Placing the 25 greatest Portland Trail Blazers players into tiers based on their stats and accomplishments with the franchise.

We are back with another edition of our GOAT pyramid series featuring the greatest players from every NBA franchise placed into tiers based on their contributions to that team. Today, we have another riveting edition featuring the Portland Trail Blazers and the icons who made their team what it is today.

The Portland Trail Blazers are a team who have won 52.8% of their games since their debut in the 1970-71 season. Portland has 37 playoff appearances in those 37 years, including three trips to the NBA Finals and one NBA championship in 1977. If you are unfamiliar with the way we select each team’s GOAT pyramid, examples of all the completed franchises can be found below:

– The Los Angeles Lakers All-Time GOAT Pyramid

– The Chicago Bulls All-Time GOAT Pyramid

– The Golden State Warriors All-Time GOAT Pyramid

– The Boston Celtics All-Time GOAT Pyramid

– The Detroit Pistons All-Time GOAT Pyramid

– The Miami Heat All-Time GOAT Pyramid

– The Houston Rockets All-Time GOAT Pyramid

– The Brooklyn Nets All-Time GOAT Pyramid

– The New York Knicks All-Time GOAT Pyramid

– The Milwaukee Bucks All-Time GOAT Pyramid

– The Denver Nuggets All-Time GOAT Pyramid

– The Orlando Magic All-Time GOAT Pyramid

– The Indiana Pacers All-Time GOAT Pyramid

– The Oklahoma City Thunder All-Time GOAT Pyramid

– The Minnesota Timberwolves All-Time GOAT Pyramid

– The Washington Wizards All-Time GOAT Pyramid

– The Utah Jazz All-Time Goat Pyramid

With a better understanding of the rules and the selection process, let’s take a look at this stacked Portland Trail Blazers’ all-time GOAT pyramid.

Tier 1

Damian Lillard, Clyde Drexler, Bill Walton

Any NBA fan who knows anything about the Portland Trail Blazers knows that their GOAt discussion is a loaded one with three very deserving choices. The first of those choices is recently departed point guard Damian Lillard who gave 11 seasons to the team from 2013 through 2023. During that time, Lillard became the franchise’s all-time leading scorer as well as their leading three-point shooter. In 11 seasons, Lillard averaged 25.2 points and 6.7 assists per game while earning Rookie of the Year in 2013, seven All-Star selections, and seven All-NBA Team selections along the way.

Clyde Drexler is another Trail Blazers legend who has his name in the race for their franchise GOAT. Drexler was a member of the Trail Blazers from 1984-1995 and averaged 20.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 2.1 steals per game during that stretch. Drexler was the leader of two Portland teams that advanced to the 1990 and 1992 NBA Finals where they fell short against the Bad Boy Pistons and Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls. In total, Drexler earned eight All-Star appearances and five All-NBA Team selections and remains the franchise leader in games played, shots made, steals, and triple-doubles.

Last but not least in Tier 1 of franchise GOATs in Portland is Bill Walton. It took almost no time for Walton to become a legend in Portland after they made him their No. 1 overall pick in 1974. In 1977, Walton would lead Portland to their only NBA championship in team history over the Milwaukee Bucks and earned Finals MVP honors as well. In 1978, he became the first and only MVP in team history as well, averaging 18.6 points, 14.4 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 3.2 blocks per game. Although injuries cut his time short in Portland to just four seasons, Walton’s claim as the GOAT of the franchise is as strong as both of the players he resides in Tier 1 with.

Tier 2

Terry Porter, Geoff Petrie, LaMarcus Aldridge, Maurice Lucas

After becoming their first-round draft pick in 1985, Terry Porter went on to become a Portland Trail Blazer legend over the next 10 seasons. During that time, Porter was as underrated as they come, averaging 14.9 points, 7.0 assists, and 1.6 steals per game on 47.0% shooting overall and 38.5% shooting from three. Porter earned two All-Star selections in his 10 years with the team and remains their franchise leader in assists. Porter was also instrumental in Portland’s two NBA Finals runs in 1990 and 1992.

