Clyde Drexler, most underrated player of the Magic/Bird/Jordan era?

[L.Kizzle]

The Magic/Bird/Jordan era from Bird & Magic rookie year in 1979 to Jordan's first retirement in 1993. Clyde played a majority of his career in this era. Clyde led his Portland Trailblazer teams to 2 NBA Finals appearances during this time. Coming up short both times.

Of All the players to lead their teams to the Finals from 80-93, he's the only one that is close to being pushed out of the top 50. Everyone else is a borderline top 20-25 player of All-Time.

Taking a look at his Portland teams, those were probably the 2 weakest teams (by personal, not by play) to make the Finals in that timespan. Besides himself, there were no Hall of Famers or All-NBA Teamers on the Trailblazers (Drazen is a HoF for his international influence.) The 93 Suns have no other Hall of Famers besides Charles Barkley but they had three other All-NB Teamers including 5 time All-NBA teamer Kevin Johnson (four of them 2nd team.)

The two seasons they made the NBA Finals, they actually didn't have multiple All-Stars. Clyde wad the lone wolf. Kevin Duckworth was an All-Star in 89 and 91. Terry Porter in 91 as well and 93 (as injury replacement for Mitch Richmond.) Buck Williams was last an All-Star in 1986 and Cliff Robinson would be one in 94.

One All-Star participant in NBA Finals from 80-93
1980 Philadelphia 76ers - Julius Erving only current All-Star. Maurice Cheeks and Bobby Jones on roster and HoFers. Doug Collins former All-Star.
1981 Houston Rockets - Moses Malone only current All-Star. Calvin Murphy on roster and Hall of Famer. Rudy T former All-Star.
1988/1989 Detroit Pistons - Isiah Thomas only current All-Star. Adrien Dantley (88 only), Joe Dumars and Dennis Rodman on roster and HoFers. Bill Laimbeer former All-Star
1991 Chicago Bulls - Michael Jordan only current All-Star. Scottie Pippen on roster and Hall of Famer. Horace Grant, BJ Armstrong up coming All-Stars.

80 - Kareem, Magic, Dr. J
81 - Bird, Moses
82 - Kareem, Magic, Dr. J
83 - Moses, Dr. J, Kareem, Magic
84 - Bird, Kareem, Magic
85 - Magic, Kareem, Bird
86 - Bird, Hakeem
87 - Magic, Bird
88 - Magic, Isiah
89 - Isiah, Magic
90 - Isiah, Drexler
91 - Jordan, Magic
92 - Jordan, Drexler
93 - Jordan, Barkley

[SouBeachTalents]

The most underrated players from that era imo are Nique & Gervin

[L.Kizzle]

The most underrated players from that era imo are Nique & Gervin
I was looking at it as far a Finals appearances. Clyde took his team to multiple Finals yet gets bunched with Gervin and Nique and not Barkley and Isiah Thomas.

[Stephonit]

I was looking at it as far a Finals appearances. Clyde took his team to multiple Finals yet gets bunched with Gervin and Nique and not Barkley and Isiah Thomas.

Was also fouled out of a finals game.

The fix was in.

Just not flashy enough is my guess. Didn't watch him. Going by the descriptions it's unclear what he actually did on the court that was exceptional and that's why his name doesn't come up as much as others. And he did win a championship with Hakeem.

[HBK_Kliq_2]

Him as a 1b star was extremely dangerous and just as good as guys like Manu or Pippen.

You could also put him right there with Isiah Thomas and Barkley i think. Although Barkley's offensive peak might be slightly higher.

Don't really see him as a clear cut #1 option scorer and franchise player though.

[Phoenix]

Him as a 1b star was extremely dangerous and just as good as guys like Manu or Pippen.

You could also put him right there with Isiah Thomas and Barkley i think. Although Barkley's offensive peak might be slightly higher.

Don't really see him as a clear cut #1 option scorer and franchise player though.

Lol Manu. Your retardation has no limits. This is not a discussion so I wont be relying to whatever bullshit comes next from you. Just know that you're a moron.

[NBAGOAT]

you're underrating how good portland was on defense. as much as the 90s sonics if not more so. everyone but duckworth was pretty good. I'll put him up there with Isiah but Barkley's in a different tier.

