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RonBrewer said:
If you experienced the Championship as a young boy, girl, older or whatever. What are some memories you have?
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We lived in Winston-Salem NC when Pops completed his medical internship and started receiving job offers in early 1976. If offered, the choice was always going to be where they honeymooned & visited multiple times afterwords. Besides my Mom, he was fish crazy and enamored with the spectacular Deschutes River, so Portland was the spot.

I was 10 years old when we moved back to Portland from Winston-Salem NC in the summer of 1976. My new school was West Sylvan Elementary. I'd been indoctrinated by hoops crazies in NC but had had no pro team to follow prior. I'd heard about the genius/wild man Walton leading up to the season. Having no one to hang with the rest of that summer following our move, I percolated awaiting these mysterious Trailblazers. We had a black and white TV that was maybe 13". The knob was gone & we turned the channels with pliers. You'd have to use some finesse to settle on any channel, but properly tweeked Big Bill did not disappoint. He was like a captain on a ship charting the team forward. Not a scorer but by far the best player I'd ever seen, Hendrix vs Buddy Holly. But like you the L Train was my man. Remember that shot he hit against Chicago in the 1st round of the playoffs to close the series? I recall shooting the Nerf ball behind my head the way he did.

that 76 Christmas I received a small radio with a single ear piece. I usually fell asleep in a too tall queen sized bed listening to Shonz. One night I rolled over and out, awakening half way to the floor. I recall going to parties/BBQs and literally everyone after asking my name, would ask me what I thought about the Trailblazers. Rip City this and Lickity Brindle that. Again, I knew no one, we'd just moved there... yet everyone seemed as one on the same page all about the PTB. I was completely on board too

When they won it. Holy Shit! I'm sure someone somehow appreciated it more, but I jumped off our deck and ran around the outside of the house as fast as I could until I couldn't. Then the dog overtook me and licked my face forever

STOMP
 
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RonBrewer said:
If you experienced the Championship as a young boy, girl, older or whatever. What are some memories you have?

I was 10. Playing baseball at Alpenrose, going to Capitol Hill Elementary and went to Humdinger one a week [just found out it's closed] Never had a tater tot like it. I was all in on the Blazers. I cried when they lost but i knew we were gonna win the Championship. Lionel "The Train" Hollins was my favorite player. i have a vivid memory of him wearing a face mask for awhile. I think, he had a broken jaw or cheekbone but man he was a solid player. Defender, could shoot and handle the ball with good size.

Also loved Johnny Davis and Dave Twardzik and everyone's favorite The Enforcer, Maurice Lucas. I remember that series so well. I remember the fight vividly. Fans these days would hate the team, we really only carried four guards and Hollins was the tallest at 6'3. I guess Lloyd Neal, Bobby Gross, and Larry Steele would qualify as 2's these days but they were forwards back then. Man the game has changed a lot.

But that's where i became one of the first Blazer Maniacs. Rip City was Rockin' and it sure was a lot of fun.

My most hated team back then was the Seattle Supersonics. That was a true rivalry and one like we haven't seen since in the NBA. Downtown Freddy Brown, Gus Williams, Paul Silas, they had some very strong teams.

Anyhoo, would love to hear some memories from any of you that remember it well

RIP CITY
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I used to live to just down the street from Humdinger off of Multnomah Blvd.
 
I was 61, 5 years before a heart attack would end my 47th life. Jimmy Carter had just become president earlier in the year. The top song was You light up my Life by Debby Boone. Rocky won best picture at the Oscar's. Anwar Sadat was Time Magazines Man of the Year. And I remember watching the Blazers on my 19 inch RCA television set. Nearly shit myself (as old people do from time to time) when they won the whole thing.
 
Terkish said:
I was 61, 5 years before a heart attack would end my 47th life. Jimmy Carter had just become president earlier in the year. The top song was You light up my Life by Debby Boone. Rocky won best picture at the Oscar's. Anwar Sadat was Time Magazines Man of the Year. And I remember watching the Blazers on my 19 inch RCA television set. Nearly shit myself (as old people do from time to time) when they won the whole thing.
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This was clearly written by AI.
 
