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It seemed like it was only yesterday that the Portland Trail Blazers wrapped up the season with a surprising .500 record--but, in fact, it was not yesterday (it was April 16th). But as last season came to a close--and non-erotic, yet equally as pleasing, dreams of Greg Oden playfully danced in all our heads (kind of like this)--we had to sit around and wait. Wait for the playoffs to end. Wait for Oden. Wait for Rudy. Wait for next season to finally start.

But tonight, the waiting is over. The Blazers open the 2008-2009 season by traveling south to battle the Los Angeles Lakers (7:30pm on TNT), and they'll finally have Oden on the court. And look, he brought his new pals with him as well: Rudy Fernandez, Jerryd Bayless, 19-year-old French starter--Demarreur? Oui!--Nicolas Batum, and no Jarrett Jack whatsoever. "No Jarret Jack" is not a person (it's a way of life), but if you followed the team last year you know that no Jack is a good thing.

Tonight! Basketball starts! Let the obsession begin...