1989–90 Portland Trail Blazers season explained

Team:Portland Trail Blazers
End Year:1990
Conferencewin:yes
Wins:59
Losses:23
Division:Pacific
Division Place:2
Conf Place:3
Coach:Rick Adelman
Arena:Memorial Coliseum
Television:KOIN
Northwest Cable Sports
Radio:KEX
Playoffs:NBA Finals
(lost to Pistons 1–4)
Bbr Team:POR

The 1989–90 NBA season was the 20th season for the Portland Trail Blazers in the National Basketball Association.[1] During the off-season, the Blazers acquired All-Star forward Buck Williams from the New Jersey Nets.[2] [3] [4] [5] The Blazers held a 33–13 record at the All-Star break,[6] then posted a ten-game winning streak in March,[7] and finished second in the Pacific Division with a franchise-high 59–23 record,[8] and returned to the NBA Finals for the first time since their championship season of 1976–77.[9]

Clyde Drexler averaged 23.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 2.0 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, and selected for the 1990 NBA All-Star Game.[10] [11] [12] [13] In addition, Terry Porter averaged 17.6 points, 9.1 assists and 1.9 steals per game, while Kevin Duckworth provided the team with 16.2 points and 6.2 rebounds, and Jerome Kersey contributed 16.0 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. Williams provided with 13.6 points and 9.8 rebounds per game, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team, and second round draft pick Clifford Robinson contributed 9.1 points per game off the bench.[14]

In the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs, the acquisition of Williams continued to help make the Blazers stronger as they won their first playoff series in five years, by sweeping the Dallas Mavericks in three straight games.[15] [16] [17] [18] In the Western Conference Semi-finals, the Blazers needed seven games to get past the San Antonio Spurs as the home team won all seven games.[19] [20] [21] [22] In the Western Conference finals, the Trail Blazers continued to defend their home court well, jumping out to a 2–0 lead over the Phoenix Suns. The Suns rebounded to take the next two in Phoenix as the Blazers won Game 5 at home, 120–114.[23] [24] [25] However, there would be no need for a seventh game, as the Blazers knocked off the Suns with a 112–109 win in Game 6 to reach the NBA Finals for the second time in franchise history.[26] [27] [28] [29]

In the Finals, the Trail Blazers faced off against the defending NBA Champion Detroit Pistons. After losing Game 1 in Detroit, 105–99,[30] [31] [32] the Blazers would even the series at one game a piece, winning Game 2 in overtime, 106–105.[33] [34] [35] However, the Blazers dropped all three games at home as the Pistons won the NBA title in five games, winning their second consecutive championship.[36] [37] [38] [39] [40]

Draft picks

See main article: 1989 NBA draft.

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalitySchool/Club Team
122Byron IrvinGMissouri
236Clifford RobinsonPF/CConnecticut

