Fansided

NBA Draft 2016: Every team’s most underrated pick ever

By Brad Rowland

Feb 27, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9) during the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9) during the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
26 of 31
Next
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 11: Head coach Terry Porter of the Phoenix Suns points during the game with the Los Angeles Clippers on January 11, 2009 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Suns won 109-103. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 11: Head coach Terry Porter of the Phoenix Suns points during the game with the Los Angeles Clippers on January 11, 2009 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Suns won 109-103. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /

Portland Trail Blazers: Terry Porter, No. 24 pick, 1985 NBA Draft

When it comes to the NBA Draft, the Blazers are better known for their misses than their successes. Portland is the franchise that drafted both Sam Bowie and Greg Oden ahead of the likes of Michael Jordan and Kevin Durant, and even amid overall success for the franchise, those misfires hurt in a big way.

Still, there are plenty of positive choices to choose from, and Terry Porter is certainly one of them.

Porter played the first ten seasons of his NBA career in Portland, and he was even underrated during his playing career. The 6-foot-3 guard was never a legitimate “star”, but he was a nice complement to Clyde Drexler in the backcourt, and Porter’s numbers were better than you may think.

Over seven seasons from 1986 through 1993, Porter averaged 16.7 points and 8.1 assists per game, and his “peak” was impressive with four consecutive seasons averaging more than 9 assists per contest. Porter was also a lights-out shooter at time when no one shot from beyond the three-point arc, posting a career 38.6 percent clip from three, and his defense was also quite strong.

Porter probably would garner more love in today’s free-flowing landscape but he was very, very good in Portland.

Next: Sacramento Kings

Home/NBA