The Portland Trail Blazers were one of three new teams to join the NBA for the 1970–71 season.[1] The franchise played its inaugural regular season game on a Friday night in Portland, beating the fellow expansion Cleveland Cavaliers 115–112 on October 16, with 4,273 in attendance.[2][3][4]
The Trail Blazers played a regular season home game at McArthur Court in Eugene, Oregon on February 19, 1971 against the Cincinnati Royals.[5] Portland was defeated by Cincinnati, 102–109.[6]
Portland finished last in the Pacific Division with a record of 29–53 (.354).[4] Of the three expansion teams, their record was the best; with seven more wins than the Buffalo Braves and fourteen more than the Cavaliers. The leading scorer for the Blazers was Geoff Petrie; he averaged 24.8 points per game and shared Rookie of the Year honors with Boston Celtics star Dave Cowens.[4]
The Trail Blazers convened their preseason camp on September 14, 1970. Sixteen players reported to camp, which was held in the gymnasium at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon.[22]Pat Riley was unable to attend the camp due to the death in his father. Players reported to drills at 10 am and 4 pm.[23] The first players to be cut from camp were third round draft pick Bill Cain and Tim Robinson, who had played for the Harlem Globetrotters from 1961 to 1965.[24][25]
October 26, 1970: signed free agent Bill Stricker[121]
November 16, 1970: waived Bill Stricker
March 23, 1971: traded Jim Barnett to the San Francisco Warriors in exchange for two 1971 NBA draft picks (second and third rounds) and a 1972 NBA draft pick (second round)[121]
On September 13, 1970, the Trail Blazers announced that KPTV would broadcast 12 road games (all in color) during their inaugural season. Jimmy Jones was Portland's play-by-play announcer on television.[127]
^Carry, Peter (November 2, 1970). "Geoff who? and Mod Todd". Sports Illustrated. p. 66.
^Cawood, Neil (October 17, 1970). "Barnett, Petrie pace Blazers to first win". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). p. 3B.
^"Blazers win their debut". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). UPI. October 17, 1970. p. 9.
^ abcPortland Trail Blazers (1970–Present)
^ ab"Blazers bill Eugene game". Albany Democrat-Herald. Albany, Oregon. Associated Press. February 16, 1971. p. 14. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
^"1970-71 Portland Trail Blazers Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
^"Bill Cain - Hall of Fame Class of 2002". cyclones.com. Iowa State University. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
^Strode, George (February 26, 1970). "Jim Penix Finally At Home At BG State University". The Circleville Herald. Circleville, Ohio. Associated Press. p. 15. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
^McCoy, Hal (February 18, 1970). "Kent State Tonight; Flyers Return From South". Dayton Daily News. Dayton, Ohio. p. 16. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
^"Flyer MVP award to George Janky". The Journal Herald. Dayton, Ohio. March 25, 1970. p. 16. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
^"1969-70 Men's Basketball Roster; Doug Boyd". GoFrogs.com. Texas Christian University. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
^"Doug Boyd". Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
^ ab"Billy Gaskins Inks Trail Blazer Pact". The Capital Journal. Salem, Oregon. Associated Press. June 6, 1970. p. 12. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
^"Israel Oliver". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
^Zitrin, Richard (January 14, 1970). "KSU at BG; title hopes on line". Kent Daily Kent Stater. Kent, Ohio. p. 8. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
^"Loggers, Wildcats Top List". The Daily Chronicle. Centralia, Washington. Associated Press. March 17, 1970. p. 8. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
^Nelson, Jim (March 7, 1970). "Alex Boyd's last game evokes opposing reactions". Reno Gazette-Journal. Reno, Nevada. p. 7. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
^"Slow Start Hurts SIU". Alton Evening Telegraph. Alton, Illinois. December 12, 1968. p. 41. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
^"Portland Trail Blazers Draft Picks". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
^BOBCATS: All-Time Expansion Draft Results Archived 2008-01-16 at the Wayback Machine
^"Trail Blazers Open Drills". Corvallis Gazette-Times. Corvallis, Oregon. Associated Press. September 15, 1970. p. 15. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
^"Trail Blazers report to 1st training camp". Albany Democrat-Herald. Albany, Oregon. September 15, 1970. p. 11. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
^"Blazers Cut Pair". Corvallis Gazette-Times. Corvallis, Oregon. Associated Press. September 22, 1970. p. 19. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
^"Harlem Globetrotters Rosters". nasljerseys.com. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
