Rip City has so many fond memories and moments that come to mind when looking back at the 1989-92 Trail Blazers seasons.
The early 90s teams were special on the court, no doubt, but their bond off the court may have been even more special.
"Those were fun times,"Terry Porter reminisced on NBA TV's Trail Blazers documentary, Rip City Revival.'"There's nothing like playing professional sports. You build a bond, a brotherhood, a willingness to protect each other, and you always have that."
The final two segments of Sunday's special on the 1989-92 Trail Blazers era focused on what made this Blazers squad so unique: their team chemistry.
As you know the longer you're with a group of guys, the more chemistry you develop, especially when you're all really good friends and so that was the key to our success. -- Clyde Drexler on Rip City Revival'
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During Portland's 198990 campaign, the team posted a 5923 record. They defeated the Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, and Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference playoffs, before ultimately losing to the defending-champion Detroit Pistons.
In the 199091 season, the Blazers posted a 6319 record, which was the best in the league and the best in franchise history. Theirseason ended in the West Finals when the Lakers defeated the Blazers 42.
As for the 199192 season, Portland repeated as Pacific Division champions as they dominated through the Western Conference playoffs. They met the Chicago Bulls in the Finals, losing 42, with the big storyline beingMichael Jordan vs. Drexler.
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"The whole team, I mean that's what made this team so unique, is the chemistry, the personnel," Buck Williams said during the NBA TV special.
Drexler discussed how on the road they would hang out and go to movies together as a team. Porter reiterated that, adding this was a team that enjoyed hanging out with each other and would do so every chance they got.
"What made it all go was trust, we trusted each other," Williams added.
They had fun together.
"To have the success we had as a group and the excitement we brought this city and this state -- it is always going to be somewhere special in my heart. We grew up together on and off the court," Porter said.
As Drexler put it, "That bond will keep you together for a lifetime."
Be sure to check out the fullTalkin' Blazers Podcastwith host NBA Champion Channing Frye and Emmy Award winner Dan Sheldon, and Timbers midfielder Diego Valeri.
Portland Trail Blazers' team chemistry in early 90s was just different originally appeared on NBC Sports Northwest
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