One of the things I hate about the off-season is the way I can't use the terms "last season", "this season", and "next season", as their meanings are too ambiguous in the context of being just about midway between seasons; I've had to use terms like "this past season", "the upcoming season", and numbered identities like 07-08, 08-09, and 09-10 (especially the latter two, where "next season" could've meant either one of them).

But to-day, for the first time, I found myself using the term "this season" several times without flinching in reference to the 2008-2009, as well as calling 07-08 "last season" for a good bit now. So it feels like with most of the team assembled and playing pickup ball, plus the feeling that there are no more truly OFF-SEASON activities to come (like the draft, summer league play, and free agency signings and trades), we've kinda crossed that line where current Blazer activity is inherently part of the 08-09 season, and it's time to consistently speak of 2007-2008 as "last season" and (most importantly) 2008-2009 as "this season" from now on. Or, to put not too fine a point on things, IT'S ON! The season's trajectory has begun.

I'm not sure I'm ready to call 09-10 "next season" just yet, though; that one still feels kinda weird.