The Portland Trail Blazers have a rich history in the NBA, with many great players donning the black and red over the years. However, not all of these players have received the recognition they deserve.
Here are five of the most underrated Blazers players of all time, in no particular order.
1. Terry Porter
Terry Porter played for the Blazers from 1985 to 1995 and was an integral part of the team during its successful run in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was a two-time All-Star and led the Blazers to two NBA finals appearances. I recently wrote about how his statistical accomplishments make him a top five Blazer of all time.
Despite those accomplishments, Porter is often forgotten when discussing top Blazers players because he played on teams that were stacked with talent. He was a key contributor, but he played alongside other all-star-caliber players, such as Clyde Drexler. This may have led some to undervalue his contributions to the team’s success.
It’s hard to compete with Drexler, who many believe is the best Blazer of all time.
Additionally, Porter played in an era when the NBA was dominated by superstars like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird. As a result, many great players from that era may be somewhat underrated when compared to players from other eras.
Even so, Porter remains a beloved and respected figure in Portland Trail Blazers history, and his contributions to the team’s success should not be forgotten.