I was 23 and going to Portland State working on my Masters degree. I was crushed when the Blazers dropped the first two games in Philly and we had to listen to the national media telling us how unlikely it was for a team to come back from two down. They were blatantly biased for Julius Erving and the favored Sixers. The next two games in Portland went our way. I had to sneak a radio into my evening lecture to listen to Schonz call the game. Game 5 in Philly the Blazers built a big lead and held on as the Sixers rallied. Game 6 was close and the thought of having to win on the road again if they lost made it tense as hell. The Blazers held on and closed out the series.

A friend and I went to the parade and battled the crowds to get a good position near City Hall. It was crazy and so much fun. We were sure that the Blazers were at the start of a dynasty run and never would have believed that 46 years later that would be the Blazers only title. Age doesn’t make any difference; every year I still feel that same excitement of new possibilities as the Blazers start a new season. I’d love to live long enough to celebrate another title.
 
RonBrewer said:
I understand now. You can pitch but aren't willing to catch. I'll be more careful of your ego and sweet little feelings going forward.
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I would also consider myself a "pitcher" rather than a "catcher".

But I don't know why we're getting so personal in here...
 
STOMP said:
We lived in Winston-Salem NC when Pops completed his medical internship and started receiving job offers in early 1976. If offered, the choice was always going to be where they honeymooned & visited multiple times afterwords. Besides my Mom, he was fish crazy and enamored with the spectacular Deschutes River, so Portland was the spot.

I was 10 years old when we moved back to Portland from Winston-Salem NC in the summer of 1976. My new school was West Sylvan Elementary. I'd been indoctrinated by hoops crazies in NC but had had no pro team to follow prior. I'd heard about the genius/wild man Walton leading up to the season. Having no one to hang with the rest of that summer following our move, I percolated awaiting these mysterious Trailblazers. We had a black and white TV that was maybe 13". The knob was gone & we turned the channels with pliers. You'd have to use some finesse to settle on any channel, but properly tweeked Big Bill did not disappoint. He was like a captain on a ship charting the team forward. Not a scorer but by far the best player I'd ever seen, Hendrix vs Buddy Holly. But like you the L Train was my man. Remember that shot he hit against Chicago in the 1st round of the playoffs to close the series? I recall shooting the Nerf ball behind my head the way he did.

that 76 Christmas I received a small radio with a single ear piece. I usually fell asleep in a too tall queen sized bed listening to Shonz. One night I rolled over and out, awakening half way to the floor. I recall going to parties/BBQs and literally everyone after asking my name, would ask me what I thought about the Trailblazers. Rip City this and Lickity Brindle that. Again, I knew no one, we'd just moved there... yet everyone seemed as one on the same page all about the PTB. I was completely on board too

When they won it. Holy Shit! I'm sure someone somehow appreciated it more, but I jumped off our deck and ran around the outside of the house as fast as I could until I couldn't. Then the dog overtook me and licked my face forever

STOMP
Click to expand...

Man i do remember the shot vs. The Bulls. I vividly remember him holding his open faced hand to his face while staring down the Bulls. Back then it was called "Face" He "Faced 'em" forgot about that but as soon as you mentioned it, i can remember it and him running around the court with the "Face" sign
 
Natebishop3 said:
I think you mean geriatric blazer fans :devilwink:
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"Honored Citizens" would be a far more accurate term. And I guess an appropriate response to a so very respectful youngster from those of us who experienced it is "neener neener chicken weiner". We lived it! Shoulda been there! (Gawd I love the maturity of old age........)
 
My wife and I were still newly weds and we were babysitting off and on for a couple my wife had met through her student teaching. Back in those days pretty much anyone could walk into the practices and watch what was going on. The husband of the couple we sat for was a huge fan and went to the practices as often as he could, and I still remember him coming back weeks before the season starting, with an almost dazed look on his face. Literally like he had seen the future and it was too awesome to actually believe. He went on and on (and on) about how that team was special and was going to go farther than any previous Blazers team (not a high bar at all at that time). He actually predicted that we could handle the super team 76'ers that everyone had already conceded the title to. He also thought we were going to be better than the Lakers. I thought the guy was smoking crack, but everything he said came true and then some. He just nailed it. Not to rub it in, but the whole experience is hard to describe. Little provincial Portland sticking it to the big boys.....and doing it by playing the most beautiful brand of team basketball. I think I appreciated that part even more than the trophy.........
 
