1994–95 Portland Trail Blazers season

The 1994–95 NBA season was the 25th season for the Portland Trail Blazers in the National Basketball Association.[1] The Blazers 25th season was marked by change as they played their final season at the Memorial Coliseum with new head coach P.J. Carlesimo.[2][3] The team also had the 17th overall pick in the 1994 NBA draft, and selected Aaron McKie out of Temple University.[4][5][6][7] The Blazers started their season defeating the Los Angeles Clippers in their first two games, which were played in Yokohama, Japan.[8][9][10][11] The team got off to a 6–6 start, and played around .500 for the first half of the season, holding a 25–20 record at the All-Star break,[12] as Terry Porter only played just 35 games due to an ankle injury.[13][14][15]

1994–95 Portland Trail Blazers season
Head coachP. J. Carlesimo
General managerBob Whitsitt
ArenaMemorial Coliseum
Results
Record44–38 (.537)
PlaceDivision: 4th (Pacific)
Conference: 7th (Western)
Playoff finishWest First Round
(lost to Suns 0–3)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionKGW
Prime Sports Northwest
RadioKEX

Clyde Drexler averaged 22.0 points per game for the first half of the season, but was not selected for the All-Star Game.[16] On February 14, 1995, with the Blazers out of serious contention for the championship, the team honored Drexler's request to be traded to a contender, sending him along with three-point specialist Tracy Murray to the defending NBA champion Houston Rockets in exchange for forward Otis Thorpe.[17][18][19][20][21] The Rockets went on to win their second straight title defeating the Orlando Magic in four straight games, and Drexler's first ever championship.[22][23][24][25][26]

The Blazers finished the season with a 44–38 record, fourth in the Pacific Division and seventh in the Western Conference.[27] It was their 13th straight trip to the postseason.[28] Clifford Robinson averaged 21.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, while Rod Strickland averaged 18.9 points, 8.8 assists and 1.9 steals per game, and Thorpe played a sixth man role, averaging 13.5 points and 6.9 rebounds per game off the bench in 34 games with the Blazers. In addition, Buck Williams averaged 9.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, and Chris Dudley led the team with 9.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. Off the bench, Harvey Grant provided the team with 9.1 points per game, while Porter contributed 8.9 points and 3.8 assists per game, second-year guard James Robinson provided with 9.2 points per game, and Jerome Kersey contributed 8.1 points per game.[29]

However, in the playoffs, the Blazers were swept in the Western Conference First Round by a 0–3 margin against the Phoenix Suns.[30][31][32][33] Following the season, Thorpe was traded to the Detroit Pistons,[34][35][36] while Porter signed as a free agent with the Minnesota Timberwolves,[37][38][39] Kersey was left unprotected in the 1995 NBA Expansion Draft, where he was selected by the newly expansion Toronto Raptors,[40][41][42][43][44] and Mark Bryant signed with the Houston Rockets.[45]

Draft picks
Main article: 1994 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club Team
117Aaron McKieSG United StatesTemple
243Shawnelle ScottC United StatesSt. John's

Roster
1994–95 Portland Trail Blazers roster
Players Coaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
C 2 Bryant, Mark 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1965–04–25 Seton Hall
C 24 Dudley, Chris 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1965–02–22 Yale
C 53 Edwards, James 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1955–11–22 Washington
F 44 Grant, Harvey 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1965–07–04 Oklahoma
G 12 Henson, Steve Injured 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 177 lb (80 kg) 1968–02–02 Kansas State
F 25 Kersey, Jerome 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1962–06–26 Longwood
G 23 McKie, Aaron 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 209 lb (95 kg) 1972–10–02 Temple
G 30 Porter, Terry 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1963–04–08 UW–Stevens Point
F 3 Robinson, Clifford 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1966–12–16 Connecticut
G 26 Robinson, James 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1970–08–31 Alabama
G 1 Strickland, Rod 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1966–07–11 DePaul
F 33 Thorpe, Otis 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1962–08–05 Providence
F 52 Williams, Buck 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1960–03–08 Maryland
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: {{{access-date}}}

