Rip City! The two famous words said by Bill Schonely, who was the Portland Trail Blazers announcer for almost three decades, have returned along with the start of the NBA season.  For Blazer fans, it has been a long wait.

Last year, the team ended their season with a 54-28 record.  They made it to the second round of the play-offs when Damian Lillard hit a buzzer beater three pointer to win the first round against the Houston Rockets.  However, their season abruptly ended when the San Antonio Spurs won the second round in five games.

So far this season, the Trail Blazers are off to a good start, with a 7-3 record.  With the bench from last year gaining more confidence, skills and playing time, along with the returning all-stars, fans are thinking the team will do even better than last season.

“I think the Blazers are going to really step up their game this year, even more so than last year, because they have the true potential to win,” said freshman Jack Kelly.

Others are not so convinced that the Blazers will succeed with all the other tough teams to beat in the league.  And now, with two starters Lamarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum injured perhaps the disbelievers have a point.

“Allen Crabbe and Meyers Leonard are still too inexperienced to be temporarily taking the place of LA and Batum in the starting line up.  If those two are out for a while, then I can easily see the teams record turning for the worse,” said junior Gage Nelson.

It is hard to tell this early in the season where the Portland Trail Blazers will find themselves when it comes time for the play-offs, but no matter if the do well or not, fans are always excited to cheer and root.

Whether you have tickets and are attending the game live, or just watching from your couch at home, these games are always a spectacle to watch.