play. Not many people could do that to The Admiral in his prime. Thanks for sharing. That was a fun walk down memory lane. BNM
Damn. I have to say I modeled my game after his. You know, his game if he had no jumping ability or athletic skill or shot. At the time I was Okay with the trade, but now looking back they got hosed. I'm kind of miffed that they traded him, and not only that, it was for a 30 game rental of Otis "My Man" Thorpe. I hate that I've had to wait 22+ years for a exciting high flying SG to come into Portland again.
Is it too much to ask that a Clyde Drexler clone that can shoot like Steph Curry comes along just in time for the Blazers to draft him...soon?
It was twenty two years ago today That Adelman had taught the team to play* They've been making the playoffs now and then And they won a title way back when So may I introduce to you The high-wire act remembered still Clyde the Glide from Portland Rip City *I know Adelman was gone by 1995, but he had taught the team by then. It still works.
Clydes' finger rolls were a thing of beauty! That one at :54, that just hangs & hangs, in the OP video is just the sweetest. . .
Nope, nope, I call Photoshop on the second poster. If it were real it would show the knees in shambles
How he made some of the passes he did with his head down all the time was incredible. Tremendously physical player that became a decent shooter after having learned that flat, frog-legged jumper because of a low roof on the hoop he grew up with. Also, one of the nicest professional players I ever met. Was extremely friendly the several times I was lucky enough to meet him. I happened to see a few games of him in college and was fascinated by how he played. It was the first time I can remember that the Blazers drafted the player I wanted them to get and why my number all throughout high school, college ball was 22. Thanks for the memories.
Here's another fun memory for you, that I heard on the radio in the 90s: A small boy saw Drexler in store and really wanted to meet him, so his dad took him over. boy: "Wow, your a trail blazer!" Clyde: "Do you know which one I am?" boy: "Danny Ainge?" Clyde: Belly laughs "I've been called many things but never that!"
No one plays like Clyde anymore. Imagine if he hadn't been over-shadowed by Jordan and played in a big market. Even guys that are blessed with athleticism like Clyde don't use it. He was the best open court player in NBA history, virtually unstoppable on the break. He'd either take it all the way himself or find the open man.
I loved Clyde but in retrospect I'm glad he didn't stick around and go into Blazer broadcasting.....he's a terrible announcer
There's no denying that Clyde had very special talents from a physical standpoint. But where he lost me was his lack of heart. He just didn't have it deep down inside. And that's why guys like Isaiah Thomas and Michael Jordan made him their bitch at nut cutting time. When the pressure was on, he folded like a cheap suit. Terry Porter was the heart and guts of that team (with a lot of help from Buck Williams). Clyde wanted the money and adulation but he didn't want the heat and pressure that went with all that. And whenever it came he usually got chumped by his opponent who wanted it more. A million dollar talent with a 5 cent heart and a smoke and mirrors work ethic......and it was always someone else's fault with Clyde.....he was always pure joy to watch....so long as nothing was on the line. Then he just plain broke hearts.....his decision to go into the HOF in a Rockets uniform says everything a Blazer fan needs to know about Clyde Drexeler...............
Yeah. It's sad. The fans loved him too. But I understand an athlete has the right to identified with the franchise he wants. And I have to admit, I feel closer to Dame and Kersey, than I ever did Clyde. Dr. Jack always felt he didn't give it his all when he coached him. Portland, always spurned but always hopeful.
