1989–90 Portland Trail Blazers season
Encyclopedia
The 1989-90 season was the 20th season for the Portland Trail Blazers
in the National Basketball Association
(NBA), in which the Blazers finished with a franchise-high 59–23 record and returned to the NBA Finals
for the first time since their championship season of 1976–77
. However, they were unsuccessful in capturing their second NBA title, as they fell to the Detroit Pistons four games to one.
Clyde Drexler
continued to be the leading scorer for the Trail Blazers
with 23.3 ppg, as the Blazers rebounded off their disappointing season to post a solid 59-23 record good enough for second place in the Pacific, as the Blazers were made stronger by acquiring Buck Williams, a 6-8 rebounding machine from the New Jersey Nets
for Sam Bowie. The acquisition of Williams helped make the Blazers stronger for the playoffs and it showed as they won their first playoff series in five years by sweeping the Dallas Mavericks
in three straight games. In the second round the Blazers needed seven games to get past the San Antonio Spurs
as the home team won all seven games. In the Western Conference Finals the Trail Blazers continued to defend their home court well, jumping out to a 2-0 lead over the Phoenix Suns. The Suns rebounded to take the next two in Phoenix as the Blazers won Game 5 at home 120-114. However, there would be no need for a seventh game as the Blazers knocked off the Suns with a 112-109 win in Game 6 to reach the NBA Finals for the second time in franchise history. In the Finals the Trail Blazers got off to a solid start, splitting the first two games on the road against the defending NBA Champion Detroit Pistons
. However, the Blazers dropped all three games at home as the Pistons won the NBA title in five games.
won the Euroscar Award
, presented by the Italian
basketball magazine Superbasket
to the top player in Europe. Unlike major NBA awards, the Euroscar is awarded for a player's performance during a calendar year, and also takes into account a player's performances for his national team. In Petrović's case, the award considered his performances in 1989 for Real Madrid
and the Yugoslavia national team
, as well as the Blazers. This was the second of what would eventually be four Euroscars for Petrović.
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
in the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
(NBA), in which the Blazers finished with a franchise-high 59–23 record and returned to the NBA Finals
1990 NBA Finals
The 1990 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1989-90 NBA season. The series pitted the Detroit Pistons against the Portland Trail Blazers...
for the first time since their championship season of 1976–77
1976–77 Portland Trail Blazers season
The 1976-77 season was the seventh for the Portland Trail Blazers 7th season in the National Basketball Association . The revamped Blazers would end up getting off to a terrific start winning 22 of their first 29 games....
. However, they were unsuccessful in capturing their second NBA title, as they fell to the Detroit Pistons four games to one.
Clyde Drexler
Clyde Drexler
Clyde Austin "Clyde The Glide" Drexler is a former National Basketball Association shooting guard and small forward. A ten-time All-Star and member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, the NBA named him one of basketball's fifty greatest players as of 1996. Drexler won an Olympic gold medal in 1992 and...
continued to be the leading scorer for the Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
with 23.3 ppg, as the Blazers rebounded off their disappointing season to post a solid 59-23 record good enough for second place in the Pacific, as the Blazers were made stronger by acquiring Buck Williams, a 6-8 rebounding machine from the New Jersey Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
for Sam Bowie. The acquisition of Williams helped make the Blazers stronger for the playoffs and it showed as they won their first playoff series in five years by sweeping the Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are a professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association , and the reigning NBA champions, having defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.According to a 2011...
in three straight games. In the second round the Blazers needed seven games to get past the San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
as the home team won all seven games. In the Western Conference Finals the Trail Blazers continued to defend their home court well, jumping out to a 2-0 lead over the Phoenix Suns. The Suns rebounded to take the next two in Phoenix as the Blazers won Game 5 at home 120-114. However, there would be no need for a seventh game as the Blazers knocked off the Suns with a 112-109 win in Game 6 to reach the NBA Finals for the second time in franchise history. In the Finals the Trail Blazers got off to a solid start, splitting the first two games on the road against the defending NBA Champion Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
. However, the Blazers dropped all three games at home as the Pistons won the NBA title in five games.
