Rolando Blackman

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Blackman's tenure in Dallas was defined by immediate impact and sustained excellence. After averaging 13.3 points per game as a rookie, his statistical peak arrived during the 1983–1984 season when he averaged a career-high 22.4 PPG, propelling the Mavericks to their first-ever playoff berth. The team defeated the Seattle SuperSonics before falling to the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round. His brilliance shone brightest on February 17, 1986, when he set the franchise single-game record by making 22 free throws (attempting 23). Although he narrowly missed the All-Star game that year, he was selected four times total, including a memorable performance at the 1987 game where he tied the contest with two free throws in regulation. His leadership guided Dallas to their first Western Conference Finals in 1988, where they pushed the Lakers to seven games before falling short. Over his 11 seasons with the team, Blackman scored 16,643 points and made 6,487 field goals, setting a scoring record that stood for 18 years until Dirk Nowitzki broke it in 2008. Remarkably, across 865 games with Dallas, he never fouled out of a single contest.

In Their Own Story

The narrative of Blackman's time in Dallas is one of building a foundation from the ground up. Drafted in 1981, he played well immediately, but the team struggled until the 1983–1984 campaign transformed their fortunes. That season marked his statistical peak and the franchise's first taste of the postseason. The momentum continued into the late 1980s, culminating in a magical 1987–1988 season where the Mavericks reached the Western Conference Finals for the first time in history. They pushed the dominant Los Angeles Lakers to seven games, showcasing Blackman's ability to compete at the highest level even against championship-caliber teams. As the 1990s approached, the team began a decline, and by the 1991–1992 season, at age 32, Blackman entered his final years in Dallas. The organization eventually moved into a rebuilding phase, ending his tenure with the franchise he helped build. His departure was marked by the accumulation of franchise records: 6,487 field goals and 16,643 points. On March 11, 2000, the Mavericks honored this legacy by retiring his number 22 jersey, cementing his status as a cornerstone of the team's history.

Reader's Guide

For fans analyzing Blackman's Dallas career, the key metrics revolve around consistency and franchise-firsts. He was drafted 9th overall in 1981 and averaged 13.3 PPG in his rookie year, playing roughly 24 minutes per game. His breakout came in 1983–1984 with a career-high 22.4 PPG, leading the team to their first playoff appearance where they defeated Seattle before losing to Los Angeles. The peak of his Dallas era was the 1987–1988 season, where he helped the Mavericks reach the Western Conference Finals for the first time ever, a run that ended in a seven-game loss to the Lakers. Statistically, he set a single-game record on February 17, 1986, by making 22 free throws. He earned four All-Star selections during his Dallas tenure. His total contribution includes 6,487 made field goals and 16,643 points, the latter being a franchise record for 18 years until March 8, 2008. A unique piece of trivia is that in his 865 games with the Mavericks, he never fouled out. He left the team after the 1991–1992 season when Dallas began rebuilding at age 32.

Did You Know?

• Blackman was the first Panamanian-born player in NBA history.
• He holds the Mavericks' single-game record for free throws made (22), set on February 17, 1986.
• In his 865 games with the Mavericks, he never fouled out of a game.
• His career scoring total of 16,643 points was a franchise record for 18 years until broken by Dirk Nowitzki in 2008.
• Blackman received one of only 461 Congressional Gold Medals created for athletes spurned by the 1980 U.S. Olympic boycott.