1970–71 Portland Trail Blazers season
{{short description|NBA professional basketball team season (1st season)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{NBA season
| team = Portland Trail Blazers
| end_year = 1971
| wins = 29
| losses = 53
| division = Pacific
| division_place = 5
| conf_place = 9
| coach = Rolland Todd
| gm = Harry Glickman
| owners =
| arena = Memorial Coliseum
| television = KPTV
| radio = KOIN
| playoffs = Did not qualify
| no_prevseason = 1
| bbr_team = POR
}}
The 1970–71 Portland Trail Blazers season was the inaugural season of the Portland Trail Blazers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). In their first regular season game on October 16, 1970, they beat the fellow expansion Cleveland Cavaliers 115–112, with 4,273 people in attendance.{{cite news |url=https://www.si.com/vault/1970/11/02/611530/geoff-who-and-mod-todd |magazine=Sports Illustrated |last=Carry |first=Peter |title=Geoff who? and Mod Todd |date=November 2, 1970 |page=66}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=S6lVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4uADAAAAIBAJ&pg=6713%2C3406102 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |location=(Oregon) |last=Cawood |first=Neil |title=Barnett, Petrie pace Blazers to first win |date=October 17, 1970 |page=3B}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DABYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DPcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1344%2C4540244 |work=The Bulletin |location=(Bend, Oregon) |agency=UPI |title=Blazers win their debut |date=October 17, 1970 |page=9}}[http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/portland/blazers.html Portland Trail Blazers (1970–Present)]
The Trail Blazers played a regular season home game at McArthur Court in Eugene, Oregon on February 19, 1971, against the Cincinnati Royals.{{cite news |title=Blazers bill Eugene game |url=https://newspapers.com/image/441882596/?terms=Blazers%20Eugene&match=1 |access-date=9 March 2021 |work=Albany Democrat-Herald |agency=Associated Press |date=16 February 1971 |location=Albany, Oregon |page=14}} Portland was defeated by Cincinnati, 102–109.{{cite web |title=1970-71 Portland Trail Blazers Schedule and Results |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/1971_games.html |website=Basketball-Reference.com |access-date=9 March 2021}}
Portland finished last in the Pacific Division with a record of {{winning percentage|29|53|record=y}}. Of the three expansion teams, their record was the best; with seven more wins than the Buffalo Braves and fourteen more than the Cavaliers. The leading scorer for the Blazers was Geoff Petrie; he averaged 24.8 points per game and shared Rookie of the Year honors with Boston Celtics star Dave Cowens.
Offseason
=NBA draft=
{{main|1970 NBA draft}}
=Expansion draft=
{{Main|1970 NBA expansion draft}}
| class="wikitable sortable sortable"
! style="background:#C41E3A;" width="30%"| Player ! style="background:#C41E3A;" width="15%"| Position ! style="background:#C41E3A;" width="30%"| Team |
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| PG |
| align="center"
| SF |
| align="center"
| C |
| align="center"
| SF |
| align="center"
| SF |
| align="center" |
| align="center"
| SF | Phoenix Suns |
| align="center"
| PF | Seattle SuperSonics |
| align="center"
| SG | San Diego Rockets |
| align="center"
| C |
| align="center"
| PG |
| align="center" |
:{{small|Source:}}[http://www.nba.com/bobcats/news/draft_central_expansion_alltime_results.html BOBCATS: All-Time Expansion Draft Results] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080116123003/http://www.nba.com/bobcats/news/draft_central_expansion_alltime_results.html |date=2008-01-16 }}[https://www.basketball-reference.com/ Player information from Basketball Reference]
Roster
{{NBA roster header|team=Portland Trail Blazers|season=1970–71
| bg1 = #FF0000 | color1 = #FFFFFF
| bg2 = #000000 | color2 = #FF0000
}}
{{player2 | num = 12 | first = Rick | last = Adelman| pos = PG | ft = 6 | in = 1 | lbs = 175 | DOB = 1946–06–16 | college = Loyola Marymount}}
{{player2 | num = 33 | first = Jim | last = Barnett | dab = basketball | pos = SG | ft = 6 | in = 4 | lbs = 170 | DOB = 1944–07–07 | college = Oregon}}