Geoff Petrie was a premier star for the Portland Trail Blazers from 1971 through 1976 before suffering a career-ending knee injury that forced him into retirement. In his first six seasons, Petrie averaged 21.8 points, 4.6 assists, and 1.1 steals per game on 45.5% shooting from the field. He earned All-Star and Rookie of the Year honors in 1971 as well as a second All-Star selection in 1974.

LaMarcus Aldridge has an argument to be proclaimed the best forward in Portland Trail Blazers history. Aldridge was with Portland from 2007-2015 and averaged 19.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game. Armed with a devastating array of moves in the post, Alrdige went on to become a four-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA Team selection in nine years with the team and finished top 10 in MVP voting in both 2014 and 2015.

The final member of Tier 2 is another forward who could be considered the greatest in Portland history, Maurice Lucas. With the Trail Blazers for three and a half short seasons, Lucas was instrumental in Portland’s 1977 run to the NBA title. During those playoffs, Lucas averaged 21.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game. Lucas would be named an All-Star three times, All-Defensive Team twice, and All-NBA Second Team once during his short time with the franchise.

Tier 3

Brandon Roy, Rasheed Wallace, Sidney Wicks, CJ McCollum, Arvydas Sabonis, Clifford Robinson

Kicking off Tier 3 is one of the biggest what-ifs in NBA history. Brandon Roy was on an all-time trajectory during his career in Portland before a degenerative knee condition derailed his playing career. In five seasons with the team, Roy averaged 19.0 points and 4.7 assists per game while earning Rookie of the Year in 2007, three All-Star selections, and two All-NBA Team selections. There is no doubt that he would rank much higher if his career had been able to continue without injury.

Rasheed Wallace was the NBA’s resident bad boy during the early part of his career with Portland. Other than terrorizing referees, he also terrorized opponents, averaging 16.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game from 1996 through 2004 with the team. Wallace would earn back-to-back All-Star selections with Portland in 2000 and 2001 and also helped them advance to two Western Conference Finals appearances.

Sidney Wicks is another former Portland great whose time with the team was short but overwhelmingly productive. From 1972 through 1976, Wicks averaged 22.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game with the team on 46.0% shooting. He was named an All-Star four straight seasons from 1972 through 1975, averaging over 20 points and 9.0 rebounds all four years.

For most of Damian Lillard’s tenure in Portland, he shared the backcourt with CJ McCollum. In his own right, McCollum became a legend with the Trail Blazers, averaging 19.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game in nine seasons from 2014 through 2022. McCollum was even named Most Improved Player in 2016 when he finally became a full-time starter and averaged 20.8 points per game on 44.8% shooting.

Most would agree that Arvydas Sabonis made his NBA debut much too late in his playing career after coming over from overseas. All seven seasons of his career from 1996 through 2003 came with Portland as he showcased his complete skill set as a scorer, rebounder, and passer. In his NBA career, Sabonis would average 12.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 50.0% from the floor.

Clifford Robinson was a star in Portland from 1990 through 1997. With the Trail Blazers, Robison was an All-Star, Sixth Man of the Year in 1993 and a two-time All-Defensive Team selection. He averaged 16.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game in a Trail Blazers uniform, and even as a young man was crucial to their runs to the NBA Finals in 1990 and 1992.

The final member of Tier 4 in Portland Trail Blazers history is Jerome Kersey. Of the 16 seasons he played in the NBA, Kersey began with 11 in Portland, averaging 12.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game. While he was never honored with individual accolades, his two-way play in 1990 and 1992 was a reason for Portland’s success and trips to the NBA Finals.

Buck Williams, Rod Strickland, Mychal Thompson, Damon Stoudamire, Zach Randolph, Jerome Kersey

If hustle and defense were held in higher regard, Buck Williams would be in the Hall of Fame. Williams played seven seasons with Portland from 1990 through 1996, where he averaged 10.2 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. While he was not the All-Star he had been in New Jersey, Williams brought a physical edge to Portland that was needed at the time in their starting lineup. Thanks to Williams’ stout defensive play, Portland was able to advance to two NBA finals during his tenure there.

