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The NBA released the second part of its 75th Anniversary Team today and multiple members of the Portland Trail Blazers were recognized for their efforts. After some speculation regarding his longevity, Bill Walton was named to the team, as well as Clyde Drexler and Scottie Pippen.
25 more players on the NBA’s official Top 75 list were announced today and are listed here in alphabetical order.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) October 20, 2021
The remaining 25 will be announced Thursday at 6 PM by the @NBAonTNT.
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Walton played ten seasons in the NBA, the best of which coming with the Trail Blazers, when he averaged 17.1 points, 13.5 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 2.6 blocks per game, while also becoming the Blazers’ only Finals Most Valuable Player and regular season Most Valuable Player in 1976-77 and 1977-78, respectively.
The other two Blazers mentioned, Clyde Drexler and Scottie Pippen, were more closer to unanimous among public dialogue and other lists. Drexler spent 12 of his 16 seasons in Portland, averaging 20.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game, while becoming an eight-time All-Star. Though, his NBA championship with the Houston Rockets provided an added edge.
Pippen, similarly, won his six championships elsewhere with the Chicago Bulls, but finished his career as a seven-time All-Star with averages of 11.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game over four seasons in Portland. He helped lead the Blazers within a game of the NBA Finals in 1999-00.
The Blazers have a few players of their past and present, such as Carmelo Anthony, Lenny Wilkens and Damian Lillard, that have been mentioned on other unofficial Top 75 lists. They could be nominees when the NBA releases its final 25 members on Day Three, on TNT on Thursday, Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. ET.
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