NBA.com: Terry Porter Bio

Terry Porter was at the helm of the great Portland Trail Blazers teams of 1989 to 1992 as a tough floor general and outside threat. After 10 seasons in a Portland uniform, he was signed as a free agent by Minnesota prior to the 1995-96 season and provided the veteran leadership the young Timberwolves needed to become an NBA Playoff club. He signed with Miami as a free agent and provided valuable backcourt depth as the Heat won the Atlantic Division crown in 1998-99, then signed with the defending champion San Antonio Spurs as a free agent prior to the 1999-2000 season. Porter, who didn't play organized basketball until his junior year in high school, teamed with Clyde Drexler as the playmaker and long-distance shooter on a Trail Blazers squad that twice made the NBA Finals. A fixture in Portland for a decade, Porter is all over the Blazers' career record book and has entered his name several times in the NBA annals as well. He has also played in two All-Star Games, and he won the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award for meritorious community service. Porter learned basketball at Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where he was a remarkable shooter: In his final three seasons his field goal percentages were .611, .622 and .575, respectively. He averaged 19.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists as a senior in 1984-85, and he was an NAIA First Team All-American for two seasons. The Blazers took him in the first round (24th pick overall) of the 1985 NBA Draft. After a modest rookie campaign (7.1 ppg, 2.5 apg), Porter took over the team's starting point guard position, a slot he would hold for the better part of eight seasons. In those eight years he scored in double figures in each season and became a feared three-point shooter. For five seasons from 1988-89 through 1992-93, his scoring average was between 17.0 and 18.2 points per game. In Portland's trips to the NBA Finals in 1990 and 1992, Porter poured in more than 20 points per contest in the postseason. He played in the 1991 and 1993 NBA All-Star Games. Porter was more than a shooter from the point guard slot. For three straight seasons in the late 1980s he averaged better than 9 assists, with a career-high 10.1 in 1987-88. With the Blazers' acquisition of Rod Strickland in 1993, Porter moved into a reserve role, serving as the team's third guard behind Strickland and Drexler. Injuries limited him to only 35 games in 1994-95, the first time in his career that he made less than 77 appearances. With Portland having turned to new faces, Porter moved on to Minnesota in 1995-96 and appeared in all 82 games for the Timberwolves, averaging a team-high 5.5 assists to go along with 9.4 points per game. He again played in all 82 games for Minnesota in 1996-97, backing up rookie Stephon Marbury at the point and also seeing some time at off guard, and averaged 6.9 points and 3.6 assists as Minnesota made the playoffs for the first time. In 1997-98 he once again played in all 82 games for the Timberwolves, boosting his scoring average up to 9.5 ppg-his highest since 1993-94. Porter signed with Miami as a free agent on January 22, 1999 and played in all 50 games, all but one as a reserve, and averaged in double figures in scoring for the first time in five years.

2000-2001 REGULAR SEASON
Appeared in 80 games, averaging 7.2 points, 3.1 assists and 2.5 rebounds in 21 minutes...Shot 44.8% from the field, 42.4% from three-point land and 79.3% from the free throw line...Spurs were 34-8 in those games and TP averaged 8.6 points, 3.9 assists, 2.9 rebounds in 24.5 minutes as a starter...Earned more than in his previous four seasons combined...Ranked 12th in th NBA in three-point percentage...Scored in double-figures 29 times with a season-high 18 points vs. the Lakers on 2/21...Had two double-doubles...Finished with 17 points, a season-high ten rebounds and eight assists in a season-high 38 minutes at Utah on 1/27...Had 11 points and a season-high 10 assists vs. Portland on 3/19...Logged two DNP-CD's

1999-2000 REGULAR SEASON
Netted a career-high 22 points in a 107-99 win at Vancouver on 4/9 Finished fourth in the AT&T Shootout during All-Star Weekend Notched 18 points and 11 rebounds in a 96-83 win over New York on 1/22 Tallied 17 points and 7 assists in a 105-95 loss to Portland on 1/19 Totaled 16 points (4-4 3FG) in a 93-86 win over Utah on 1/10 Scored 19 points (7-9 FG, 3-4 3 FG) in a 106-87 victory over Denver on 11/27

