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…
…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. I’m going to post this and your companion question side by side and invite the community to weigh in with their stories as well.
I think both of my truly happiest moments came during the 1990-91 season because I really loved those Clyde Drexler teams. Seeing them win 63 was sure something.
The first big moment came on Sunday, November 25th, 1990 when the Blazers played the Perfect First Quarter against the San Antonio Spurs. Portland was in the midst of an 11-game winning streak to start the season, part of an eventual 19-1 opening that year. The Blazers had vanquished the Spurs from the playoffs the year before, narrowly. San Antonio came in looking for revenge, ready to set the tone for the new year. Instead, Portland clobbered them with a 49-18 first quarter. The Spurs never recovered. Both they and all of us in attendance knew that this Portland squad–now including Danny Ainge and Cliff Robinson–was real at that moment. I have never forgotten the rush of that display.
The second came on Saturday, April 13th, 1991…near the end of the same season that had begun so well. The Blazers hosted the Los Angeles Lakers, including Magic Johnson. L.A. had not been at full strength the year before when Portland made it to the NBA Finals. They were coming for the Blazers this time. Five games from the end of the regular season seemed like the right time to prove it.
Both teams fought with a ferocity than I’ve seldom seen. You could tell the Lakers wanted it badly. Magic and James Worthy both played over 40 minutes. But Drexler scored 31 points on 14-20 shooting and the Blazers won 118-113. It was like staring a Great White Shark right in the face, bopping its nose, and making it turn tail and run. Unfortunately the Blazers would fall to those same Lakers in the Western Conference Finals that year, but that’s another story for the companion piece to this one.
For now, what are your personal happiest 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!
