I’m not really into basketball. I’ve followed the NBA briefly here and there, but I’m far from what you’d call a “fan” at all. I remember, growing up in Seattle, when the Sonics were actually “Super” and brought home a championship in the 70’s but I couldn’t even tell you what year it was exactly. It wasn’t for a lack of parental guidance either, my dad ran out the next day and bought me 2 of the most unfashionable looking yellow and green baseball-tee’s you’ve ever seen to help me get in the mood for celebrating.
Nowadays, I’ve been about as disinterested in the Blazers as well. Sure, they’ve been a growing team and sure it’s been nearly impossible to avoid getting caught up in the excitement but I’ve been there before with pro sports teams in the Pacific Northwest – I just went through this a couple of years ago with my dear Seattle Seahawks in the Superbowl. Every time I start to care, I find myself getting way too pissed off when “my” team starts to lose.
And yet I haven’t learned my lesson either. Try as I might, I’ve been quietly paying attention to the Blazers if for no other reason than I secretly want to see the sad, sad city of Portland have something to cheer up about. Wouldn’t it be cool – given all of the crap we’re all going through day in and day out with skyrocketing foreclosure rates, rampant unemployment, and businesses failing left and right – wouldn’t it be cool if we just had something to cheer us up and help everyone forget it all?
After tonight’s close game ended up in a loss I’m still here and I still believe, foolish as though it may be. I still believe that our only pro sports team in this city can pull it off and advance in the playoffs. Call me stupid, call me a fair-weather fan, call me Shirley – I don’t care. I’m caught up in the hope that this young team can pull through against the odds… Much like I’m hopeful that Portland, as a city, can pull through its slump, as bad as it is.
On days like this I actually feel bad about the title of this blog and of the podcast and radio show. Sniff sniff, weep weep, whatever… I still love this place – even if it sucks.
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c’mon boys!!! You can do it!!!