CBA – From Way Downtown

Rick Brunson: The Secrets of His Success, 1998

The sparkle of putting on a pro uniform wore off on Brunson soon after his arrival in Portland. He’s learned not to take it for granted.

Rickey Green: The Fastest of Them All

“Rather than sitting around and worrying about the NBA, you’ve got to do something else. I mean, everybody wants to be in the NBA. It’s the best in the world. It’s everybody’s dream. But dreaming about it grows old, and you just got to move on.”

Michael Brooks: Tough Franchise, Tough Luck, 1982, 1988

“I’m still young,” Brooks said. “I’m not going to give up until I look myself in the mirror and say I can’t play anymore. I love the game so much.”

Billy Ray Bates: Dunks & Downs of a Portland Legend, 1995

For all of the Bates’ mid-air poetry and last-second heroics, ultimately it was his endearing nature that made him a fan favorite and later a cult hero.

Darrell Armstrong: The King of Coffee Beans, 1999

“Hey, the league minimum, $350,000, is more money than I ever dreamed of making, Armstrong said. “But it’s nice to have some security in knowing that you can take care of things now and do things for your family.”