1998-1999 REGULAR SEASON
Led the Heat in three-point percentage (.411, 12th in the NBA) and ranked 2nd on the team in steals (0.96 spg) Scored 12 of his 18 points (7-11 FG, 3-5 3FG) in the 4th quarter, adding game-highs of 10 assists and 3 steals, in a 100-93 win over the Charlotte Hornets on 5/2 Recorded 21 points (5-9 FG, 3-4 3FG, 8-8 FT) and 6 rebounds against the Minnesota Timberwolves on 3/26 Scored 12 of his team-high 20 points (3-3 3FG) in the 4th quarter, and added 3 assists, in a 91-89 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on 3/8 Totaled 16 points (5-8 FG, 2-3 3FG, 4-5 FT), 7 assists and 5 rebounds in a 95-87 victory over the Denver Nuggets on 3/4 Posted 17 points (3-4 3FG), 5 steals and 3 rebounds, in his first start for the Heat, in an 84-78 win over the Orlando Magic on 2/28 Registered 21 points (6-10 FG, 8-8 FT), 3 assists and 3 steals against the Boston Celtics on 2/9

1997-1998 REGULAR SEASON
Hit his 1,000th career three-pointer, registering 13 points and 3 assists, in a 107-88 victory over the L.A. Clippers on 4/13 Played in his 1,000th career game, posting 21 points (6-9 FG, 4-4 3FG, 5-5 FT), 4 assists and 3 rebounds, in a 110-103 victory over the Utah Jazz on 4/11 Totaled 16 points and a game-high 8 assists in a 104-88 victory over the Denver Nuggets on 3/20 Recorded 17 points, 9 assists and 8 rebounds in a 105-99 overtime victory over the Dallas Mavericks on 2/15 Registered 18 points and a game-high 7 assists against the Orlando Magic on 2/11 Posted 20 points and 6 assists against the Cleveland Cavaliers on 2/2 Scored a season-high 22 points (8-10 FG, 3-4 3FG, 2-2 FT) and added 7 assists against the Milwaukee Bucks on 2/1 Totaled 16 points, a season-high 11 assists and 3 rebounds in a 104-95 victory over the Boston Celtics on 1/21 Recorded 13 points (6-9 FG), 10 assists, 4 rebounds and 3 steals in a 116-115 overtime win over the Houston Rockets on 1/16 Registered 16 points (6-8 FG, 2-4 3FG, 2-2 FT) and 6 assists in a 108-101 victory over the New Jersey Nets on 1/10 Made his first start of the season, scoring 12 points (5-7 FG, 2-2 3FG), in a 92-91 win over the L.A. Clippers on 12/20 Posted 14 points (5-5 FG, 2-2 3FG, 2-2 FT) and 6 assists in a 129-113 victory over the Golden State Warriors on 10/31

1996-1997 REGULAR SEASON
Porter provided veteran leadership and backcourt depth for the young Timberwolves in 1996-97, playing both guard positions but primarily backing up rookie Stephon Marbury at the point. He averaged 6.9 points, 3.6 assists and 2.1 rebounds in 19.1 minutes, appearing in all 82 games for the second year in a row. When he played at least 25 minutes, Minnesota compiled a 12-7 record. He started 20 games, 18 of them at point guard, but only one was after the All-Star break, by which time Marbury was healthy and playing at top form. He led the team in assists 15 times, getting a season-high 15 in a 95-76 win at Vancouver on Jan. 23, along with 11 points. That started a sting of three consecutive double-doubles. He scored in double figures 25 times, getting a season-high 20 points in a 107-98 victory over Utah on Dec. 23. In the three playoff losses to Houston, Porter averaged 5.3 points and 3.0 assists in 15.3 minutes.

