1993–94 Portland Trail Blazers season

1993–94 Portland Trail Blazers season
Head coachRick Adelman
ArenaMemorial Coliseum
Results
Record47–35 (.573)
PlaceDivision: 4th (Pacific)
Conference: 7th (Western)
Playoff finishFirst round
(lost to Rockets 1–3)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionKOIN
Prime Sports Northwest
RadioKEX
< 1992–93 1994–95 >

The 1993–94 Portland Trail Blazers season was the 24th season for the Portland Trail Blazers in the National Basketball Association.[1] In the off-season, the Blazers acquired Harvey Grant from the Washington Bullets,[2][3][4] and signed free agent Chris Dudley.[5][6] However, an ankle injury limited Dudley only to just six games.[7][8] The Blazers held a 27–20 record at the All-Star break,[9] and finished the season with a 47–35 record, fourth in the Pacific Division and seventh in the Western Conference.[10] It was their 12th straight trip to the postseason.[11]

Last season's Sixth Man of the Year Clifford Robinson averaged 20.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game in his first season as a starter, while Clyde Drexler averaged 19.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.4 steals per game, and Rod Strickland provided the team with 17.2 points, 9.0 assists and 1.8 steals per game. In addition, Terry Porter played most of the season off the bench as backup point guard behind Strickland, averaging 13.1 points and 5.2 assists per game, while Grant contributed 10.4 points per game, and Buck Williams provided with 9.7 points and 10.4 rebounds per game.[12] Drexler and Robinson were both selected for the 1994 NBA All-Star Game.[13][14][15][16][17]

The Blazers were knocked out of the playoffs in the Western Conference First Round by a 3–1 margin against the Houston Rockets.[18][19][20][21] The Rockets would go on to defeat the New York Knicks in seven games in the NBA Finals, winning their first ever championship.[22][23][24][25][26]

Game 4 of the Rockets-Blazers series would be the last playoff game Drexler would play as a member of the Trail Blazers, the team that drafted him. This was also his final full season with the Blazers, as he would be traded to the Rockets on February 14, 1995 (right before the next season's trade deadline), honoring his wish to be traded to a contender.[27][28][29][30][31] Following the season, head coach Rick Adelman was fired.[32][33][34]

NBA draft

Main article: 1993 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club Team
1 21 James Robinson SG/PG  United States Alabama
2 48 Kevin Thompson C  United States NC State

Roster

1993–94 Portland Trail Blazers roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
C 2 Bryant, Mark 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1965–04–25 Seton Hall
G 22 Drexler, Clyde 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1962–06–22 Houston
C 24 Dudley, Chris 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1965–02–22 Yale
F 44 Grant, Harvey 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1965–07–04 Oklahoma
G 21 Jackson, Jaren 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1967–10–27 Georgetown
F 25 Kersey, Jerome 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1962–06–26 Longwood
F 31 Murray, Tracy 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1971–07–25 UCLA
G 30 Porter, Terry 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1963–04–08 UW–Stevens Point
C 3 Robinson, Clifford 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1966–12–16 Connecticut
G 26 Robinson, James 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1970–08–31 Alabama
F 54 Smith, Reggie 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1970–08–21 TCU
G 1 Strickland, Rod 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1966–07–11 DePaul
C 35 Thompson, Kevin 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 260 lb (118 kg) 1971–02–07 NC State
F 52 Williams, Buck 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1960–03–08 Maryland
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster

Regular season

Season standings

Pacific Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Seattle SuperSonics 63 19 .768 — 37–4 26–15 25–5
x-Phoenix Suns 56 26 .683 7 36–5 20–21 19–11
x-Golden State Warriors 50 32 .610 13 29–12 21–20 19–11
x-Portland Trail Blazers 47 35 .573 16 30–11 17–24 17–13
Los Angeles Lakers 33 49 .402 30 21–20 12–29 7–23
Sacramento Kings 28 54 .341 35 20–21 8–33 9–21
Los Angeles Clippers 27 55 .329 36 17–24 10–31 9–21
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Seattle SuperSonics 63 19 .768 –
2 y-Houston Rockets 58 24 .707 5
3 x-Phoenix Suns 56 26 .683 7
4 x-San Antonio Spurs 55 27 .671 8
5 x-Utah Jazz 53 29 .646 10
6 x-Golden State Warriors 50 32 .610 13
7 x-Portland Trail Blazers 47 35 .573 16
8 x-Denver Nuggets 42 40 .512 21
9 Los Angeles Lakers 33 49 .402 30
10 Sacramento Kings 28 54 .341 35
11 Los Angeles Clippers 27 55 .329 36
12 Minnesota Timberwolves 20 62 .244 43
13 Dallas Mavericks 13 69 .159 50
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

