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Nightfly · 05-24-2004, 09:18 PM

I will be posting a thread for each former Blazer that has a jersey hanging from the rafters in the order that the jerseys were retired.

The first jersey retired by the Blazers was Lloyd Neal's #36. It was retired on March 24th, 1979.

Lloyd Neal was drafted by the Blazers in the 3rd round of the 1972 draft (31st selection overall) out of Tennessee St. He played 7 seasons for the Blazers from '72-'73 till '78-'79 when he was forced into retirement because of an injury

Lloyd Neal was a fan favorite during his time in Portland. He backed up Bill Walton at times during the championship season (1976-1977). He was called upon during game 4 of the 1977 Finals for a key stretch during the second half of the game after Walton picked up 5 fouls, and he filled in more then adequately. His performance helped the Blazers hold on to the lead and cruise to a 130-98 victory.

He averaged 11.1 points per game and 7.8 rebounds per game in 435 games with the Blazers.

His best season statistically was 1975-1976 where he averaged 15.5 ppg and 8.3 rpg.

Blazer fans, post your memories of Lloyd Neal here!

RG · 05-24-2004, 10:03 PM

Probably the first NBA player I saw wear a hockey mask to protect a facial injury. This may be my all time favorite Blazer. he played on desire and work ethic, and was one tough hombre on the court.

Favorite memory....We were playing Philly the year after the championship. Lloyd sat on the bench in street clothes the entire first half watching the Blazers take a whoopin. He came out dressed to play in the second half and scored 23 points and led a come from behind win. Philly's coach and DR. J praised his performance in disbelief.

**Trader Ed** · 05-24-2004, 10:09 PM

Cool thread idea HTTY

ABM · 05-25-2004, 04:09 AM

I know this is kinda off-topic, but I found this neat re-cap of that wonderful Finals from: The Sporting News Archives

Quote:

The 1976-77 season shared many similarities with the lockout-shortened 1999 season. No team was clearly dominant, but only a handful of teams were given a realistic chance at winning the championship. With the league about to enter its 31st year of existence, a new influx of players and teams from the ABA joined the NBA, and the league expanded to 22 teams.

One team that benefited greatly from the ABA's dispersal was the Portland Trail Blazers. To compliment their talented, but often injured center, Bill Walton, the Blazers acquired muscular power forward Maurice Lucas and point guard Dave Twardzik. Led by coach Jack Ramsey, the team posted its first winning season in the franchise's seven-year history at 49-33.

Prior to the start of the season, the Blazers could hardly be considered the favorites to win the 1977 NBA championship. In addition to never having posted a winning record, their star player, Walton, had been injured throughout the previous two seasons.

With the exception of Lucas, the rest of the team was comprised of role players such as Twardzick, small forward Bobby Gross, and shooting guard Lionel Hollins. Plus, they were in the same division as the Los Angeles Lakers, who not only had Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, but also a large media market that enabled them to hoard plenty of national attention.

Still, the 1977 edition of the Blazers was greatly improved under coach Ramsey. With Walton healthy for much of the season, he was finally able to unleash the great potential he showed during his college days at UCLA. The Blazers were a totally different team with him, going 44-21 in the 65 games he played that year and 5-12 during the games he sat out.

Another key player for the Blazers was Lucas, who led the team in scoring with 20.2 points per game and averaged more than 11 rebounds. One element that Lucas added to the team was intimidation. His hulking 6-9, 215 pound build was one of the bulkiest in the league, and he played as mean as he looked too. Despite not winning 50 games during the regular season, the Blazers felt that they had as good as chance as anyone else to win the title.

Portland's playoff road to the Finals was fairly easy considering that they were not the top seed in the Western Conference. They defeated the Chicago Bulls in the first round, and then the Denver Nuggets in the second round. Their next series against the Lakers for the conference championship presented the basketball world with a intriguing matchup between the two UCLA legends -- Walton and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Even though Kareem outscored Walton in the series, 121-77, the Blazers tore through the Lakers for a series sweep, 4-0, and would go on to face the Philadelphia 76ers in the finals.

The 1977 Finals couldn't have pitted two teams that were any more different. The 76ers were a free-spirited bunch who relied their awesome talent and athleticism to finish first in the Eastern Conference. Their lineup consisted of all-stars such as Julius Erving, George McGinnis, Doug Collins and World B. Free. The Blazers, on the other hand, were a direct reflection of their coach, Ramsey, who preached defensive intensity, moving without the ball, and crisp passing.

Games 1 and 2 belonged to Philadelphia. Erving opened Game 1 with a thunderous dunk, and the team never looked back, winning by the score of 107-101. The Sixers then proceeded to blow out the Blazers in Game 2, 107-89, as 20-year old center Darryl Dawkins -- the self proclaimed "Chocolate Thunder" -- kept Walton in check for the second consecutive game.

Heading back to Portland for Games 3 and 4, things appeared bleak for the Blazers. Portland could not figure out how to stop the Sixers' attack and if the Blzaers were going to have any shot at winning the title, the time to make their move was now.

