Blazers Win! Blazers Win!
Dammit.
Every year, I go into the season swearing that, until things change, I’m going to shun them.
Then, every year, I find myself huddled next to the TV or radio before bedtime seeing what I missed.
Tonight, the scrappy lads from One Center Court (when was the last time we called them scrappy) fought back from a 12-point deficit to beat the Seattle Supersonics. And, despite the come-from-behind fashion, they actually did it while only being outscored in one quarter of the game.
I’ve undermined my own decision to avoid following the team, of course. I joined a fantasy basketball team, and during the draft angled toward Zach, who (despite my usual rants about him) is in prime position to have a monster year on a team that’s finally built around him, and I also pulled Brandon Roy and Jarrett Jack, due to my realization that Jack plays long minutes and is therefore a solid statistical pick, and Roy, well, I think he could be ROY.
I was rewarded by 30, 20, and 13 points respectively, which was pretty good. And I was further rewarded by the annual realization that, no matter how hard I try, I’m stuck being a fan.
(All that said, I’m still not buying a ticket until Darius is gone. Maybe they can find a way to keep him injured for the duration of his contract. That would work too…)
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Well, of course I’m going to be the first person to comment here, because I warned you a week or two back. But you didn’t listen to my prophetic words…
I hope everyone noticed the scared, stunned look in Seattle’s eyes for the final 4 minutes or so. Nearly all the Blazers (except Pryzbilla?) hit another gear and played smart, hustling, clutch basketball.
I noticed it in the preseason, but Zach is every bit the all-star. He has improved nearly every facet of his game, and he’s going to shut everybody up. And free throws? The whole team has addressed their oft-overlooked shortcoming… they’re playing with much more poise and vet-like play for some reason, which aids in getting those game-controlling foul calls.
It bears mentioning that the level of competition/skill within the team was raised over the offseason, and it beared fruit tonight. They were competitive all preseason, quietly going punch for punch with better-known players and giving them fits. Maybe now people will notice…