14 years

It's been 14 years since the Blazers have made it out of the first round of the playoffs. I was 19 when that happened. Now, I am 33. I am just jubilant of the events that have conspired over the past 12 days. I attended games 3 and 4 with; my wife Verity, cousin Rob, dear friend Sam and his wife Mina. It was an emotional roller coaster and I cannot believe the series ended the way it did. What a ride.

My favorite game of the series would have to be game six. How could it not? That kind of ending? I remember Parsons' lay-up with .9 seconds left. I let out a blood curdling "No! Nooo!" and collapsed into my chair. Verity went into a fetal position on the couch hiding her face. But something came over me and got me out of my chair. I was a man possessed. I'll admit it was freaky. All of a sudden I had all the confidence in the world. I began pacing the living room looking at the floor repeating; "This is how it's gonna go, three at the buzzer. This would be the poetic ending for this series." I was nuts. Play resumes, Lillard comes off a pick and hits a three at the buzzer for a most poetic ending to the series. I clenched both fists and emptied my lungs through my larynx with a "Yes! Yessss!" That was the power of Rip City. It ran through me and kept me believing. This could very well be the biggest shot in Blazer history.

 Watch Lillard's game winner

I have to quote a little Guns n' Roses for this era that has been slayed by a marvelous Damian Lillard three point buzzer beater. It's from their song called "14 Years".
"But it's been 14 years of silence
It's been 14 years of pain
It's been 14 years that are gone forever
And I'll never have again."

I and all of Rip City never want to have that drout again. 14 years is way too long.  It was the longest current active streak in the NBA and it feels so good for the Blazers to finally legitimize themselves and win a series. The season is officially a success and I look forward to the series against the Spurs.

No matter what happens. We'll be back next year with hopefully another playoff series win. 14 years? Rip City will never have that again.