The Blazer’s Edge Mailbag is full of all kinds of questions: technical, analytical, prospective forecasting, and everything in between. But sometimes we get an inquiry that’s just plain personal. When it comes down to it, we’re all fans of the team we follow, so why not? Take a look at this submission:
Dear Dave,
I know you’ve talked alot about best moments, decisions, free agents, and more. Most of your answers come from a team perspective but I have a personal question.
I’ve followed your writing
for a long time. I respect your history. I want to know what has been your happiest moment in your long history with the team and if you will, your saddest moments too. I understand that from the team side winning a championship was it or maybe drafting Clyde or Dame. I’m talking about you not them. Big or small, what is it?
Darryl
It’s a great question. We already posted the “happiest” question and invited the community to weigh in with their stories. Now let’s look at the other side of the coin.
The saddest Blazers memory I have by far is hearing on 1080 The Fan–June 7th, 1993–that Drazen Petrovic had been killed in a car accident on the Autobahn. I remember I was pulling up to put gas in my very first car, an old, beat up, copper-colored Toyota Corolla. I had to pull to the side of the gas station and listen, shocked and lost. I loved watching Drazen play. I was glad he got to flourish as a member of the New Jersey Nets. He was so full of life and played with joy. That he was just…gone. That took the wind out of me for a while. I don’t think anything else has come close.
As far as on-court action, anyone who read the “Happiest Moments” post linked above will be able to predict my saddest moment. After watching Clyde Drexler and company go 63-19 during the regular season, I couldn’t believe they fell to the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1991 Western Conference Finals, losing Game 6 by a single point after mounting a furious comeback in the fourth quarter. Fumbled breaks, a missed last-second shot…heartbreak was written all over that afternoon. I remember feeling agony for a second, then just emptiness inside after. Portland would return to the Finals in 1992 but it would never be the same. That was their year and they fell just short. Ugghhh…I can still conjure those emotions today and I do not want to think about it!
So I’ve shared mine. It’s your turn. What are your personal saddest moments with the team, regardless of larger impact? Answer Daryl’s question in the comments section and feel free to send your own queries to blazersub@gmail.com. We’ll be happy to respond to as many as we can!
