Blazers’ Wonderful New World

This was the worst team in the league (21-61) and had an even worse reputation. The nickname “Jailblazers” says everything. The Rose Garden was like a graveyard. The only time it got loud was when the few fans who did show up wanted to unleash some frustration. Even the local daily Oregonian seemed at war with the club, practically refusing to write anything positive. From Motown to P’Town. From basketball heaven to basketball hell.

Thanks a lot.

But oh how times have changed! Detroit are desperately trying with their over-the-hill stars to keep up with the best in the league while the young, ambitious Portland Trail Blazers are the “it” team in the league, everyone’s favorite. It’s like a start-up company flourishing despite the recession.

The Rose Garden has been sold out for the past 50 games and resembles a madhouse. It’s hard to imagine what the noise level will be like in the playoffs. Hours before every game, there’s a sense of excitement, suspense and anticipation in the air.

Going to a Blazers game is for the cool people, no longer just for losers or dreamers. And whether it’s at the bar, at work or in the street car – called MAX here – all the talk is about the latest from Brandon, Rudy, LaMarcus and company. Once again, it’s hip and fashionable to be a Trail Blazer. Blazermania is back!

The new era can also be seen by the media interest. Before this season, the press stands used to be filled with only local reporters and journalists from the guest teams. But now the stars of the field are taking the honor of watching the Blazers. Gracing the Rose Garden this season have been the likes of Ric Bucher from ESPN The Magazine; stats pope John Hollinger of ESPN.com and diverse scribes from Sports Illustrated. Many have been there numerous times and wrote declarations of love about the Blazers in their big national publications. Even the Oregonian is again the team’s best buddy, regularly publishing extra pages reporting, in depth about the all-of-a-sudden great group. Success makes you sexy, I guess.

But the most spectacular part of the new era is the players, who have remained modest, approachable and friendly despite the upturn. The sea of cameras and audio recorders has not however gone lost on those being questioned. Still, the Blazers locker room is probably the most relaxed in the league. Whoever wants to ask two-time All-Star Brandon Roy a few questions can do so without nasty looks. B-Roy was polite and considerate when he arrived in the NBA three years ago and he still remains that way. The same thing goes for his teammates. There is no bad apple on the team. Portland is a team which you can reach out and touch, a team you just have to like. One hopes the humility, freshness and youthful carelessness will remain when the club returns to the elite.

There can be no doubts that Portland will soon be way up near the top the league. The NBA’s second youngest team is already all but secured of a playoffs spot while still developing game by game (instead of just shooting from outside, they are even driving to the basket …). The potential is immense. Greg Oden is currently only playing at about 50 or 60 percent of his ability. Roy and Aldridge, the other two pillars of the Big Three, also are not yet finished products. Rockin’ Rudy Fernandez is a rookie just like the recently-improving Jerryd Bayless. Travis Outlaw is only 24 years old and is still working on the subtleties of the game. Martell Webster will be back soon. And, and, and. As previously noted, the potential is nasty. If someone asks me about the Trail Blazers’ future, I tell them: “In three or four years they’ll be on Broadway!” That means the championship parade can already be planned. Basketball hell? Not even close! I am back in basketball heaven.

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