Known as “Clyde the Glide” in his heyday, Clyde Drexler was one of the best shooting guards of his generation and was named to the NBA’s list of 50 Greatest Players while still active in 1995-96.
Career
During his career, Drexler led the Portland Trail Blazers to NBA Finals appearances in 1990 and ‘92, though the team lost hard-fought series to the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls, respectively. Drexler finished second to Michael Jordan in MVP voting following the 1991-92 season, in which he put up 25 ppg, 6.7 apg and 6.6 rpg.
Drexler was a member of the 1992 U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team, “The Dream Team,” often considered to be the greatest basketball team ever put together.
He was traded to the Rockets in 1995, helping lead Houston to its second straight NBA title while playing alongside former college teammate Hakeem Olajuwon.
A 10-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA selection, Drexler remains the Blazers’ all-time leading scorer (18,040 points), all-time leader in steals (1,795) and triple-doubles (18).
Drexler is one of only six players in NBA history to have topped 20,000 points, 6,000 rebounds and 6,000 assists for his career (Oscar Robertson, John Havlicek, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Russell Westbrook are the others). A defensive stalwart, Drexler ranks ninth all-time in steals (2,207).
He averaged 20.4 points per game for his career and posted a career-high 27.2 ppg and 7.9 rpg to go along with 5.8 assists and 2.7 steals per game in 1988-89. He was a consistent scorer throughout his career, even leading the Rockets in scoring at 18.4 ppg during his final season in 1997-98, at 35 years old.
When his playing days ended, Drexler has his No. 22 retired by both the Blazers and Rockets.