Greatest Trail Blazers: #4 Sabonis vs. #5 Wicks - I Am A Trail Blazers Fan - Message Boards - Team

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DHawes22
Posts: 6475

Posted 07/27/2011 11:25 AM

Who Should Advance?
#4 Arvydas Sabonis (36)
82%
#5 Sidney Wicks (8)
18%

BROADWAY REGION
#4 Arvydas Sabonis vs. #5 Sidney Wicks

No. 11 Arvydas Sabonis | Center |7-3 | 292 lbs

Career Stats As A Trail Blazer: 24.2 mpg, 12.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2.1 apg, 0.6 spg, 1.1 bpg, .500 FG%, .328 3PT%, .786 FT%

A “7-3 Larry Bird”, at least in the eyes of Bill Walton, Arvydas Sabonis was truly one of a kind. His ability to shoot from the perimeter as well as score inside combined with unparalleled court vision helped him mesmerize the defense and fascinate the fans. Although the Lithuanian big man played seven years in Rip City, including a large role in helping Portland to two trips to the Western Conference Finals in back-to-back seasons, BlazerManiacs were only treated to a glimpse of what could have been. Sabonis, maybe the most dominant center in international history, was drafted with the 24th pick in the 1986 draft. Because of the ongoing Cold War at the time, it wasn’t until the fall of 1995 that Sabas was allowed to put on a show.

Arvydas was named to the All-Rookie team in 1995-96 and honored with the Rookie of the Month award for his performance in April as he put up a double-double (16 ppg, 11 rpg) and helped lead the Trail Blazers to an 8-3 record as they charged into the playoffs. Even in the twilight of his career, Sabonis left his imprint on the Trail Blazers record books, finishing seventh in total rebounds (3,436) and ninth in blocks (422).

Schonely Speaks:
"If only Arvydas would have been here in the 90's, the Blazers probably would have had a couple more rings on their fingers. Huge. Strong. Good guy. Hall of Famer. Could certainly pass and could flat out score."

Photo Gallery: Arvydas Sabonis Through The Years

No. 21 Sidney Wicks |Forward | 6-9 | 225 lbs

Career Stats As A Trail Blazer: 38.8 mpg, 22.3 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 4.1 apg, 1.2 spg, 0.8 bpg, .460 FG%, .713 FT%

Coming out of UCLA in 1971, Sidney Wicks was taken with the second overall pick and he lived up to that great lineage of John Wooden-coached players. Immediately making his impact felt, Wicks was named not only Rookie of the Year in 1972 but an All-Star as well during his rookie campaign. One of the first true all-around players for the Trail Blazers, Wicks was a candidate to rack up a triple-double on any given night. Throughout his career, he led the Blazers in scoring and rebounding three out of five seasons (’72, ’75, ’76), assists twice (’73, ’74) and free throw attempts and makes every season in Rip City.

Standing 6-9, Sidney was an undersized power forward but he used his great strength, length and basketball IQ to have his way with the defense in the paint, which is where he did most of his damage. To this day, he holds the single-game record for rebounds with 27 and his six 20 point-20 rebound games trail only Bill Walton for most in franchise history. Wicks may have played 35+ years ago but his accomplishments still rank among the best in Trail Blazers history as he is fifth all-time in rebounds (4,086), free throws made (1,878), ninth in points (8,882), field goals made(3,502) and tenth in assists (1,647).

Schonely Speaks:
"Out of UCLA, came with us in the second year. And was controversial. Got a coach fired, but he could play."

Photo Gallery: Sidney Wicks 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?
#4 Arvydas Sabonis (36)
82%
#5 Sidney Wicks (8)
18%

FoulWeatherFan
Posts: 126

Posted 07/27/2011 1:29 PM
This was VERY very difficult. I think what won over was my extreme bias for Sabas.

I am a fan of close games.

Clayton McClain Pearce
Posts: 5

Posted 07/27/2011 1:51 PM
This is tough because Sabonis was one of the best basketball players in history, period. He didn't have his best years with the Blazers, but when he was in his prime, he was better than anyone in this entire bracket. Don't believe me, ask Bill Walton. So, is Sabonis the choice because he was the best player, or is Wicks the choice because he was the best Blazer? I don't know. I voted for Arvydas.

I am a fan of The Marcus-Lamarcus alley-oop show

DHawes22
Posts: 6475

Posted 07/27/2011 2:32 PM
Wicks put up the better stats but Sabonis was so unique in his own right. I'm taking a little time and reading the other responses before I throw in my vote. Close call.

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ClydeFrog
Posts: 975

Posted 07/27/2011 2:52 PM
I like Sabonis better but if we are just going off of who was the better player, then it has to be Wicks. Just a great all-around player who led the team in nearly every category on any given year. It's too bad he and Petrie couldn't co-exist, because that was a dynamic duo!

I am a fan of Watching Elliot Williams Take Flight!

Tobyus Sanchezo
Posts: 1599

Posted 07/27/2011 3:52 PM
Sabonis anchored this team and we became a juggernaut in the West. Fun player to watch fo sho.

Blazer games weren't even on TV when Sydney was playing. And I've heard that those original Blazers lost dang near every game. But I heard Sydney played very hard and deserves to get mentioned.

COIN FLIP

I am a fan of playoffs in two zero one three

mbmurr1
Posts: 530

Posted 07/27/2011 9:06 PM
Not even close..... SABS

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Kassandra
Posts: 448

Posted 07/28/2011 6:59 PM
Wicks' stats look good, but he doesn't seem as much a team player as Sabonis. i agree with Schonz; if we'd have had Sabonis in the early 90s, we'd have a couple more championship trophies, maybe three. this round goes to Sabonis.

~ Kassandra

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

DHawes22
Posts: 6475

Posted 07/29/2011 10:03 AM
Sabas was the better team player, but Wicks didn't exactly have that many other options as the franchise was just getting off the ground. I mean, he was the only Blazer to ever lead the team in scoring, rebounds & assists during his career. A ROY and All-Star in his rookie year? When does that happen?

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BlazerBear
Posts: 97

Posted 07/29/2011 10:43 AM
Arvydas is running away with this one! I'll give Wicks the stats but Arvydas made everyone around him better, something Sidney wasn't able to do. Plus, Sabas was a team-first guy. I still remember him gutting it out in Game 7 of the 03 playoffs at Dallas. Big fella was barely moving on his broken-down body but he was trying and producing too.

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

Ditto10
Posts: 1

Posted 07/29/2011 1:28 PM
Sidney was eight times the player than sabo. Come on folks?

barnettfan
Posts: 370

Posted 07/30/2011 5:50 AM
I had to sound off for this one. Wicks put up those numbers because once he got the ball you had to shoot him to pass it. He had no clue as to how to play as a team. During timeouts he would wander around the court until the teams went out to play. It wasn't just Petrie that did not like him it was the entire team. His attitude followed him throughout the NBA. Oh by the way I voted for Sabonis.

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DHawes22
Posts: 6475

Posted 08/02/2011 9:46 AM
Sabas runs away with this one, 31-8.

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