[ELITEpower23]

How do you feel about Jimmy Butler OP?

[8Ball]

All-NBA First Team (1992)
2× All-NBA Second Team (1988, 1991)
2× All-NBA Third Team (1990, 1995)


That is about as good as Jimmy Butler:

4× All-NBA Third Team (2017, 2018, 2020, 2021)
5× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2014–2016, 2018, 2021)

[bizil]

I think Clyde could be the answer for that. He was a LEGIT superstar who never played with another perennial All Star type player in Portland. Drexler was SUCH A great combo of scoring, freak athletic ability, and all around ability he willed those teams to heights where they OVERACHIEVED quite frankly.

If you took him off those teams, their is a very good chance they wouldn't make the playoffs. As great as Zeke was, the Bad Boys Pistons would be a playoff team WITHOUT him. They just wouldn't be in the hunt for a title. If you took Bird off the Celtics, they would for damn sure be a playoff team. The same applies for Magic and the Lakers.

So for those reasons, I don't Clyde gets enough credit for how COMPLETE a player he was. ONLY a MJ, Kobe, and Wade IN NBA HISTORY combined great scoring, great all around ability, and freak athletic ability BETTER than Clyde at the SG spot! T Mac right there of course too. Just think Clyde from a TECHNICAL standpoint wasn't as polished as the other three. Shit like handles, shooting form, and footwork. But RESULTS (which is what matters most) prove Clyde was a dominant force!

[2much_knowledge]

He was underrated just because of ugly shooting form/dribbling. Has multiple multiple seasons with high points, rebounds, assists and steals. And his play led to 2 finals appearances and a ring

Putting Jimmy Butler in the same class as Drexler is laughable

[L.Kizzle]

How do you feel about Jimmy Butler OP?
Latrell Sprewell basically.

[Phoenix]

There was a point when Clyde legitimately could have been considered the third best shooting guard ever( after MJ and West), but that was of course before Kobe and Wade hit the scene, and Harden in the last decade.

[Jasper]

The most underrated players from that era imo are Nique & Gervin

Gervin was not under rated , he was the high scorer for many years !!!
Drexler was a pro right handed driver , that was not stoppable. (exceptional scorer as well ) It was sad to see him leave Portland , but when he played with the super team of Houston
it solidified his top 50 player of all time , and dream team equal.
/

[RRR3]

you're underrating how good portland was on defense. as much as the 90s sonics if not more so. everyone but duckworth was pretty good. I'll put him up there with Isiah but Barkley's in a different tier.
Why did Duckworth even play then? He was hideous at offense.

[Im so nba'd out]

Most underrated player from that era was Moses Malone. Literally no one even talks about him now. Clyde was = to jordan in peoples eyes until jordan shat on him in the finals and showed everyone me and this guy are not close

[L.Kizzle]

Most underrated player from that era was Moses Malone. Literally no one even talks about him now. Clyde was = to jordan in peoples eyes until jordan shat on him in the finals and showed everyone me and this guy are not close
How is a dude with 3 MVPs and usually mentioned in the top 15 All-Time underrated?

[MadDog]

How is a dude with 3 MVPs and usually mentioned in the top 15 All-Time underrated?

I think what guy meant is Clyde's more talked about. Meanwhile Malone was clearly the better player. If you think about it though, most perimeter greats are popular. Drexler's game was more marketable (gliding through air) and before the 92 finals, he was often compared with Jordan.

[L.Kizzle]

I think what guy meant is Clyde's more talked about. Meanwhile Malone was clearly the better player. If you think about it though, most perimeter greats are popular. Drexler's game was more marketable (gliding through air) and before the 92 finals, he was often compared with Jordan.
No he wasn't. Clyde wasn't very popular player until literally 1992. He never started an All-Star game until 1992. All his All-Star games between 86-91, he was a reserve. Guys like Alvin Robertson, Fat Lever and Dale Ellis were starting and receiving more votes than Clyde. Hell, guys like Derek Harper and Sleepy Floyd were also getting more All-Star votes than Clyde.

Meanwhile Moses was the starting center in 79, 80, 83-89. Moses got the most All-Star votes in 1984. More than Bird, Magic, Dr J and Kareem. 4 of the most popular players ever when the NBA was at the peak of it's powers in the mid 80s.

