Rip City: The Portland Trail Blazers (1970-)

ThatBroadcasterGuy · November 4, 2016

Intro:

You may remember me from the Chicago Bulls dynasty I tried to start a couple of months ago. I ended that one because it wasn't playing out realistically enough for me. Three seasons in and the Bulls were already a playoff contender.

So, I recently decided to start another one. I chose the Trail Blazers because this season marks the 40th anniversary of their 1977 championship title.

I'll be playing this out using my accurate team names and colors mod found here. Also, only the NBA and the NBADL will be active.

My only goal for this dynasty is to win more than one championship. Should be easy enough, right?

With all that out of the way, sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride!

First look at the team:

Finances:

Team Budget: $606,060

Salary Cap: $425,000

Total Salary: $219,488

CENTERS:

None

POWER FORWARDS:

http://i.imgur.com/Rie4oft.png

http://i.imgur.com/VYRmOEJ.png

Once again, I start with a team with no centers. I'll probably start Schlueter at the center position, due to his better defensive abilities. Ellis meanwhile seems to be more suited to the power forward position.

SMALL FORWARDS:

http://i.imgur.com/PS5uhWY.png

http://i.imgur.com/gw6GsUl.png

http://i.imgur.com/amZA4j5.png

http://i.imgur.com/Z7pFBYf.png

http://i.imgur.com/3y2JfFE.png

http://i.imgur.com/UmAkOBF.png

Also again I start with too many small forwards. Gregor I believe is my best player at that position and will most likely get the starting nod. I'll probably be trading a couple of these guys for a backup center before the season starts.

SHOOTING GUARDS:

http://i.imgur.com/4iu3E0S.png

I have only one shooting guard to start out, and he seems good enough, but I'll probably make one of my point guards play shooting guard with him as backup.

POINT GUARDS:

http://i.imgur.com/acv9aZS.png

http://i.imgur.com/UNFacyI.png

http://i.imgur.com/pr6CLWT.png

http://i.imgur.com/mrbJdz6.png

Petrie is a shoe in for the starting shooting guard position. Barnett, with his good passing abilities will be my starting point guard. Adelman should do nicely coming off the bench. English is tradeable at best.

Final thoughts:

This team has some great pieces starting out. It also has some players I can trade for players I need. A very good start if you ask me.

ThatBroadcasterGuy · November 7, 2016

1970 Preseason

<div style="text-align:center;">Free Agency:

No free agents so there's nothing to say

==================================================

My Trades:

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS GET:

http://i.imgur.com/mrbJdz6.png

http://i.imgur.com/UmAkOBF.png

PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS GET:

http://i.imgur.com/qMAQEs4.png

Why?

I wasn't getting anything decent at the center position so I went for the the best power forward I could get. Those who followed by Chicago Bulls dynasty will recognize Chappell.

==================================================

Other Trades:

None

==================================================

Preseason Results:

http://i.imgur.com/vjYXFdj.png

I expected this since we are an expansion team. There were quite a few surprise performances this preseason. Because of this I'll tweak the depth chart a little bit.

Also not surprising, the media is expected us to finish last in the Pacific Division in our first season. We shall see.</div>

ThatBroadcasterGuy · December 5, 2016

<div style="text-align:center;">1970-1971 SEASON - BEFORE TRADE DEADLINE

==================================================

My Trades:

SEATTLE SUPERSONICS GET:

http://i.imgur.com/PS5uhWY.png

http://i.imgur.com/3y2JfFE.png

PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS GET:

http://i.imgur.com/phioYcO.png

Why?

Gregor was under performing as my starting small forward, and since the trade deadline was coming up, I decided to try for an upgrade at that position. I managed to find Kojis. Fortunately the Sonics were willing to give him up.

==================================================

Other Trades:

Knicks trade PG Mike Riordan to the Rockets for PF Curtis Perry

Cavaliers trade SF Bingo Smith to the Supersonics for SG Lee Winfield

Warriors trade SF Jeff Mullins to the Royals for Flynn Robinson

==================================================

Results:

http://i.imgur.com/zpKYwp9.png

==================================================

Standings:

http://i.imgur.com/kqArGEU.png

With our status as an expansion franchise, it comes as no surprise that our record is as bad as it is. My acquisition of Kojis has had no effect thus far. Petrie as you can tell has been a consistent scorer for us, and probably will be my starting PG going forward.

As is expected, the Lakers are pummeling the rest of the league. They are my picks to win the Finals this year. The rest of the division leaders haven't been contenders in a while!

Let's see if the rest of the season goes better or not.

</div>

Dawn · December 12, 2016

I'm in! Some FBPB diaries are always welcome. Best of luck.

ThatBroadcasterGuy · January 22, 2017

<div style="text-align:center;">1970-1971 SEASON - AFTER TRADE DEADLINE

==================================================

Results:

http://i.imgur.com/dHtivFp.png

We end up going 10-21 after the trade deadline, including a team record 5-game winning streak. I didn't note it on the spreadsheet, but Petrie was hit by a couple of minor injuries late in the season and I brought Barnett in to start at Point Guard.