{{player2 | num = 25 | first = Leroy | last = Ellis | pos = C | ft = 6 | in = 10 | lbs = 210 | DOB = 1940–03–10 | college = St. John's}}
{{player2 | num = 15 | first = Claude | last = English | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 4 | lbs = 185 | DOB = 1946–12–26 | college = Rhode Island}}
{{player2 | num = 48 | first = Walt | last = Gilmore | pos = PF | ft = 6 | in = 6 | lbs = 225 | DOB = 1947–02–27 | college = Fort Valley State}}
{{player2 | num = 44 | first = Gary | last = Gregor | pos = PF | ft = 6 | in = 7 | lbs = 225 | DOB = 1945–08–13 | college = South Carolina}}
{{player2 | num = 11 | first = Shaler | last = Halimon | pos = SF | ft = 6 | in = 5 | lbs = 199 | DOB = 1945–03–30 | college = Utah State}}
{{player2 | num = 38 | first = Ron | last = Knight | dab = basketball | pos = PF | ft = 6 | in = 7 | lbs = 215 | DOB = 1947–08–04 | college = California State University, Los Angeles}}
{{player2 | num = 35 | first = Ed | last = Manning | pos = PF | ft = 6 | in = 7 | lbs = 210 | DOB = 1944–01–02 | college = Jackson State}}
{{player2 | num = 40 | first = Stan | last = McKenzie | dab = basketball | pos = SF | ft = 6 | in = 5 | lbs = 195 | DOB = 1944–10–06 | college = New York}}
{{player2 | num = 45 | first = Geoff | last = Petrie | pos = SG | ft = 6 | in = 4 | lbs = 190 | DOB = 1948–04–17 | college = Princeton}}
{{player2 | num = 54 | first = Dale | last = Schlueter | pos = C | ft = 6 | in = 10 | lbs = 225 | DOB = 1945–11–12 | college = Colorado State}}
{{player2 | num = 34 | first = Bill | last = Stricker | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 9 | lbs = 210 | DOB = 1948–01–22 | college = Pacific}}
{{NBA roster footer
| head_coach =
}}
:{{small|Source:}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
File:1970–71 Portland Trail Blazers.jpg
{{col-2}}
File:Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 1960 (2).JPG]]
{{col-end}}
{{clear}}
Pre-season
The Trail Blazers convened their preseason camp on September 14, 1970. Sixteen players reported to camp, which was held in the gymnasium at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon.{{cite news |title=Trail Blazers Open Drills |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/383459448/?terms=%22trail%20blazers%22%20OR%20trailblazers&match=1 |access-date=16 April 2021 |work=Corvallis Gazette-Times |agency=Associated Press |date=15 September 1970 |location=Corvallis, Oregon |page=15}} Pat Riley was unable to attend the camp due to the death in his father. Players reported to drills at 10 am and 4 pm.{{cite news |title=Trail Blazers report to 1st training camp |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/442087836/?terms=%22trail%20blazers%22%20OR%20trailblazers&match=1 |access-date=16 April 2021 |work=Albany Democrat-Herald |date=15 September 1970 |location=Albany, Oregon |page=11}} The first players to be cut from camp were third round draft pick Bill Cain and Tim Robinson, who had played for the Harlem Globetrotters from 1961 to 1965.{{cite news |title=Blazers Cut Pair |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/383432397/?terms=%22trail%20blazers%22%20OR%20trailblazers&match=1 |access-date=16 April 2021 |work=Corvallis Gazette-Times |agency=Associated Press |date=22 September 1970 |location=Corvallis, Oregon |page=19}}{{cite web |title=Harlem Globetrotters Rosters |url=http://www.nasljerseys.com/EBA/Rosters/Globetrotters_EBA_Rosters.htm |website=nasljerseys.com |access-date=16 April 2021}}
Regular season
{{main|1970–71 NBA season}}
=Season standings=
{{1970–71 NBA Pacific standings|team=POR}}
{{1970–71 NBA West standings|team=POR}}
=Record vs. opponents=
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%; text-align:center;" | |||||||||||||||||
| colspan=18|1970–71 NBA Records | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| width=100|Team
!style="background:#003EA4;color:#FFFFFF;width=35"|ATL !style="background:#E45206;color:#012854;width=35"|BAL !style="background:#006400;color:#FFFFFF;width=35"|BOS !style="background:#012F6B;color:#D9AA00;width=35"|BUF !style="background:#BA0C2F;color:#FFFFFF;width=35"|CHI !style="background:#012F6B;color:#FFFFFF;width=35"|CIN !style="background:#FFA402;color:#77222F;width=35"|CLE !style="background:#012F6B;color:#D40032;width=35"|DET !style="background:#800080;color:#FFD700;width=35"|LAL !style="background:#006400;color:#FFFFFF;width=35"|MIL !style="background:#003EA4;color:#FF8C00;width=35"|NYK !style="background:#C90F2E;color:#022167;width=35"|PHI !style="background:#800080;color:#FF4500;width=35"|PHO !style="background:#FF0000;color:#FFFFFF;width=35"|POR !style="background:#00843D;color:#FFCC00;width=35"|SDR !style="background:#FFC62C;color:#012F6B;width=35"|SFW !style="background:#173F36;color:#EBAA00;width=35"|SEA | |||||||||||||||||
