PORTLAND — As the Portland Trail Blazers wrap up the season and look to the future, the team is also celebrating its past.
Today the Blazers will host a daylong 30th anniversary celebration of the team that won the 1977 NBA title. They will also retire the number worn by one of the members, Lionel Hollins.
A noon parade through downtown Portland is scheduled, followed by a ceremony before the Blazers host the Golden State Clippers in the season finale at the Rose Garden. Hollins' No. 14 jersey will be retired at halftime.
Hollins, now an assistant with the Memphis Grizzlies, played five seasons with the Blazers, who drafted him with the sixth overall pick of the 1975 draft. He averaged 13.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists with the team.
"I'm thrilled and honored to have my number retired in Portland," Hollins said. "I couldn't be more excited for this day and to have my number immortalized with all the other great Trail Blazers."
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The 1977 team took four of six games against the Philadelphia 76ers to win the championship. The Blazers, in just the team's seventh year, were making their first trip to the playoffs.
Walton, now a sports broadcaster, was the MVP of the finals. In Portland's 109-107 victory, the deciding game against the 76ers, he had 20 points, 23 rebounds (20 defensive) and eight blocked shots.
"The 1977 team set the bar by which all other Trail Blazers teams are judged," said Mike Golub, team executive vice president. "It was a very special team and a very special time for the franchise, its fans and the city of Portland, and we very much look forward to welcoming all the heroes from that team back to Portland and honoring them for their incredible accomplishments."
This season's edition of the Blazers will miss the playoffs for the fourth straight season. But unlike in previous years when the team seemed to scatter in disarray, the current Blazers have provided reason for hope — namely, rookies Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and Sergio Rodriguez.
