NBA Draft: Every team’s best pick ever

Jun 10, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) speaks to the media during a press conference after game four of the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. The Warriors won 108-97. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

18 of 31

Basketball: NBA Playoffs: Portland Trail Blazers Clyde Drexler (22) in action vs Utah Jazz Blue Edwards (30) at Delta Center. Game 6.Salt Lake City, UT 5/28/1992CREDIT: John W. McDonough (Photo by John W. McDonough /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)(Set Number: X42976 ) /

Portland Trail Blazers: Clyde Drexler, No. 14, 1983 NBA Draft

Drexler is one of the greatest players in NBA history, joining the Portland Trail Blazers in 1983 after rising to fame at the University of Houston as part of the “Phi Slama Jama” squad. Drexler broke out in his second season, using his athleticism to be a difference-maker on defense while showing off his ability to get to the rim and score. Drexler made eight consecutive All-Star teams as a member of the Trail Blazers, in recognition of his scoring prowess and showmanship. He finished second to Michael Jordan in MVP voting in 1991, and was defeated in the Finals by the Bulls that same year.

Drexler’s career was marked, in some ways, by unfortunate timing. The Trail Blazers made the playoffs every single year he was in Portland but was forced to matchup with teams led by Hall-of-Famers like Magic Johnson, Karl Malone, and Michael Jordan. Drexler’s time in Portland came to an end when he was traded to his hometown Houston Rockets, where he was able to win his only NBA championship with his college teammate Hakeem Olajuwon. Remembered as “Clyde the Glide” his smooth drives and dunks will always be a central part of Trail Blazers’ history.

Next: Denver Nuggets

Home/NBA