Portland Trail Blazers · Franchise era 1 of 7
From expansion to champion: the Portland Trail Blazers story
Franchise era
1970–71—1976–77
From expansion to champion
Portland Trail Blazers
The story in one sentence
Jack Ramsay's passing team came together suddenly and won the 1977 championship in its first playoff appearance.
Walton and beautiful basketball
Bill Walton, Maurice Lucas and Lionel Hollins gave the era its recognizable core.
Its ending created the conditions for after walton.
Timeline
How it unfolded
The foundation
The franchise context
Portland's devoted basketball culture has centered on Walton's brief perfect peak, Drexler's Finals teams, the adored Roy era and Damian Lillard's extraordinary shot-making.
1977
Western Conference Semifinals: Portland Trail Blazers vs Denver Nuggets
1977
Western Conference Finals: Portland Trail Blazers vs Los Angeles Lakers
1977
NBA Finals: Portland Trail Blazers vs Philadelphia 76ers
After 1976–77
What came next
Walton's injuries broke the defending champion, yet Portland began a long streak of postseason appearances.
The core