Categories: Editorials

The 10 Worst Supporting Casts That Helped Win An NBA Championship

Published by

Brad Sullivan

11 years ago

6. 1977 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

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Brad Sullivan

Brad Sullivan is a lead writer for Cavaliers Nation. He has spent much of life in the Cleveland, Ohio area, and has remained a Cavalier fan from their 1970 beginnings through the return of LeBron James. While that fandom was sorely tested during the Reign of Error known simply by one word, Stepien, that overall historical perspective will be part of his writing for Cavaliers Nation in the months ahead.