Regular season

Season standings

z – clinched division title

y – clinched division title

x – clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

1989–90 NBA records
width=100TeamATLBOSCHACHICLEDALDENDETGSWHOUINDLACLALMIAMILMINNJNNYKORLPHIPHOPORSACSASSEAUTAWAS
Atlanta– 1–3 2–0 0–5 2–3 0–2 1–1 3–2 2–0 2–0 2–3 1–1 0–2 4–0 3–2 1–1 2–2 1–3 5–0 2–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–2
Boston3–1 – 2–0 2–2 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 2–0 1–3 1–1 0–2 5–0 2–2 1–1 5–1 4–1 4–0 3–2 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–3
Charlotte0–2 0–2 – 0–2 1–1 1–3 3–2 0–2 2–2 1–4 1–1 2–2 0–4 1–1 0–2 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–3 0–4 1–3 0–5 0–4 0–5 0–2
Chicago5–0 2–2 2–0 – 5–0 2–0 1–1 1–4 2–0 1–1 2–3 1–1 1–1 4–0 4–1 2–0 3–1 3–1 3–2 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 3–1
Cleveland3–2 1–3 1–1 0–5 – 0–2 0–2 1–4 1–1 0–2 3–2 1–1 1–1 4–0 3–2 1–1 4–0 2–2 4–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1
Dallas2–0 1–1 3–1 0–2 2–0 – 2–3 1–1 3–1 4–1 2–0 3–1 0–4 2–0 1–1 4–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–3 0–4 3–1 3–2 2–2 1–3 1–1
Denver1–1 1–1 2–3 1–1 2–0 3–2 – 0–2 2–2 4–1 0–2 2–2 0–4 2–0 1–1 5–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–2 4–0 1–3 2–2 0–4 1–1
Detroit2–3 2–2 2–0 4–1 4–1 1–1 2–0 – 1–1 1–1 4–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 3–2 2–0 4–0 4–0 5–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0
Golden State0–2 1–1 2–2 0–2 1–1 1–3 2–2 1–1 – 2–2 1–1 3–1 1–4 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–5 2–2 3–2 1–3 2–3 2–2 1–1
Houston0–2 0–2 4–1 1–1 2–0 1–4 1–4 1–1 2–2 – 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–3 4–0 2–2 2–2 3–2 1–1
Indiana3–2 3–1 1–1 3–2 2–3 0–2 2–0 1–4 1–1 1–1 – 0–2 0–2 3–1 3–2 1–1 4–0 1–3 4–1 0–4 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1
L.A. Clippers1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–2 1–1 1–3 2–2 2–0 – 1–4 0–2 1–1 3–1 2–0 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–4 0–5 2–3 0–4 3–2 0–4 1–1
L.A. Lakers2–0 2–0 4–0 1–1 1–1 4–0 4–0 1–1 4–1 2–2 2–0 4–1 – 2–0 1–1 4–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–3 5–0 2–2 4–0 2–2 1–1
Miami0–4 0–5 1–1 0–4 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–3 2–0 0–2 – 2–2 1–1 1–4 1–5 3–1 0–5 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–3
Milwaukee2–3 2–2 2–0 1–4 2–3 1–1 1–1 2–3 1–1 1–1 2–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 – 2–0 4–0 2–2 5–0 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 3–1
Minnesota1–1 1–1 2–2 0–2 1–1 1–4 0–5 0–2 1–3 2–2 1–1 1–3 0–4 1–1 0–2 – 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–4 1–3 2–2 1–4 1–3 0–5 1–1
New Jersey2–2 1–5 1–1 1–3 0–4 0–2 0–2 0–4 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–2 0–2 4–1 0–4 1–1 – 1–4 1–3 1–4 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 2–3
New York3–1 1–4 1–1 1–3 2–2 1–1 1–1 0–4 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 0–2 5–1 2–2 1–1 4–1 – 2–2 2–3 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 5–0
Orlando0–5 0–4 1–1 2–3 1–4 0–2 0–2 0–5 0–2 0–2 1–4 0–2 1–1 1–3 0–5 1–1 3–1 2–2 – 2–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–4
Philadelphia2–2 2–3 2–0 2–2 2–2 1–1 1–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 2–0 1–1 5–0 3–1 1–1 4–1 3–2 2–2 – 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 5–1
Phoenix2–0 1–1 3–1 0–2 1–1 3–1 3–1 0–2 5–0 2–2 1–1 4–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 4–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 – 2–3 5–0 0–4 3–2 3–1 2–0
Portland1–1 2–0 4–0 1–1 1–1 4–0 2–2 1–1 2–2 3–1 1–1 5–0 3–2 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 3–2 – 4–0 3–1 3–2 2–2 1–1
Sacramento1–1 0–2 3–1 1–1 0–2 1–3 0–4 0–2 2–3 0–4 1–1 3–2 0–5 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–5 0–4 – 0–4 2–2 1–3 1–1
San Antonio1–1 1–1 5–0 1–1 1–1 2–3 3–1 1–1 3–1 2–2 1–1 4–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 4–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 1–3 4–0 – 3–1 3–2 2–0
Seattle1–1 0–2 4–0 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 3–2 2–2 1–1 2–3 0–4 2–0 0–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–3 2–3 2–2 1–3 – 1–3 2–0
Utah1–1 1–1 5–0 2–0 1–1 3–1 4–0 1–1 2–2 2–3 1–1 4–0 2–2 1–1 2–0 5–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 2–3 3–1 – 2–0
Washington2–2 3–2 2–0 1–3 1–3 1–1 1–1 0–4 1–1 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 3–2 1–3 1–1 3–2 0–5 4–0 1–5 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 —

