Blazers host 90s night against Kings
Press release:
TRAIL BLAZERS TO HOST ‘90s DECADE NIGHT TOMORROW
Legends Porter, Kersey to be recognized at halftime ceremony
PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Trail Blazers will host the third of four ‘Decade Nights’ this season, honoring key players, contributors and moments from the 1990s during tomorrow night’s game between the Trail Blazers and Sacramento Kings at the Rose Garden.
The Trail Blazers will recognize Jerome Kersey and Terry Porter during a halftime ceremony hosted by Bill Schonely. The ceremony will feature a highlight package on the big screen, followed by some of the players’ favorite memories of the 90s. The Trail Blazers made the playoffs each season during the 1990s – including NBA Finals appearances in 1990 and 1992 – the only decade in franchise history to make that claim.
“We were like a family,” Kersey said of the teams of the 90s. “We spent so much time together over the years; it was tough not to have good chemistry.”
Continuing the season-long 40th anniversary celebration, the Trail Blazers will wear the Hardwood Classic replica of the ’77 Championship team jerseys, a red “road” jersey with vertical Blazers lettering and a stripe down one side. Hardwood Classics apparel – including a limited-edition BlazerManiac T-shirt – will be available at the Fan Shop.
Also on Tuesday, the most famous Trail Blazer to wear the featured jersey, 1977 NBA Finals MVP Bill Walton, will be in attendance.
The Trail Blazers wore the Hardwood Classic jersey for two seasons, 1975-76 and 1976-77 (their sixth and seventh years in the NBA), amassing an overall record of 86-78. Only 23 players donned the jersey style during its two-year reign, but their accomplishments assured its place in history. Walton scored more points (2,033) in the jersey’s two-year existence, than any other Trail Blazer.
Portland has worn six different uniforms during its 40-year history, with four of them coming during the first decade. The style worn from 1975-77 was the third.
“We switched jerseys so often early in our history because we wanted to find the right fit,” team founder Harry Glickman said. “We wanted something both the players and the fans liked.”
Following the 1976-77 season, the Trail Blazers seemed to find ‘the right fit’. The current look has gone vastly unchanged for the past 30 years, with only minor changes to the font and trim.
Portland is one of six NBA teams participating in the NBA’s Hardwood Classics jersey program, joining the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Orlando Magic and Toronto Raptors. The final Decade Night, Thursday, March 31st vs. New York, will celebrate the 2000s.