NBA Draft
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | School/Club Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 22 | Byron Irvin Byron Irvin Byron Edward Irvin is a retired American professional basketball player. A 6'5" and 190 lb shooting guard, he was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the 1989 NBA Draft.Irvin is from Chicago IL. where he attended Percy Julian High School... |
G | Missouri Missouri Tigers men's basketball The Missouri Tigers men's basketball team represents the University of Missouri in the Big 12 Conference. The Tigers are located in Columbia, Missouri. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 2011. The Missouri Tigers men's basketball team plays its home games at... |
|
| 2 | 36 | Clifford Robinson Clifford R. Robinson Clifford "Cliff" Ralph Robinson is a former American professional basketball player, formerly of the National Basketball Association.-Highlights:... |
F/C | Connecticut Connecticut Huskies men's basketball The Connecticut Huskies is the name of the men's college basketball team representing the University of Connecticut, in Storrs, Connecticut, USA. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I, and the team competes in the Big East Conference... |
Depth chart
| Pos. | Starter | Bench | Reserve | Inactive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C Center (basketball) The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well... |
Kevin Duckworth Kevin Duckworth Kevin Jerome Duckworth was an American professional basketball player at center in the National Basketball Association. A native of Illinois, he played college basketball at Eastern Illinois University before being drafted in 1986 in the second round by the San Antonio Spurs... |
Wayne Cooper | ||
| PF Power forward (basketball) Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low... |
Buck Williams Buck Williams Charles Linwood Williams , better known as "Buck", is a retired American professional basketball player and current assistant coach for the Portland Trail Blazers. He was well known for his rebounding ability and trademark goggles.Williams, 6 ft 8 in , ranks 13th all-time in NBA career rebounds... |
Cliff Robinson | Mark Bryant Mark Bryant Mark Craig Bryant is a retired American professional basketball player who was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1st round of the 1988 NBA Draft. Bryant played for 10 NBA teams during his career, averaging 5.4 ppg and appeared in the 1990 and 1992 NBA Finals as a member of the Blazers... |
|
| SF Small forward The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall... |
Jerome Kersey Jerome Kersey Jerome Kersey is a retired American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association for a number of teams, but most notably for the Portland Trail Blazers. He also has served in various coaching roles in the NBA. Kersey is currently a resident of Happy Valley, Oregon in... |
Nate Johnston Nate Johnston Nate Johnston is an American professional basketball player. He played briefly in the NBA for the Utah Jazz and the Portland Trail Blazers during the 1989-90 season. Johnston, a 6'8" forward, played collegiately at the University of Tampa from 1984–1988... |
Robert Reid Robert Reid (basketball) Robert Keith Reid is an American former professional basketball player.A 6'8" forward from St. Mary's University, Texas, Reid played thirteen seasons in the National Basketball Association as a member of the Houston Rockets, Charlotte Hornets, Portland Trail Blazers, and Philadelphia 76ers... |
|
| SG Shooting guard The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team... |
Clyde Drexler Clyde Drexler Clyde Austin "Clyde The Glide" Drexler is a former National Basketball Association shooting guard and small forward. A ten-time All-Star and member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, the NBA named him one of basketball's fifty greatest players as of 1996. Drexler won an Olympic gold medal in 1992 and... |
Dražen Petrović Dražen Petrovic Dražen Petrović was a Yugoslav and Croatian professional basketball player. A shooting guard, he initially achieved success playing professional basketball in Europe in the 1980s before joining the American NBA in 1989... |
Byron Irvin Byron Irvin Byron Edward Irvin is a retired American professional basketball player. A 6'5" and 190 lb shooting guard, he was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the 1989 NBA Draft.Irvin is from Chicago IL. where he attended Percy Julian High School... |
|
| PG Point guard Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that... |
Terry Porter Terry Porter Terry Porter is an American professional basketball coach and former player in the National Basketball Association . A native of Wisconsin, he played college basketball at the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point before being drafted 24th by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1985 NBA Draft... |
Danny Young |
Season standings
| Team | W | L | PCT. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Lakers Los Angeles Lakers The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association... |
63 | 19 | .768 | - |
| Portland Trail Blazers Portland Trail Blazers The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the... |
59 | 23 | .720 | 4 |
| Phoenix Suns Phoenix Suns The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US... |
54 | 28 | .659 | 9 |
| Seattle SuperSonics Seattle SuperSonics The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as... |
41 | 41 | .500 | 22 |
| Golden State Warriors Golden State Warriors The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association... |
37 | 45 | .451 | 26 |
| Los Angeles Clippers Los Angeles Clippers The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association... |
30 | 52 | .366 | 33 |
| Sacramento Kings Sacramento Kings The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association... |
23 | 59 | .280 | 40 |
Awards and records
During the season, Dražen PetrovićDražen Petrovic
Dražen Petrović was a Yugoslav and Croatian professional basketball player. A shooting guard, he initially achieved success playing professional basketball in Europe in the 1980s before joining the American NBA in 1989...
won the Euroscar Award
Euroscar Award
The Euroscar European Player of the Year Award known as European basketball's Oscar award, is an annual basketball award that started in 1979. The award names each year's best European basketball player, regardless of where he plays in the world, including NBA players. The award is judged on the...
, presented by the Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
basketball magazine Superbasket
Superbasket Magazine
Superbasket Magazine is an Italian weekly magazine dedicated to coverage of European and world basketball. It was first published in the year 1978, being one of the oldest basketball publications in Europe...
to the top player in Europe. Unlike major NBA awards, the Euroscar is awarded for a player's performance during a calendar year, and also takes into account a player's performances for his national team. In Petrović's case, the award considered his performances in 1989 for Real Madrid
Real Madrid Baloncesto
Real Madrid Baloncesto is a Spanish professional basketball team founded in 1932 as a division of the Real Madrid club. They play in the Asociación de Clubes de Baloncesto ....
and the Yugoslavia national team
Yugoslavia national basketball team
The Yugoslavian national basketball team represented the Kingdom and socialist Yugoslavia. Its of governing body was the Basketball Federation of Yugoslavia, whose seat was in Belgrade....
, as well as the Blazers. This was the second of what would eventually be four Euroscars for Petrović.