Q: What is the sound of 41,260 hands clapping?
A: Another Blazer victory in the Rose Garden.
Game five was louder than anything I’ve experienced to date and was also ridiculously fun. You had the sense when you entered the arena that this game was ours. They were handing out signs that read “Rise and Believe” and that is exactly what happened. The Blazers were not losing this game. Not at home. Not in front of the home crowd.
As I’ve said in previous posts, I’m not good at play-by-play game analysis. I actually spent a good portion of the 4th quarter watching the crowd through my binoculars. I’m developing some weird rituals, and this is one of them. Near the end of the game, if it’s real close, I feel like I’ll jinx the team if I watch them so I watch the crowd’s reaction to the plays instead. Mock me if you will – but I’m pretty sure this is why the Blazers won tonight. Not because they are awesome, or because of Brandon Roy… but because of me and my not jinxing the team by watching them. What? Like you don’t engage in a little magical thinking come game time. I’m sure some of you out there have crazier rituals than mine.
Speaking of magical thinking, let’s get back to those “Rise and Believe” signs. Believe. That’s a great word, isn’t it? The Blazers are a team you want to believe in. Our JailBlazer days are so far behind us that it isn’t really worth mentioning anymore. There isn’t a single player on the team that I don’t have a little soft spot for. Those shots of Brandon Roy holding his son at the Blazers rally? Channing Frye and his love of all things Portland? Sergio and Rudy? Nic Batum’s crazy-long arms? The way Blake and Oden joke with each other on the court? What’s not to like?
I believe in this team. What seemed highly improbable a few days ago seems possible again. I’ve cleared my schedule for this Saturday because I believe I’ll be spending it back in the 300s at the Rose Garden cheering my ass off.
And then it’s on to the Lakers. I really cannot imagine what a home game against the Lakers during the playoffs will be like. I will absolutely be wearing earplugs. And maybe some other protective gear – it can get a little out-of-hand when we play the Lakers.
I believe. Do you?
{ 5 comments }
I turned the game on the radio just as the 15-0 run started. Brian Wheeler’s vivid play-by-play had me feeling like I was there. Maybe I’ll watch TV *and* listen to the radio next time.
I attended the “Crazy Enough” play Tuesday night. At the end as the audience is shuffling out, Storm Large popped out again from a side door and goes, “THE BLAZERS WON!!!!” A huge cheer was let out from the audience, so even though we weren’t at the game, we were still rooting for the team. It was a very cool experience.
You could totally be a speechwriter.
I’m standing by my prediction: Blazers in 7!
I can’t watch at the end just because of the stress– the games are too close!
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