Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers represent the Pacific Northwest in the NBA's Western Conference, enjoying devoted support from the 'Rip City' faithful at the Moda Center in Portland's Rose Quarter. The franchise's connection to its community is uniquely strong, with the Trail Blazers being one of the few teams never to have a home game blacked out due to unsold tickets in the modern era. Portland's basketball identity emphasizes toughness, loyalty, and an underdog mentality that matches the city's independent spirit. The Trail Blazers are in a rebuilding phase after the Damian Lillard era ended with his 2023 trade to Milwaukee. Young talents like Scoot Henderson represent the future as Portland begins its next chapter of Blazer basketball.

Founded in 1970, the Trail Blazers won their only championship in 1977 behind Bill Walton's legendary playoff run—one of the greatest individual postseason performances in NBA history before injuries derailed his career. The 'Jail Blazers' era of the late 1990s and early 2000s brought both tremendous talent and off-court controversy, with Rasheed Wallace, Scottie Pippen, and others coming close to a title. Clyde Drexler led exciting teams in the early 1990s that reached the Finals twice, losing to Detroit and Chicago in memorable series. Damian Lillard became the modern face of the franchise, delivering unforgettable playoff moments including his series-ending daggers against Houston and Oklahoma City. Lillard's loyalty to Portland for a decade made his eventual departure bittersweet, but his legacy as the greatest Trail Blazer of his era is secure.