1984–85 Portland Trail Blazers season

NBA professional basketball team season March 2026 August 2023 Portland Trail Blazers 1985 42 40 Pacific 2 5 Jack Ramsay Stu Inman Larry Weinberg Memorial Coliseum KOIN KEX Conference semifinals(lost to Lakers 1–4) POR The 1984–85 Portland Trail Blazers season was the 15th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Trail Blazers lost in the second round to the eventual NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers. 2 NBA draft 1984 NBA draft At the Felt Forum at Madison Square Garden, fans in attendance booed the Blazers selection of Sam Bowie.Tip-Off, How the 1984 NBA Draft Changed Basketball Forever, Filip Bondy, p.171, Da Capo Press, A Member of the Perseus Books Group, 2007, 978-0-306-81486-0 Part of the problem was that some had perceived Bowie as damaged goods. In September 1981, while at the University of Kentucky, Sam Bowie was diagnosed with having a fractured shin bone in his left leg. This was previously misdiagnosed as a shin splint.Tip-Off, How the 1984 NBA Draft Changed Basketball Forever, Filip Bondy, p.33, Da Capo Press, A Member of the Perseus Books Group, 2007, 978-0-306-81486-0 Bowie would not play for Kentucky until the 1983–84 season. Prior to the diagnosis, Bowie averaged 17.1 points per game and 9.1 rebounds per game in 1980–81. At that time there were serious discussions about Bowie entering the 1981 NBA Draft. Bowie was so highly thought of, that he was named to the 1980 US Olympic Basketball Team. When Bowie returned from his injury in 1983, he would average 10.5 points per game and 9.2 rebounds per game. The Blazers general manager Stu Inman had made it known that if Sam Bowie passed the Blazers physical examination, he would be drafted by the Blazers.Tip-Off, How the 1984 NBA Draft Changed Basketball Forever, Filip Bondy, p.130, Da Capo Press, A Member of the Perseus Books Group, 2007, 978-0-306-81486-0 The Blazers had given Bowie a seven-hour physical to ensure that his leg had recovered from the two-year layoff between 1981 and 1983.Tip-Off, How the 1984 NBA Draft Changed Basketball Forever, Filip Bondy, p.172, Da Capo Press, A Member of the Perseus Books Group, 2007, 978-0-306-81486-0 The Blazers criteria in selecting Bowie over Jordan was that the Blazers backcourt already had Clyde Drexler and Jim Paxson. The Blazers felt that they had lacked a true center since Bill Walton left the club, and the hope was that Bowie would be able to fill this role. Note: This is not a complete list; only the first two rounds are covered, as well as any other picks by the franchise who played at least one NBA game. Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club team 1 2 Sam Bowie F/C Kentucky 1 19 Bernard Thompson G/F Fresno State 2 26 Victor Fleming G Xavier 2 33 Steve Colter G New Mexico 2 46 Jerome Kersey F Longwood Roster Portland Trail Blazers #000000 #FFFFFF #d1210a #FFFFFF 30 Sam Bowie C 7 1 235 Kentucky 34 Kenny Carr F 6 7 220 NC State 20 Steve Colter G 6 3 165 New Mexico State 22 Clyde Drexler G 6 7 210 Houston 25 Jerome Kersey F 6 7 215 Longwood 24 Audie Norris C 6 9 230 Jackson State 4 Jim Paxson G 6 6 200 Dayton 50 Tom Scheffler C 6 11 240 Purdue 5 Bernard Thompson F/G 6 6 210 Fresno State 43 Mychal Thompson C/F 6 10 226 Minnesota 14 Darnell Valentine G 6 1 183 Kansas 55 Kiki Vandeweghe F 6 8 220 UCLA Jack Ramsay (St. Joseph's) Rick Adelman (Loyola Marymount) Bucky Buckwalter (Utah) Regular season thumb|The Trail Blazers played their home games at Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Season standings POR POR Notes z, y – division champions x – clinched playoff spot Game log Regular season Portland Trail Blazersers 1985 #000000 #FF0000 Total: 42–40 (home: 30–11; road: 12–29) Portland Trail Blazers October yes #FF0000 #000000 1 0 1 0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 1 | October 27, 1984 | @ Kansas City | W 140–119 | | | | Kemper Arena | 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 2 | October 30, 1984 | Seattle | W 115–83 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 2–0 Portland Trail Blazers November #FF0000 #000000 6 2 2 6 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | November 1, 1984 | @ Phoenix | L 130–139 (3OT) | | | | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum | 2–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 4 | November 3, 1984 | @ L.A. Clippers | W 131–112 | | | | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena | 3–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 5 | November 4, 19847:30p.m. PST | @ L.A. Lakers | L 116–124 | Drexler (23) | Drexler, Thompson (8) | Paxson, Valentine (8) | The Forum14,148 | 3–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 6 | November 6, 1984 | Phoenix | W 116–99 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 4–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 7 | November 8, 1984 | @ Denver | L 125–128 | | | | McNichols Sports Arena | 4–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 8 | November 9, 19847:30p.m. PST | L.A. Lakers | L 126–130 | Thompson (28) | Drexler (7) | Valentine (11) | Memorial Coliseum12,666 | 4–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 9 | November 11, 1984 | Golden State | W 109–97 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 5–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 10 | November 13, 1984 | Dallas | L 94–101 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 5–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 11 | November 15, 1984 | Utah | W 129–120 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 6–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 12 | November 16, 1984 | @ Seattle | L 89–91 | | | | Kingdome | 6–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 13 | November 18, 1984 | L.A. Clippers | W 113–105 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 7–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 14 | November 20, 1984 | New Jersey | W 117–107 (OT) | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 8–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 15 | November 24, 1984 | Chicago | W 141–131 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 9–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 16 | November 27, 1984 | @ Cleveland | W 115–106 | | | | Richfield Coliseum | 10–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 17 | November 28, 1984 | @ Detroit | L 113–120 | | | | Pontiac Silverdome | 10–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 18 | November 30, 1984 | @ Philadelphia | L 116–126 | | | | The Spectrum | 10–8 Portland Trail Blazers December #FF0000 #000000 3 2 1 7 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 19 | December 1, 1984 | @ New York | W 115–93 | | | | Madison Square Garden | 11–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 20 | December 4, 1984 | Phoenix | W 112–104 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 12–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 21 | December 6, 1984 | San Antonio | W 113–96 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 13–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 22 | December 8, 1984 | Houston | L 120–127 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 13–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 23 | December 11, 1984 | @ Denver | L 122–123 | | | | McNichols Sports Arena | 13–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 24 | December 13, 1984 | @ L.A. Clippers | L 100–106 | | | | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena | 13–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 25 | December 14, 1984 | @ Golden State | L 92–105 | | | | Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena | 13–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 26 | December 18, 1984 | @ Seattle | L 99–109 | | | | Kingdome | 13–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 27 | December 20, 1984 | Kansas City | L 113–118 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 13–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 28 | December 22, 1984 | @ Phoenix | L 108–110 | | | | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum | 13–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 29 | December 25, 1984 | Golden State | W 106–97 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 14–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 30 | December 27, 1984 | @ San Antonio | L 120–141 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 14–16 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 31 | December 29, 1984 | @ Houston | L 92–108 | | | | The Summit | 14–17 Portland Trail Blazers January #FF0000 #000000 3 4 3 5 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 32 | January 1, 1985 | Philadelphia | L 106–111 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 14–18 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 33 | January 3, 1985 | Seattle | W 123–89 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 15–18 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 34 | January 4, 19857:30p.m. PST | @ L.A. Lakers | L 95–120 | Drexler (19) | Bowie (10) | Valentine (6) | The Forum13,513 | 15–19 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 35 | January 6, 1985 | Indiana | W 118–101 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 16–19 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 36 | January 8, 1985 | Dallas | L 102–108 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 16–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 37 | January 11, 1985 | @ San Antonio | W 123–103 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 17–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 38 | January 13, 1985 | @ Dallas | L 101–124 | | | | Reunion Arena | 17–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 39 | January 15, 1985 | Houston | W 121–117 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 18–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 40 | January 18, 1985 | @ Utah | L 122–127 | | | | Salt Palace Acord Arena | 18–22 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 41 | January 19, 1985 | Denver | L 120–123 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 18–23 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 42 | January 22, 1985 | @ Chicago | L 115–123 | | | | Chicago Stadium | 18–24 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 43 | January 23, 1985 | @ Indiana | W 136–104 | | | | Market Square Arena | 19–24 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 44 | January 27, 1985 | @ Boston | L 127–128 | | | | Boston Garden | 19–25 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 45 | January 29, 19857:30p.m. PST | L.A. Lakers | L 106–122 | Thompson (24) | Bowie (13) | Drexler, Valentine (7) | Memorial Coliseum12,666 | 19–26 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 46 | January 31, 1985 | @ Golden State | W 129–109 | | | | Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena | 20–26 Portland Trail Blazers February #FF0000 #000000 6 2 1 4 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 47 | February 1, 1985 | San Antonio | L 93–104 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 20–27 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 48 | February 2, 1985 | Milwaukee | L 95–105 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 20–28 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 49 | February 5, 1985 | Utah | W 126–106 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 21–28 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 50 | February 7, 1985 | New York | W 133–122 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 22–28 |- align="center" |colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff"|All-Star Break |- style="background:#cfc;" |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 51 | February 12, 1985 | Boston | W 111–103 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 23–28 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 52 | February 15, 1985 | Washington | W 93–89 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 24–28 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 53 | February 17, 1985 | Kansas City | W 115–96 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 25–28 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 54 | February 19, 1985 | @ Kansas City | L 96–116 | | | | Kemper Arena | 25–29 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 55 | February 20, 1985 | @ Dallas | L 98–104 | | | | Reunion Arena | 25–30 