Quick. Say it while you still can.
“The Portland Trail Blazers are undefeated at home.”
Go ahead; let those words roll off your tongue.
While the rest of the world calls the team’s little streak a fluke, Oregonians will repeat the statement proudly while it’s still a fact, and happily forget about it when it’s no longer.
Oregonians are realists, but they’re also eager to support their teams.
The Blazers, whom many “experts” have described as just slightly better than the SuperSonics and Timberwolves, have treated their loyal fans to wins and only wins this year.
Well, this is a very young year – and only at the Rose Garden: The squad’s 0-4 on the road.
No matter. The pleasant and (most likely) short-lived surprise has Oregonians watching with alacrity and optimism. They’ve got the grain of salt, too, but why try to explain your skepticism when you can just as easily say, “The Portland Trail Blazers are undefeated at home.”
It’s a foreseeable prospect that Portland’s loss column will inevitably dwarf the team’s four enormous wins (Hornets, Grizzlies, Mavericks and Pistons).
But what did you expect? Portland’s roster is about as young as an R. Kelly private-party guest list and as experienced on the court as the rapper is with older women.
Thankfully, you won’t see this year’s Blazers associating with people like Kelly, and you sure as hell won’t see them accepting libations from him.
Portland – yes, young and inexperienced Portland – is as talented as they are clean.
Shooting guard Brandon Roy, who’s clocking in about 20 points and dishing out about five assists a night, is hands on with his biggest charitable endeavor, The Brandon Roy Foundation. The charity, inspired by his older brother Ed’s learning disability, aims to assist children with similar problems.
Also, the Hoop Family got kicked out. Zach Randolph was jettisoned, allowing LaMarcus Aldridge to take the reigns as Portland’s starting power forward. As a result, Aldridge, who’s averaging around 19 points, is scoring 10 more points than he did last season.
And get this: Apparently, Aldridge plays the piano.
That’s good, because pianist rarely appear on the police blotter.
Even Greg Oden, who’ll miss his much anticipated rookie season after microfracture surgery on his right knee, has Oregonians turned onto the idea of this new and improved Blazers squad. He, like the rest of his teammates, helped serve up dinner at the 12th-annual Harvest Dinner at the Rose Garden. If he’s not giving you a plop of dressing, he’s offering up a blog. In fact, he’s giving away copies of College Hoops 2K8 on it. The three people who can best answer the question, “Who will be the most exciting player in college hoops this year?” will get one.
That’s not the only reason I want to create a new NBA award – Coolest Dude – and give it to the seven footer. The guy also owns “Dance Dance Revolution.”
Clearly, there are reasons beyond four home wins to root for Portland.
While NBA prognosticators might not be too off with their season predictions, Blazer crazies are spot on with their attitude. I see red, white and black on campus. I hear fans going nuts because Comcast has hijacked part of the season from them. I feel optimistic.
It’s only been eight games, but Oregonians are lapping it up and living it up while it’s good.
Portland, which lost at Denver 110-93 on Wednesday to snap its four-game winning streak, plays Philadelphia today before finishing off their road trip with games in Washington and Charlotte.
The Blazers once lost 16 straight games in a row.
Of course, that was on the road and two seasons ago.
This year, the Blazers are undefeated at home.
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