Jersey numbers and their connection to the Portland Trail Blazers. Part two

Here is part two of jersey numbers and the connection to the Portland Trail Blazers players that wore them over the years. Here is part one. 

The terrible teens. But are they in this case?

The single-digit numbers had some good players over the years, like Damian Lillard and his “O.” The double digits could be as good as the single ones.

Jersey numbers and their connection to the Portland Trail Blazers. Part two

“10”

PHIL LUMPKIN, STEVE HAWES, CORKY CALHOUN, RON BREWER, JAY BUSE, FERNANDO MARTIN, CRAIG NEAL, DONTONIO WINGFIELD, ANTONIO DANIELS, OMAR COOK, JOEL PRZYBILLA, TIM FRAZIER, JAKE LAYMAN, JAYLEN ADAMS.

The verdict…(snoring), are you awake after reading all of those names? Perhaps the focus should be on 10 instead? Joel Przybilla. Przybilla was the presence in the middle the Blazers needed after the retirement of Arvydas Sabonis. And he did a fine job of filling that role.

“11”

SHALER HALIMON, CHARLES YELVERTON, MARK SIBLEY, WILLIE SMITH, ABDUL JEELANI, MIKE GALE, RON ROWAN, CLINTON WHEELER, NEGELE KNIGHT, DELANEY RUDD, ARVYDAS SABONIS, VLADIMIR STEPANIA, SERGIO RODRIGUEZ, LUKE BABBITT, JAMAL CRAWFORD, MEYERS LEONARD, ENES KANTER.

The verdict on 11…I think 10 pretty much gave it away. Were you paying attention? Shouldn’t the Blazers have retired it in his honor? Still don’t know who? Sabonis is the answer.

“12”

RICK ADELMAN, DENNIS LAYTON, BILLY RAY BATES, LAFAYETTE LEVER, LAMONT STROUTHERS, STEVE HENSON, RANDOLPH CHILDRESS, JOHN CROTTY, DETLEF SCHREMPF, ERICK BARKLEY, JAMES THOMAS, SERGI MONIA, LAMARCUS ALDRIDGE.

The Answer…Aldridge. Although Schrempf was highly considered, Aldridge, the 7-time all-star, gets the nod here.

“13”

DAVE WOHL, BERNIE FRYER, DAVE TWARDZIK.

The results for 13…Twardzik. A member of the 77 championship team, the team has the number retired for him.

“14”

LIONEL HOLLINS, KELVIN RANSEY

The envelope please…We can go with the same player twice can’t we? The same player who was chosen at 9. Hollins. This time he has this number retired at the Moda Center in his honor.

“15”

CLAUDE ENGLISH, LARRY STEELE

The verdict here…without a doubt Steele. English only played one season in the NBA and with Portland. Steele was with the Blazers for 10 and, like Twardzik and Hollins, has the number retired for him.

“16”

JOHNNY DAVIS, CJ ELLEBY

Drum roll please…with no doubt whatsoever, it goes to Davis. The “rookie” could impact this team, but he isn’t ready to be given this honor. Davis was a member of the 77 team as well.

“17”

CHARLES DAVIS, WILLIE MCCARTER, BOB VERGA, MARIO ELIE, VINCENT ASKEW, CHRIS JOHNSON, EARL WATSON, ED DAVIS, SKAL LABISSIERE.

The decision…it has to be Ed Davis. Of all the other candidates here, he played for the Trail Blazers the longest (2015-2018)and contributed the most.

“18”

VICTOR CLAVER.

It’s yours Claver. You’re the winner! Congratulations! It’s a unanimous decision.

“19”

LENNY WILKENS, ALEKSANDER DJORDJEVIC, SEAN HIGGINS, NICK VAN EXEL, JOEL FREELAND.

The best player to wear 19? I probably should go with Wilkens, the Hall of Famer.

Did you know? Lenny Wilkens was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a player (1989), as a coach (1998), and as a member of the 1992 Dream Team (2010). Wilkens was a player/coach while with Portland.

It’s worth noting, Pau Gasol was given 16, but never appeared in a game for Portland.