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 56 | February 22, 1985 | @ Houston | L 103–117 | | | | The Summit | 25–31 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 57 | February 24, 1985 | @ San Antonio | W 137–121 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 26–31 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 58 | February 26, 1985 | L.A. Clippers | W 110–99 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 27–31 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 59 | February 28, 1985 | @ Golden State | L 120–124 | | | | Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena | 27–32 Portland Trail Blazers March #FF0000 #000000 6 1 4 5 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 60 | March 1, 1985 | Cleveland | L 103–111 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 27–33 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 61 | March 3, 1985 | Utah | W 121–93 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 28–33 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 62 | March 5, 1985 | @ Atlanta(at New Orleans, LA) | W 100–91 | | | | Lakefront Arena | 29–33 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 63 | March 6, 1985 | @ Washington | L 121–127 (2OT) | | | | Capital Centre | 29–34 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 64 | March 8, 1985 | @ New Jersey | W 128–110 | | | | Brendan Byrne Arena | 30–34 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 65 | March 10, 1985 | @ Milwaukee | L 94–110 | | | | MECCA Arena | 30–35 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 66 | March 12, 1985 | @ Kansas City | L 114–120 | | | | Kemper Arena | 30–36 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 67 | March 15, 1985 | Golden State | W 126–101 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 31–36 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 68 | March 17, 1985 | Atlanta | W 114–101 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 32–36 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 69 | March 19, 1985 | Detroit | W 143–123 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 33–36 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 70 | March 21, 1985 | @ Phoenix | L 104–114 | | | | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum | 33–37 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 71 | March 23, 1985 | L.A. Clippers | W 126–123 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 34–37 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 72 | March 25, 1985 | @ L.A. Clippers | W 120–99 | | | | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena | 35–37 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 73 | March 26, 19857:30p.m. PST | L.A. Lakers | W 116–113 (OT) | VanDeWeghe (21) | Thompson (9) | Drexler (9) | Memorial Coliseum12,666 | 36–37 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 74 | March 29, 1985 | @ Seattle | W 125–99 | | | | Kingdome | 37–37 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 75 | March 30, 1985 | @ Denver | L 117–129 | | | | McNichols Sports Arena | 37–38 Portland Trail Blazers April #FF0000 #000000 5 0 0 2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 76 | April 2, 1985 | Houston | W 127–113 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 38–38 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 77 | April 5, 1985 | Seattle | W 145–120 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 39–38 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 78 | April 7, 198512:30p.m. PST | @ L.A. Lakers | L 116–124 | VanDeWeghe (24) | Bowie (20) | Drexler (13) | The Forum13,186 | 39–39 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 79 | April 9, 1985 | Phoenix | W 116–100 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 40–39 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 80 | April 11, 1985 | @ Utah | L 107–145 | | | | Salt Palace Acord Arena | 40–40 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 81 | April 12, 1985 | Dallas | W 131–111 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 41–40 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 82 | April 14, 1985 | Denver | W 117–112 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 42–40 POR 1985 thumb|right|300px|A ticket for Game 2 of the Western Conference Semi-finals between the Trail Blazers and the Lakers. Playoffs Portland Trail Blazers 1985 yes #000000 #FF0000 Portland Trail Blazers First round yes no yes #FF0000 #000000 2 0 1 1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 1 | April 18, 1985 | @ Dallas | L 131–139 (2OT) | VanDeWeghe (25) | Bowie (14) | Valentine (13) | Reunion Arena17,007 | 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 2 | April 20, 1985 | @ Dallas | W 124–121 (OT) | VanDeWeghe (27) | Bowie (20) | Drexler (12) | Reunion Arena17,007 | 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 3 | April 23, 1985 | Dallas | W 122–109 | VanDeWeghe (24) | Bowie (11) | Drexler (10) | Memorial Coliseum12,666 | 2–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 4 | April 25, 1985 | Dallas | W 115–113 | VanDeWeghe (27) | Carr (10) | Valentine (9) | Memorial Coliseum12,666 | 3–1 |- Portland Trail Blazers Conference Semi-finals no yes #FF0000 #000000 1 1 0 3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 1 | April 27, 198512:30p.m. PST | @ L.A. Lakers | L 101–125 | Colter (26) | Carr (10) | Colter (8) | The Forum17,505 | 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | April 30, 19857:30p.m. PDT | @ L.A. Lakers | L 118–134 | VanDeWeghe (23) | Carr (12) | Valentine (9) | The Forum17,505 | 0–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | May 3, 19857:30p.m. PDT | L.A. Lakers | L 126–130 | VanDeWeghe (27) | Drexler (11) | Drexler (14) | Memorial Coliseum12,666 | 0–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 4 | May 5, 198512:30p.m. PDT | L.A. Lakers | W 115–107 | VanDeWeghe, Thompson (17) | Thompson (10) | Drexler (10) | Memorial Coliseum12,666 | 1–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 5 | May 7, 19857:30p.m. PDT | @ L.A. Lakers | L 120–139 | Kersey (18) | Carr (11) | Drexler (12) | The Forum17,505 | 1–4 |- POR 1985 yes References Category:Portland Trail Blazers seasons Portland Trail Blazers 1984 Portland Trail Blazers 1985 Po Portland Portland