In 1970, the Portland Trail Blazers entered the NBA. Seven years later, they were champions.
Having seen many seasons of winning and various styles of play, the Pacific Northwest power has hosted talent like Bill Walton, Damian Lillard, Brandon Roy, and many more. Whether contending or rebuilding, the Blazers are known for their passionate fandom.
When it comes to the Western Conference, SoleSavy is locked in tight with the Portland Trail Blazers. Celebrating our partnership with the storied franchise, we’ve put together our 8-Man Rotation of the best sneaker stars to ever lace them up in Rip City.
PG: Damian Lillard
(Image via Wallpaper Dog)
Best Kicks: adidas Dame 1-7, adidas Crazy 8 PEs, adidas Crazy 1 PEs
Coming out of Weber State, few knew the true potential of Damian Lillard. Two parties that had a hint of how good he could be? adidas and the Portland Trailblazers.
In his decade with both the brand and the team, Dame has hit iconic game-winners in his own signature sneakers from the Three Stripes. From collaborations with BAPE and Pusha-T to customs inspired by Yeezy, Dame Dolla has rewrote the rules of being a baller with his own shoes.
SG: Derek Anderson
(Image via Portland Trail Blazers)
Best Kicks: Air Jordan 9 Low PEs, Air Jordan 3 Black/Cement & White/Cement, Air Jordan 3 “Katrina” PE, Air Jordan 11 IE Low
After arriving in Cleveland and moving onto the Clippers and Spurs, Jordan Brand journeyman Derek Anderson had the fantastic fate of landing in Portland. Black and red retro PEs? Yes, please.
As a Blazer, DA rocked low-top Air Jordan 9 exclusives decked out in patent leather with personalized branding. Before the world got “Katrina” 3s, DA had them a decade and a half earlier. Those who know understand that Loyal 1 had that heat.
SF: Scottie Pippen
(Image via Bleacher Report)
Best Kicks: Nike Air Pippen II PEs, Nike Air Pippen IV & V
Scottie Pippen was a household name far before he arrived in Portland. Because of this, he had his own signature line in full bloom and his team at Nike right in his backyard.
Bringing back the Pippen II from his Bulls days in new motifs, Scottie was #teamearly when it came to rocking his own retros that weren’t even out at retail. On top of that, he laced the young Blazers with his popular Pippen IV and V silos, proving a leader on court and on foot.
PF: Carmelo Anthony
(Image via Essentially Sports)
Best Kicks: Air Jordan 35 PEs, Air Jordan 34s
The NBA was out on Carmelo Anthony and deep down everyone knew it wasn’t right. How could one of the greatest scorers ever be blackballed by statisticians?
Leave it to Dame to right the wrongs of the league. By bringing in Melo to the Blazers, not only did an all-time great get a well-deserved second act on court, he got the royal treatment on foot, too. As one of the lead men for the Air Jordan 35 and Air Jordan 34, Melo showed his mature taste in footwear by receiving some of the best performance PEs in recent memory.
C: Rasheed Wallace
(Image via Pinterest)
Best Kicks: Nike Air Force 1 Highs
Go to a game at Moda Center today and you’re still bound to see plenty of #30 jerseys. Tried and true, Rasheed Wallace was a fan favorite at the turn of the millennium in Portland and he still proves popular two decades later.
In the early 2000s, Rasheed totally defied convention by playing in a model made almost 20 years prior. The Nike Air Force 1 High – released in 1982 – became the pseudo signature of Sheed for a whole new generation, with his patent leather PEs and silo branded retail releases bringing old school flavor to the hardwood and beyond.
BENCH: Bonzi Wells
(Image via Blazers Edge)
Best Kicks: Nike Air Pippen IV & V, Air Jordan 8 “Bugs Bunny” & “Chrome,” Air Jordan 2 Nu Retro
Consider this: during Bonzi Wells’ time in Portland he played almost exclusively in Pippens and Jordans. His task during that era? Match-up with Kobe Bryant.
Yes, the Ball State alum earned his stripes quickly in Rip City and had the shoe game to match. From patent leather-trimmed Pippens to retro releases from Mike, the headband rocking wing was always about that action and often with great feets.
BENCH: Brandon Roy
(Image via Getty Images)
Best Kicks: Nike Zoom BB 1 & 2 PEs, Nike Hyperfuse PEs, Nike Zoom Phenom
Brandon Roy was that dude since arriving in Portland. A Rookie of the Year debut blossomed into three All-Star appearances and even an All-NBA Second Team selection in only his third season.
Sadly, injuries sidelined the star some still compare to the likes of Devin Booker and Kobe Bryant. In his prime, B Roy rocked an array of marquee models from Nike Basketball, always outfitted in Blazers black and red with personalized branding and patent leather hits often setting it off.
BENCH: CJ McCollum
(Image via SI Kids)
Best Kicks: Li-Ning signature line, Nike Kyrie iDs
The eighth and final spot is always a tough one and this team is no different. Historically, Clyde Drexler was the face of the franchise through the ‘80s, rocking everything from Kangaroos to Avia. Even sensations like Mychal Thompson and Billy Ray Bates took home Nike deals and excited fans.
However, CJ McCollum has changed the game with radical designs from Li-Ning. Since signing with the Chinese brand in 2017, the combo guard known for his footwork has pushed the envelope through signature models that differentiate his shoe game from the entire market.