UncleCliffy'sDaddy said:
My wife and I were still newly weds and we were babysitting off and on for a couple my wife had met through her student teaching. Back in those days pretty much anyone could walk into the practices and watch what was going on. The husband of the couple we sat for was a huge fan and went to the practices as often as he could, and I still remember him coming back weeks before the season starting, with an almost dazed look on his face. Literally like he had seen the future and it was too awesome to actually believe. He went on and on (and on) about how that team was special and was going to go farther than any previous Blazers team (not a high bar at all at that time). He actually predicted that we could handle the super team 76'ers that everyone had already conceded the title to. He also thought we were going to be better than the Lakers. I thought the guy was smoking crack, but everything he said came true and then some. He just nailed it. Not to rub it in, but the whole experience is hard to describe. Little provincial Portland sticking it to the big boys.....and doing it by playing the most beautiful brand of team basketball. I think I appreciated that part even more than the trophy.........
Click to expand...

Dr. Jack was the best
 
To start with to date myself I was in a history class with Kareem Jabbar at UCLA. I came to Portland in the fall of 1971. Saw my first game in the 71-72 season. Having been at UCLA I knew what a special player Walton was beyond all his hype at the time. Still the best center outlet passer I have ever seen. Only a couple of players even have the technique to make that pass today in the NBA. One thing not mentioned in this thread is the Paramount Theater. Tickets were very had to come by in those days. More than once I was at the Paramount to watch blazer games on the big screen at the theater. Here are two links about the Paramount and Pics of that storied season of the 77 championship.



https://from-way-downtown.com/2022/...a-action-at-portlands-paramount-theater-1980/

blazers championship 1977 paramount theater oregon
 
I was almost turning 5…. For some reason I remember the whole neighborhood being on our neighborhood going crazy. Beer flying all over and they all running out to the street to celebrate. Parents have a cool picture of everybody freaking out. Can’t believe I remember that shit. RipCity fever was everywhere in NE Portland! My next memory was chasing cop cars begging for Blazers trading cars, or making sure my mom bought the right bread to get cards. Kermit Washington and Billy Ray Bates smelled SO good!
 
THE HCP said:
I was almost turning 5…. For some reason I remember the whole neighborhood being on our neighborhood going crazy. Beer flying all over and they all running out to the street to celebrate. Parents have a cool picture of everybody freaking out. Can’t believe I remember that shit. RipCity fever was everywhere in NE Portland! My next memory was chasing cop cars begging for Blazers trading cars, or making sure my mom bought the right bread to get cards. Kermit Washington and Billy Ray Bates smelled SO good!
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ROOKIE!!!!!!!!!!
 
STOMP said:
We lived in Winston-Salem NC when Pops completed his medical internship and started receiving job offers in early 1976. If offered, the choice was always going to be where they honeymooned & visited multiple times afterwords. Besides my Mom, he was fish crazy and enamored with the spectacular Deschutes River, so Portland was the spot.

I was 10 years old when we moved back to Portland from Winston-Salem NC in the summer of 1976. My new school was West Sylvan Elementary. I'd been indoctrinated by hoops crazies in NC but had had no pro team to follow prior. I'd heard about the genius/wild man Walton leading up to the season. Having no one to hang with the rest of that summer following our move, I percolated awaiting these mysterious Trailblazers. We had a black and white TV that was maybe 13". The knob was gone & we turned the channels with pliers. You'd have to use some finesse to settle on any channel, but properly tweeked Big Bill did not disappoint. He was like a captain on a ship charting the team forward. Not a scorer but by far the best player I'd ever seen, Hendrix vs Buddy Holly. But like you the L Train was my man. Remember that shot he hit against Chicago in the 1st round of the playoffs to close the series? I recall shooting the Nerf ball behind my head the way he did.

