Portland Trail Blazers: Top 10 NBA Draft picks in franchise history

7. Clifford Robinson (PF/SF) – No. 36 pick in 1989 NBA Draft

Career stats (with the Blazers, 1989-97):  644 GP, 16.2 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.1 SPG, 44.6 FG%, 34.9 3P%, 67.9 FT% 

Clifford Robinson took on various roles over his NBA career and his time in Portland. But he was always dependable, no matter what it was.

Robinson played in the first 461 regular season games of his NBA career, which is still a team record. He began his career was a reserve combo forward. He was tall enough to battle inside for rebounds, but was also capable of hitting a three-pointer.

Robinson’s role on the team during the Blazers’ Finals runs wasn’t huge, but he was still in the rotation. During the 1990 NBA Finals, he only averaged 3.8 points, 2.4 rebounds and 16.4 minutes per game.

Robinson became more of a sixth man during the 1992 NBA Finals. In that round, he averaged 10.3 points and 3.0 rebounds in 24.3 minutes per game. He embraced this role in 1992-93 and averaged 19.1 points and 6.6 rebounds while only starting 12 of 82 games. He earned the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award that season.

Robinson eventually became a starter as the Blazers entered the mid-90’s. He shined in his new role, becoming an All-Star in 1994 and leading his team in win shares in the 1994-95 season. From 1993-96, Robinson averaged 20.8 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.

In the summer of 1997, Robinson chose to sign with the Phoenix Suns. He would play four seasons in Phoenix before moving on to the Pistons, Warriors and New Jersey Nets.

Clifford Robinson played a number of roles as a Trail Blazer, and did well in all of them. His versatility and durability made him an excellent second round pick for Portland.