6. 1977Â Portland Trail Blazers
After two years of injuries and off-the-court chaos, Bill Walton finally put it together to lead the Trail Blazers to their first (and only) NBA title. In truth, the addition of ABA refugee Maurice Lucas and the improving play of guard Lionel Hollins boosted Portland into the elite category, but Walton’s emergence helped them get that elusive trophy.
Evidence of his value came the next year when he went out with a foot injury with the team holding a 50-10 record at the time. He missed the rest of the regular season, with the Trail Blazers going 8-14 in his absence, then played in just two of the six playoff games against Seattle as Portland was bounced in the first round. That foot injury would force him to miss three of the next four seasons, and Portland wouldn’t reach the NBA Finals again until 1990.
Next: 2011 Dallas Mavericks