1993–94 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHA CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MIA MIL MIN NJN NYK ORL PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA UTA WAS
Atlanta – 4–0 4–1 2–3 3–1 2–0 1–1 4–0 0–2 1–1 3–2 1–1 1–1 3–1 5–0 2–0 1–3 2–2 3–1 4–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0
Boston 0–4 – 0–4 2–2 1–3 2–0 1–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 0–4 1–1 1–1 2–3 3–1 1–1 1–4 0–4 2–2 4–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 3–2
Charlotte 1–4 4–0 – 1–4 1–4 1–1 1–1 4–0 0–2 1–1 2–2 1–1 2–0 1–3 3–2 2–0 2–2 3–1 2–2 3–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–2
Chicago 3–2 2–2 4–1 – 1–3 2–0 1–1 5–0 2–0 1–1 4–1 2–0 1–1 2–2 4–0 2–0 3–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 4–0
Cleveland 1–3 3–1 4–1 3–1 – 2–0 1–1 3–2 2–0 0–2 2–3 2–0 1–1 1–3 3–2 2–0 2–2 0–4 2–2 4–0 0–2 2–0 2–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–1
Dallas 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 – 1–4 1–1 0–4 1–4 0–2 0–4 0–4 0–2 0–2 5–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 1–3 2–2 0–5 0–4 0–5 1–1
Denver 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–1 – 2–0 1–3 3–2 1–1 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 4–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–3 1–3 2–2 2–4 2–2 1–4 1–1
Detroit 0–4 1–3 0–4 0–5 2–3 1–1 0–2 – 0–2 0–2 1–4 1–1 0–2 2–2 1–4 2–0 1–3 0–4 1–3 1–3 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–2
Golden State 2–0 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 4–0 3–1 2–0 – 0–4 1–1 4–1 5–0 2–0 2–0 2–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–3 3–2 4–1 2–2 1–4 3–1 2–0
Houston 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 4–1 2–3 2–0 4–0 – 1–1 4–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 4–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–2 4–0 4–0 2–3 2–2 3–3 1–1
Indiana 2–3 4–0 2–2 1–4 3–2 2–0 1–1 4–1 1–1 1–1 – 2–0 0–2 3–1 3–1 2–0 3–1 0–4 2–2 2–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–1
L.A. Clippers 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 4–0 1–3 1–1 1–4 0–4 0–2 – 2–3 1–1 1–1 1–3 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–5 2–3 3–2 1–3 1–4 1–3 1–1
L.A. Lakers 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 4–0 1–3 2–0 0–5 1–3 2–0 3–2 – 1–1 2–0 3–1 0–2 0–2 2–0 1–1 3–2 0–5 1–4 0–4 0–5 2–2 1–1
Miami 1–3 3–2 3–1 2–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–2 0–2 0–2 1–3 1–1 1–1 – 4–0 2–0 2–3 2–2 2–3 4–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–1
Milwaukee 0–5 1–3 2–3 0–4 2–3 2–0 0–2 4–1 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–1 0–2 0–4 – 0–2 1–3 0–4 1–3 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–3
Minnesota 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–5 1–4 0–2 2–2 1–4 0–2 3–1 1–3 0–2 2–0 – 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–4 0–4 2–2 1–4 0–4 1–4 0–2
New Jersey 3–1 4–1 2–2 1–3 2–2 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 0–2 1–3 1–1 2–0 3–2 3–1 1–1 – 4–1 0–5 3–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1
New York 2–2 4–0 1–3 3–1 4–0 2–0 1–1 4–0 1–1 0–2 4–0 2–0 2–0 2–2 4–0 2–0 1–4 – 3–2 3–2 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 5–0
Orlando 1–3 2–2 2–2 2–2 2–2 2–0 1–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 3–2 3–1 1–1 5–0 2–3 – 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–0 4–1
Philadelphia 0–4 1–4 1–3 1–3 0–4 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–1 0–2 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–4 3–1 0–2 1–3 2–3 0–4 – 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–3
Phoenix 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 4–0 3–1 1–1 3–2 2–2 1–1 5–0 2–3 2–0 2–0 4–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 – 3–2 4–1 3–1 2–3 2–2 2–0
Portland 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 3–1 3–1 2–0 2–3 0–4 1–1 3–2 5–0 2–0 1–1 4–0 2–0 0–2 0–2 2–0 2–3 – 4–1 1–3 1–4 1–3 2–0
Sacramento 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–2 2–2 1–1 1–4 0–4 0–2 2–3 4–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–0 1–4 1–4 – 1–3 0–5 1–3 2–0
San Antonio 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 5–0 4–2 1–1 2–2 3–2 2–0 3–1 4–0 2–0 2–0 4–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–3 3–1 3–1 – 0–4 0–5 2–0
Seattle 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 4–0 2–2 1–1 4–1 2–2 1–1 4–1 5–0 1–1 2–0 4–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–2 4–1 5–0 4–0 – 3–1 2–0
Utah 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 5–0 4–1 2–0 1–3 3–3 1–1 3–1 2–2 1–1 2–0 4–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–2 3–1 3–1 5–0 1–3 – 2–0
Washington 0–4 2–3 2–2 0–4 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–3 3–1 2–0 1–3 0–5 1–4 3–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 —

