The 2009-10 NBA season for the Portland Trailblazers starts this evening at the Rose Garden, with the Houston Rockets providing the opposition. A special (if somewhat bittersweet) welcome back to Martell Webster, who will start at the 3-hole for the injured Nic Batum, who looks to be out until January at least.
I haven't decided what level of coverage to give the team this year--last year seemed like a special time, and even though it ended a little abruptly I think it was. This year seems to hold even more promise, and that makes news. But it's a grueling 82 game season, especially trying to cover events in the evening when the Joe family is doing things like eating, homework and whanot. I think the best service may be to liveblog away games, as a way to enhance the experience a little bit for anyone who can't see the game on TV (which for away games is a lot of people in Oregon, thanks to Comcast unfortunately).
Ok, maybe I'm being just a TOUCH optimistic by suggesting a perfect, undefeated season for the Blazers this year. But you'd be less popular around here than Sarah Palin at a gay barista's convention, if you were to mention out loud that you don't fully expect the team to make the playoffs this year. Anticipation could not be higher, and if you're finding yourself insufficiently crazed for tonight's season opener against Kobe and the archrival Lakers, get thee hither to The O's preview section.
And hey, how about some news on the Opening Night front? One day after announcing that rookie Nicholas Batum would replace the injured Martell Webster as a starter, coach Nate McMillan thought better of tossing his French Surprise into the lights and spectacle of a nationally televised first game against one of the league's marquee teams. Travis Outlaw will get the chance to show what he can do in extended minutes instead.
GO BLAZERS! The wait is finally over. Show us whatcha got, boys!
Sure, sure--it's only preseason, it's the first game of preseason, and the Sacramento Kings are not exactly Celtics West. But fans of the Blazers have been waiting to see Greg Oden play someone besides his own teammates since about June of '07, so forgive us if we're champing at the bit for action. We're also pretty stoked about European phenom (and Olympic silver medalist) Rudy Fernandez' arrival in Stumptown. And to see the result of the Blazers' maiden court effort with their shiny new parts--a 110-81 wipeout of the Kings at the Rose Garden--can't help but excite the crap out of us for the regular season.
It took all of two minutes for Oden to make his presence felt, slamming home a dunk and setting the crowd afire. But Fernandez didn't need very long to nearly catch up to Oden on the Anticipatory Delirium meter, making dazzling passes and moving with fluidity on the hardwood. You're going to hear a lot of "Rudy, Rudy!" if you go to a home game this year.
Think I'm exaggerating the importance and value of a single exhibition? John Canzano at The O agrees with me that while it may not count in the standings, it definitely counts in other ways. We've suffered too long through previous wastoid teams, we've waited long enough to see the new players, and we've definitely waited long enough to head into the season feeling like Portland has a playoff team.
The players feel pretty good about things, too. Take a listen:
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Ok, maybe I'm being just a TOUCH optimistic by suggesting a perfect, undefeated season for the Blazers this year. But you'd be less popular around here than Sarah Palin at a gay barista's convention, if you were to mention out loud that you don't fully expect the team to make the playoffs this year. Anticipation could not be higher, and if you're finding yourself insufficiently crazed for tonight's season opener against Kobe and the archrival Lakers, 