that 76 Christmas I received a small radio with a single ear piece. I usually fell asleep in a too tall queen sized bed listening to Shonz. One night I rolled over and out, awakening half way to the floor. I recall going to parties/BBQs and literally everyone after asking my name, would ask me what I thought about the Trailblazers. Rip City this and Lickity Brindle that. Again, I knew no one, we'd just moved there... yet everyone seemed as one on the same page all about the PTB. I was completely on board too

When they won it. Holy Shit! I'm sure someone somehow appreciated it more, but I jumped off our deck and ran around the outside of the house as fast as I could until I couldn't. Then the dog overtook me and licked my face forever

STOMP
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Funny you mention that Hollins shot vs Chicago. That was my 1st Trail Blazers game. I was a nerdy 13 year old kid, living in SE Portland , and new to the game of pro basketball. Kids at my school were talking about them, so i watched. I was already hooked on sports with Pro Football, and Major League Baseball, and my favorite player Steve Garvey. Once i watched that game i was hooked , but don't remember a lot of the games being on TV when i could watch. I didn't like soccer, but my friend took me to a Timbers game and a giant roar went out when they showed the score of the Blazers smashing the Lakers. I watched the finals at home , and remember horns going off in the distance after the win. My favorite player was Johnny Davis. I loved the team from then on, but my love has grown a 1000 times as much as it was then. I enjoyed the Championship, but the next one will mean the most to me. I know there are many in here who were fans from the beginning in 1970, and none will match that one to them. I was just so late to the party. I've had multiple football teams that i cheered for before becoming a full on Broncos Fan 1985 . Multiple baseball teams before becoming a fan of the Rockies in late 90's. But i've only had ONE basketball team in my life ever. And that's our Blazers. It's in my DNA. Born and raised in SE Portland.
 
42N8Bounce said:
My dad bought season tickets back in 1974. I got to go to about 10 games a year with him. I was 9 when they won the championship. I loved collecting the basketball cards. Blazer posters all over my room.

I've been lucky enough to meet a few of the championship team over the years -

View attachment 55934

View attachment 55933

My son is now 22 and goes to the games with me. I'm hoping he gets to experience a Blazers championship in his lifetime!

View attachment 55935
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Bobby Gross was the unsung hero of that team. He was incredible. Super underrated.
 
THE HCP said:
I was almost turning 5…. For some reason I remember the whole neighborhood being on our neighborhood going crazy. Beer flying all over and they all running out to the street to celebrate. Parents have a cool picture of everybody freaking out. Can’t believe I remember that shit. RipCity fever was everywhere in NE Portland! My next memory was chasing cop cars begging for Blazers trading cars, or making sure my mom bought the right bread to get cards. Kermit Washington and Billy Ray Bates smelled SO good!
Click to expand...
Then how the hell did you become a Laker fan H?
 
I was a Sophomore in H.S. down in the Willamette Valley. Just got my license, driving a new car....it would be the next winter (sadly) before I could find someone gracious enough to take my virginity. It had been up for sale....cheap...since I was 14, but no takers.

Same year I went to see Kiss Tour at the Coliseum. Aerosmith Rocks was released. Boston was released. Smoking Red and Black Columbian. Man, those were the days.

other songs that year...

Don't Fear the Reaper
Blinded by the Light
Carry on Wayward Son
Dirty Deeds and they're Done Dirt Cheep
Fly Like an Eagle
Hotel California
Jailbreak
Lido Shuffle
Take the Money and Run
Takin it to the Streets
The Boys are Back in Town
 
Irish Trader said:
To start with to date myself I was in a history class with Kareem Jabbar at UCLA. I came to Portland in the fall of 1971. Saw my first game in the 71-72 season. Having been at UCLA I knew what a special player Walton was beyond all his hype at the time. Still the best center outlet passer I have ever seen. Only a couple of players even have the technique to make that pass today in the NBA. One thing not mentioned in this thread is the Paramount Theater. Tickets were very had to come by in those days. More than once I was at the Paramount to watch blazer games on the big screen at the theater. Here are two links about the Paramount and Pics of that storied season of the 77 championship.



