Damon Stoudamire Criticizes 'Disrespectful' Nickname in New Blazers Doc

Former Portland guard says 'JailBlazers' moniker doesn't tell the full story of his time with the team.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 1:35am by

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game or match, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape, conveying the fractured, multi-perspective nature of the team's history.Stoudamire's criticism of the 'Jail Blazers' nickname suggests a more complex legacy than the sensationalized moniker implies.Portland Today

Damon Stoudamire, a former point guard for the Portland Trail Blazers, has spoken out against the new Netflix documentary 'JailBlazers' which chronicles the team's rise and fall in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Stoudamire says the 'JailBlazers' nickname used in the title is 'disrespectful' and doesn't capture the full story of his time with the team, including his community outreach efforts.

Why it matters

The 'JailBlazers' era of the Portland Trail Blazers was a controversial and turbulent time for the franchise, with several players facing legal issues and off-court incidents. Stoudamire's criticism of the documentary's title highlights how some players felt the 'JailBlazers' label unfairly defined the team and its legacy.

The details

Stoudamire played for the Blazers from 1998 to 2005, helping the team reach the Western Conference Finals in 1999 and 2000. During his time with the team, Stoudamire and other players like Rasheed Wallace faced marijuana possession charges. However, Stoudamire says he would keep Blazers gear in his trunk and hand it out to the community, showing a different side to the team's reputation.

  • Stoudamire played for the Blazers from 1998 to 2005.
  • The Blazers reached the Western Conference Finals in 1999 and 2000.
  • The new Netflix documentary 'JailBlazers' was recently released.

The players

Damon Stoudamire

A former point guard who played for the Portland Trail Blazers from 1998 to 2005, helping the team reach the Western Conference Finals in 1999 and 2000.

Rasheed Wallace

A former Blazers player who, along with Stoudamire, faced marijuana possession charges during his time with the team.

Bonzi Wells

A member of the late 1990s/early 2000s Blazers teams featured in the 'JailBlazers' documentary.

Brian Grant

A former Blazers player who was part of the team's Western Conference Finals runs in 1999 and 2000.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Damon Stoudamire, Former Blazers Guard

What’s next

Stoudamire was recently fired as the head coach at Georgia Tech, adding another chapter to his post-playing career.

The takeaway

Stoudamire's criticism of the 'JailBlazers' nickname highlights how some players felt the team's reputation was unfairly defined by its off-court issues, rather than its on-court success and community engagement efforts.