Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers is a National Basketball Association team based in Portland, Oregon.

History

Main articles: Part 1 from 1970 to 1988, Part 2 from 1988 until present.

Related Topics:
Part 1 - 1970 - 1988 - Part 2

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The Trail Blazers entered the NBA in 1970 as an expansion team; and have played in Portland for the entire time. In 1977 they won their only NBA Championship, though the team has been a regular fixture in the NBA Playoffs since then. The team was sold to Paul Allen in 1988; in 1990 and 1992 the Blazers advanced to the NBA Finals but were defeated both times; first by the Detroit Pistons and then by the Chicago Bulls.

Related Topics:
1970 - 1977 - NBA Championship - NBA Playoffs - Paul Allen - 1988 - 1990 - 1992 - Detroit Pistons - Chicago Bulls

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In 1996, general manager Bob Whitsitt began rebuilding the team using players who were talented, but who had questionable attitudes and/or criminal records. This worked initially, as the team reached the Western Conference Finals in 1999 and 2000, but the strategy soon backfired on the Blazers as the local community soured on a team better known for their off-court antics than for their on-court abilities. The team began to be known as the "Jail Blazers". After a series of embarassing off-court incidents and playoff failures, as well as declining ticket sales, Whitsitt resigned after the 2003 season.

Related Topics:
1996 - Bob Whitsitt - Western Conference Finals - 1999 - 2000 - 2003

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The current management has been attempting (with mixed success) to re-connect with the community at large. Most of the players associated with the "Jail Blazers" years are gone (though a few questionable attitudes remain), and a new crop of young players is showing promise. However, the Blazers failed to qualify for the playoffs in 2003 and 2004, posting records of 41-41 and 27-55.

Related Topics:
2003 - 2004

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