In December of 2022, Damian Lillard passed Clyde Drexler for most points by a Trail Blazers player of all time.Since that moment, and especially since he requested a trade from Portland, Lillard has been talked about a lot as the Blazers’ best player in their franchise history. Arguments could be made that he is the best shooter in their history, the best scorer in their history, and/or the most clutch Blazer of all time, but he simply is not their best all-time player.
Two players both had better careers in Portland than Lillard. Before getting into their elite resumes, let’s first put some respect on Lillard’s name. After being drafted 6th overall in the 2012 NBA draft out of Weber State, Lillard has won Rookie of the Year, been an All-Star seven times, and been named All-NBA seven times (All-NBA first team once).
He was also named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team prior to the 2021–2022 season. Lillard leads the Blazers franchise in total points, PPG, made threes, made free throws, FT%, and player efficiency rating. So why are two players better than him in a black, red, and gray uniform?
Bill Walton is the most decorated player in Trail Blazers history
Some may argue that Walton’s 4 seasons in Portland before his injury is not long enough to be considered in the franchise’s all-time great conversation. However, the argument for Walton over Lillard on the all-time Blazers list is simple in that his peak was one of the best in NBA history. Walton won major awards that no other Blazer, including Lillard, has been able to win, and he won Portland’s only NBA title.
In four seasons with Portland, Walton averaged 17.1 PPG, 13.5 RPG, 4.4 APG, and 2.6 BPG. In 1996-1997, Walton out-dueled a prime Julius Earving in the NBA Finals and helped the Blazers beat the Philadelphia 76ers 4-2, earning Finals MVP in the process. In the finals, Walton averaged a whopping 19.0 RPG to go along with 18.5 PPG, 5.2 APG, and 3.7 BPG. One season later, he also won the 1977-1978 league MVP. Unfortunately, during that same season, he had his first of many serious foot injuries and was never the same again.
Walton remains the franchise leader in RPG, defensive rating, and box plus/minus. Additionally, he is tied for first in BPG and is #2 in player efficiency rating, rebounding percentage, and win shares per 48 minutes. The “what if” question of how many rings the Trail Blazers could have had with a healthy Walton will never be answered, but it is likely that Walton could have added a 2nd title in 1978 or 1979 before both Magic Johnson and Larry Bird entered the league in 1980. Regardless, for 18 months Walton was regarded as the best basketball player in the world.
Drexler reached higher peaks with Portland and his tenure will likely be longer than Lillard
Unlike Walton, Drexler was not able to get Portland a championship, however, he also got the Blazers further in the playoffs than Lillard ever has. In 1990 and 1992 Drexler led Portland to the NBA Finals, even pushing the Michael Jordan-Chicago Bulls to a competitive 6-game finals in ‘92. Drexler also came 2nd in the MVP voting that year and likely could have won the award if not for Jordan having one of his many legendary seasons.
Following that season, Drexler found himself on the Dream Team in the 1992 Olympics as a key contributor. As for tenure, despite how long it feels like Lillard has been in Portland, Drexler actually spent more time (11.5 seasons) with the Blazers. Lillard currently sits at 11 seasons, so if his trade request comes to fruition this off-season, then Drexler will have outlasted Lillard in time spent with the franchise.
For the Blazers’ all-time list, Drexler is currently above Lillard in games played, made field goals, FG%, rebounds, blocks, double-doubles, triple-doubles, win shares, box plus/minus, and VORP. He was an underrated defender and leads Portland in defensive win shares, steals, and SPG. Lillard, despite his offensive capabilities and killer mentality, has always been a negative defensively.
If NBA fans value championships and MVPs, then the Portland GOAT is Walton. If NBA fans value longevity and total stats with the franchise, then the Portland GOAT is Drexler. Regardless, the Trail Blazers’ best franchise player in their history is not named Lillard. To say that Lillard is the Blazers’ best all-time player is the epitome of recency bias.