Regular season

Season standings
Pacific Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Phoenix Suns 5923.720—32–927–1423–7
x-Seattle SuperSonics 5725.695232–925–1616–14
x-Los Angeles Lakers 4834.5851129–1219–2215–15
x-Portland Trail Blazers 4438.5371526–1518–2317–13
Sacramento Kings 3943.4762027–1412–2917–13
Golden State Warriors 2656.3173315–2611–3011–19
Los Angeles Clippers 1765.2074213–284–376–24
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 x-San Antonio Spurs6220.756–
2 y-Phoenix Suns5923.7203
3 x-Utah Jazz6022.7322
4 x-Seattle SuperSonics5725.6955
5 x-Los Angeles Lakers4834.58514
6 x-Houston Rockets4735.57315
7 x-Portland Trail Blazers4438.53718
8 x-Denver Nuggets4141.50021
9 Sacramento Kings3943.47623
10 Dallas Mavericks3646.43926
11 Golden State Warriors2656.31736
12 Minnesota Timberwolves2161.25641
13 Los Angeles Clippers1765.20745
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents
1994–95 NBA records
Team ATL BOS CHA CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MIA MIL MIN NJN NYK ORL PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA UTA WAS
Atlanta –3–12–21–41–42–02–03–22–00–21–42–00–22–21–32–04–02–21–33–11–11–11–11–10–20–24–0
Boston 1–3–1–30–42–21–11–13–12–01–12–20–21–14–11–32–02–30–52–33–11–10–21–10–21–10–23–1
Charlotte 2–23–1–2–23–20–21–15–02–00–21–42–00–23–14–11–13–13–11–33–10–22–01–11–12–02–03–1
Chicago 4–14–02–2–2–31–11–15–02–01–12–21–11–13–11–42–02–23–11–34–01–11–10–21–10–20–22–2
Cleveland 4–12–22–33–2–0–21–12–22–00–22–31–11–11–34–01–14–02–21–33–11–11–11–10–20–21–13–1
Dallas 0–21–12–01–12–0–1–41–13–12–31–13–11–30–21–14–11–10–20–22–00–43–12–22–30–42–41–1
Denver 0–21–11–11–11–14–1–1–11–31–41–14–02–22–02–06–01–10–20–21–11–33–12–21–41–31–42–0
Detroit 2–31–30–50–52–21–11–1–1–10–22–21–10–21–32–31–12–21–31–34–01–10–21–10–20–20–23–1
Golden State 0–20–20–20–20–21–33–11–1–0–40–23–23–21–10–21–31–11–10–21–13–21–40–51–31–42–22–0
Houston 2–01–12–01–12–03–24–12–04–0–1–13–10–42–01–13–22–00–20–22–03–11–33–11–50–42–32–0
Indiana 4–12–24–12–23–21–11–12–22–01–1–2–01–12–23–22–03–11–32–24–01–11–12–02–01–10–23–1
L.A. Clippers 0–22–00–21–11–11–30–41–12–31–30–2–2–30–21–11–30–20–20–21–11–40–51–40–40–51–30–2
L.A. Lakers 2–01–12–01–11–13–12–22–02–34–01–13–2–1–11–13–12–00–21–11–11–42–33–21–34–12–22–0
Miami 2–21–41–31–33–12–00–23–11–10–22–22–01–1–4–01–11–31–41–31–40–20–20–20–20–20–24–1
Milwaukee 3–13–11–44–10–41–10–23–22–01–12–31–11–10–4–1–12–22–20–43–10–20–21–10–20–20–23–1
Minnesota 0–20–21–10–21–11–40–61–13–12–30–23–11–31–11–1–1–10–21–11–10–40–41–30–50–41–41–1
New Jersey 0–43–21–32–20–41–11–12–21–10–21–32–00–23–12–21–1–1–42–22–30–21–11–10–21–10–22–3
New York 2–25–01–31–32–22–02–03–11–12–03–12–02–04–12–22–04–1–2–34–01–11–12–01–10–20–24–0
Orlando 3–13–23–13–13–12–02–03–12–02–02–22–01–13–14–01–12–23–2–4–11–12–01–11–10–21–13–2
Philadelphia 1–31–31–30–41–30–21–10–41–10–20–41–11–14–11–31–13–20–41–4–0–22–01–10–20–20–23–2
Phoenix 1–11–12–01–11–14–03–11–12–31–31–14–14–12–02–04–02–01–11–12–0–5–04–12–24–12–22–0
Portland 1–12–00–21–11–11–31–32–04–13–11–15–03–22–02–04–01–11–10–20–20–5–3–21–32–31–32–0
Sacramento 1–11–11–12–01–12–22–21–15–01–30–24–12–32–01–13–11–10–21–11–11–42–3–0–43–20–41–1
San Antonio 1–12–01–11–12–03–24–12–03–15–10–24–03–12–02–05–02–01–11–12–02–23–14–0–2–23–22–0
Seattle 2–01–10–22–02–04–03–12–04–14–01–15–01–42–02–04–01–12–02–02–01–43–22–32–2–1–32–0
Utah 2–02–00–22–01–14–24–12–02–23–22–03–12–22–02–04–12–02–01–12–02–23–14–02–33–1–2–0
Washington 0–41–31–32–21–31–10–21–30–20–21–32–00–21–41–31–13–20–42–32–30–20–21–10–20–20–2—