1995-1996 REGULAR SEASON

1994-1995 REGULAR SEASON
Porter had his least productive season in 1994-95, appearing in only 35 games for the Portland Trail Blazers following surgery on his right ankle. After sitting out the first 47 contests, he returned to average 8.9 points and 3.8 assists in 22.0 minutes per outing. His 36 points in front of his hometown crowd at Milwaukee on March 7 equaled his third-highest point total ever. Portland reached the playoffs but was swept by the Phoenix Suns in the first round. Porter played a total of 21 minutes, scoring 19 points and dishing out 4 assists. At season s end he ranked eighth on the NBA s all-time lists for three-pointers made and attempted.

1993-1994 REGULAR SEASON
After Porter dished out the 5,000th assist of his career against the Denver Nuggets on January 18, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame requested his shoes and the game ball. However, the season would not be counted among Porter s most memorable. With the emergence of point guard Rod Strickland, Porter, the Portland Trail Blazers second all-time leading scorer (11,018 career points), was relegated to what was essentially a reserve role for the first time since his rookie year. Strickland started 58 games to Porter s 34. Perhaps not coincidentally, the team s point guard dilemma caused the Blazers offense to sputter. Portland s scoring average (107.3 ppg) was the team s lowest since 1979-80 (102.5). Also possibly as a result of his changing role, Porter s shooting percentage (.416) was the lowest of his nine seasons in the league, and his minutes (26.9 per game) and scoring average (13.1 ppg) were among the lowest of his career. Nevertheless, Porter was Portland s most prolific three-point shooter, hitting 110 of 282 long-range attempts for a .390 percentage, 17th best in the NBA. He also became only the fifth player in NBA history to make more than 700 career three-pointers, finishing with 729.

1992-1993 REGULAR SEASON
With Porter in his eighth NBA season, the skeptics could figure him to be wearing down. But that was anything but the case. He posted the highest scoring average of his career this season at 18.2 points per game. In the season finale against the Los Angeles Clippers, Porter became only the third Blazer in franchise history to reach the 10,000-point plateau. He moved into second place on the team s all-time scoring list (10,008), ahead of Jim Paxson and trailing only teammate Clyde Drexler. Among his many fine outings was a 40-point game against the Warriors at Golden State on November 14. He set an NBA record in that game with 7 consecutive three-pointers, a feat duplicated by the Seattle SuperSonics Sam Perkins early in the 1993-94 season. Porter scored 20 or more points in 33 games and shot .484 from three-point distance in April. He played in his second NBA All-Star Game and totaled 7 points and 3 assists in 19 minutes.

1991-1992 REGULAR SEASON
Porter again had an outstanding postseason as the Blazers fell to the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Finals. In 21 playoff games, Porter averaged 21.4 points and 6.7 assists, playing 41.4 minutes per game and shooting .516 from the field and .474 (37-for-78) from three-point range. His effort in Portland s six-game series ouster of the Utah Jazz in the Western Conference Finals was most impressive. Porter became the first Trail Blazer ever to score 40 points in a regulation playoff game when he hit 41 on 12-of-14 shooting in Game 2. In Game 1 he nailed 6 of 8 three-pointers to tie the second-best mark in NBA Playoff history, and his 18 treys in six games against the Jazz set an NBA Playoff record for a series of any length. Porter had finished the regular season strong, scoring 23.1 points and shooting .438 (21-of-48) from three-point distance during April. He also finished second on the team in scoring (18.1 ppg) and assists (5.8 apg), averaging 34.0 minutes in 82 games.

1990-1991 REGULAR SEASON
Porter went into the season with a new teammate in the backcourt. After witnessing the Detroit Pistons championship success with their guard trio of Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, and Vinnie Johnson, the Trail Blazers acquired Danny Ainge from the Sacramento Kings for Byron Irvin plus Portland s 1991 first-round draft choice and 1992 second-round draft choice. Because of Ainge s presence as a long-range shooting threat, Porter found himself free of defenders more frequently and responded with .515 shooting from the field and a career-high .415 clip from beyond the three-point line. He finished the regular season with averages of 17.0 points and 8.0 assists per game and was tied for ninth (with Larry Bird) in the balloting for the NBA Most Valuable Player Award. Porter appeared in his first NBA All-Star Game this season and finished second to Craig Hodges in the Long Distance Shootout. In three playoff series that culminated in a six-game loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals, Porter averaged 18.1 points and 6.6 assists, shooting .500 from the field in 16 games. Porter was just as successful off the court. He was the runner-up for the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, given annually to a player for outstanding civic contributions and citizenship.