^"Blazers 115, Cavaliers 112". Philadelphia Daily News. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. October 17, 1970. p. 35. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
^McFarland, Bill (October 19, 1970). "Havlichek-Led Celtics Dump Blazers 133-115". The World. Coos Bay, Oregon. United Press International. p. 13. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
^"Blazers 120, Cavaliers 98". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. October 21, 1970. p. 15. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
^"Sonics 141, Blazers 111". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. October 25, 1970. p. 18. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
^ abSimmonds, John (October 25, 1970). "Warriors Nip Trail Blazers". Oakland Tribune. Oakland, California. p. 49. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
^"Bulls Club Blazers in 131-116 Go". Statesman Journal. Salem. Associated Press. October 26, 1970. p. 14. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
^"Blazers 119, Beaves 108". Tri-City Herald. Pasco, Washington. October 28, 1970. p. 19. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
^"Sonics Burn Blazers". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois. Associated Press. October 31, 1970. p. 63. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
^"Barnett Leads". The News Tribune. Tacoma, Washington. Associated Press. November 1, 1970. p. 68. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
^Crombie, Al (November 4, 1970). "Record crowd watch fiesty 'Blazers stumble". The Columbian. Vancouver, Washington. p. 17. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
^"Trail Blazers Stun Bullets By 135-131". The Baltimore Sun. Baltimore, Maryland. November 6, 1970. p. 23. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
^"Warriors 110, Blazers 103". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. November 7, 1970. p. 13. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
^"Knicks 125, Blazers 113". Tri-City Herald. Pasco, Washington. November 9, 1970. p. 15. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
^Crombie, Al (November 11, 1970). "Cold spell dooms Blazers bid, 138-121". The Columbian. Vancouver, Washington. p. 14. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
^"Suns 114, Blazers 100". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. November 12, 1970. p. 18. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
^Lowitt, Bruce (November 13, 1970). "Cleveland Finally Wins; Cazzie Russell Injured". The News Tribune. Tacoma, Washington. Associated Press. p. 23. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
^"Blazers 126, Cavs 116". Independent. Long Beach, California. November 15, 1970. p. 54. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
^"Rockets 136, Blazers 118". Philadelphia Daily News. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. November 17, 1970. p. 59. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
^"Braves 102, Blazers 101". The News Tribune. Tacoma, Washington. November 18, 1970. p. 52. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
^"Blazers 146, Hawks 131". Tri-City Herald. Pasco, Washington. November 19, 1970. p. 30. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
^ abGreen, Ranny (November 22, 1970). "Key Foul Helpful; Hayes Too Much For Seattle". The News Tribune. Tacoma, Washington. p. 66. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
^"Bucks 126, Blazers 104". Sun-Tattler. Hollywood, Florida. November 23, 1970. p. 17. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
^"Bullets 156, Blazers 104". The Miami News. Miami, Florida. November 25, 1970. p. 18. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
^"Celtics 122, Blazers 115". Tri-City Herald. Pasco, Washington. November 26, 1970. p. 26. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
^"Blazers 111, Cavaliers 102". The News Tribune. Tacoma, Washington. November 28, 1970. p. 14. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
^"Braves 111, Blazers 95". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. November 29, 1970. p. 5. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
^"Bucks 124, Blazers 111". The News Tribune. Tacoma, Washington. November 30, 1970. p. 12. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
^"Rockets 120, Blazers 114". Tri-City Herald. Pasco, Washington. December 2, 1970. p. 17. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
^"Suns 126, Blazers 121". The News Tribune. Tacoma, Washington. December 5, 1970. p. 15. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
^"Lakers 131, Blazers 120". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. St. Louis, Missouri. December 7, 1970. p. 17. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
^"Knicks 139, Blazers 121". Philadelphia Daily News. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. December 9, 1970. p. 56. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
