My Top Five Memorial Coliseum Memories

Since so many folks are all a-twitter today about the Blazers returning to the Memorial Coliseum for an exhibition game, here are my Top Five moments from events I actually attended as a lad in the building before it became an under-used eyesore.

#5: The Blazers' Billy Ray Bates pulls off this incredible last-second shot with the help of a great pass from Kermit Washington:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPiZW21GzUA&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

#4 A remarkable moment in an otherwise unmemorable 122-100 Blazers victory over New Orleans when the Jazz's Pete Maravich pulled back from shooting a free throw because a fan's air horn threw off his concentration.

#3 A double-header at the long-defunct Far West Classic, I believe in 1974, when a 10-year Oregon Ducks fan was made very happy by Ronnie Lee leading the Ducks to a comeback win over Washington State; and Arizona State's Lionel Hollins (more on him down below) leading the Sun Devils past Oregon State.

#2 Barry Clemens having the game of his life in 1974 to shoot the Blazers back from a 26-point halftime deficit to Los Angeles to beat the Lakers 100-97.

#1 Hollins making two incredible plays for the Trail Blazers at the end of a game against Chicago to make the arena the loudest I've ever heard a basketball crowd get:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHr04z6YsWU&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]