1989-1990 REGULAR SEASON
Chuck Daly and the Detroit Pistons lined up against the Trail Blazers in the NBA Finals, and that spelled trouble. Porter found himself matched up with Isiah Thomas and his supporting cast of Joe Dumars and Vinnie Johnson. Thomas stood 6-foot-1 and weighed 185 pounds; Porter was 2 inches taller and 10 pounds heavier and these two postseason heavyweights were about to trade punches. When the smoke had cleared after Detroit s six-game series triumph, giving Daly a second consecutive NBA Championship, Thomas was voted Finals MVP on the strength of his 27.6 points, 7.0 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game. But Portland had received a fine performance from its own point guard, who set an NBA Finals record by going 15-for-15 from the foul line in Game 2. In 21 playoff games for the Blazers this season, Porter averaged 20.6 points and 7.4 assists, shooting .464 from the field. His 38 points in a Game 5 double-overtime victory over the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Semifinals was the second-best performance by a Blazer in a playoff game. During the regular season, Porter finished eighth in the NBA in assists (9.1 apg) and sixth in the league in free-throw percentage (.892). He averaged 17.6 points, sharing or claiming the team lead in scoring 17 times.

1988-1989 REGULAR SEASON
For the fourth straight season, Portland took a first-round exit from the NBA Playoffs. This time it was at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers, the eventual Western Conference champions. But Porter, now in his fourth NBA season, served notice to future playoff opponents that his bite was as fearsome as his bark. In the three losses to the Lakers he averaged 22.0 points, 8.3 assists, and 41.3 minutes, including a game-high 29 points in the finale. He set seven Portland playoff records in that series. Porter wasn t bad in the regular season, either. He again ranked fourth in the NBA in assists, with an average of 9.5 per game, while boosting his scoring output to 17.7 points per contest. The 6-foot-3 guard collected a career-high 13 rebounds in a game against the Suns at Phoenix on December 16.

1987-1988 REGULAR SEASON
Porter moved from fifth to fourth on the NBA s assists ledger this season. He averaged 10.1 assists per contest, with a franchise-record total of 831 and a single-game record of 19 against the Jazz at Utah on April 14. Portland managed only two triple-doubles all season both from Porter. He led the Blazers with 35 double-doubles, and in the final 22 games of the regular season he averaged 16.7 points and shot .554 from the field. Near the beginning of that stretch he rained in 40 points versus the Warriors at Golden State on March 18. Porter averaged 17.0 points and 7.0 assists in Portland s four playoff games.

1986-1987 REGULAR SEASON
It took Porter only one season to become Portland s starting point guard, and he easily convinced the Trail Blazers brass that they had made the right decision. Just two years removed from his tiny NAIA school in Wisconsin, Porter ranked fifth in the NBA in assists with 8.9 per game, handing out 10 or more on 36 occasions. He was also 10th in the league with 1.99 steals per game. On January 23 he dished out a then franchise-record 18 assists against the Sacramento Kings. He charted the first two of a passel of triple-doubles, against the Lakers on February 5 and versus the Seattle SuperSonics on March 5. He recorded a team-leading 29 double-doubles for the season. The Blazers met the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs this year, and Porter logged a playoff career-high 15 assists on April 26. In the coming seasons Portland would repeatedly forge deep into the playoffs, but this time the Rockets knocked them out in four games.

1985-1986 REGULAR SEASON
It was no wonder the Trail Blazers drafted Terry Porter after seeing the shooting eye he had in college. Porter shot .611 as a sophomore, .622 as a junior, and .575 as a senior. In four seasons at Wisconsin-Stevens Point, he averaged 13.5 points while shooting .589 from the floor and .796 from the free-throw line. His rookie season highs of 24 and 20 points both came against the Los Angeles Lakers, and he tacked on a high of 5 steals, also against the Lakers. He played in 79 games as a rookie, averaging 7.l points and shooting .474 in 15.4 minutes per game.