Game log

Playoffs

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 1| April 26| Dallas| W 109–102| Terry Porter (28)| Buck Williams (16)| Porter, Drexler (5)| Memorial Coliseum
12,884| 1–0|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 2| April 28| Dallas| W 114–107| Kevin Duckworth (18)| Buck Williams (13)| Clyde Drexler (7)| Memorial Coliseum
12,884| 2–0|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 3| May 1| @ Dallas| W 106–92| Jerome Kersey (29)| Buck Williams (10)| Clyde Drexler (10)| Reunion Arena
17,007| 3–0|-|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 1| May 5| San Antonio| W 107–94| Jerome Kersey (25)| Jerome Kersey (16)| Clyde Drexler (11)| Memorial Coliseum
12,884| 1–0|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 2| May 8| San Antonio| W 122–112| Terry Porter (27)| Buck Williams (8)| Clyde Drexler (8)| Memorial Coliseum
12,884| 2–0|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 3| May 10| @ San Antonio| L 98–121| Porter, Williams (18)| Clifford Robinson (8)| Clyde Drexler (9)| HemisFair Arena
15,910| 2–1|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 4| May 12| @ San Antonio| L 105–115| Clyde Drexler (27)| Buck Williams (10)| Clyde Drexler (7)| HemisFair Arena
15,910| 2–2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 5| May 15| San Antonio| W 138–132 (2OT)| Terry Porter (38)| Kersey, Williams (10)| Clyde Drexler (9)| Memorial Coliseum
12,884| 3–2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 6| May 17| @ San Antonio| L 97–112| Jerome Kersey (22)| Buck Williams (10)| Clyde Drexler (7)| HemisFair Arena
15,910| 3–3|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 7| May 19| San Antonio| W 108–105 (OT)| Terry Porter (36)| Williams, Kersey (15)| Terry Porter (9)| Memorial Coliseum
12,884| 4–3|-|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 1| May 21| Phoenix| W 100–98| Clyde Drexler (20)| Jerome Kersey (11)| Terry Porter (9)| Memorial Coliseum
12,884| 1–0|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 2| May 23| Phoenix| W 108–107| Jerome Kersey (29)| Jerome Kersey (11)| Clyde Drexler (6)| Memorial Coliseum
12,884| 2–0|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 3| May 25| @ Phoenix| L 89–123| Jerome Kersey (16)| Mark Bryant (7)| Clyde Drexler (6)| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,487| 2–1|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 4| May 27| @ Phoenix| L 107–119| Jerome Kersey (29)| Buck Williams (8)| Terry Porter (12)| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,487| 2–2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 5| May 29| Phoenix| W 120–114| Clyde Drexler (32)| Jerome Kersey (11)| Terry Porter (12)| Memorial Coliseum
12,884| 3–2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 6| May 31| @ Phoenix| W 112–109| Drexler, Porter (23)| Buck Williams (11)| Drexler, Porter (7)| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,487| 4–2|-|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 1| June 5| @ Detroit| L 99–105| Clyde Drexler (21)| Buck Williams (12)| Terry Porter (8)| The Palace at Auburn Hills
21,454| 0–1|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 2| June 7| @ Detroit| W 106–105 (OT)| Clyde Drexler (33)| Buck Williams (12)| Terry Porter (10)| The Palace at Auburn Hills
21,454| 1–1|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 3| June 10| Detroit| L 106–121| Jerome Kersey (27)| Clyde Drexler (13)| Terry Porter (9)| Memorial Coliseum
12,884| 1–2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 4| June 12| Detroit| L 109–112| Clyde Drexler (34)| Drexler, Kersey (8)| Clyde Drexler (10)| Memorial Coliseum
12,642| 1–3|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 5| June 14| Detroit| L 90–92| Duckworth, Porter (21)| Jerome Kersey (9)| Terry Porter (9)| Memorial Coliseum
12,642| 1–4|-

Player statistics

Regular season

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
82 82 34.7 .478 .150 .690 8.4 2.3 1.5 .8 16.0
82 82 34.2 .548 .000 .706 9.8 1.4 .8 .5 13.6
82 82 30.0 .478 .740 6.2 1.1 .4 .4 16.2
82 8 17.0 .421 .271 .813 1.5 2.8 1.0 .0 4.7
82 0 19.1 .397 .273 .550 3.8 .9 .6 .6 9.1
80 80 34.8 .462 .374 .892 3.4 9.1 1.9 .1 17.6
79 0 14.9 .454 .000 .641 4.3 .6 .2 1.2 3.8
77 0 12.6 .485 .459 .844 1.4 1.5 .3 .0 7.6
73 73 36.8 .494 .283 .774 6.9 5.9 2.0 .7 23.3
58 0 9.7 .458 .560 2.5 .2 .3 .2 2.9
50 2 9.8 .473 .357 .670 1.5 .9 .6 .0 5.2
†15 0 4.9 .378 .000 .636 1.4 .1 .2 .5 2.3
†12 1 7.1 .394 .333 .500 .7 .7 .2 .2 2.6

