Top 5 Centers In Portland Trail Blazers History

By Zach Fetaru

Top 5 Centers In Portland Trail Blazers History

Portland Trailblazers vs. Milwaukee Bucks, Bill Walton
Getty Images Sport - Robert Lewis

When one thinks of all the missed opportunities at the center spot for the Portland Trail Blazers, it often diminishes the actual success the organization has seen from the man in the middle. In fact, the Blazers have had several All Stars and Hall-of-Famers serve at center, and here are the five best in team history.

5. Dale Davis 2000-2004

Clippers v Trail Blazers, Dale Davis
Getty Images Sport - Sam Forencich

5. Dale Davis 2000-2004

Clippers v Trail Blazers, Dale Davis
Getty Images Sport - Sam Forencich

The Blazers acquired Dale Davis in a trade that sent Jermaine O'Neal to the Indiana Pacers. While the Blazers lost the trade, they did acquire Davis, who was coming off of an All-Star appearance. Despite his time with the Blazers being marred by off-court issues with several of his teammates, Davis was a consummate professional and never missed more than six games in any of his four seasons with the team.

313 GP, 7.1 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 50.8 FG%

4. Arvydas Sabonis 1995-2003

Arvydas Sabonis, Portland Trail Blazers, Dallas Mavericks
Getty Images Sport - Glenn James

4. Arvydas Sabonis 1995-2003

Arvydas Sabonis, Portland Trail Blazers, Dallas Mavericks
Getty Images Sport - Glenn James

Arvydas Sabonis was drafted back in 1986, but did not make his debut until 1995 as his international career always took precedence to the NBA. Once Sabonis joined the Blazers, he lived up to all the hype, making solid contributions during his seven seasons with the team. Sabonis was elected into the Basketball Hall Of Fame in 2011 for being one of the greatest European players in history.

470 GP, 12 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 50 FG%

3. Kevin Duckworth 1986-1993

Portland Trailblazers vs. Phoenix Suns, Kevin Duckworth
Getty Images Sport - Brian Drake

3. Kevin Duckworth 1986-1993

Portland Trailblazers vs. Phoenix Suns, Kevin Duckworth
Getty Images Sport - Brian Drake

Duckworth joined the Blazers in 1986 when the team was in desperate need of a durable center. Duckworth was what the Blazers were looking for, as he never missed more than eight games in any season with the team. In addition, Duckworth would make two All-Star appearances as he helped lead the Blazers to two NBA Finals as the center.

527 GP, 13.6 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 47.5 FG%

2. Mychal Thompson 1978-1986

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Boston Celtics, Mychal Thompson
Getty Images Sport - Dick Raphael

2. Mychal Thompson 1978-1986

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Boston Celtics, Mychal Thompson
Getty Images Sport - Dick Raphael

The Blazers selected Thompson with the first-pick in the 1978 NBA Draft, with dreams of pairing him with the reigning league MVP Bill Walton. Injuries to Walton cut those dreams short, but Thompson remained and went on to spend seven successful seasons with the Blazers. His overall low-post game was instrumental in leading the Blazers to the playoffs during six of his seasons with the team.

551 GP, 16.7PPG, 8.9RPG, 3.4APG, 1.4 BPG, 50.5 FG%

1. Bill Walton 1974-1978

Boston Celtics vs Portland Trail Blazers, Bill Walton
Getty Images Sport - Dick Raphael

1. Bill Walton 1974-1978

Boston Celtics vs Portland Trail Blazers, Bill Walton
Getty Images Sport - Dick Raphael

Walton came to the Blazers with high expectations and didn't disappoint. He led the Blazers to their lone NBA Championship in 1977 and also won the MVP Award in 1978, but suffered a season-ending injury which sank the team's chances of repeating. Walton never played another game for Portland, but his legacy remains intact as the first and greatest superstar in team history.

209 GP, 17.1 PPG, 13.5 RPG, 4.4 APG, 2.6 BPG, 1 SPG, 51 FG%

 

Zach Fetaru is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @fanforlife1988 ”like him” on Facebook and add him to your network on Google.

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