Clyde Drexler

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Lore & Background

Drexler's time with the Trail Blazers was marked by consistent contention and individual brilliance. In his fourth season (1986–87), he earned his first All-Star selection, averaging 21.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 6.9 assists, and 2.5 steals per game. His scoring peak came on January 6, 1989, when he recorded a career-high 50 points in a double-overtime victory over the Sacramento Kings. The Blazers reached their first Finals in 1990, where Terry Porter hit two crucial free throws with 2.1 seconds remaining to win Game 2 against Detroit. Although they lost the series, Drexler returned in 1992 after leading Portland to a franchise-best 63–19 record the previous year. In the 1991–92 season, Drexler made the All-NBA First Team and finished second in MVP voting behind Michael Jordan, averaging 25 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game.

In Their Own Story

The 1992 NBA Finals against the Chicago Bulls showcased Drexler's resilience and scoring ability on the biggest stage. Leading or tying for the team lead in scoring across all six games, he erupted for 32 points in Game 3, though Portland lost 94–84. Despite forcing the series to a tie twice, the Bulls staged fourth-quarter comebacks to win the championship. In that pivotal six-game series, Drexler averaged 24.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game. Teammate Terry Porter later noted decades after the fact that when it came down to late-game execution, he looked for Drexler as the key guy to make plays. This period cemented Drexler's reputation as a clutch performer who could elevate his team in the postseason, even if the ultimate prize remained elusive during his Portland years.

Reader's Guide

For fans of the era, the Drexler years represent a time of high-octane basketball and deep playoff runs. His partnership with Terry Porter was central to the team's success; they combined for 23 points each in the 1989 Western Conference Finals victory over the Phoenix Suns that secured Portland its first conference championship since 1977. Drexler's versatility allowed him to play alongside various role players, from Jerome Kersey to Terry Porter, creating a balanced offense that challenged the best teams in the West. The 1990 and 1992 Finals runs remain the high points of his Portland tenure, highlighting his ability to carry a team through grueling series against the Pistons and Bulls. His departure in 1995 marked the end of a decade where he was the undisputed face of the franchise, leaving behind a scoring record that stood for nearly thirty years.

Did You Know?

• As a high school sophomore, Drexler tried out for the basketball team but failed to make the cut.
• At the University of Houston, Drexler recorded 1,000 points, 900 rebounds, and 274 steals—just shy of the 300-steal milestone.
• Drexler was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2004 for his individual career, and the 1992 Dream Team was inducted as a group in 2010.
• On January 6, 1989, he scored a career-high 50 points during a double-overtime win over the Sacramento Kings.
• He is currently serving as the second commissioner of the Big3 3-on-3 basketball league.

The Glide's College Dominance

Before his NBA career, Drexler attended the University of Houston, recruited after childhood friend Michael Young told assistant coach Guy Lewis that Drexler was the best player he had faced in high school. He became a cornerstone of 'Phi Slama Jama,' a basketball fraternity known for acrobatic, above-the-rim play alongside Hakeem Olajuwon and Larry Micheaux. New recruits were initiated by standing under the basket while Drexler drove from half-court to deliver a tomahawk slam over them. Houston reached the Final Four in 1982 and 1983. In the 1983 semifinals against Louisville, Drexler delivered a double-pump dunk that Sports Illustrated writer Curry Kirkpatrick called 'your basic play of the century.' He finished his junior career as Houston's all-time steals leader with 268 and remains the only player in school history with at least 1,000 points, 900 rebounds, and 300 assists.

Portland Trail Blazers Era

Drexler was selected by Portland with the 14th overall pick in the 1983 draft. After a rookie season averaging 7.7 points, he improved to 17.2 points, 6 rebounds, and 5.5 assists in his second year. By his third season, he was an All-Star. On January 6, 1989, he scored a career-high 50 points against the Sacramento Kings. In the 1989–1990 season, he averaged 23.3 points and led Portland to the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Detroit Pistons in six games; Drexler hit two free throws with 2.1 seconds left in Game 2 to secure a victory. The following year, he led the team to a franchise-best 63–19 record but fell short in the Western Conference Finals against the Lakers. In 1991–92, he finished second in MVP voting and led Portland back to the Finals against Chicago, averaging 24.8 points in the series before falling in six games.

Championship Glory and Olympic Gold

While his time with Portland ended without a title, Drexler achieved ultimate success shortly after leaving. In 1992, he was selected for the United States Olympic team known as 'The Dream Team,' winning a gold medal in Barcelona. Later that year, on February 4, 1995, he was traded to the Houston Rockets. Teaming up with his former college teammate Hakeem Olajuwon, Drexler helped propel the Rockets to an improbable second consecutive NBA championship in 1995. In the first round against the Utah Jazz, he scored 41 points while Olajuwon added 40 in a crucial Game 5 victory. He averaged 21.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 6.8 assists during his third NBA Finals run, where Houston swept the Orlando Magic. His individual career earned him induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2004.

Legacy and Post-Playing Career

Drexler is considered among the top shooting guards of all time, with a career spanning 15 NBA seasons. He was named to the NBA's 50th and 75th anniversary teams and earned ten All-Star selections and five All-NBA selections. His legacy includes being inducted into the Hall of Fame twice: first for his individual career in 2004, and again in 2010 as a member of 'The Dream Team.' After retiring from playing, he remained active in basketball administration, currently serving as the second commissioner of the Big3, a professional 3-on-3 league. His journey began humbly; as a sophomore in high school, he tried out for the varsity basketball team and failed to make the cut, only to become one of the game's greatest players after dominating as a senior center with 34 points and 27 rebounds in a single tournament performance.