It seemed like it was only yesterday that the Portland Trail Blazers wrapped up the season with a surprising .500 record–but, in fact, it was not yesterday (it was April 16th). But as last season came to a close–and non-erotic, yet equally as pleasing, dreams of Greg Oden playfully danced in all our heads (kind of like this)–we had to sit around and wait. Wait for the playoffs to end. Wait for Oden. Wait for Rudy. Wait for next season to finally start.
But tonight, the waiting is over. The Blazers open the 2008-2009 season by traveling south to battle the Los Angeles Lakers (7:30pm on TNT), and they’ll finally have Oden on the court. And look, he brought his new pals with him as well: Rudy Fernandez, Jerryd Bayless, 19-year-old French starter–Demarreur? Oui!–Nicolas Batum, and no Jarrett Jack whatsoever. “No Jarret Jack” is not a person (it’s a way of life), but if you followed the team last year you know that no Jack is a good thing.
Tonight! Basketball starts! Let the obsession begin…
Oops. I guess it was just announced that Travis Outlaw is now starting.
Batum, hope you enjoyed your one day as a starter/demarreur.
I hope the Blazer band-wagoners have taken a look at the first few weeks of the schedule. Pretty good chance that this team will start off 0-5.
As a recent L.A.-to-Portland transplant and a fervent Laker fan, I am looking forward to a good but ultimately soul-crushing game for the Blazers.
May your collective heart taste fresh when it is ripped from your chest and eaten in front of you tonight, Portland.
JustinS is right. The schedule is brutal. I think 8 of the first 11 are on the road and almost all of those games are against playoff teams. It’s going to get ugly before it gets nice.
Totally. And throw in the fact that Oden’s still trying to get into shape and will likely be in foul trouble while he adjusts to the NBA… doesn’t look good right now. That will, of course, change quickly, but people need to be ready for a bit of a let down during the first part of the season.
Works out well for me, though. The shittier the record, the less competition I’ll have from coworkers for our company’s tickets each game.
ugh, ugly game
you might want to check your dictionary, Ezra. Demarreur is a starter… as in for a car.
titulaire is the word your looking for
Is it too late to choose Durant instead of Oden?
Nate, thanks for the French lesson.
Babelfish, no thanks for the crappy translation. I hate you in all languages.