==================================================

Player Stats:

http://i.imgur.com/ik1CNaS.png

http://i.imgur.com/9llf54L.png

http://i.imgur.com/meWcmru.png

Here you can see the reason why I made Barnett a starter late in the season. I had a gem on my bench and I didn't realize it! Ellis and Schlueter both did a great job pulling down rebounds. I think they will be my guys in the paint going forward.

Not surprisingly, we had least assists of all the teams this season. In fact, no one on the team dished out more than 9 assists in a game this season. That is something we'll have to work on. We were also second only to the Celtics in most turnovers.

==================================================

Final Standings:

http://i.imgur.com/Rybm0bd.png

Just as I predicted, the Lakers finished the season with the best record in the league, and are the favorites to win the NBA Finals. The second best record goes to the Bulls, who joined the league just 5 short years ago.

As was the case with my Bulls dynasty, we have a decent home record but got clobbered consistently on the road. We only won 6 games away from home.

Playoffs:

http://i.imgur.com/F30kH6M.png

The Lakers live up to expectations and defeat the Eastern Division champion New York Knicks in 5 games to win the NBA Finals. During the Western Division finals, the Lakers had to come back from a 2-0 deficit against the Bulls to make it to the Finals.

==================================================

My Awards:

Geoff Petrie: NBA Rookie Game Participant

==================================================

League Awards:

GM: Joseph Richard (Lakers)

Coach: Leocadio Tuscarora (Bulls)

MVP: Spencer Haywood (Supersonics)

Rookie: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Bucks)

Defender Wilt Chamberlain (Lakers)

6th Man: Chet Walker (Bulls)

Most Improved Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Bucks)

All-League 1st Team

C - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Bucks)

PF - Spencer Haywood (Supersonics)

SF - Bob Love (Bulls)

SG - Archie Clark (76ers)

PG - Jerry West (Lakers)

All-League 2nd Team

C - Wilt Chamberlain (Lakers)

PF - Billy Cunningham (76ers)

SF - Chet Walker (Bulls)

SG - Walt Frazier (Knicks)

PG - Connie Hawkins (Suns)

All-League 3rd Team

C - Bob Lanier (Pistons)

PF - John Havlicek (Celtics)

SF - Jack Marin (Bullets)

SG - Oscar Robertson (Bucks)

PG - Jeff Mullins (Royals)

All-Defense 1st Team

C - Wilt Chamberlain (Lakers)

PF - Jerry Lucas (Warriors)

SF - Jim Fox (Bulls)

SG - Connie Hawkins (Suns)

PG - Al Tucker (Bullets)

All-Defense 2nd Team

C - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Bucks)

PF - Spencer Haywood (Supersonics)

SF - Billy Cunningham (76ers)

SG - Walt Frazier (Knicks)

PG - Clem Haskins (Suns)

All-Rookie 1st Team

C - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Bucks)

PF - Spencer Haywood (Supersonics)

SF - Bob Love (Bulls)

SG - Archie Clark (76ers)

PG - Jerry West (Lakers)

All-Rookie 2nd Team

C - Wilt Chamberlain (Lakers)

PF - Billy Cunningham (76ers)

SF - Chet Walker (Bulls)

SG - Walt Frazier (Knicks)

PG - Connie Hawkins (Suns)

Once again, in the first year of the dynasty, the first and second all-league teams are the same as the all-rookie teams. Why does that even happen?

</div>

ThatBroadcasterGuy · January 24, 2017

<div style="text-align:center;">1971 OFFSEASON - DRAFT

==================================================

Retirements:

None

==================================================

1971 NBA Draft:

1. Cavaliers - Fred Brown (PG)

2. Trail Blazers - Clifford Ray (PF)

3. Braves - Elmore Smith ©

4. Hawks - Sidney Wicks (PF)

5. Warriors - Mike Newlin (SG)

6. Pistons - Randy Smith (PG)

7. Celtics - Phil Chenier (PG)

8. Rockets - Austin Carr (SG)

9. Bucks - Larry Steele (PG)

10. Knicks - Nate Williams (SF)

...

19. Trail Blazers - Jackie Dinkins (SG)

==================================================

My Picks:

http://i.imgur.com/TdIlYKG.png

Having the second pick in the draft, we had lots of great talent to choose from. Realizing that Kojis isn't the same player he was in my Bulls dynasty, I decided on picking this guy. He should do nicely at the forward position.

http://i.imgur.com/oTDT10k.png

For our second round pick, I decided on drafting a decent backup for one of my starters. This guy should fit the bill.

==================================================

Whats Next?

I think I already have a decent starting lineup, so I'll be mostly focusing on aquiring some good bench players in free agency. I'll especially be looking at passing ability, as we need to improve in that department.