| style="text-align:left;" | Atlanta | – | 3–3 | 2–4 | 3–1 | 1–4 | 2–4 | 4–0 | 0–5 | 3–2 | 1–4 | 3–3 | 4–2 | 1–4 | 2–2 | 2–3 | 2–3 | 3–2 |
| style="text-align:left;" | Baltimore | 3–3 | – | 3–3 | 3–1 | 2–3 | 3–3 | 4–0 | 2–3 | 2–3 | 1–4 | 2–4 | 3–3 | 3–2 | 2–2 | 4–1 | 2–3 | 3–2 |
| style="text-align:left;" | Boston | 4–2 | 3–3 | – | 4–0 | 4–1 | 4–2 | 3–1 | 2–3 | 3–2 | 0–5 | 0–6 | 4–2 | 2–3 | 2–2 | 3–2 | 3–2 | 3–2 |
| style="text-align:left;" | Buffalo | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–4 | – | 0–4 | 0–4 | 5–7 | 1–5 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 6–6 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 |
| style="text-align:left;" | Chicago | 4–1 | 3–2 | 1–4 | 4–0 | – | 4–0 | 4–0 | 3–3 | 2–4 | 1–5 | 3–2 | 3–2 | 3–3 | 3–1 | 6–0 | 4–2 | 3–2 |
| style="text-align:left;" | Cincinnati | 4–2 | 3–3 | 2–4 | 4–0 | 0–4 | – | 5–1 | 1–4 | 1–4 | 1–4 | 2–4 | 1–5 | 1–4 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 2–3 | 1–4 |
| style="text-align:left;" | Cleveland | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 7–5 | 0–4 | 1–5 | – | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–10 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–4 |
| style="text-align:left;" | Detroit | 5–0 | 3–2 | 3–2 | 5–1 | 3–3 | 4–1 | 2–2 | – | 2–3 | 1–5 | 2–3 | 2–3 | 2–4 | 3–1 | 4–2 | 1–4 | 3–1 |
| style="text-align:left;" | Los Angeles | 2–3 | 3–2 | 2–3 | 2–2 | 4–2 | 4–1 | 4–0 | 3–2 | – | 1–4 | 3–2 | 3–2 | 2–4 | 4–0 | 3–3 | 4–2 | 4–2 |
| style="text-align:left;" | Milwaukee | 4–1 | 4–1 | 5–0 | 4–0 | 5–1 | 4–1 | 4–0 | 5–1 | 4–1 | – | 1–4 | 4–1 | 4–2 | 3–1 | 4–1 | 6–0 | 5–1 |
| style="text-align:left;" | New York | 3–3 | 4–2 | 6–0 | 2–2 | 2–3 | 4–2 | 4–0 | 3–2 | 2–3 | 4–1 | – | 2–4 | 4–1 | 3–1 | 4–1 | 3–2 | 2–3 |
| style="text-align:left;" | Philadelphia | 2–4 | 3–3 | 2–4 | 4–0 | 2–3 | 5–1 | 3–1 | 3–2 | 2–3 | 1–4 | 4–2 | – | 3–2 | 4–0 | 3–2 | 3–2 | 3–2 |
| style="text-align:left;" | Phoenix | 4–1 | 2–3 | 3–2 | 3–1 | 3–3 | 4–1 | 4–0 | 4–2 | 4–2 | 2–4 | 1–4 | 2–3 | – | 4–0 | 2–4 | 3–2 | 3–2 |
| style="text-align:left;" | Portland | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 6–6 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 10–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–4 | – | 0–4 | 1–3 | 2–4 |
| style="text-align:left;" | San Diego | 3–2 | 1–4 | 2–3 | 3–1 | 0–6 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 2–4 | 3–3 | 1–4 | 1–4 | 2–3 | 4–2 | 4–0 | – | 2–4 | 5–1 |
| style="text-align:left;" | San Francisco | 3–2 | 3–2 | 2–3 | 3–1 | 2–4 | 3–2 | 3–1 | 4–1 | 2–4 | 0–6 | 2–3 | 2–3 | 2–3 | 3–1 | 4–2 | – | 3–3 |
| style="text-align:left;" | Seattle | 2–3 | 2–3 | 2–3 | 3–1 | 2–3 | 4–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 2–4 | 1–5 | 3–2 | 2–3 | 2–3 | 4–2 | 1–5 | 3–3 | — |
=Game log=
;Footnotes
- {{note label|Oakland1|a|a}} The game was held at the Oakland Civic Auditorium in Oakland, California.{{cite news |last1=Simmonds |first1=John |title=Warriors Nip Trail Blazers |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/527774515/?terms=Blazers%20Warriors&match=1 |access-date=4 November 2022 |work=Oakland Tribune |date=25 October 1970 |location=Oakland, California |page=49}}{{cite news |title=Warriors vs. 76ers Tonight |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/39011915/?terms=Blazers%20Warriors%20San%20Diego&match=1 |access-date=6 November 2022 |work=The Times |date=19 December 1970 |location=San Mateo, California |page=21}}
- {{note label|Seattle1|b|b}} The game was held at Seattle Center Coliseum in Seattle, Washington.{{cite news |last1=Green |first1=Ranny |title=Key Foul Helpful; Hayes Too Much For Seattle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/735268632/?terms=Portland%20Buffalo&match=1 |access-date=5 November 2022 |work=The News Tribune |date=22 November 1970 |location=Tacoma, Washington |page=66}}