Game log
1994–95 game log
Total: 44–38 (home: 26–15; road: 18–23)
November: 6–6 (home: 3–3; road: 3–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
8 November 22, 1994
5:30 p.m. PST		 @ Houston W 102–94 Drexler (30) Robinson (13) Robinson (9) The Summit
16,611		 5–3
December: 7–7 (home: 7–3; road: 0–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
January: 9–6 (home: 3–2; road: 6–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
February: 8–4 (home: 6–1; road: 2–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
44 February 6, 1995
7:00 p.m. PST		 Houston W 120–82 Robinson (20) Kersey (14) Drexler (7) Memorial Coliseum
12,888		 24–20
All-Star Break
March: 7–10 (home: 3–4; road: 4–6)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
April: 7–5 (home: 4–2; road: 3–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
73 April 7, 1995
7:00 p.m. PDT		 Houston W 127–109 Strickland (27) Robinson (8) Strickland (10) Memorial Coliseum
12,888		 39–34
76 April 13, 1995
5:30 p.m. PDT		 @ Houston L 99–112 Strickland (22) Thorpe (14) Strickland (5) The Summit
16,611		 40–36
1994–95 schedule

Playoffs
1995 playoff game log
First round: 0–3 (home: 0–1; road: 0–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 April 28 @ Phoenix L 102–129 Rod Strickland (23) Grant, Dudley (7) Rod Strickland (13) America West Arena
19,023		 0–1
2 April 30 @ Phoenix L 94–103 Rod Strickland (26) Buck Williams (7) Rod Strickland (12) America West Arena
19,023		 0–2
3 May 2 Phoenix L 109–117 Rod Strickland (21) Clifford Robinson (10) Rod Strickland (12) Memorial Coliseum
12,888		 0–3
1995 schedule