[MadDog]

No he wasn't. Clyde wasn't very popular player until literally 1992. He never started an All-Star game until 1992. All his All-Star games between 86-91, he was a reserve. Guys like Alvin Robertson, Fat Lever and Dale Ellis were starting and receiving more votes than Clyde. Hell, guys like Derek Harper and Sleepy Floyd were also getting more All-Star votes than Clyde.

Meanwhile Moses was the starting center in 79, 80, 83-89. Moses got the most All-Star votes in 1984. More than Bird, Magic, Dr J and Kareem. 4 of the most popular players ever when the NBA was at the peak of it's powers in the mid 80s.

Sure he was. Clyde made 4 all-star appereances and like 3 all-nba teams before 92. He was definitely popular before then. And in that season, he got a ton of Jordan comparisons. Just because Moses "started" in an all-star game doesn't make him more marketable. If he and Wilt or Russell were playing in the same conference and time, he would've been coming off the bench too. :confusedshrug: Drexler was sitting behind guys like Stockton and Magic.

[L.Kizzle]

Sure he was. Clyde made 4 all-star appereances and like 3 all-nba teams before 92. He was definitely popular before then. And in that season, he got a ton of Jordan comparisons. Just because Moses "started" in an all-star game doesn't make him more marketable. If he and Wilt or Russell were playing in the same conference and time, he would've been coming off the bench too. :confusedshrug: Drexler was sitting behind guys like Stockton and Magic.
Stockton started in three All-Star games; 90 alongside Magic, 93 with Drexler and 97 with Payton. Stockton came behind Drexler more than Drexler behind Stockton.

Moses was not losing a starting spot to Jeff Ruland or Joe Barry Carol or getting out voted by Pervis Ellison which is the equivalent of Clyde losing a starting spot to Dale Ellis or getting out voted by Derek Harper.

Moses was even getting more votes than a young Patrick Ewing until 1990.

[TheCorporation]

Most underrated player from that era was Moses Malone. Literally no one even talks about him now. Clyde was = to jordan in peoples eyes until jordan shat on him in the finals and showed everyone me and this guy are not close

+1

[MadDog]

Stockton started in three All-Star games; 90 alongside Magic, 93 with Drexler and 97 with Payton. Stockton came behind Drexler more than Drexler behind Stockton.

Moses was not losing a starting spot to Jeff Ruland or Joe Barry Carol or getting out voted by Pervis Ellison which is the equivalent of Clyde losing a starting spot to Dale Ellis or getting out voted by Derek Harper.

Moses was even getting more votes than a young Patrick Ewing until 1990.

Stockton got more votes than Clyde in 89 AND 90. Dale Ellis also had a career year in 89 so that voting isn't really surprising. Either way, Moses isn't as talked about as Drexler. By the time the 90s hit and even more so now.

[L.Kizzle]

The Last Dance documentary mentioned Clyde for about 90 seconds. That hate was real.

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

There was a point when Clyde legitimately could have been considered the third best shooting guard ever( after MJ and West), but that was of course before Kobe and Wade hit the scene, and Harden in the last decade.

Word. When do you think Wade passed him? 2013? Earlier?

West gets underrated imo, but I also never saw him play. Not enough of his full games out there.

[Phoenix]

Word. When do you think Wade passed him? 2013? Earlier?

West gets underrated imo, but I also never saw him play. Not enough of his full games out there.

As a player, Wade was better than Clyde ever was by 2009 IMHO. In terms of GOAT legacy rankings? Yeah probably by 2012 or 2013 seems reasonable.

[TheGoatest]

He was good until the 1991-92 season. From 1992-93 and onwards he was in the same tier as Jordan's other juggernaut competition at the SG position: Mitch Richmond, Reggie Miller and... Latrell Sprewell? :roll:

[getting_old]

Mentioned Bobby Jones to an old Sixer fan the other day and he admitted he forgot totally about the Secretary of D until i mentioned him.

Clyde is always in our minds...

[72-10]

There's very rarely been someone as good in the air as Clyde; it's mostly a few choice contemporaries.

[jayfan]

The Last Dance documentary mentioned Clyde for about 90 seconds. That hate was real.


In the grand scheme of MJ's career, was he worth more than 90 seconds' mention?


.