^"Blazers 106, Cavs 102". Tucson Daily Citizen. Tucson, Arizona. December 10, 1970. p. 34. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
^"Blazers 120, Braves 105". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. December 12, 1970. p. 2. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
^"Hawks 107, Blazers 104". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. December 13, 1970. p. 46. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
^"Pistons 111, Blazers 103". The News Tribune. Tacoma, Washington. December 16, 1970. p. 49. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
^"Warriors 122, Blazers 118". Tucson Daily Citizen. Tucson, Arizona. December 19, 1970. p. 14. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
^Finch, Phil (December 20, 1970). "Warriors Run Out of Rallies". The San Francisco Examiner. San Francisco, California. p. 41. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
^"76ers-Blazers". The Record. Hackensack, New Jersey. December 21, 1970. p. 40. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
^"Suns 115, Blazers 103". Press-Telegram. Long Beach, California. December 27, 1970. p. 50. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
^"Blazers 135, Celtics 123". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. St. Louis, Missouri. December 28, 1970. p. 49. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
^"Sonics 121, Blazers 118". Philadelphia Daily News. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. January 2, 1971. p. 29. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
^"Bulls 136, Blazers 113". Independent. Long Beach, California. January 3, 1971. p. 58. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
^"Blazers 116, Cavs 106". Tri-City Herald. Pasco, Washington. January 5, 1971. p. 11. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
^"76ers 97, Warriors 92". Orlando Evening Star. Orlando, Florida. January 6, 1971. p. 36. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
^"Royals 133, Blazers 123". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. January 7, 1971. p. 12. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
^"Blazers 113, Bulls 105". The News Tribune. Tacoma, Washington. January 9, 1971. p. 12. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
^"Blazers 114-96". The San Francisco Examiner. San Francisco, California. January 10, 1970. p. 42. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
^ abMatthews, Bob (January 15, 1971). "3 Guards Help Braves Top Blazers". Democrat and Chronicle. Rochester, New York. p. 40. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
^"Bulls Outlast Blazers, 123-111". The Troy Record. Troy, New York. Associated Press. January 20, 1971. p. 30. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
^"Braves 126, Blazers 106". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. St. Louis, Missouri. January 21, 1971. p. 22. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
^"Blazers 123, Pistons 112". The News Tribune. Tacoma, Washington. January 23, 1971. p. 12. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
^"Bucks 142, Blazers 117". Press-Telegram. Long Beach, California. January 24, 1971. p. 50. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
^"Braves 123, Blazers 111". Tri-City Herald. Pasco, Washington. January 25, 1971. p. 11. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
^"Cavs 118, Blazers 104". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. January 28, 1971. p. 5. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
^"Suns 131, Blazers 122". Philadelphia Daily News. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. January 30, 1971. p. 32. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
^"Lakers 133, Blazers 120". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. February 1, 1971. p. 4. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
^"Blazers Get Ovation From Blazers Fans". Times Colonist. Victoria, British Columbia. Associated Press. p. 14. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
^"Blazers 137, Hawks 123". The News Tribune. Tacoma, Washington. February 5, 1971. p. 16. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
^"Blazers 123, Warriors 117". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. February 6, 1971. p. 4. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
^"Blazers 112, Cavs 103". Tri-City Herald. Pasco, Washington. February 8, 1971. p. 17. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
^"Blazers 137, Sonics 125". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. February 13, 1971. p. 12. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
^"Royals 109, Blazers 103". The News Tribune. Tacoma, Washington. February 17, 1971. p. 38. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
^"Blazers-Sonic". The Record. Hackensack, New Jersey. February 18, 1971. p. 53. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