Player statistics
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Season
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Mark Bryant49013.4.526.500.6513.3.6.4.35.0
Clyde Drexler414134.8.428.363.8355.75.11.8.522.0
Chris Dudley828227.4.406.000.4649.3.4.51.55.5
James Edwards2809.5.386.000.6471.5.3.2.32.7
Harvey Grant751423.6.461.308.7053.81.1.7.79.1
Steve Henson37010.3.430.442.880.72.3.2.03.2
Jerome Kersey63018.1.415.259.7664.11.3.8.68.1
Aaron McKie452018.4.444.393.6852.92.0.8.46.5
Tracy Murray29310.8.412.390.8241.3.5.2.05.9
Terry Porter35922.0.393.386.7072.33.8.9.18.9
Clifford Robinson757336.3.452.371.6945.62.61.11.121.3
James Robinson712521.7.409.341.5911.92.5.7.29.2
Rod Strickland646135.4.466.374.7455.08.81.9.118.9
Otis Thorpe34026.7.568.000.6496.91.6.6.413.5
Buck Williams828229.5.512.500.6738.21.0.8.89.2

Playoffs
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Mark Bryant203.0.500.000.0001.0.0.0.01.0
Chris Dudley3319.7.667.000.3755.0.3.0.32.3
James Edwards104.0.000.000.000.0.0.0.0.0
Harvey Grant3338.3.500.556.6255.32.01.0.714.3
Jerome Kersey3021.0.571.000.6672.71.01.0.312.7
Aaron McKie3011.3.571.500.000.7.31.0.05.7
Terry Porter307.0.538.400.600.71.3.0.06.3
Clifford Robinson3339.7.362.2355636.32.7.7.315.7
James Robinson202.0.667.667.000.0.5.0.03.0
Rod Strickland3342.0.415.400.7784.012.31.0.723.3
Otis Thorpe3022.0.571.000.7004.3.7.0.010.3
Buck Williams3334.3.600.000.6366.3.31.3.78.3

Awards and records

The Trail Blazers did not win any awards for the 1994–95 season.

Transactions

Trades
February 14, 1995 To Portland Trail Blazers
Otis Thorpe
Cash considerations
1995 first-round pick		 To Houston Rockets
Clyde Drexler
Tracy Murray

Free agents
Additions
Player Date signed Former team
James Edwards September 19 Los Angeles Lakers
Elmer Bennett October 4 Fargo-Moorhead Fever (CBA)
Negele Knight October 27 San Antonio Spurs
Jerome Kersey October 18 Portland Trail Blazers
Steve Henson November 20 Mexico Aztecas (CBA)
Subtractions
Player Date signed New Team
Elmer Bennett October 28 Oklahoma City Cavalry (CBA)
Shawnelle Scott Oklahoma City Cavalry (CBA)
Jaren Jackson November 1 Philadelphia 76ers
Negele Knight December 18 Detroit Pistons

Player Transactions Citation:[46]