Game log

Regular season

1993–94 game log
Total: 47–35 (Home: 30–11; Road: 17–24)
November: 8–5 (home: 6–2; road: 2–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
2 November 7
7:30 p.m. PST 		Houston L 92–106 Robinson (25) Williams (8) Porter (6) Memorial Coliseum
12,888 		0–2
December: 9–6 (home: 5–2; road: 4–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
January: 8–6 (home: 6–2; road: 2–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
30 January 4
5:30 p.m. PST 		@ Houston L 95–106 Porter (24) Tied (10) Porter (9) The Summit
16,611 		17–13
February: 9–4 (home: 7–0; road: 2–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
March: 7–9 (home: 4–2; road: 3–7)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
63 March 15
5:30 p.m. PST 		@ Houston L 99–105 Grant (25) WIlliams (9) Strickland (8) The Summit
15,930 		38–25
April: 6–5 (home: 2–3; road: 4–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
79 April 17
7:30 p.m. PDT 		Houston L 110–119 Kersey (24) Kersey (11) Strickland (9) Memorial Coliseum
12,888 		46–33
1993–94 schedule

Playoffs

1994 playoff game log
Western Conference First Round: 1–3 (home: 1–1; road: 0–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 29
6:30 p.m. PDT 		@ Houston L 104–114 Drexler (26) Drexler (13) Drexler (6) The Summit
16,333 		0–1
2 May 1
6:00 p.m. PDT 		@ Houston L 104–115 Robinson (28) Drexler (9) Strickland (12) The Summit
16,355 		0–2
3 May 3
7:30 p.m. PDT 		Houston W 118–115 Strickland (25) Tied (10) Strickland (15) Memorial Coliseum
12,888 		1–2
4 May 6
7:30 p.m. PDT 		Houston L 89–92 Strickland (26) Drexler (13) Strickland (7) Memorial Coliseum
12,888 		1–3
1994 schedule

Player statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Regular season

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Clifford Robinson 82 64 34.8 .457 .245 .765 6.7 1.9 1.4 1.4 20.1
Rod Strickland 82 58 35.2 .483 .200 .749 4.5 9.0 1.8 .3 17.2
Buck Williams 81 81 32.5 .555 .000 .679 10.4 1.0 .7 .6 9.7
Mark Bryant 79 10 18.2 .482 .000 .692 4.0 .5 .4 .4 5.6
Jerome Kersey 78 6 16.4 .433 .125 .748 4.2 1.0 .9 .6 6.5
Harvey Grant 77 73 27.4 .460 .286 .641 4.6 1.4 .9 .6 10.4
Terry Porter 77 34 26.9 .416 .390 .872 2.8 5.2 1.0 .2 13.1
Clyde Drexler 68 68 34.3 .428 .324 .777 6.5 4.9 1.4 .5 19.2
Tracy Murray 66 1 12.4 .470 .459 .694 1.7 .5 .3 .3 6.6
James Robinson 58 3 11.6 .365 .315 .672 1.3 1.2 .5 .3 4.8
Reggie Smith 43 9 7.3 .403 .474 2.3 .1 .3 .1 1.8
Jaren Jackson 29 0 6.4 .391 .000 .857 .6 .9 .1 .1 2.8
Kevin Thompson 14 0 4.1 .429 .000 .500 .9 .2 .0 .1 .9
Chris Dudley 6 3 14.3 .240 .500 4.0 .8 .7 .5 2.3

