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On This Day In History: Portland Trail Blazers First Tipoff

Portland Trail Blazers (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)

The Portland Trail Blazers have created a rich history and culture during their time in the NBA. Here’s where it all started.

Fifty years ago, Bill Walton had just arrived in UCLA, Lew Alcindor was beginning his first and only MVP Season under this name, and Rip City was a place no one would spot on a map.

Still, Portland was filled with basketball excitement as the Portland Trail Blazers geared up for their first regular-season game in franchise history.

October 16, 1970, had been a long time coming for Oregon.