- 21.8 PPG, 6 seasons
- 8th in franchise history in points (9,732)
- 4th in franchise history in points per game
Geoff Petrie was the first player ever drafted in Blazers history. He was selected eighth overall in the 1970 NBA Draft.
Petrie proved to be a great selection. He averaged 24.8 points per game as a rookie and won Co-Rookie of the Year along with Dave Cowens of the Boston Celtics. Despite being a rookie, he was also selected to the All-Star team.
It is a shame that the NBA did not have a 3-point line in the early ’70s, because Petrie was a great shooter. His scoring numbers would be much higher in today’s NBA.
Petrie had a small sophomore slump and his scoring average dipped to 18.9 points in his second season, however, he was back on track by his third season as he averaged 24.9 points per game. Petrie scored 51 against the Rockets in January of 1973, which set a new franchise record at the time.
Petrie did not slow down for the 1973-74 season. He earned his second All-Star selection and averaged 24.3 points per game. He also shot a career-high 48.1 percent from the field.
Petrie’s scoring numbers dipped for the 1974-75 season. He averaged a career-low 18.3 points per game, but he attempted almost five fewer shots per game than the previous season. The drop in volume was to accommodate Sidney Wicks, who Petrie had already been teammates with, and rookie Bill Walton.
The 1975-76 season would be Petrie’s last. He still averaged 18.9 points, but he was traded after the season to the Atlanta Hawks for Maurice Lucas. Petrie, unfortunately, suffered a career-ending knee injury, and never suited up for the Hawks.
Although Petrie’s career was short, he still put up great numbers and established himself as a legend. It is sad that Petrie, Bill Walton, and Brandon Roy all had career-altering injuries in their primes. Nevertheless, Petrie’s legacy is still great enough to land him at number four on our list.