A real attempt at making the All-Time Portland Trail Blazers team
By Minh Dao
Mychal Thompson
Portland Tenure
- 1978-1986
- 17-9-3 on 51 field goal percent and 64 free throw percent
Peak PDX Season
1982: 21-12-4 on 52 field goal percent and 63 free throw percent
The big man was quite underrated in his career. One would say that he was overlooked by the Blazers organization.
The reference arises from the notorious selection of Sam Bowie in the 1984 NBA draft. Mychal Thompson was two seasons removed from his 21-12 (’82) season, and averaged 17-10-4 over the three seasons prior to that draft.
Drexler had always played more like a three, and Jordan was a two. So that begs the question: if you’ve already got a very capable center, why would you add an injury risk like Bowie as opposed to Jordan who would’ve fit perfectly?
Add Jordan to Drexler, Thompson and Jim Paxson (second team All-NBA), and suddenly you’re looking at a potential dynasty.
The point is that Thompson is sometimes a forgotten man. He may not have been the No. 1 option, but as a potential No. 3 behind Jordan and Drexler he could’ve been something special.
That leads me to his spot on this roster.
What Thompson brings to this team is exactly what they need: a backup big who is mobile and can finish inside. He will be able to hold down the fort and fill the void when Walton is off the floor.
LaMarcus Aldridge
Portland Tenure
- 2006-2015
- 19-8-2 on 49 field goal percent and 80 free throw percent
Peak PDX Season
2014: 23-11-3 on 46 field goal percent and 82 free throw percent
Present-day Blazer fans may still be bitter regarding how LaMarcus Aldridge left Portland in 2015, but it is a consensus that he had a nice nine seasons with the Blazers.
LA spent his prime in the Rose City during 2014 where he had the notable back-to-back 40-point outings (46 and 43) to open the playoffs.
The big man was a midrange monster. Anywhere inside 22 feet was his bread and butter, and he even stretched it out further towards the end.
As well as being the sharpshooting big, he was an underrated defender and inside player. He was able to mix it up and bury smaller guys inside or finesse his way around bigger athletes.
Having Aldridge off the bench as a similar player to Sheed gives this team even more flexibility.