From Damian Lillard’s unwavering loyalty to Bill Walton’s championship legacy, these five icons forged an unbreakable bond with Rip City through grit, passion, and unforgettable hardwood heroics.
Not every great player becomes universally loved by its fanbase.
Some stars put up numbers but never fully connect with the fans. Others became part of the city forever, whether it is because of loyalty, personality, unforgettable and clutch moments, or simply the way they played the game over the years.
The Portland Trail Blazers have had plenty of talented players throughout their 56 year history, but only a few reached that fan-favorite level where the connection felt a whole lot bigger than basketball.
Here is the starting five of the most loved Blazers ever.
PG Damian Lillard
This spot was never really up for debate.
Lillard became the face of the franchise for over a decade and built one of the strongest player-city relationships in the NBA. The big shots, the loyalty, the clutch playoff moments, and the way he embraced Portland made him more than just a superstar to the fanbase.
For many fans, Dame is modern Blazers basketball.
SG Brandon Roy
Few players have ever been loved in Portland the way Roy was during his five seasons in Portland.
Part of that comes from how good he already was before injuries changed everything, but another part comes from how easy he was to root for. Roy carried himself with calm confidence and gave Portland hope during a difficult period for the franchise.
Even now, there is still a strong emotional connection between Roy and Blazers fans.
SF Jerome Kersey
Kersey embodied the type of player Portland fans have always appreciated.
He played hard every night, brought energy, defended, rebounded, and embraced the city during one of the best eras in franchise history. He may not always get mentioned first in historical conversations, but his popularity with fans has lasted for decades.
PF Rasheed Wallace
Rasheed was unpredictable, emotional, entertaining, and unbelievably talented.
He connected with fans because he played with personality and edge, something Portland crowds have always gravitated toward. Even with the technical fouls and controversies, there was never any question about how much passion he brought to the floor.
Blazers fans still adore him for it.
C Bill Walton
Walton delivered the greatest achievement in franchise history by leading Portland to its only NBA championship in 1977.
Even though injuries shortened his time with the team, his impact never faded. Walton represented the peak of Blazers basketball, and his connection to the city remained strong long after his playing days ended.