OK, last night's loss to the Mavs was a bummer.  It was pretty tough having to watch Terry's airplane celebration and whatever in the world that thing was that Dirk did with his shorts.  But think about it: when was the last time the Mavs were that excited to beat the Blazers?  You'd have to go back to the 'sheed/Sabonis heyday at least.

I think that says a lot about the rise of the young Blazers (as well as the decline of the aging Mavs).  Our guys are viewed with fear & loathing around the league these days.  It isn't just us Blazer fans who believe this is the last season for the foreseeable future that the Blazers won't be a serious threat to win it all. 

Even now, the Rose Garden is the third-toughest gym in the league for road teams.  Imagine the house of horrors it'll be going forward.  For the Mavs to win last night required a perfect storm: practically EVERYTHING had to go right for them and wrong for the Blazers.

So lick your wounds, Blazer fans, and be comforted by the thought that the once-mighty Mavs may have a long wait before they walk out of the Rose Garden with another win.  These two franshises are moving in opposite directions--and fast.