- {{note label|SanDiego1|c|c}} The game was held at the San Diego Sports Arena in San Diego, California.{{cite news |title=Twinbill at San Diego; Warriors Win Opener |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/529415984/?terms=Blazers%20Warriors%20San%20Diego&match=1 |access-date=6 November 2022 |work=The Tribune |agency=United Press International |date=19 December 1970 |location=Scranton, Pennsylvania |page=14}}
- {{note label|Philadelphia1|d|d}} The game was held at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.{{cite news |last1=Heisler |first1=Mark |title=Trail Blazers Stun Celtics As Jeff Petrie Tallies 28 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/180056355/?terms=Celtics%20Blazers&match=1 |access-date=7 November 2022 |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=6 January 1971 |location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |page=23}}
- {{note label|Rochester1|e|e}} The game was held at War Memorial in Rochester, New York.{{cite news |last1=Matthews |first1=Bob |title=3 Guards Help Braves Top Blazers |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/136671705/?terms=Braves%20Blazers&match=1 |access-date=7 November 2022 |work=Democrat and Chronicle |date=15 January 1971 |location=Rochester, New York |page=40}}
- {{note label|Eugene1|f|f}} The game was held at McArthur Court in Eugene, Oregon.
- {{note label|Boston1|g|g}} The game was held at Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.
- {{note label|Omaha1|e|e}} The game was held at Omaha Civic Auditorium in Omaha, Nebraska.{{cite news |title=State; Basketball |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/313672084/?terms=Portland%20Cincinnati&match=1 |access-date=9 November 2022 |work=Lincoln Journal Star |date=5 March 1971 |location=Lincoln, Nebraska |page=19}}
Transactions
- March 27, 1970: signed first round draft pick Geoff Petrie{{cite news |title=Trail Blazers Sign Petrie |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/383365694/?terms=Blazers&match=1 |access-date=9 March 2021 |work=Corvallis Gazette-Times |agency=Associated Press |date=28 March 1970 |location=Corvallis, Oregon}}
- April 1, 1970: signed second round draft pick Walt Gilmore{{cite news |title=Trailblazers sign Gilmore |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/316179868/?terms=Blazers&match=1 |access-date=9 March 2021 |work=The Capital Journal |agency=Associated Press |date=2 April 1970 |location=Salem, Oregon |page=39}}
- April 6, 1970: signed third round draft pick Bill Cain and tenth round draft pick Israel Oliver{{cite news |title=Blazers Sign Draft Choices |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/508024903/?terms=Blazers&match=1 |access-date=9 March 2021 |work=The World |agency=United Press International |date=7 April 1970 |location=Coos Bay, Oregon |page=10}}
- April 21, 1970: hired Rolland Todd as head coach{{cite news |title=Blazers tab Todd as 1st hoop boss |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/441858129/?terms=Blazers&match=1 |access-date=9 March 2021 |work=Albany Democrat-Herald |agency=Associated Press |date=22 April 1970 |location=Albany, Oregon |page=18}}
- April 27, 1970: hired Stu Inman chief scout and director of player personnel{{cite news |title=Inman Takes Blazers Job |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/316206890/?terms=Blazers&match=1 |access-date=9 March 2021 |work=The Capital Journal |agency=Associated Press |date=28 April 1970|location=Salem, Oregon|page=13}}
- April 30, 1970: signed eighth round draft pick Doug Boyd{{cite news |title=Blazers Sign Boyd |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/198788185/?terms=Blazers&match=1 |access-date=9 March 2021 |work=Statesman-Journal |date=1 May 1970 |location=Salem, Oregon |page=21}}
- May 10, 1970: see Expansion Draft, traded Larry Siegfried to the San Diego Clippers in exchange for Jim Barnett.{{cite news |title=Barnett, Ellis Go To Blazers |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/316230647/?terms=Blazers&match=1 |access-date=9 March 2021 |work=The Capital Journal |date=11 May 1970 |location=Salem, Oregon |page=25}}
- June 5, 1970: signed seventh round draft pick Claude English and ninth round draft pick Billy Gaskins
