Damon Stoudamire speaks out on ‘disrespectful’ nickname

The new documentary “JailBlazers” is out on Netflix. It tells the story of the 1999 and 2000 Portland Trail Blazers, which made two consecutive appearances in the Western Conference Finals. The team featured the likes of Bonzi Wells, Rasheed Wallace, Brian Grant, and Damon Stoudamire.

It tells the story of the team’s rise and fall, including later legal troubles. However, Stoudamire takes umbrage at the documentary’s title, per Run It Back. If anything, he is saying that the documentary doesn’t tell the full story.

“I used to keep the Trail Blazers gear in my trunk and ride through the neighborhood and pass it out,” he said.  “So for me, it was disrespectful.”

Damon Stoudamire on the "Jail Blazers" nickname:

"I used to keep the Trail Blazers gear in my trunk and ride through the neighborhood and pass it out. So for me, it was disrespectful."

@Iambiggie503 | @MichelleDBeadle | @ChandlerParsons | @TeamLou23 pic.twitter.com/u6a4KgeTbZ

— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) April 14, 2026

From 1998 to 2005, Stoudamire played for the Blazers. In 1999, they reached the Western Conference Finals before being swept by the eventual champion San Antonio Spurs. It was in Game 2 where Portland blew an 18-point lead, culminating in Sean Elliot’s “Memorial Day Miracle.” One year later, the Blazers took the Kobe Bryant/Shaquille O’Neal-led Los Angeles Lakers to the brink in the Western Conference Finals.

In Game 7, Portland blew a 15-point lead to the Lakers, who would go on to win the title. Stoudamire set a franchise record with 54 points in a game in 2005.

Among the off-court infractions featured were Stoudamire and Wallace being penalized for marijuana possession. Also, Ruben Patterson was charged with sex offenses and domestic violence. Zach Randolph got involved in underage drinking in 2002 and getting into an alteraction with Patterson on the court in 2003. At the same time, Qyntel Woods faced charges related to animal cruelty that same year for engaging in dog fighting.

In March, Stoudamire was fired as head coach at Georgia Tech.

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