Playoffs

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Clyde Drexler 4 4 39.3 .425 .231 .826 10.3 5.5 2.0 .5 21.0
Rod Strickland 4 4 38.5 .500 .000 .815 4.0 9.8 1.0 .5 23.5
Clifford Robinson 4 4 37.3 .412 .222 .875 6.3 2.5 .8 1.5 16.3
Buck Williams 4 4 31.3 .679 .867 8.8 .5 1.0 .5 12.8
Chris Dudley 4 2 20.3 .400 .500 3.8 .0 1.5 .0 2.3
Harvey Grant 4 1 19.0 .515 2.3 .8 .3 .5 8.5
Mark Bryant 4 1 16.0 .294 .000 3.0 .5 .5 .5 2.5
Terry Porter 4 0 19.0 .343 .429 .786 3.0 2.3 1.0 .0 10.3
James Robinson 4 0 7.0 .400 .500 .500 .8 1.5 .3 .3 2.5
Jerome Kersey 3 0 12.7 .313 .200 3.0 .0 .3 .3 3.7
Tracy Murray 2 0 5.5 .500 .000 1.5 .5 .5 .0 3.0
Jaren Jackson 1 0 1.0 .0 .0 .0 .0 .0
  • † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Trail Blazers only.

Awards and honors

Transactions

References

  1. ^ 1993–94 Portland Trail Blazers
  2. ^ Aldridge, David (June 25, 1993). "Bullets Trade Grant to Get Duckworth". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  3. ^ "Bullets Trade Grant, Acquire Duckworth". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. June 25, 1993. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  4. ^ Goldstein, Alan (June 25, 1993). "Bullets Fill Hole in Middle by Dealing for Duckworth; Forward Grant Sent to Blazers in Trade". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  5. ^ "BASKETBALL; Dudley's Blazer Contract Gets Final Approval". The New York Times. October 28, 1993. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  6. ^ "Dudley Signs with Trail Blazers". Los Angeles Times. August 4, 1993. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  7. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Blazers' Dudley Fractures Ankle". The New York Times. Associated Press. November 10, 1993. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  8. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (November 10, 1993). "Trail Blazers Lose Dudley: Lakers: Portland Beats L.A., 109-102, But Its High-Priced Center Suffers a Broken Left Ankle During the First Quarter". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  9. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 10, 1994". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  10. ^ "1993–94 Portland Trail Blazers Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  11. ^ "Portland Trail Blazers". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  12. ^ "1993–94 Portland Trail Blazers Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  13. ^ Smith, Sam (January 18, 1994). "Armstrong a Surprising All-Star Starter as Fans Ignore Big Names". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  14. ^ "All-Stars Are Short on Magic". Orlando Sentinel. February 2, 1994. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  15. ^ Taylor, Phil (February 14, 1994). "The NBA". Sports Illustrated Vault. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  16. ^ "1994 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  17. ^ "1994 NBA All-Star Game: East 127, West 118". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  18. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Rockets Oust Trail Blazers". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 7, 1994. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  19. ^ "NBA PLAYOFFS: Tune-Up Over, Knicks Ready for Bulls". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 7, 1994. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  20. ^ "Ewing Puts Nets Away; Bulls Next". Deseret News. Associated Press. May 7, 1994. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  21. ^ "1994 NBA Western Conference First Round: Trail Blazers vs. Rockets". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  22. ^ Brown, Clifton (June 23, 1994). "N.B.A. FINALS; Rockets Hit the Heights as Champions". The New York Times. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  23. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 23, 1994). "Rockets Follow Their Leader to First NBA Championship: Pro Basketball: Olajuwon Shows the Way, Leading Houston to 90-84 Victory over Knicks in Game 7". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  24. ^ Cotton, Anthony (June 23, 1994). "Rockets Silence Knicks in Game 7, 90-84". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  25. ^ Schabner, Dean (June 23, 1994). "Rockets 90, Knicks 84". United Press International. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  26. ^ "1994 NBA Finals: Knicks vs. Rockets". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  27. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Drexler Traded for Otis Thorpe". The New York Times. Associated Press. February 15, 1995. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  28. ^ Heisler, Mark (February 15, 1995). "Portland Trades Drexler to Rockets: Pro Basketball: Trail Blazers Escape $9.75-Million Balloon Payment Due Next Season, Get Thorpe and a No. 1 Pick". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  29. ^ "Roundup". The Washington Post. February 15, 1995. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  30. ^ "Drexler to Rockets; Blazers Deal Disgruntled Star, Murray for Thorpe, Pick". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Reports. February 15, 1995. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  31. ^ "Rockets Deal for Drexler". Tampa Bay Times. February 15, 1995. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  32. ^ "Trail Blazers Fire Adelman". United Press International. May 19, 1994. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  33. ^ "Trail Blazers Fire Adelman After Early Exit from Playoffs". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 20, 1994. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  34. ^ Freeman, Mike (May 21, 1994). "PRO BASKETBALL; Trail Blazers Casting Covetous Clances at Daly". The New York Times. Retrieved January 6, 2022.