The Holiday weekend is upcoming. We'll continue to do pre- and post-game analysis as normal, but it seemed fitting to take a moment to remember what we're thankful for Blazer-wise. So here goes...
--I am thankful that just about 30 years ago Bill Walton's feet held up long enough, Maurice Lucas scored proficiently enough, Jack Ramsay was enough of a genius, and the rest of the team played unselfish enough team basketball to defeat a virtual NBA All-Star squad and bring a championship to the Rose City in front of the eyes of a young little boy. There is nothing like the feeling of your team winning it all. I can't even describe it to anyone who hasn't been there. It's like for one, glorious moment every ache you ever had is filled up and healed, every dream you ever had came true, and every gamble you ever took paid off in spades. Thirty years later I can still feel that smile inside, waiting to get out again.
--I am thankful for so many years of listening to Bill Schonely and Steve Jones, who each in their own way taught me something about the passion in, and the deep knowledge behind, good basketball.
--I am thankful to Clyde Drexler, Terry Porter, Buck Williams, Jerome Kersey, Kevin Duckworth, Cliff Robinson, Danny Ainge, and all those guys for providing the renaissance that not only made us believe again, but converted whole new generations of fans. That was an amazing, incredible ride.
--I am thankful I got the chance to see Arvydas Sabonis and Drazen Petrovic play. I wish it could have been longer in both cases.
--I am thankful for Mychal Thompson and many, many years of great radio.
--I am thankful for my sister who went to games with me and helped make many a sign with her artistic talents. I am also thankful for my childhood/early adult friends who shared that passion and many a game on TV and for the guys who talked basketball with me long before I ever started doing this. The Blazers have always been a social enterprise...that's one of the best parts about them anyway.
--I am thankful for Jarrett Jack, for Martell Webster, for Brandon Roy, for Lamarcus Aldridge, and for Sergio Rodriguez...young guys all who seem committed to being the future of this team and to making that future respectable. I am also thankful for the guys who are holding down the fort right now, guys like Juan Dixon, Ime Udoka, Travis Outlaw, and especially Joel Przybilla for having the faith to stay. I am thankful Zach has rediscovered his talent and I hope that this propels him into a similar recovery in the rest of his public life.
--I am thankful that I get the chance to watch almost every game, which is something I could only dream of as a kid. Win or lose, I feel so lucky to be able to see and support something I love.
--I am thankful for each and every one of you that takes the time to read, and especially comment and add to, this blog. Your thoughts, reports, and opinions are fantastic and this is a nice little corner of the Blazer world to be in. I feel very privileged.
Blessings to you and yours during this season. And of course to the Blazers too!
--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)
P.S. Feel free to fill in your Blazer-related "thankful for" thoughts below. And Fatty, just to get it out of the way early, we know...we know...you're thankful for the 10-1 start for the Jazz and for the Magic leading the Southeastern Division by a mile. There must be a Blazer-related thanks in that Grinchly (yet poetic) heart of yours somewhere...