Rod Strickland signed as a free agent with the Portland Trail Blazers before the start of the 1992-93 season. Before signing with the Trail Blazers, Strickland played for the San Antonio Spurs. Strickland played four seasons with the Blazers, and it was some of the best basketball in his career.
In Strickland’s first season with the Blazers, he averaged 13.7 points and 7.2 assists per game. Strickland shot 48% from the field and helped lead the Blazers to the playoffs. The next year Strickland pushed his scoring average up to 17.2 and dished out nine assists per game. The point guard upped his scoring average to 23.5 in the playoffs in that same season, but the Blazers failed to make it out of the first round.
In the 1994-95 season, Strickland averaged a career-high 18.9 points per game. He also added 8.8 assists on 48% shooting from the field. Strickland once again averaged 23 points per game in the playoffs, with 12.5 assists in three games. Strickland’s final season with the Blazers before getting traded to Washington, he averaged 18.7 points per and 9.6 assists per game.
In Strickland’s time with the Blazers, he averaged 16.2 points and 8.2 assists per game. Also, Strickland averaged 47% from the field and only 32% from three. Strickland did not attempt many three’s; he was more of a slashing point guard.
Strickland was a very crafty ball handler and knew how to finish around the rim with both hands. He was very shifty and could get to the basket with ease. I always admired Strickland’s ability to get to the rim and finish down low against the big guys. Most people think he would not be able to play in today’s NBA because he didn’t shoot many three’s, but I still believe Strickland could be sufficient. In the pick and roll era nowadays, Strickland’s ability to get the rim and finish would be crucial, also his ability to drive and kick it to shooters. Who knows, Strickland might have even developed a three-point shot.
Strickland played a lot of years in the NBA, but he had his best years in Portland with the Blazers. Strickland is currently 12th on the NBA all-time assists list with 7,987.
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