The Mania is coming...

For all those who don't know about my enthusiasm for the Portland Trailblazers this year, my apologies for the next few paragraphs...

The 2008-09 season is finally upon us...and as the leaves fall, the Trailblazers rise. Sorry if this is laying it on a bit thick, but the newest team is definitely something to write home about. All the more evident this evening at the Rose Garden, as the TBs celebrated their start with the annual Fan Fest - an open-to-the-public 40-minute scrimmage and PR event.

Brought along Greer and Dave to share the fun. After struggling through traffic, we pushed into one of the side entrances - and ran into backup center Joel Pryzbilla! As we spun through the turnstiles, I held Greer up - and Joel gave him two high-fives. Apparently the TBs had different players at some of the entrances...giving the fans a little personal contact, which was an added bonus.

Once in our seats, the game got rolling in fine style. It didn't take long before the new troika of rookies (Oden, Fernandez, Bayless) began to deliver. While the hype was all over Oden, the exciting play belonged to Fernandez and Bayless. Rudy F. showed immediate veteran qualities - running hard and shooting with a high percentage. Bayless continued to impress with his push at point guard, and instincts on the outside - and in the paint. Oden finally pulled in his first homecoming - and had a pair of dunks and a free throw. He looked a little out of synch, but you had to know his defence was changing the game. His blocks / rebounds / point-scored ratio are going to be even sometimes. Only time will tell (and health) how dominant he will be.

It's a little scary to think about what the addition of these three players will do to the Blazers. All three are candidates for Rookie of the Year, and I guarantee at least one of them will land it for 2008-09. If Rudy is as automatic as he was tonight, he'll have it wrapped up - despite all the hype around Oden.

The rest of the team tore it up as usual. Adridge showed his All-Star qualities - as did Brandon Roy. Both played strongly and set the tone. The real show happened between competing forwards Travis Outlaw and Martell Webster. Every time one would score, the other would follow suit soon afterwards. Both were impressive, although I think Outlaw may have the edge for the starting job.

It's a good time to be swept up in Blazermania...