[L.Kizzle]

In the grand scheme of MJ's career, was he worth more than 90 seconds' mention?


.
They gave bugger segments to his 85 Bucks series, 89 Cleveland series, 92 Knicks and 98 Pacers series.
His finals opponent deserved at least a segment bigger than Sodney Moncrief (no offense Sid.)

[jayfan]

They gave bugger segments to his 85 Bucks series, 89 Cleveland series, 92 Knicks and 98 Pacers series.
His finals opponent deserved at least a segment bigger than Sodney Moncrief (no offense Sid.)


But didn't he destroy Clyde in that series? Why would you want them to harp on it longer?



.

[Pointguard]

It was rough on Clyde. He was miniature Doctor J, but didn't stay in the air as long. And then Clyde airness wasn't viewed as high because MJ came about and he knew how to float. So his niche was all but gone. Then he was called Clyde when HOFer Frazier had the name and was a level higher on the cool scale. As I say in my post, the league was only very recently decentralized by Magic, Bird and Jordan. All superskilled/thinkers and Glide D wasn't as high on the qualities either - nothing to be ashamed of at all. His emergence wasn't at the right time. But he was a great and overlooked.

[L.Kizzle]

But didn't he destroy Clyde in that series? Why would you want them to harp on it longer?



.
Didn't he destroy all of his opponents in the Finals. Why leave him out lol.

[dankok8]

It was rough on Clyde. He was miniature Doctor J, but didn't stay in the air as long. And then Clyde airness wasn't viewed as high because MJ came about and he knew how to float. So his niche was all but gone. Then he was called Clyde when HOFer Frazier had the name and was a level higher on the cool scale. As I say in my post, the league was only very recently decentralized by Magic, Bird and Jordan. All superskilled/thinkers and Glide D wasn't as high on the qualities either - nothing to be ashamed of at all. His emergence wasn't at the right time. But he was a great and overlooked.

Actually Drexler had a great basketball mind. His problem was that his game relied a lot on getting out in transition and those opportunities dried up against good defenses in the playoffs. He wasn't a killer midrange shooter like Jordan nor did he have the refined post game. But yea I see parallels between him and Dr J for sure.

[bizil]

Clyde was a great all around player in terms of scoring, passing, and rebounding. BUT thing with MJ was his floor game was even BETTER than Clyde's. And MJ's the best scorer of all time in terms of PPG. And the KEY IS MJ was THE FREAK ATHLETE to ALSO have the fundamentals of a West and Oscar BEFORE HIM!

Clyde did seem like a backcourt version of Dr. J in many ways when u think about it. And Clyde's floor game was even better than Doc's. BUT scoring wise I would fear Doc taking over a game scoring more than Clyde. Clyde was an alpha dog too. Just saying MJ-Magic-Bird-Doc were THE FACE of the league type at one point. Drexler was great. Just not on their level. No shame there, we are talking the GOAT at their respective positions.

[iamgine]

The two seasons they made the NBA Finals, they actually didn't have multiple All-Stars. Clyde wad the lone wolf. Kevin Duckworth was an All-Star in 89 and 91. Terry Porter in 91 as well and 93 (as injury replacement for Mitch Richmond.) Buck Williams was last an All-Star in 1986 and Cliff Robinson would be one in 94.



Well we have to consider how his teammates played too. In both playoffs where they made the finals, Terry Porter very often equals or outplays Clyde. Jerome Kersey often outscore him.

It's not Clyde playing heroics like he's 2006 Kobe. It's more like 2011 Miami where Wade and Bosh pulled their weight alongside Lebron.

[Pointguard]

Actually Drexler had a great basketball mind. His problem was that his game relied a lot on getting out in transition and those opportunities dried up against good defenses in the playoffs. He wasn't a killer midrange shooter like Jordan nor did he have the refined post game. But yea I see parallels between him and Dr J for sure.

Good analysis. He didn't have the great first step either nor MJ determination. Both of which exaggerated the distance between the two. Funny, had he teamed up with Magic, he possibly plays a role like Worthy, I noticed that other players didn't like Drexler. Even Magic didn't like him.

