History of Portland Trail Blazers in Timeline

The Portland Trail Blazers are a professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon, competing in the NBA's Western Conference. Founded in 1970, they initially played at the Memorial Coliseum before moving to Moda Center in 1995. Notably, the Trail Blazers achieved a remarkable streak of 814 consecutive sold-out home games between 1977 and 1995. Following the Seattle SuperSonics' relocation in 2008, the Trail Blazers are the sole NBA team in the Pacific Northwest.

1955: NBA Franchise Proposal

In 1955, Harry Glickman proposed a new NBA franchise for Portland.

1960: Memorial Coliseum Opening

In 1960, the Memorial Coliseum opened, leading Glickman to see its potential as a basketball venue.

February 6, 1970: NBA Franchise Granted

On February 6, 1970, the NBA board of governors granted Harry Glickman the rights to establish a franchise in Portland.

1970: Expansion Team Entry

In 1970, the Portland Trail Blazers joined the NBA as an expansion team.

1970: Inception

Since the team's inception in 1970, the Trail Blazers have made 37 playoff appearances.

1972: Drafted LaRue Martin

In 1972, the Trail Blazers drafted LaRue Martin with the number one pick in the NBA draft.

1974: Bill Walton Drafted

In 1974, the Trail Blazers selected Bill Walton as the number one pick in the NBA draft.

1976: ABA-NBA Merger

In 1976, the ABA and NBA merged. The Trail Blazers selected Maurice Lucas in the dispersal draft.

1977: 1977-78 Season Start

During the start of the 1977-78 season, the team started with a 50-10 mark.

1977: Consecutive Home Game Sell-Out Streak

In 1977, the Portland Trail Blazers started a streak of 814 consecutive sold-out home games, which lasted until 1995.

1977: NBA Championship

In 1977, the Portland Trail Blazers won their only NBA championship.

1977: NBA Championship and Sellout Streak Start

In 1977, the Trail Blazers won an NBA championship and started a sellout streak of 814 straight games.

1978: Playoff Loss and Walton Injury

In 1978, Bill Walton suffered a foot injury, and the Trail Blazers lost to the Seattle SuperSonics in the conference semifinals. Walton requested a trade.

1980: Lucas Leaves Team

In 1980, Maurice Lucas left the Trail Blazers, further dismantling the championship team.

1982: Missed Playoffs

In 1982, the Trail Blazers failed to qualify for the NBA playoffs.

1983: Playoff Streak Start

In 1983, the Trail Blazers began a streak of 21 consecutive playoff appearances.

1983: Clyde Drexler Drafted

In 1983, the Trail Blazers selected Clyde Drexler with the 14th pick in the NBA draft.

1985: Terry Porter Drafted

In 1985, the Trail Blazers drafted Terry Porter with the last pick of the first round. The team also traded Lever, Cooper and Natt to the Denver Nuggets for Kiki Vandeweghe.