- August 11, 1970: signed expansion draft pick Rick Adelman{{cite news |title=Adelman Puts Name On Blazers Contract |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/316322769/?terms=Blazers%20signed&match=1 |access-date=17 March 2021 |work=The Capital Journal |agency=Associated Press |date=12 August 1970 |location=Salem, Oregon |page=33}}
- August 19, 1970: signed expansion draft pick Pat Riley{{cite news |title=Riley Signs With Portland Blazers |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/198851775/?terms=Blazers%20signed&match=1 |access-date=17 March 2021 |work=Statesman-Journal |agency=Associated Press |date=20 August 1970 |location=Salem, Oregon |page=42}}
- August 28, 1970: placed Fred Hetzel on waivers (claimed by the Los Angeles Lakers){{cite web |title=1970-71 Portland Trail Blazers Transactions |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/1971_transactions.html |website=Basketball-Reference.com |access-date=9 March 2021}}
- September 3, 1970: signed expansion draft picks Stan McKenzie and Joe Kennedy
- September 11, 1970: re-signed Jim Barnett to a two-year contract valued at $35,000–$40,000 a year{{cite news |title=Barnett Inks With Blazers |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/198825862/?terms=Blazers%20signed&match=1 |access-date=17 March 2021 |work=Statesman-Journal |agency=Associated Press |date=12 September 1970 |location=Salem, Oregon |page=14}}
- September 21, 1970: placed Bill Cain and Tim Robinson on waivers{{cite news |title=Blazers cut Cain, Robinson Monday |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/442093110/?terms=Blazers%20cut&match=1 |access-date=17 March 2021 |work=Albany Democrat-Herald |date=22 September 1970 |location=Albany, Oregon |page=15}}
- September 25, 1970: placed Walt Simon on waivers{{cite news |title=Blazer Waived |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/316170075/?terms=Blazers%20waived&match=1 |access-date=17 March 2021 |work=The Capital Journal |agency=United Press International |date=26 September 1970 |location=Salem, Oregon |page=17}}
- September 30, 1970: placed Joe Kennedy on waivers{{cite news |title=Blazers Cut Kennedy |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/198783930/?terms=Blazers%20cut&match=1 |access-date=17 March 2021 |work=Statesman-Journal |agency=Associated Press |date=1 October 1970 |location=Salem, Oregon |page=14}}
- October 7, 1970: sold Pat Riley to the Los Angeles Lakers
- October 20, 1970: traded a 1971 NBA draft pick (second round) to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Shaler Halimon
- October 22, 1970: traded Dorie Murrey to the Baltimore Bullets in exchange for a 1971 NBA draft pick (second round) and draft right to Bill Stricker{{cite news |title=Portland Cagers Give Up Center |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/582919653/?terms=%22Bill%20Stricker%22&match=1 |access-date=6 March 2021 |work=Tucson Citizen |agency=Associated Press |date=23 October 1970 |location=Tucson, Arizona |page=35}}
- October 26, 1970: signed free agent Bill Stricker
- November 16, 1970: waived Bill Stricker
- March 23, 1971: traded Jim Barnett to the San Francisco Warriors in exchange for two 1971 NBA draft picks (second and third rounds) and a 1972 NBA draft pick (second round)
- April 6, 1971: Waived Claude English
Media
On September 13, 1970, the Trail Blazers announced that KPTV would broadcast 12 road games (all in color) during their inaugural season. Jimmy Jones was Portland's play-by-play announcer on television.{{cite news |title=KPTV to Air Local Sports |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/198829538/?terms=%22trail%20blazers%22%20OR%20trailblazers&match=1 |access-date=16 April 2021 |work=Statesman Journal |date=13 September 1970 |location=Salem, Oregon |page=45}}
Awards and honors
References
{{reflist|2}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20070428170241/http://www.databasebasketball.com/teams/teamyear.htm?tm=POR&lg=N&yr=1970 Blazers on Database Basketball]
- [https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/1971.html Blazers on Basketball Reference]
{{1970–71 NBA season by team}}
{{Portland Trail Blazers seasons}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:1970-71 Portland Trail Blazers season}}