Fansided

Every NBA team’s best iteration ever

By Micah Wimmer

PORTLAND, OR - 1987: Head Coach Pat Riley leads Magic Johnson #32, Byron Scott #4, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar #33 during a game played circa 1987 at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Oregon. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1987 NBAE (Photo by Brian Drake/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - 1987: Head Coach Pat Riley leads Magic Johnson #32, Byron Scott #4, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar #33 during a game played circa 1987 at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Oregon. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1987 NBAE (Photo by Brian Drake/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – CIRCA 1978: Bill Walton #32 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on against the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1978 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Walton played for the Trail Blazers from 1974-78. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – CIRCA 1978: Bill Walton #32 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on against the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1978 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Walton played for the Trail Blazers from 1974-78. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Portland Trail Blazers: 1977-78

In 1977, the Portland Trail Blazers won their first NBA championship and it seemed like it would be the first of many. Bill Walton, their best player, was just 24, and only one player in their rotation was over 27 years old. They were a young, talented, and well-coached team and looked sure to contend for many years. Through the first 60 games of the following season, the Blazers looked better than ever, going 50-10 — on pace for a 68-14 final record. Walton was also at his best, leading the team in points, rebounds, assists, and blocks. Unfortunately, after the 60th game of the season, Walton was shut down for the regular season, and the team went just 8-14 over their final 22 games. Yet Walton was so good throughout those first sixty games that he was still named the league MVP. He attempted to play again once the playoffs started, but broke a bone in his foot in Game 2, which would be the final game he ever played for Portland.

While this Blazers team ultimately lost in the second round of the playoffs, following a first round bye, I’m inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt and call them the best version of the Portland Trail Blazers ever. While lacking the star power of their Finals teams from the early 90s, or the playoff success from the 1977 version, this team featured Bill Walton at his peak and a slew of role players who fit very well alongside him. The Blazers did have two other All-Stars in Maurice Lucas who was the prototypical enforcer, a strong physical presence who defended the paint brilliantly alongside Walton, and Lionel Hollins, a great perimeter defender who would be named to the All-Defensive First Team. This team was also ridiculously balanced, with seven different players averaging at least 10 points per games, while finishing fourth in offense and second on defense for the season. In spite of the fact they lost so early in the playoffs, the injuries and bad luck that befell Walton and the 1978 Trail Blazers does not invalidate their achievements or talent.

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