Playoffs

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
21 21 40.6 .441 .220 .774 7.2 7.1 2.5 .9 21.4
21 21 39.6 .460 .000 .715 8.3 2.1 1.6 1.0 20.7
21 21 38.8 .464 .392 .842 2.9 7.4 1.3 .1 20.6
21 21 37.0 .508 .676 9.2 1.9 .6 .3 13.0
21 6 18.6 .358 .000 .558 4.1 1.1 .9 1.1 6.5
21 0 14.0 .389 .379 .704 1.4 1.5 .7 .1 4.1
20 0 12.7 .440 .313 .583 1.6 1.0 .3 .0 6.1
18 0 13.8 .404 .526 3.9 .3 .3 1.6 2.7
15 15 30.2 .439 .717 5.8 1.1 .3 .6 13.1
13 0 12.3 .545 .750 2.2 .2 .2 .2 3.2
4 0 11.8 .227 .833 2.0 1.3 .5 .0 3.8
3 0 6.3 .545 1.000 2.0 .3 .3 .3 4.3

Awards and records

During the season, Dražen Petrović won the Euroscar, presented by the Italian basketball magazine Superbasket to the top player in Europe. Unlike major NBA awards, the Euroscar is awarded for a player's performance during a calendar year, and also takes into account a player's performances for his national team. In Petrović's case, the award considered his performances in 1989 for Real Madrid and the Yugoslavia national team, as well as the Blazers. This was the second of what would eventually be four Euroscars for Petrović.