[L.Kizzle]

Good analysis. He didn't have the great first step either nor MJ determination. Both of which exaggerated the distance between the two. Funny, had he teamed up with Magic, he possibly plays a role like Worthy, I noticed that other players didn't like Drexler. Even Magic didn't like him.
Never heard anyone not liking Clyde. He was a soft spoken quiet guy in freaking Portland pre jail Blazers era lol.
I've heard the story about him talking about Magic in a Dream Team book but Clyde denied everything in that book.

[Pointguard]

Never heard anyone not liking Clyde. He was a soft spoken quiet guy in freaking Portland pre jail Blazers era lol.
I've heard the story about him talking about Magic in a Dream Team book but Clyde denied everything in that book.

I read about others not liking him a couple of times. I just read the Allstar thing with Magic, that was horrific. Its amazing that he could recuperate from it: "Everybody kept waiting for him "Magic" to die." And he didn't sue the author of the statement. I mean this was an All star game.

[L.Kizzle]

I read about others not liking him a couple of times. I just read the Allstar thing with Magic, that was horrific. Its amazing that he could recuperate from it: "Everybody kept waiting for him "Magic" to die." And he didn't sue the author of the statement. I mean this was an All star game.
I think the statement was taken out of context. Got to remember this was 1992. People "were" expecting Magic to die because they didn't know much about HIV at that time.

[Kobe_Bryant]

Big Game James is the most underrated player from the 80s. My guy won finals MVP over prime Magic. That would be like me winning finals MVP over big Shaq. You people treat him like a role player. Give my guy some respect.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/7e/72/ce/7e72ce7219e0c029bca37160f961beae.jpg

[Chick Stern]

Big Game James is the most underrated player from the 80s. My guy won finals MVP over prime Magic. That would be like me winning finals MVP over big Shaq. You people treat him like a role player. Give my guy some respect.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/7e/72/ce/7e72ce7219e0c029bca37160f961beae.jpg
Yep

Hilarious that the OP tries to make a Magic/Bird/Jordan era.
It was Magic/Bird, with a little Isiah.
The weak 90s was Jordan’s time.

[72-10]

Big Game James is the most underrated player from the 80s. My guy won finals MVP over prime Magic. That would be like me winning finals MVP over big Shaq. You people treat him like a role player. Give my guy some respect.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/7e/72/ce/7e72ce7219e0c029bca37160f961beae.jpg

I remember that awesome finger roll he made to start the game in the first matchup against Boston in the 1984-85 season.

[L.Kizzle]

Yeah, somebody didn't like Clyde.



1984 - Rookie Clyde is playing behind All-Star Jim Paxson and sharing bench time with Fat Lever
Portland 48-34
1985 - 2nd year Clyde has more playing time as Fat Lever moves to Denver
Portland 42-40
1986 - 3rd year Clyde is an All-Star. Alvin Robinson was voted All-NBA 2nd Team over Clyde with a 35-47 record and avg of 17/5/6. Clyde avg 19/6/8 on a 40 win team.
1987 - 4th year Clyde had a better year than previous year yet somehow Alvin Robertson again (and Sleepy Floyd) is awarded an All-Star spot out west. Portland record 49-33 and Spurs 28-54. Blazers had 3rd best record out west and highest scoring team in the league with no All-Stars. And his former teammate Fat Lever is 2nd team NBA on a 35 win squad.
1988 - 5th year Clyde is All-Star and All-NBA 2nd leading his team to a 53 win season.
1989 - 6th year Clyde and 27/8/6 but Blazers go 1-5 to end the season 39-43 and barely make the playoffs. Clyde is All-Star and should be All-NBA 2nd Team.
1990 - Clyde leads his team to NBA Finals with 59 games won. That was somehow only good for All-NBA 3rd team. Meanwhile the 54 win Suns get 2 players on the All-NBA 2nd team.Team.
1991 - Blazers win their most in the Drexler era with staggering 63 wins. They are upset by veteran Lakers in West Conf Finals. Clyde is All-Star and All NBA 2nd team.
1992 - Clyde comes in 2nd in MVP voting and 2nd in the Finals. Makes his only 1st team appearance.
1993 - Clyde is All-Star but has injury plagued season missing about half the season.
1994 - Clyde is an All-Star but Portland is in transition. Duckworth is gone and Porter and Kersey aren't even full time starters any more.
1995 - Clyde gets traded halfway through the season to Houston. Strangely enough, Clyde is having his best season since 92, yet he isn't voted an All-Star. He actually Strangely is not in the top 10 west guards after being to top guard vote getter the past 3 seasons. 94 Clyde is actually the 2nd highest vote getter in the West with almost 500,000 votes.
In 95 he is out voted by the likes of Jim Jackson Bd Vernon Maxwell, Jeff Hornacek and Kendall Gill. To this day, something has to be up with the 95 voting ..
He makes All-NBA 3rd team this season tho.
1996 - Fresh of a NBA championship he's back as the west top vote getter (3rd overall in West) with over 1,000,000 votes this time. Yeah something is up with the 95 voting.
1997 - voted an All-Star along with NBA At 50 and Rockets win 57 games but lose to WCF Utah Jazz.
1998 - 15th season Clyde still avg 18/5/6 but misses his last All-Star game

