NBA History: The best era for each of the 30 franchises

Portland Trail Blazers: 1976-78

Bill Walton was truly one of the most underappreciated talents in NBA history. He was the first overall pick in the 1974 Draft and immediately began imposing his will like a traditional presence around the bucket with elite passing chops as well.

He was dubbed the savior of a Portland Trail Blazers franchise that had yet to make the playoffs. It took a couple of years, but Walton’s third campaign wasn’t just the sight of Portland’s first-ever taste of the postseason. He led them to the NBA Finals, where a 4-2 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers brought the Blazers their first-ever championship.

Walton was phenomenal on his way to the Finals MVP trophy, averaging 18.5 points, 19.0 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 3.7 blocks per game. He followed up Portland’s title defense by pushing it to 58 wins, enough to take home the 1977-78 MVP trophy.

Unfortunately, that is just about where the story ends for Walton and the Blazers. After missing the entirety of the 1978-79 season with a foot injury, he signed a deal with the San Diego Clippers, only to miss two of the following three seasons with those same foot problems.

By the time he made it back to some semblance of full health, his days in Portland were long gone and he was never the same player again.

And yet, that the short two-year peak of his career is still the best of times for the Blazers, not just for an accomplishment the franchise hasn’t been able to replicate since, but for the limitless potential the pairing seemed destined to reach.