40th Anniversary Season Celebration and J.D.'s first Blazers Game

For the match up between the Blazers and Phoenix Suns, the game was held at the Memorial Coliseum instead of the Rose Garden in honor of the Portland Trail Blazers' 40th Anniversary. To make the occasion even more special, all tickets were on sale for $19.70, plus the Blazers' jersey's had their slogan "Rip City" on the front instead of the usual "Blazers".

Former announcer Bill Schonley opened up by singing "God Bless America". What was even more amazing was that the crowd joined in and sang with him.

Then it was tip-off!

Josh was very excited, much more than ussual for this game. #1 reason: he was taking J.D. to his very first game. And #2: This game was back in the Memorial Colliseum -- the very place Josh went to his first game years ago.

A shot of some of the action.

J.D. and daddy sitten' back and enjoying the game

During the game, Susie asked Josh if he thought Terry Porter would be there. He said that he wouldn't doubt it.

Halftime came, and when announcing the players for the halftime show, whose name was announced? Terry Porter's! Porter, is Josh's all-time favorite player.

Terry Porter (left)



Terry Porter (right)


Black Team VS. Red Team
Black Team won (thanks to Terry's 4 of 5 shooting!)

Family Pic

A neat pic of the entire colliseum, or atleast as much as could fit into the camera lens.

J.D. and mom watching the game

Josh ran J.D. down to catch Blaze (the Blazers mascot) on the stairs. Josh asked Blaze for a pic with J.D. But to J.D.'s surprise, Blaze scooped J.D. right up into his arms. J.D. went into attack mode, arcing his back, screaming and kicking. Josh felt bad afterward. But hey, this pic will go well with Josh & Susie's pics of themselves screaming in the arms of clowns when they were little!

Final Score. Sigh... we lost. But oh well, it's only the pre-season.



After the game they held a post game interview. Just like old times, Bill Schonley interviewed Terry Porter. Man, this brings back memories. And at the end of the interview -- the Schonz gives his trademark farewell... "Goodnight, eeeevery body!"
Bill Schonley and Terry Porter

We got pretty close to the court after the game.
Another memory resurrected of bygone years in the Colliseum. (You can't get this close to the court in the Rose Garden without security dog piling you)

Susie told Josh he should go and step on the court, and she would take his picture.
He didn't.


We enjoyed the special time we got to spend with J.D. and doing something fun!