My ears are still ringing, and I’m pretty sure they’ll be that way for awhile.
You see, I got to go to the Trail Blazers vs. Denver Nuggets game tonight, as a very willing date with an old friend. And I’m still up at midnight, because it was that exciting.
A couple things to think about from the game:
• In the playoffs, momentum is the name of the game. Beating the Nuggets (#2 seed) in the same manner you beat the Thunder (not making it to the playoffs) is no small thing. Sure, Denver gave up and rested their starters when it was clear they weren’t coming back, but they wanted to win this game, too.
• Yes, the bad news is that we’re facing Houston in the first round, thanks to San Antonio winning and Houston losing. (I’m still cross eyed from before game scenarios of win/loss/seed potentials. Glad someone explained it to me after everything was settled.)
• The good news is that we have home court and, ahem, that momentum I was talking about before.
• Every time I turned around Rudy was making a 3 point shot. Apparently he broke the NBA rookie record for most 3 point shots in a season (159) with 6 in the game.
• There were a few times when I thought the crowd’s cheering for a simple shot was the same as a game winner in a stretch game during the regular season. The last time I’ve seen the city this excited was during the Western Conference Finals in 2000.
And make note, the team still understands that connecting with the fans is key. Some of the Community Relations staff went up to the 300 level to give away the chance to get autographed shoes after the game. Those were some pretty excited and lucky fans, and the players didn’t just stand there and hand the shoes to the fans and walk away – Channing Frye grabbed his (very excited) five year old fan, picked her up and took a genuine, sweet photo with her, then handed her the shoes.
If you want to see the whole team at the Playoff Rally tomorrow, April 16, get to Pioneer Courthouse Square early, it starts at noon and the players are scheduled to arrive around 2 p.m. (I have it on good authority that there may be some great alumni there, as well). Also, tickets go on sale at noon at the Rose Quarter Box Office, and there are already fans lined up to buy tickets.
Here is the schedule for the first round:
Game 1 – Sat April 18 Houston at Portland
Game 2 – Tue April 21 Houston at Portland
Game 3 – Fri April 24 Portland at Houston
Game 4 – Sun April 26 Portland at Houston
Game 5 * Tue April 28 Houston at Portland
Game 6 * Thu April 30 Portland at Houston
Game 7 * Sat May 2 Houston at Portland
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