^"Lakers 136, Blazers 114". The News Tribune. Tacoma, Washington. February 19, 1971. p. 20. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
^"76ers 118, Blazers 105". Independent. Long Beach, California. February 21, 1971. p. 44. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
^"Blazers 123, Cavs 105". Tri-City Herald. Pasco, Washington. February 22, 1971. p. 14. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
^"Blazers-76ers". The Record. Hackensack, New Jersey. February 24, 1971. p. 57. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
^"Hawks 118, Blazers 107". The News Tribune. Tacoma, Washington. February 25, 1971. p. 52. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
^"Bullets 114, Blazers 97". Independent. Long Beach, California. February 27, 1971. p. 20. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
^"Knicks 113, Blazers 103". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. February 28, 1971. p. 4. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
^"Pistons 128, Blazers 122". The News Tribune. Tacoma, Washington. March 3, 1971. p. 35. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
^ ab"76ers Blast Trail Blazers Stay 2 1/2 Ahead of Celtics". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. March 4, 1971. p. 32. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
^"Blazers Fall Again". The Capital Journal. Salem, Oregon. Associated Press. March 6, 1971. p. 14. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
^"Rockets 135, Blazers 121". The News Tribune. Tacoma, Washington. March 8, 1971. p. 15. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
^"Braves 114, Blazers 98". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. March 9, 1971. p. 11. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
^"Blazers 136, Bullets 118". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. March 12, 1971. p. 19. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
^"Pistons 133, Blazers 127". The News Tribune. Tacoma, Washington. March 13, 1971. p. 12. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
^"Blazers 122, Braves 112". Tri-City Herald. Pasco, Washington. March 15, 1971. p. 16. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
^"Portland's Petrie Sabotages Sonics". The News Tribune. Tacoma, Washington. March 20, 1971. p. 9. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
^"Blazers 132, Braves 129". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. March 21, 1971. p. 32. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
^"Blazers 113, Cavs 110". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. March 22, 1971. p. 10. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
^"Blazers 114, Cavs 112". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. March 24, 1971. p. 12. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
^"Warriors vs. 76ers Tonight". The Times. San Mateo, California. December 19, 1970. p. 21. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
^"Twinbill at San Diego; Warriors Win Opener". The Tribune. Scranton, Pennsylvania. United Press International. December 19, 1970. p. 14. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
^Heisler, Mark (January 6, 1971). "Trail Blazers Stun Celtics As Jeff Petrie Tallies 28". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. p. 23. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
^"State; Basketball". Lincoln Journal Star. Lincoln, Nebraska. March 5, 1971. p. 19. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
^"Trail Blazers Sign Petrie". Corvallis Gazette-Times. Corvallis, Oregon. Associated Press. March 28, 1970. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
^"Trailblazers sign Gilmore". The Capital Journal. Salem, Oregon. Associated Press. April 2, 1970. p. 39. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
^"Blazers Sign Draft Choices". The World. Coos Bay, Oregon. United Press International. April 7, 1970. p. 10. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
^"Blazers tab Todd as 1st hoop boss". Albany Democrat-Herald. Albany, Oregon. Associated Press. April 22, 1970. p. 18. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
^"Inman Takes Blazers Job". The Capital Journal. Salem, Oregon. Associated Press. April 28, 1970. p. 13. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
^"Blazers Sign Boyd". Statesman-Journal. Salem, Oregon. May 1, 1970. p. 21. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
^"Barnett, Ellis Go To Blazers". The Capital Journal. Salem, Oregon. May 11, 1970. p. 25. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
^"Adelman Puts Name On Blazers Contract". The Capital Journal. Salem, Oregon. Associated Press. August 12, 1970. p. 33. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
^"Riley Signs With Portland Blazers". Statesman-Journal. Salem, Oregon. Associated Press. August 20, 1970. p. 42. Retrieved March 17, 2021.