[Pointguard]

Yeah, somebody didn't like Clyde.



1984 - Rookie Clyde is playing behind All-Star Jim Paxson and sharing bench time with Fat Lever
Portland 48-34
1985 - 2nd year Clyde has more playing time as Fat Lever moves to Denver
Portland 42-40
1986 - 3rd year Clyde is an All-Star. Alvin Robinson was voted All-NBA 2nd Team over Clyde with a 35-47 record and avg of 17/5/6. Clyde avg 19/6/8 on a 40 win team.
1987 - 4th year Clyde had a better year than previous year yet somehow Alvin Robertson again (and Sleepy Floyd) is awarded an All-Star spot out west. Portland record 49-33 and Spurs 28-54. Blazers had 3rd best record out west and highest scoring team in the league with no All-Stars. And his former teammate Fat Lever is 2nd team NBA on a 35 win squad.
1988 - 5th year Clyde is All-Star and All-NBA 2nd leading his team to a 53 win season.
1989 - 6th year Clyde and 27/8/6 but Blazers go 1-5 to end the season 39-43 and barely make the playoffs. Clyde is All-Star and should be All-NBA 2nd Team.
1990 - Clyde leads his team to NBA Finals with 59 games won. That was somehow only good for All-NBA 3rd team. Meanwhile the 54 win Suns get 2 players on the All-NBA 2nd team.Team.
1991 - Blazers win their most in the Drexler era with staggering 63 wins. They are upset by veteran Lakers in West Conf Finals. Clyde is All-Star and All NBA 2nd team.
1992 - Clyde comes in 2nd in MVP voting and 2nd in the Finals. Makes his only 1st team appearance.
1993 - Clyde is All-Star but has injury plagued season missing about half the season.
1994 - Clyde is an All-Star but Portland is in transition. Duckworth is gone and Porter and Kersey aren't even full time starters any more.
1995 - Clyde gets traded halfway through the season to Houston. Strangely enough, Clyde is having his best season since 92, yet he isn't voted an All-Star. He actually Strangely is not in the top 10 west guards after being to top guard vote getter the past 3 seasons. 94 Clyde is actually the 2nd highest vote getter in the West with almost 500,000 votes.
In 95 he is out voted by the likes of Jim Jackson Bd Vernon Maxwell, Jeff Hornacek and Kendall Gill. To this day, something has to be up with the 95 voting ..
He makes All-NBA 3rd team this season tho.
1996 - Fresh of a NBA championship he's back as the west top vote getter (3rd overall in West) with over 1,000,000 votes this time. Yeah something is up with the 95 voting.
1997 - voted an All-Star along with NBA At 50 and Rockets win 57 games but lose to WCF Utah Jazz.
1998 - 15th season Clyde still avg 18/5/6 but misses his last All-Star game

Good Post

[L.Kizzle]

USA TODAY's new 75 greatest players list basically proves my point.
All of the leaders of those Finals squads are I'm the top 25. Clyde is #50, below the Celtics 2nd best player/6th man and barley in front of their 3rd best players and defensive stoppers.


73. Nate Tiny Archibald
69. Robert Parish
55. Dennis Rodman
51. James Worthy
50. Clyde Drexler
43. Kevin McHale
24. Isiah Thomas
22. Scottie Pippen
21. Charles Barkley
18. Moses Malone
16. Julius Erving
12. Hakeem Olajuwon
8. Larry Bird
4. Magic Johnson
3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
1. Michael Jordan