Milestones

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/1990.html 1989–90 Portland Trail Blazers
  2. News: Trail Blazers Trade Bowie and First-Round Pick for Nets' Williams . United Press International . June 24, 1989 . April 3, 2023.
  3. News: Brown . Clifton . PRO-BASKETBALL; Nets Get Bowie for Buck Williams . The New York Times . June 25, 1989 . December 9, 2021.
  4. News: Associated Press . Trail Blazers Trade Bowie, No. 12 Pick in Draft to Nets for Buck Williams . Los Angeles Times . June 25, 1989 . November 23, 2022.
  5. News: Associated Press . Blazers Trade Bowie, No. 12 Pick for Williams . Deseret News . June 25, 1989 . November 23, 2022.
  6. News: NBA Games Played on February 8, 1990 . Basketball-Reference . November 23, 2022.
  7. News: Portland Trail Blazers at Houston Rockets Box Score, March 20, 1990 . Basketball-Reference . March 9, 2022.
  8. Web site: 1989–90 Portland Trail Blazers Schedule and Results. Basketball-Reference. December 9, 2021.
  9. News: Portland Trail Blazers . Basketball-Reference . January 19, 2022.
  10. News: Howard-Cooper . Scott . NBA ALL-STAR GAME: Entire Family Is Back Together--Almost . Los Angeles Times . February 11, 1990 . November 23, 2022.
  11. News: Bird, Johnson Return Magic to All-Star Game . Sun Sentinel . February 11, 1990 . November 15, 2023.
  12. News: NBA.com Staff . 1990 NBA All-Star Recap . NBA.com . September 13, 2021 . November 15, 2023.
  13. Web site: 1990 NBA All-Star Game: East 130, West 113 . Basketball-Reference . December 9, 2021.
  14. Web site: 1989–90 Portland Trail Blazers Roster and Stats. Basketball-Reference. December 14, 2021.
  15. News: Rabun . Mike . Trail Blazers 106, Mavericks 92 . United Press International . May 1, 1990 . September 20, 2022.
  16. News: Hafner . Dan . Portland Victory Could Prove Costly: NBA Playoffs: Trail Blazers Win at Dallas, But Williams and Duckworth Are Injured. The Pistons and Spurs Also Sweep Their Series . Los Angeles Times . May 2, 1990 . December 7, 2021.
  17. News: 1990 NBA Western Conference First Round Game 3: Portland Trail Blazers at Dallas Mavericks Box Score, May 1, 1990 . Basketball-Reference . December 31, 2022.
  18. Web site: 1990 NBA Western Conference First Round: Mavericks vs. Trail Blazers . Basketball-Reference . April 9, 2023.
  19. News: Associated Press . PRO BASKETBALL; Blazers Defeat Spurs in Clincher . The New York Times . May 20, 1990 . December 7, 2021.
  20. News: McManis . Sam . Trail Blazers Cut Spurs Off at Pass in Overtime: NBA Playoffs: Strickland's No-Look Lob Finds No Teammate. Instead, It Helps Send Portland to the Western Conference finals . Los Angeles Times . May 20, 1990 . September 20, 2022.
  21. News: Aldridge . David . Trail Blazers Down Spurs in Overtime . The Washington Post . May 20, 1990 . December 31, 2022.
  22. Web site: 1990 NBA Western Conference Semifinals: Spurs vs. Trail Blazers . Basketball-Reference . April 9, 2023.
  23. News: Barnes . Mike . Portland 120, Phoenix 114 . United Press International . May 29, 1990 . April 9, 2023.
  24. News: Brown . Clifton . Blazers Grab Lead in Series . The New York Times . May 30, 1990 . December 15, 2021.
  25. News: McManis . Sam . Revived Drexler Helps Fuel Victory by Trail Blazers . Los Angeles Times . May 30, 1990 . November 23, 2022.
  26. News: Brown . Clifton . Blazers, Overcoming Road Jinx, Reach Final . The New York Times . June 1, 1990 . December 7, 2021.
  27. News: McManis . Sam . Trail Blazers Take One Away on Road, 112-109: NBA Playoffs: Williams Makes Key Steal. Johnson Misses Second Half as Suns Are Ousted . Los Angeles Times . June 1, 1990 . September 20, 2022.
  28. News: Aldridge . David . Portland Eliminates Phoenix . The Washington Post . June 1, 1990 . November 23, 2022.
  29. Web site: 1990 NBA Western Conference Finals: Suns vs. Trail Blazers . Basketball-Reference . April 9, 2023.
  30. News: Brown . Clifton . Portland Tries to Swallow a Bitter Loss . The New York Times . June 6, 1990 . November 23, 2022.
  31. News: McManis . Sam . Daly Simply Puts Trust in Thomas as Pistons Rally: NBA Finals: Detroit Guard Scores 14 of His 33 Points During a 19-4 Piston Run That Beats Portland, 105-99 . Los Angeles Times . June 6, 1990 . November 23, 2022.
  32. News: Aldridge . David . Thomas Leads, Pistons Follow to 105-99 Game 1 Victory . The Washington Post . June 6, 1990 . April 9, 2023.
  33. News: Brown . Clifton . BASKETBALL; Drexler Is Confident as Blazers Go Home . The New York Times . June 8, 1990 . January 19, 2022.
  34. News: Howard-Cooper . Scott . Trail Blazers Get Even for Game 1 Collapse, 106-105: NBA Finals: Drexler's Free Throws Finally Defuse Laimbeer's Bombs in Overtime. The Next Three Games Are in Portland . Los Angeles Times . June 8, 1990 . November 23, 2022.
  35. News: Aldridge . David . Blazers Win in Overtime . The Washington Post . June 8, 1990 . April 9, 2023.
  36. News: Barnes . Mike . Pistons 92, Trail Blazers 90 . United Press International . June 14, 1990 . December 30, 2022.
  37. News: Brown . Clifton . Pistons Rally to Repeat as N.B.A. Champions . The New York Times . June 15, 1990 . October 18, 2017.
  38. News: McManis . Sam . Vinnie, Vidi, Vici: Pistons Repeat Feat: NBA Finals: Johnson Hits Game-Winner in Last Second as Detroit Rallies from Seven-Point Deficit for a 92-90 Victory. Thomas Is the Unanimous Choice as MVP . Los Angeles Times . June 15, 1990 . March 9, 2022.
  39. News: Aldridge . David . In Final Second, Pistons Win Second Finals . The Washington Post . June 15, 1990 . September 20, 2022.
  40. Web site: 1990 NBA Finals: Trail Blazers vs. Pistons . Basketball-Reference . April 9, 2023.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "1989–90 Portland Trail Blazers season".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.