Even though they weren't headed to the playoffs, the Portland Trail Blazers were celebrating.

On the final day of the regular season, the Blazers feted the 30th anniversary of the 1977 NBA championship Blazers, and retired the jersey of that team's starting guard, Lionel Hollins.

Hollins' No. 14 jersey was to be formally retired during halftime of the Blazers' game Wednesday night against the Golden State Warriors at the Rose Garden.

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About 300 people came out for a noontime rally in downtown Portland attended by many of the 1977 Blazers and coach Jack Ramsay. Portland Mayor Tom Potter issued a proclamation in honor of the team.

The crowd, while enthusiastic, wasn't nearly as big as the throngs that filled the streets after the 1977 championship victory.

"All you saw was people," said former Blazers broadcaster Bill Schonely, credited with coining the phrase "Rip City."

"We had a wonderful time," he said. "Everyone did."

Hollins, now an assistant with the Memphis Grizzlies, played five seasons with the Blazers, who drafted him with the sixth overall pick of the 1975 draft. He averaged 13.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists with the team.

He was nicknamed "L-Train."

"Today is really a joyful moment," he said.

Hollins' teammates with retired jerseys are Dave Twardzik, Larry Steele, Maurice Lucas, Bill Walton and Lloyd Neal. The only other numbers retired by Portland belong to Geoff Petrie and Clyde Drexler.

"They make us proud, and as I told them (at a reception) last night -- I hope someday they can be as proud of us as we are of them," Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard said.

The 1977 team took four of six games against the Philadelphia 76ers to win the championship. The Blazers, in just the team's seventh year, were making their first trip to the playoffs.

"We knew we had something special the very first practice," said Ramsay. "It was a magical blending of players that won a championship."

Walton, now a sports broadcaster, was the MVP of the finals. In Portland's 109-107 victory, the deciding game against the 76ers, he had 20 points, 23 rebounds (20 defensive) and eight blocked shots.

Walton was the redheaded giant known for wheeling his bicycle around town. It was stolen during the 1977 celebration.

Although he could not attend Wednesday's events because of his work, he passed along a message through Schonely: "Tell everyone I got my bike back."

This season's edition of the Blazers will miss the playoffs for the fourth straight season. But unlike in previous years when the team seemed to scatter in disarray, the current Blazers have provided reason for hope -- namely, rookies Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and Sergio Rodriguez.