Rod Strickland is well-known as one of the greatest ball-handlers in NBA history. As one of the original Point Gods, Strickland played four full seasons with Portland from 1993 through 1996. During that time, he averaged 17.0 points, 8.6 assists, and 1.7 steals per game on 47.3% shooting.

Mychal Thompson is much more celebrated for his time with the Lakers winning championships, but his career began in Portland in 1979. In seven seasons with the Trail Blazers, Thompson averaged 16.7 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game even after suffering a terrible leg injury in 1980. He helped lead Portland to six playoff appearances in seven years and is still regarded as one of their greatest big men ever.

Damon Stoudamire, aka “Mighty Mouse” was a staple in Portland as the Trail Blazers’ starting point guard from 1998 through 2005. During this time, he averaged 12.8 points, 5.7 assists, and 1.1 steals per game on 40.5% shooting from the floor. His leadership led to six playoff appearances for the Trail Blazers and a spot for Mighty Mouse on their all-time GOAT pyramid.

Before Zach Randolph became a legend with the Memphis Grizzlies, his journey began with the Trail Blazers from 2002 through 2007. In these six seasons, Randolph averaged 16.0 points and 7.7 rebounds per game on 46.6% shooting. In 2004, he became the NBA’s Most Improved Player with Portland, averaging 20.2 points and 10.5 rebounds on the season. Randolph may have never been recognized as an ALl-Star or All-NBA Team player in Portland but his contributions to the franchise have never been forgotten

The final member of Tier 4 in Portland Trail Blazers history is Jerome Kersey. Of the 16 seasons he played in the NBA, Kersey began with 11 in Portland, averaging 12.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game. While he was never honored with individual accolades, his two-way play in 1990 and 1992 was a reason for Portland’s success and trips to the NBA Finals.

Tier 5

Kevin Duckworth, Brian Grant, Scottie Pippen, Lionel Hollins, Kiki Vadeweghe, Dave Twardzik

The final tier of this Portland Trail Blazers GOAT pyramid features six more Trail Blazers legends in their own right. Kevin Duckworth was with Portland for seven seasons from 1987 through 1983, earning two All-Star selections and the 1988 Most Improved Player award. In his time with the team, Duckworth averaged 13.6 points and 6.3 rebounds per game on 47.5% shooting.

Briant Grant was a member of the Trail Blazers before being involved in a groundbreaking trade with the Miami Heat in 2000. Grant spent just three years in Portland, averaging 10.2 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. As their starting forward during this time, Portland went to the playoffs all three seasons Grant was with the team as he averaged 9.4 points and 7.7 rebounds per game in the playoffs as well.

Scottie Pippen will forever be a Chicago Bull. After the 1998 season, Pippen continued his playing career in Houston before landing in Portland from 2000 through 2003. During this time, Pippen averaged 11.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game. Although he was no longer the same Pippen that was winning championships in Chicago, his leadership elevated Portland to back-to-back Western Conference Finals appearances.

Lionel Hollins was another member of the Trail Blazers’ 1977 championship squad who gets little to no credit for his efforts. Hollins played with Portland from 1976 through 1980, averaging 13.9 points, 4.4 assists, and 1.9 steals per game. He was selected as an All-Star once in 1978 as well when he averaged 15.9 points, 4.7 assists, and 1.9 steals per game.

Kiki Vandeweghe is an underrated scorer in NBA history and four-plus seasons in Portland are proof of that. From 1985 through 1989 with the Trail Blazers, Vandeweghe averaged 23.5 points per game on 52.5% shooting from the field. His lack of defense was often criticized but his offensive play was too good not to have him at least Tier 5 in Portland’s GOAT pyramid.

The final member of Tier 5 is the last member of the 1977 NBA championship team, Dave Twardzik. Another career cut short by injuries, Twardzik played just four seasons in Portland, averaging 9.5 points and 3.4 assists per game. During their 1977 title run, he upped his game with 10.9 points and 2.8 assists per game en route to a victory.