GO BLAZERS..thats a word commonly spoken from the mouth of many pacific Northwesterner residents. If you ever walk into the Rose Quarter on game night, you see every AJ an ZJ walkin around with pride, sporting their red and black jerseys with a big smile on their faces. As the sun drops behind the Rose Garden, you see all the children in their red and black attire begging their parents for a cotton candy, every Dad carrying his toddler proud son in matching "Roy" Jerseys, and an entire spirit of dedicated, Northwest celebrating, spirited, fun loving fans.
As the national anthem starts to be sang, you see millions of people with their hands on their chest, the virtual flag waving across the screen, and you hear spirit, not just American spirit, but the spirit of pride in the hearts of all who came. You see love and joy, and in a certain way, an entire family of Portland Trailblazer fans. This year, they have even more to celebrate.
First time, in 6 years, they have made it to the playoffs. Due to my best friend in the entire world being a number 1 Blazer fan,ever since him and I met 4 years ago an he took me to my first game, ive had a softspot in my heart for this wonderful basketball franchise. It wasnt until the beginning of this season I really started feeling rip city tugging on my heartstrings. As the season progressed on, I paid more attention, caught a tv game with him and alone here and there, had many scores texted to me as the game progressed, then this last month, he then brought me to my third Blazer game. It was then that I fell in love..Rip City was running through my veins pumping red and black blood, I got this atmospheric reality check sitting up in the stands that infected my spirit. I was a newborn, diehard, hardcore Blazer fan. I also cannot be more proud of that!!
So tonight...was incredible. the boys won a very close, very tough game. So far they have 1 out of 2 games clenched out of the 7 game series against "Yao Ming" and his Houston rockets. I was pretty pumped chilling in my room watching the game while cleaning up the pit of doom. They stayed even with eachother and tied and went up and down a lot. The crowd was wild, vivid, rip city was on fiiirreeee (in a good way). Boomsticks were sticking up in the stadium crowd, little boys and their Blazer claws, many many MANY gorgeous jerseys and juicy, red and black colors. Certain Rip City Mafia members and affiliates wearing stylish fedoras combined with a Roy Jersey number 7 on. From the tv you could see the sweat all over the players faces. You could also expressingly see the crowd standing up and going wild. as is a ton of RIP CITY UPRISE marketing all over the Rose Garden. (kinda like disneyland with their current CELEBRATE! logos sprinkling the important areas)
Yep, Rip city is on fire.
To be honest with you, im actually not a very good detailed "game giving" sports columist..so if you want to see more Blazer progress (which there WILL be more God willing) Check out Todd's blog, he is the BEST sports columist I know, so much spirit and detail goes into every word he writes, that it keeps you reading. An even if your not a blazer fan, I think its time you caught the fever :) not only that, but I really reccommend you check out his blog and see some reality of whats going on around rip city. (before I get to detailed about the game). his url is
http://ripcitymafia.blogspot.com/
Todd is a season ticket holder..and the best fan that has ever happened to the Blazers. He never misses a game, throws a fit of rage (lol not really that bad) when they lose, and cheers his pants off when they win. No matter what, he roots for them, Todd saw them through thick and thin, ever since he was a child, and NEVER misses a game. If your want to see DEDICATION, or number one fan, my hat (any hat, but my BLAZER one) will be going off to him, he is their number one fan. Had a blazers shirt on the last 5 or 6 times I have seen him, lol.
Years ago, the Blazers faced some tough times, not only is their team in the playoffs for the first time in 6 years (correct me if im wrong) but they had a phase where the team wasnt that, they were not a team, there were players coming, going, being traded, going to jail. It was a rough phase that some poked fun and called them the "Jailblazers" may of them were getting arrested, and the team faced some VERY ugly years. Those days? a member of the past..a rough road block to hurdle over and see the progress and the love that is now infecting the rose garden. The young, FRESH, team, new players, an incredibly inspiring two time winning all star named Brandon Roy (number 7), more semi new faces (Lamarcus Aldridge), a rookie (Greg Oden), more new players, and all very young, motivated, GOOD HEARTED guys, (honorable mentions, Joel Pryzbilla, Rudy Fernandez, Nickolas Batum, Steve Blake, Travis Outlaw) An many more new faces, this team now has hope, change (yk like the new president said for our Country) they had their rough recession stage, there stage where their team was not doing so well, no one saw much of a future in them at one point, but never ever ever lose hope. Just like the Blazers made it through, ripped through the ducty tape, America will also do the same.
Tough times hit, they hit everything, and everyone, and we have to wait out the storm, to see the sunshine. In my heart, I believe, The Blazers are walking into the sun tonight, the sun is shining over rip city, and its family and community of fans and affiliates. I, myself, couldnt be more proud to be a part of it.
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Wow, nice account of Rip City kid! as an ambassador for Rip City and the Trail Blazers, i would like to say that we're proud to have you on board the train. very well written article. i thought you captured how Blazermania is a family, a brother (or sister)hood if you will. you captured the feel of the games and the excitement that all of Rip city is feeling! very well written and detailed oriented piece of writing. and thanks for pimping my site! welcome to Rip City, the newest Blazermaniac. And remember, as Brian wheeler always says, Its a great day to be a Blazer!
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