==================================================

Finances Before Free Agency:

Team Budget: $642,963

Salary Cap: $525,000

Total Salary: $285,337

Cap Room: $239,663

</div>

ThatBroadcasterGuy · January 28, 2017

<div style="text-align:center;">1971 OFFSEASON - FREE AGENCY

==================================================

Top 10 Free Agents That Switched Teams:

http://i.imgur.com/fxRhOcn.png

The Suns lose three big players to free agency, but gain a big player in Willis Reed. A few other teams lose big players as well, but gain a big player in the process. A very interesting free agency period thats for sure. The stats are from last season.

==================================================

My Signings:

http://i.imgur.com/prBeOjG.png

As I said, I was looking for good bench players. This guy should make a very nice backup for Barrett with his awesome passing skills.

http://i.imgur.com/cVTxL5V.png

There weren't very many good players left in the free agent pool after I signed Williams, so I focused on filling out my roster with bench-worthy players. this guy should be a good role-player.

http://i.imgur.com/VXKjoeZ.png

I needed a backup center so I had to settle for this guy, as there were no decent centers left.

</div>

ThatBroadcasterGuy · January 29, 2017

<div style="text-align:center;">1971-1972 TEAM ROSTER

==================================================

Budget:

Team Budget: $642,963

Salary Cap: $525,000

Total Salary $316,822

=================================================

CENTERS:

http://i.imgur.com/tw2Eyen.png

http://i.imgur.com/c5RMe1t.png

POWER FORWARDS:

http://i.imgur.com/0ls7Bs7.png

http://i.imgur.com/uPwOePT.png

http://i.imgur.com/gRO7iHm.png

SMALL FORWARDS:

http://i.imgur.com/vs9b82h.png

http://i.imgur.com/awoQlFW.png

SHOOTING GUARDS:

http://i.imgur.com/DB3B6WI.png

http://i.imgur.com/hCDFqPe.png

POINT GUARDS:

http://i.imgur.com/XiXiZtp.png

http://i.imgur.com/FPOuvqy.png

http://i.imgur.com/iS4D8Tr.png

http://i.imgur.com/B8bebAo.png

Other than losing a couple of bench players to free agency, and the new draft picks and free agency signings, the core of the team is pretty much the same. Despite the temptation to put him in the starting lineup, I'll have Ray come off the bench to start the season.

=================================================

Preseason Results:

http://i.imgur.com/LmbaUaM.png

We manage only one win in the preseason against a weak Warriors team. It is for that reason that we are expected by the media to again finish last in the Pacific Division. I think we'll get at least a few more wins than last season. We shall see.

</div>

Dawn · February 2, 2017

I hope you can find a way to bolster your roster via trades or in the next offseason. The draft might also help.

tg01 · February 4, 2017

As the last guy to comment on your last Diary....may I just say I'm really excited you're back and I'm looking forward to following this!

michgcs · February 9, 2017

Gonna keep an eye on this... don't know too much about the 70's but I'm always glad to see a game active. How did Portland become "Rip City," anyway? <img alt="

" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

ThatBroadcasterGuy · February 11, 2017

<div style="text-align:center;">1971-1972 SEASON - BEFORE TRADE DEADLINE

==================================================

My Trades:

ATLANTA HAWKS GET:

http://i.imgur.com/XiXiZtp.png

+

1972 Round 2 Draft Pick (Trail Blazers)

PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS GET:

http://i.imgur.com/ycNYngD.png

Why?

This very trade is the reason why I hadn't posted an update lately. The Hawks offered me this trade, and I couldn't believe that they would be willing to give up Maravich. I looked at Petrie's stats and decided that he needed to go. He was too selfish with the ball and had an underwhelming field goal percentage. So therefore, the first blockbuster trade in team history was made.

=================================================

Other Trades:

Royals trade PG Nate Archibald to the Lakers for PF Rick Roberson

76ers trade C Dennis Awtrey to the Supersonics for SG George Trapp

Bullets trade PG Fred Carter to the Suns for PF Greg Howard

Celtics trade PG Jo Jo White to the Supersonics for C Zaid Abdul-Aziz

Royals trade SF Bob Arnzen to the Bullets for C George Johnson

=================================================

Results:

http://i.imgur.com/Jhiveoh.png

=================================================

Standings:

http://i.imgur.com/UKkw5FX.png

The trade for Maravich had little effect on anything, as at the trade deadline we have a similar record to the one we had last year. This time we possess the worst record in the league. Maravich is a consistent scorer though, something that Petrie wasn't. Also, while we have a decent enough home record, we have only won two games away from Memorial Coliseum. That will have to improve if we ever plan to be a contender.

A big surprise is that the Bulls, who made the Western Division finals last year, are now last place in the Midwest division. The Supersonics meanwhile are dominating the league and naturally are the favorites to win the championship.

Let's see if things improve through the rest of the season.

</div>

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Rip City: The Portland Trail Blazers (1970-)

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