https://from-way-downtown.com/2022/...a-action-at-portlands-paramount-theater-1980/

blazers championship 1977 paramount theater oregon
Click to expand...
When we moved from SE to NE so i could attend Benson Poly Tech, i was all in on the Blazers. My mom would give me the money for bus fare, a snack, and admission to the Paramount to watch multiple games from '78 to '80. It was an amazing experience every time i went. They gave you a cool little roster pamphlet upon entrance. It was a truly loud and raucous atmosphere . I wish it had been around for the Drexler , Porter, Buck, Kersey, Duck Era. Blazers cable was way too expensive for one game on your TV in the early 90's. I think it was like 24.95 per game. I got a whole season Of Blazers basketball , living in Denver, on League Pass for 125 bucks. But the Paramount was absolutely the greatest experience, other than being at the Coliseum i ever had. Great memories. The Schonz was amazing doing the play by play in sync with the video. No delay like when you would try to listen to the Schonz, and watch it on TV.
 
BassPlaya said:
I was a Sophomore in H.S. down in the Willamette Valley. Just got my license, driving a new car....it would be the next winter (sadly) before I could find someone gracious enough to take my virginity. It had been up for sale....cheap...since I was 14, but no takers.

Same year I went to see Kiss Tour at the Coliseum. Aerosmith Rocks was released. Boston was released. Smoking Red and Black Columbian. Man, those were the days.

other songs that year...

Don't Fear the Reaper
Blinded by the Light
Carry on Wayward Son
Dirty Deeds and they're Done Dirt Cheep
Fly Like an Eagle
Hotel California
Jailbreak
Lido Shuffle
Take the Money and Run
Takin it to the Streets
The Boys are Back in Town
Click to expand...
" Fire on High" by ELO was the song that was used by the NBA on CBS during the Championship Drive. It's a great instrumental that reminds me of that championship every time i hear it.
 
I was 21 and living in Lincoln City. I owned a shop called the Seagull Factory located on the d River ( I think there's a motel there now). Anyway - we didn't have a tv in the store so for the day games we would put a radio outside in the parking lot to get better reception and wait on customers during breaks. After the final game the brothers and I went to what in those days was called the Red Carpet Inn and partied the night away!
 
tykendo said:
When we moved from SE to NE so i could attend Benson Poly Tech, i was all in on the Blazers. My mom would give me the money for bus fare, a snack, and admission to the Paramount to watch multiple games from '78 to '80. It was an amazing experience every time i went. They gave you a cool little roster pamphlet upon entrance. It was a truly loud and raucous atmosphere . I wish it had been around for the Drexler , Porter, Buck, Kersey, Duck Era. Blazers cable was way too expensive for one game on your TV in the early 90's. I think it was like 24.95 per game. I got a whole season Of Blazers basketball , living in Denver, on League Pass for 125 bucks. But the Paramount was absolutely the greatest experience, other than being at the Coliseum i ever had. Great memories. The Schonz was amazing doing the play by play in sync with the video. No delay like when you would try to listen to the Schonz, and watch it on TV.
Click to expand...
I graduated Benson in '74. I actually graduated a year early but that's a story for another day.
 
I was a senior in HS that year and a die-hard Blazer fan from day 1. We never even had a winning season before, so when they started to blow teams out toward the end of the year, we did not know what to think. The Blazers would start games with these 12-2 or 20-6 runs that happened so quickly. I think even Shonz was in disbelief.

The playoffs were crazy. We barely got past the Bulls (2-1) Norm Van Lier was a tough MFer and the series was very physical
Denver with David Thompson was easier (4-2)
Then we swept the fucking Lakers with Kareem

I only went to one live playoff game, but it was a memorable one. Sunday afternoon May 29th, game 3 against Dr. J and 6ers, down 0-2 and we won by 22.
The Glass Palace was rocking that afternoon. Up to that point....the loudest I had ever witnessed. I don't remember ever sitting down. I remember telling my dad when I got home that we had a chance. Then after we ran them out of the gym in game 4 we really started to believe..........
 
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