Portland has had a long history of adopting a “Blue Collar” big man as one of their own; a player that is adored while in Rip City, and fondly remembered when recanting tales of teams past. Bill Walton, Kevin Duckworth, Arvydas Sabonis, Brian Grant, and Robin Lopez (first ballot beloved big), are all men that find themselves on the Rushmore of Blazer bruisers. So, what does it take to be the next beloved Blazer big? More importantly, who is next in line to the throne?
Rather than making a list of intangible’s and trying to tie them to current players on the roster, I will instead try to list what makes former blue collar guys so special to Rip City.