5 thoughts on “Portland Trail Blazers, circa 1972”
Two future NBA coaches. Apropos of absolutely nothing in Portland in June 21…
Can anyone tell me the photographer name? I have two friends, both who were photographers for the Blazers, super curious if they took this and the May 24 pic. Thanks!
I have little interest in basketball but here’s some Wikipedia information on these two players.
“Leonard Randolph Wilkens (born October 28, 1937) was a combined 13-time NBA All-Star as a player (nine times) and as a head coach (four times), was the 1993 NBA Coach of the Year, won the 1979 NBA championship as the head coach of the Seattle SuperSonics, and an Olympic gold medal as the head coach of the 1996 U.S. men’s basketball team.”
“Richard Leonard Adelman (born June 16, 1946) is an American retired professional basketball player and coach. He coached 23 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He served as head coach of the Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, and Minnesota Timberwolves.”
“Since the team’s inception in 1970, the Trail Blazers logo has been the subject of both admiration and diverse interpretation. The concept is a graphic interpretation of five basketball players from one side against five players from the opposing side rotating around a center circle in a pinwheel-like motion.”
The Trail Trail Blazers Mascot ‘Blaze The Trail Cat” (since 2002) is considered popular with NBA fans – voted #17 in popularity…
“Sure, Blaze the Trail Cat looks like a rejected Looney Tune, but there’s just something cool about him. He isn’t like the other animal mascots who just wear their team’s uniform, but with their name on the back. No, Blaze instead opts for the tracksuit and headband, looking badass.”
“Also, the fact that he’s a flashy dunker and has ears that look like flames helps his cause as well.” The Bleacher Report, 11-28-2011
Both of these men became coaches for the Blazers. Wilkins was a player coach which I never quite understood how it worked. The next year he was the coach without playing. Adelman was one of our truly great coaches. Love seeing pictures like these.
On September 11, 2021 Rick Adelman will be inducted into the “Basketball Hall of Fame” for his coaching which places him as the 9th in NBA wins. Lenny Wilkens has been inducted into the “Basketball Hall of Fame ” 3 times. In 1989 as a player — 1998 — coaching — 2010 asst. coach on 1992 Olympic Basketball “Dream Team”.
Vintage Portland 
Two future NBA coaches. Apropos of absolutely nothing in Portland in June 21…
Can anyone tell me the photographer name? I have two friends, both who were photographers for the Blazers, super curious if they took this and the May 24 pic. Thanks!
I have little interest in basketball but here’s some Wikipedia information on these two players.
“Leonard Randolph Wilkens (born October 28, 1937) was a combined 13-time NBA All-Star as a player (nine times) and as a head coach (four times), was the 1993 NBA Coach of the Year, won the 1979 NBA championship as the head coach of the Seattle SuperSonics, and an Olympic gold medal as the head coach of the 1996 U.S. men’s basketball team.”
“Richard Leonard Adelman (born June 16, 1946) is an American retired professional basketball player and coach. He coached 23 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He served as head coach of the Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, and Minnesota Timberwolves.”
“Since the team’s inception in 1970, the Trail Blazers logo has been the subject of both admiration and diverse interpretation. The concept is a graphic interpretation of five basketball players from one side against five players from the opposing side rotating around a center circle in a pinwheel-like motion.”
The Trail Trail Blazers Mascot ‘Blaze The Trail Cat” (since 2002) is considered popular with NBA fans – voted #17 in popularity…
“Sure, Blaze the Trail Cat looks like a rejected Looney Tune, but there’s just something cool about him. He isn’t like the other animal mascots who just wear their team’s uniform, but with their name on the back. No, Blaze instead opts for the tracksuit and headband, looking badass.”
“Also, the fact that he’s a flashy dunker and has ears that look like flames helps his cause as well.” The Bleacher Report, 11-28-2011
Both of these men became coaches for the Blazers. Wilkins was a player coach which I never quite understood how it worked. The next year he was the coach without playing. Adelman was one of our truly great coaches. Love seeing pictures like these.
On September 11, 2021 Rick Adelman will be inducted into the “Basketball Hall of Fame” for his coaching which places him as the 9th in NBA wins. Lenny Wilkens has been inducted into the “Basketball Hall of Fame ” 3 times. In 1989 as a player — 1998 — coaching — 2010 asst. coach on 1992 Olympic Basketball “Dream Team”.