Greatest Trail Blazers: #2 C. Robinson vs. #7 Ainge - I Am A Trail Blazers Fan - Message Boards - Team

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DHawes22
Posts: 6481

Posted 07/20/2011 11:51 AM

Who Should Advance?
#2 Cliff Robinson (36)
78%
#7 Danny Ainge (10)
22%

BURNSIDE REGION
#2 Cliff Robinson vs. #7 Danny Ainge

No. 3 Cliff Robinson |Power Forward| 6-10 | 225 lbs

Written By Casey Holdahl
Career Stats As A Trail Blazer: 30.8 mpg, 16.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.1 spg, 1.1 bpg 44.6 FG%, 34.9 3PT %, 68 FT %

Is it possible that Clifford Robinson, also know as “Uncle Cliffy,” is the most underrated Trail Blazer of all time? One might not think so, as his name is well known amongst Trail Blazers fans born in the last millennia, but when you remember back to the halcyon days of Rip City in the 90’s, you probably think of Clyde and Terry and Buck and Jerome and Duck. But Cliffy? It feels like he’s a bit of an afterthought.

Such is the lot of a second round pick (Robinson was taken 36th overall in the 1989) who didn’t become a regular starter until his fifth season. But looking at the franchise record book, it’s apparent that Robinson deserves more credit than he currently receives. Second all-time in blocks (726), third in points (10,405) and three-pointers (492), fourth in games (644) and minutes (19,839). And that’s just five of the 15 all-time franchise statistical categories in which Robinson ranks in the Top 10. Not to mention that he holds the team record for consecutive games played (461), as he only missed 13 games during his eight-year stint in Portland.

Schonely Speaks:
“Uncle Cliffy. Great hands, long arms and a vital part of the Blazers while he was here.”

Photo Gallery: Cliff Robinson Through The Years

No. 9 Danny Ainge |Guard| 6-5 | 185 lbs

Written By Casey Holdahl
Career Stats As A Trail Blazer: 20.5 mpg, 10.4 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 3.0 apg, 0.8 spg, 45.8 FG%, 37.4 3PT %, 82.5 FT %

Danny Ainge only played two seasons for the Trail Blazers, but his importance to the team, specifically the 1991-92 team that lost to the Chicago Bulls in the Finals, should did not go unnoticed. He was the sharpshooter (35 percent of his shots were 3-pointers) and the scrapper. He brought championship experience. And as a local boy (he was born and raised in Eugene), he helped tied the team into the community, even at a time when fan support in Portland was at an all-time high.

Ainge, at least during his days in Portland, was one of those peripheral players you added when you knew you were close. And haven’t been as close to a championship since Ainge left for Phoenix after that last trip to the NBA Finals.

Schonely Speaks:
“Wish Danny could have played longer in a Blazer uniform. Maybe one or two more years. That would have been nice. Terrific shooter. Here’s another little guy that liked to mix it up. Tough, all-star. Now he’s a general manager.”

Photo Gallery: Danny Ainge Through The Years

The polls will stay open for one week, The player with the most votes will move onto the next round. Who should advance in this matchup and why?

Bracket: The Greatest Trail Blazer Of All-Time

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Who Should Advance?
#2 Cliff Robinson (36)
78%
#7 Danny Ainge (10)
22%

mbmurr1
Posts: 530

Posted 07/20/2011 9:12 PM
more time on the team

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blazerdarren77
Posts: 215

Posted 07/20/2011 10:10 PM
Had Ainge been with the team earlier or longer, he would've been further up on the list of the all time Blazer greats

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DHawes22
Posts: 6481

Posted 07/21/2011 9:49 AM
Both players had moments they would like to forget in the 1991 playoffs. Cliffy obviously dropped the ball on the infamous 3-on-1 fast break in Game 6 at L.A. which would have given us the lead with under a minute to go. And Ainge seemed to struggle from the floor the entire second-half of the season.

Maybe had Ainge stayed hot and helped us reach the Finals and win in 91, I could see him advancing, but that was not the case. The numbers don't lie. Cliff has him name all over the Trail Blazers record books and played a vital role off the bench during those championship runs, even winning Sixth Man of the Year in 93.

Enjoy the Sweet 16 Uncle Cliffy!

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ClydeFrog
Posts: 975

Posted 07/21/2011 10:08 AM
I heard that Ainge really wanted to come back after the 1992 season but for whatever reason, maybe miscommunication, the two sides never got on the same page. I would have liked to see us acquire Ainge a year earlier (Finals run vs. Pistons) but I'm not sure if keeping him would have been the right call in 93. If you recall, we were able to sign Rod Strickland that summer, meaning our backcourt rotation was Clyde, Terry & Strick. I don't see much playing time there for Danny.

With that said, it's Cliff. I think he would have been the perfect #3 in a Big 3 along with Clyde, but once Porter and Kersey started to decline we weren't able to acquire a Robin to Clyde's Batman. Regardless, Robinson was a new breed of player. Able to play all three front court positions - score inside, outside, defend, rebound - and was a matchup nightmare for the opposing coach every time out.

I am a fan of Watching Elliot Williams Take Flight!

Prophet21
Posts: 20

Posted 07/21/2011 11:01 AM
I loved long-range Ainge but couldn't vote against Uncle Cliffy =)

I am a fan of Damian Lillard workin hard and lightin it up!

Kassandra
Posts: 448

Posted 07/21/2011 3:59 PM
Cliff was part of two finals runs, Ainge part of one, but Cliff was more a part of the thrust of those teams. longevity is an issue here, and if you run out the stats to a per-36 or per-48, Cliff has the edge in most categories, at least the ones that really mean something. had to run this one past my dad, and he said that it's Cliff by a few miles, so i'm going with dad -- and Cliff -- here.

~ Kassandra

I am a fan of my team fighting to win each and every game.

SkaterNater
Posts: 34

Posted 07/21/2011 6:28 PM
Both were great contributers to great Blazer's teams of the past. But the stats of Cliff just smash those of Ainge. Cliff wins this round, but not sure about the next. Walton is gonna own this bracket anyways.

I am a fan of winning it all in 2012!

BlazerBear
Posts: 97

Posted 07/21/2011 6:56 PM

Posted By Kassandra on 07/21/2011 3:59 PM
Cliff was part of two finals runs, Ainge part of one, but Cliff was more a part of the thrust of those teams. longevity is an issue here, and if you run out the stats to a per-36 or per-48, Cliff has the edge in most categories, at least the ones that really mean something. had to run this one past my dad, and he said that it's Cliff by a few miles, so i'm going with dad -- and Cliff -- here.

~ Kassandra

Excellent analysis and post. Ainge was great but just ran up against a buzzsaw in Robinson. Also, we can't forget how amazing of a defender Robinson was. When Duck was injured in Game 3 against the Mavericks and Portland had the daunting task of dealing with David Robinson without their All-Star center. What's a coach to do? Insert Cliff Robinson. The lanky, 6-10, forward gave The Admiral all he could ask for and more. If it weren't for Cliff stepping up in that role, that magical run to the Finals in 1990 may have not happened.

I am a fan of J.J. Hickson Making SportsCenter's Top 10 Plays On A Nightly Basis!

Tobyus Sanchezo
Posts: 1600

Posted 07/22/2011 3:44 PM
Ainge played for like 1 and a half years here, Cliffhanger was working on a ten pack for us.

You gotta stick with Cliffy.

I am a fan of playoffs in two zero one three

DHawes22
Posts: 6481

Posted 07/26/2011 10:20 AM
Uncle Cliffy was too much for Ainge. Onto the Sweet 16 advances Cliff with 80% of the vote.

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