Game 3 was an entirely different matter. Lucas, who was ejected late in Game 2 for fighting, finally went off, scoring 27 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. That, coupled with Walton's 20 points, 18 rebounds, and 9 assists drove the Blazers to a 129-107 victory.

Walton would then take over Game 4, swatting away shot after shot on defense, while Lucas took care of the offensive attack. The result was an overwhelming 130-98 Portland victory.

Game 5, which was back in Philadelphia, started out as a tight defensive battle until the Blazers got their running game going in the third quarter to pull out a 110-104 victory in a game that was not as close as the final score indicated.

When the Blazers arrived back in Portland, they were greeted by 5,000 crazed fans waiting for them at the airport. Riding this wave of emotional support, Walton dominated Game 6 with 20 points, 23 rebounds, 8 blocks and 7 assists. The Sixers stayed even with the Blazers for most of the first quarter. During the second and third quarters, however, Portland outplayed Philadelphia enough to take a 12-point lead going into the final period.

Erving was then able to lead his team to one final offensive surge, and the Sixers cut the Blazers' lead to four, 102-98, with three minutes left in the game. Then, with eight seconds left, and their lead trimmed down to a mere basket, the Blazers carelessly turned the ball over to the Sixers.

Portland fans held their breath as Philly threw up a flurry of shots in an effort to force overtime. First, there was an Erving jump shot that fell shot, next was a Free leaner from the baseline that rimmed out, and finally McGinnis was able to get off a shot with one second left. It drew nothing but iron as the clock expired. Walton knocked the loose ball away and began a mad celebration with the rest of the team, along with the entire city of Portland. The Blazers were champions of the NBA, and "Blazermania" was running wild.

For that one magnificent season, the Blazers ruled the basketball world. Unfortunately, their perch on top of the NBA would end the following year. Walton would again fall victim to foot injuries and would never have the kind of season he did in 1977. Portland has yet to win a championship since.

BLAZER PROPHET · 05-25-2004, 07:08 AM

When I think of Lloyd neal, I think of one word- class.

**B_&_B** · 05-25-2004, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by <b>RG</b>!
Favorite memory....We were playing Philly the year after the championship. Lloyd sat on the bench in street clothes the entire first half watching the Blazers take a whoopin. He came out dressed to play in the second half and scored 23 points and led a come from behind win. Philly's coach and DR. J praised his performance in disbelief.

I was just a little ankle biter when Lloyd was a Blazer, so I dont remember him... but thats a GREAT story!!!! thanks for sharing... What a stud!!

Nightfly · 08-20-2005, 07:35 PM

BUMP!

Gives us something to talk about for now, and I'm planning on doing threads on the rest of those with their numbers retired.

**Blazer Freak** · 08-20-2005, 11:02 PM

Great Idea. Not only is it something to talk about, it also fills in younger posters like myself about the older Blazers. (And who is old enough to remember them :

:

**Talkhard** · 08-21-2005, 07:20 AM

Lloyd Neal was a gritty, no-nonsense kind of guy who banged the boards and could score, too. He had these tremendous thighs--that was the thing you always noticed about him. He also had a burning desire to win and he was a big part of our championship team. However, I don't think he deserved to have his number retired. The Blazers have done that for too many former players who were not really great--just beloved in Portland.

**gatorpops** · 08-21-2005, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blazer Freak

Great Idea. Not only is it something to talk about, it also fills in younger posters like myself about the older Blazers. (And who is old enough to remember them :

:

I am!

Been a fan since nearly the first game. Geoff Petri days. I think Webster has the potential to be able to shoot like he did. They used to set double picks for Petri and he just kept knocking them down. Yet I reminice too much.

That chapionship year was really something.
The next year started out like a house of fire and Lloyd Neal was just sensational. Then he got hurt and I believe Walton was allready hurt and there went the season.
They just never could recover and get healthy enough.

My memory is perrty sketchy but Walton began to blame everyone but himself and his diet for his problems (he was a vegitarian). They were poetry in motion when they were on though. It was sad as they began to breakup.

We are on the verge of something similar again with our stable of young guns now. If they were to play the same kind of unselfish ball that chapmionship team did this team can be every bit as good.

Go Blazers.

Nightfly · 04-30-2008, 04:13 AM

Bump.

I will be resuming this idea I started oh so long ago.

brewmaster · 04-30-2008, 03:18 PM

Two memories:

I remember his rookie season. Geoff Petrie was co-rookie of the year in 1971, and Sidney Wicks was the rookie of the year in 1972. I was really hoping Lloyd Neal was going to be third rookie of the year in the row for the Blazers. It wasn't meant to be, though, that year. Bob McAdoo was, that year.

I also remember a picture the Oregonian ran on the cover of the sports page that year. It showed Lloyd Neal blocking Wilt Chamberlain's shot. Cool photo. I always remember that.

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