References
  1. 1994-95 Portland Trail Blazers
  2. "PRO BASKETBALL; Carlesimo Leaves Hall to Coach Trail Blazers". The New York Times. June 24, 1994. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  3. "Trail Blazers Pick Carlesimo". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. June 24, 1994. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  4. "Huge Contract, Big Expectations Await No. 1 Draft Pick Robinson". Deseret News. Associated Press. June 30, 1994. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  5. Baker, Chris (June 30, 1994). "NBA DRAFT: Clippers Select Murray: Pro Basketball: Cal Forward Drafted Amid Rumors of Impending Mark Jackson Trade". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  6. Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 30, 1994). "NBA DRAFT: Lakers Recall the Past: Pro Basketball: Temple Guard Jones Reminiscent of Former Great Michael Cooper". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  7. "1994 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  8. "Clippers and Blazers to Open NBA Season in Japan". United Press International. July 7, 1994. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  9. "Sports Briefings; N.B.A. in Japan". The New York Times. Associated Press. November 3, 1994. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  10. "Change of Hemisphere Doesn't Help Clippers". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. November 5, 1994. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  11. "Clippers End Poor Foreign Experience: Pro Basketball: Twenty-Five Turnovers Are Key Factor in a 112-95 Loss to the Trail Blazers". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. November 6, 1994. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  12. "NBA Games Played on February 9, 1995". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  13. "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Blazers' Robinson Calls Off His Holdout". The New York Times. October 26, 1994. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  14. "Robinson In, Porter Out for Blazers". Tampa Bay Times. October 26, 1994. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  15. Evans, Richard (November 29, 1994). "Blazers Boast New Weapon: Defense". Deseret News. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  16. Howard-Cooper, Scott (February 1, 1995). "Ceballos Awoken by All-Star Alarm Call: Pro Basketball: Forward Is Chosen as a Reserve for Game in Phoenix by Western Conference Coaches". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  17. "PRO BASKETBALL; Drexler Traded for Otis Thorpe". The New York Times. Associated Press. February 15, 1995. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  18. Heisler, Mark (February 15, 1995). "Portland Trades Drexler to Rockets: Pro Basketball: Trail Blazers Escape $9.75-Million Balloon Payment Due Next Season, Get Thorpe and a No. 1 Pick". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  19. "Roundup". The Washington Post. February 15, 1995. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  20. "Drexler to Rockets; Blazers Deal Disgruntled Star, Murray for Thorpe, Pick". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Reports. February 15, 1995. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  21. "Rockets Deal for Drexler". Tampa Bay Times. February 15, 1995. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  22. Brown, Clifton (June 15, 1995). "1995 N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Rockets Sweep to 2d Straight Championship". The New York Times. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  23. Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 15, 1995). "NBA FINALS: Two-Ring Circus Hits Houston: Pro Basketball: Olajuwon (who else?) Is MVP Again After Leading Rockets to Sweep of Magic". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  24. Justice, Richard (June 15, 1995). "Rockets' Sweep Finishes Magic Season". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  25. Guest, Larry (June 15, 1995). "Magic Are the Main Entree at This Friendly Texas Barbecue". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  26. "1995 NBA Finals: Rockets vs. Magic". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  27. "1994–95 Portland Trail Blazers Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  28. "Portland Trail Blazers". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  29. "1994–95 Portland Trail Blazers Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  30. "1995 N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Suns, Spurs and Pacers Make It a Sweeps Night". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 3, 1995. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  31. "Spurs, Suns, Pacers Complete Sweeps". Deseret News. Associated Press. May 3, 1995. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  32. "1995 NBA Western Conference First Round Game 3: Phoenix Suns at Portland Trail Blazers Box Score, May 2, 1995". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  33. "1995 NBA Western Conference First Round: Trail Blazers vs. Suns". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  34. "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Trail Blazers Trade Thorpe to Pistons". The New York Times. September 21, 1995. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  35. "Pistons Get Thorpe for Rookie Childress". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. September 21, 1995. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  36. "Blazers, Pistons Cut Deal". The Spokesman-Review. September 21, 1995. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
  37. Smith, Sam (October 15, 1995). "Rookies Provide Proviso Influence". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  38. "Transactions". The New York Times. October 15, 1995. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  39. "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; McHale Moves to Improve Timberwolves". The New York Times. October 17, 1995. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  40. Wise, Mike (June 25, 1995). "PRO BASKETBALL; Anthony Is No. 2 of the Secaucus 27". The New York Times. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  41. Heisler, Mark (June 25, 1995). "Armstrong Becomes Top Expansion Pick: NBA: Raptors Take Guard from Bulls. Massenburg Also Headed to Toronto, While Lakers Lose Harvey to Vancouver". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  42. Smith, Sam (June 25, 1995). "Toronto Picks Armstrong; May Not Trade Him". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  43. "NBA Expansion Draft -- Point Guards Are Top Priority for Young Raptors, Grizzlies". The Seattle Times. Associated Press. June 25, 1995. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  44. "1995 NBA Expansion Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  45. Winderman, Ira (September 29, 1995). "Free Agent Herrera to Sign with Spurs". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  46. "1994–95 Portland Trail Blazers Transactions". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.