Is Damian Lillard the Greatest Trail Blazers Player of All Time? Where Does Lillard Rank in Portland’s GOAT Race?

Who is the greatest player of all time for the Portland Trail Blazers?

For many years, Damian Lillard seems to be the name often mentioned for that position. But with his decision to leave the club and move to the Milwaukee Bucks at the beginning of this season, Dame’s era in Portland has almost come to an end, at least for now. Will his 11 seasons with the team be enough for Lillard to claim the title of the greatest player in the history of the Portland Trail Blazers?

It’s difficult to determine, as the Trail Blazers have only won one championship, but they have had many players who have won MVP awards, been selected to All-NBA teams, or participated in All-Star games.

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Ranking the Greatest Portland Trail Blazers Players

Terry Porter and Clyde Drexler Getty Images

5. Terry Porter Achievements with the Blazers:

2x All-Star Porter played 10 seasons for the Blazers, ranking fourth in team history in games played, leading in assists, ranking second in steals, and fourth in points scored.

Porter’s contributions to the team go beyond statistics. He was a true leader, leading the Trail Blazers to the NBA Finals twice. He was also one of the most clutch players on the team during his years here.

Porter may not be the greatest Blazers player in history, but he is one of the most beloved. He retired in 2008.

4. LaMarcus Aldridge Achievements with the Blazers:

4x All-Star 3x All-NBA Aldridge played nine seasons for the Blazers. He appeared on most of the team’s leaderboards, ranking first in rebounds, third in points, and fourth in blocks.

Aldridge was one of the best scorers in the NBA during his prime. He was one of the best mid-range shooters of his time. Although he never achieved any success with the Blazers, he led the team to the playoffs five times. Aldridge also had some memorable games, most notably scoring 46 points and grabbing 18 rebounds in the first game of the 2014 playoffs.

3. Damian Lillard Achievements with the Blazers:

7x All-Star 7x All-NBA Rookie of the Year Lillard is the best offensive player the Blazers have ever had. He holds the franchise records for points, points per game, three-pointers made, and free throws made. He ranks second in assists and fourth in assists per game.

Lillard’s offensive prowess helped the Blazers open up a memorable era, with the peak being the Western Conference Finals in 2019. The Blazers during that period were a top team in the West, always present and advancing deep into the playoffs.

Lillard may be the most iconic player in the franchise’s history. When you think of the Blazers, people think of Lillard. However, Lillard has never led the Blazers to any championships. He also comes up empty-handed when it comes to individual awards, except for the Rookie of the Year. That makes it difficult to consider Lillard as the greatest player in Blazers history.

2. Bill Walton Achievements with the Blazers:

1977 Finals MVP 1978 NBA MVP 2x All-NBA 2x All-Star 2x All-Defensive First Team The Blazers’ most successful period was from 1977-1978, when they won their first and only NBA championship to date. And that golden period is associated with the name Bill Walton. He was the best player during that period, leading the Blazers to the championship and winning the Finals MVP.

In terms of individual awards, Walton also won the league MVP in 1978, after finishing second in 1977. Unfortunately, injuries cut short Walton’s time in Portland. He only played four seasons with the Blazers. At his peak, Walton was a versatile player on both ends of the floor and an excellent passer. If not for injuries, Walton could have become a legendary figure in the NBA.

1. Clyde Drexler Achievements with the Blazers:

5x All-NBA 8x All-Star Drexler played 12 seasons for the Blazers, making him the longest-tenured player on this list. Drexler holds the franchise records for games played, steals, and triple-doubles. He achieved both individual and team success, notably finishing second in the MVP voting behind Michael Jordan in 1992.

Drexler’s Blazers were ultimately defeated by Michael Jordan’s legendary Chicago Bulls in the 1992 NBA Finals. Prior to that, Drexler led the Blazers to the NBA Finals in 1990 but fell short against the Detroit Pistons.

Drexler was an outstanding scorer, a player with comprehensive skills. Drexler was honored in the NBA Hall of Fame and is considered the GOAT of the Portland Trail Blazers.

Other notable players: Brandon Roy, Buck Williams, Jerome Kersey, Clifford Robinson, Rasheed Wallace, Arvydas Sabonis, John Lucas.