18. Blazermania

Everyone in the NBA knows something about Portland: it's a bona fide hoops city. Could be because 32 years ago the Blazers won the NBA title. Could also be from making the NBA Finals a couple of times in the early 90s, and the record run of 26 playoff appearances in 27 years from 1977-2003. Rip City. Bust a Bucket. If you were around, you remember. But most importantly, in my opinion, is the fact that the Blazers are the only major league sport in Oregon. And the Rose Garden is a nice place to be in the endless winter rain.

The fanaticism simmered a few years ago, when a shockingly high number of players were breaking laws, being boneheads, and just stepping over lines. Habitually. The team was, in the words of Charlie Murphy, habitual line-steppers. Choking coaches, flipping off fans, arrests, guns, skipping games to hit up strip clubs... you get the idea. The team wasn't just playing poorly, they were an embarrassment. The fans wouldn't support that kind of team.

The past few years have been a renaissance for the Blazers. New management came in and scooped the turds out of the punchbowl. The last few drafts have been an incredible source of young talent. The players now are high-character dudes, most with tremendous potential. They're young. They're getting better, and will most likely return to the playoffs this spring. They will be great soon. Roy. Aldridge. Oden. Rudy... and most fans' lists keep going. The team is a team again. This is a great time to get into Blazermania.

Like many, a group of friends and I each bought season tickets the spring before last, and the crowds have been absolutely electric the entire time. People are psyched; you can feel it in the buzz of the crowd, you can even sense it when watching on tv. You hear people talking about them everywhere. The Blazers are 25-5 at home this year. Every game is a sellout, and the opposing teams consider the Rose Garden crowd one of the strongest in the NBA. Just last night, the Blazers chased Indiana all game, and the fans never let up. In the fourth quarter, with the crowd behind them, they made their move and won in the final seconds. This is not common anywhere but here.

But maybe the best story of the year came last night, when the Blazers organization offered to match (up to $10,000) what the fans that night could donate to help a family whose son had been hit while walking across I-5 following a previous game. The teenager, who has down syndrome, had gotten seperated from his parents at the arena. The parents had no insurance. Taking donations at the door, the fans and team pooled together over $23,000. [edit: sadly, the boy passed away thursday afternoon.]

All good things. See for yourself.