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Portland Trail Blazers: 15 best draft picks of all-time

By John Buhler

BOSTON - 1970: Bill Walton #32 of the Portland Trailblazers makes a pass against the Boston Celtics during the NBA game at the Boston Garden in Boston, Masachussetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON - 1970: Bill Walton #32 of the Portland Trailblazers makes a pass against the Boston Celtics during the NBA game at the Boston Garden in Boston, Masachussetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Portland Trail Blazers
(Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Trail Blazers made a wise choice in the 1971 NBA Draft with their No. 2 overall selection. They were able to land former UCLA Bruins star forward Sidney Wicks in that draft. Though his Trail Blazers career didn’t last forever, Wicks was arguably the first star Portland had as a franchise. He would make four All-Star Games as a member of the Trail Blazers.

Wicks won the 1971-72 NBA Rookie of the Year award, averaging 24.5 points, 11.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game in 39.6 minutes per contest. Obviously, he made the All-Rookie first team. Wicks would begin his string of four-straight trips to the Western Conference All-Star game that same season.

However, the Trail Blazers were never a playoff team in his five years with the club. Wicks would see a dip in his productivity in year five. This was the first time he did not average 20.0 points per game in a season, as well as missed out on his first trip to the All-Star Game. Before the famous 1976-77 NBA season, Wicks was dealt to the Boston Celtics for cash. He would play two seasons with the Celtics and then three more with the then San Diego Clippers before retiring in 1981 at the age of 31.

Overall, Wicks’ start to his NBA career was otherworldly. However, his prime did not carry over into his late 20s. Not being part of the championship team in Portland only being there for five years is what has likely prevented him from having his jersey retired. In five years with the Trail Blazers, Wicks averaged 22.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game in 38.8 minutes per contest. Had Portland been better when he was on the team, Wicks would be better known in Trail Blazers lore.