Baseball - Architect Of 1977 Trail Blazers Dies At 

Stu Inman who was the architect of the Portland Trail Blazers’ that won the 1977 NBA Championship died of a heart attack at the age of 80.

According to Inman’s son, David, Inman collapsed in his home at Lake Oswego and was pronounced dead in the hospital.

The 1977 title was the only title Trail Blazers have won since they entered the league as an expansion team in 1970.

Inman was instrumental in drafting Bill Walton, Geoff Petrie, Larry Steele, Lloyd Neal, Lionel Hollins, Bobby Gross, Wally Walker and Johnny Davis. He also ended up signing Dave Twardzik after the American Basketball Associated folded. He helped to select Maurice Lucas in the American Basketball Association dispersal draft.

Inman was a star at San Jose State and he held the scoring and rebounding records. In 1970, he joined the Trail Blazers a chief scout. He went on to become the vice president of player personnel and was the interim coach in 1971-72. From 1981 to 1986 he was the general manager and during this time Trail Blazers ended up drafting Sam Bowie instead of Michael Johnson.

Inman left Trail Blazers and became the director of player personnel for Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heats.

Four years ago, Inman started helping out Mark Shoff, Lake Oswego’s basketball coach, to evaluate players. Shoff said that he could easily evaluate a players talent as well as character and he made an effort not to prejudge the players.

Inman is survived by his wife, five children and 17 grandchildren. A service was scheduled to be held in Lake Oswego in his memory.