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Apr 25

Playoff Superstitions: What are yours?

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By sarahhecht

Playoff beards. Wristbands. Same jerseys. Same routines.

Superstitions abound in the playoffs. They take many forms, the most common being the attempt to recreate the circumstances that brought you prior success. They’re wildly enhanced when your team is knotted up in a tight series and Portland is no different. All over Rip City, Trail Blazers fans are feeding their superstitious tendencies and sticking to “what works.”

“What works” takes countless guises and varies for everyone. What are your playoff superstitions?

For me, it’s the rally shoes. They’re 5-0 in Trail Blazers games including both playoff games in the Rose Garden last week. In the locker room prior to Game 4, as Patty Mills walked out to warm up, he looked at my feet and said, “Yes, the shoes.” After the game, while still in shock, I looked down at my feet and smiled. These heels will be on my feet for the rest of the series. I’m not chancing anything.

With the success of rally shoes, my superstitious side is going bananas. I’ve listened to Eminem’s “I’m Not Afraid” from opening night every morning and I’m even wearing the same jewelry.

It may sound a little looney and I don’t have an explanation for it, but in my mind it’s working. What exactly is working you ask? I have no idea. Maybe it’s the shoes, maybe it’s a stranger’s jersey, maybe it’s the combination of Trail Blazers nation doing all they can to ensure a Portland victory.

Who knows? For this fan, I’m not taking any risks. I’m sticking to what works.

Uprise.

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19 Comments

Everytime I've worn my Green Lantern T-shirt and Green Lantern power ring the Blazers have won. I will wear that again tonight and the same boxer I had on for game 3 and 4. oops tmi.

In brightest day, in blackest night,
No evil shall escape my sight,
Let those who worship evil might,
Beware my power, Green Lantern's light

by Roland on 4/25/2011 11:19 AM
My supersition?

I get to watch a game very rarely. When I do it's a matter of saving for a good seat, close to the floor and just having water or a light snack during the game.

In eight seasons and the few games I got to see in my youth at the Memorial Col., I have never watched a game where the Blazers lost.

Let's see if that pattern holds Thursday when I show up to root from the 116.

RIP CITY!

by Patch on 4/25/2011 11:32 AM
@Patch, You're the charm!

by sarahhecht on 4/25/2011 11:35 AM
Just finished work, I wonder if I can get a ticket to Dallas, last minute... ? hehehe

by Patch on 4/25/2011 11:45 AM
I always wear my Blazers headband, Blazers Adidas shoes, charm bracelet and rubber bracelet. Always and forever. :)

by AnnaInTheHouse on 4/25/2011 11:45 AM
whatever i ate during a win, i eat the same thing for the next game. whatever i wore during a win, i wear the same thing for the next game. if we win the game, i try and re-create each thing i did for the next game. opposite of a loss.

by Kassandra on 4/25/2011 12:12 PM
For the players, I really don't think it is the "act or object" itself but yet the state of mind that the "act or object" put's them in! The mind is a powerful tool and if people believe something works for them then the body might just react to it in the positive manner we all hope for. In any case, fun thread Sarah and love them shoes!!! ;-) Time for me to go get my lucky budweisers for tonight...

peace out,
daddy

by daddylogan on 4/25/2011 12:38 PM
I kiss my Blazer tat before every game. And during half time.

by 2Dope4You on 4/25/2011 12:41 PM
I used to think everytime I got a chance to see the Blazers on TV we lost, so I was feeling like I was jinking them; then out of probably pure selfishness, I said that me watching was just another adversity that the team was going to have to fight through. Then we started losing on Tuesday night for a while, in fact we lost game 2 last Tuesday while I was bowling and watching on KGW. Double whammy.

After forty years I came to the conclusion we were just the bad luck Blazers. We find a good team and for a million reason's they fall apart. The 23 point come back was astonishing, I could see it happening to us, but not to the other team playing us.

Our Blazers will play through any obstacle that you throw at them.

by Hg on 4/25/2011 12:47 PM
I'm pretty superstitious and one of my superstitions is not giving away my secret until the season is over. It got the Ducks to the National Title game so hopefully it can get us there as well (Finals!)

by DHawes22 on 4/25/2011 1:05 PM
Mine is pretty bad... if iam in a suite.. i torture myself standing and watching the game, only taking breaks during timeouts and back to the same spot.... it worked in Game3 and Game4 :=)

by Ashok Raj on 4/25/2011 1:13 PM
@Hg... Very true.. it was like that for me too.. every game i watch on TV was disastrous... but the playoff i have been to the RoseGarden and worked.. its just becoming an expensive proposition :-)

by Ashok Raj on 4/25/2011 1:17 PM
After big losses, I always look for redemption by attrition. I go out and shoot 500-1000 free throws whenever I doubt the resolve of the team. My assumption is that as hard as I take it, it's got to be worse on them.
After almost every win, I have a big bowl of ice cream and always keep a half-gallon in the freezer before games. If I'm still jacked-up, I go out and shoot free-throws (but don't count). I love being out there on the courts thinking about my Blazers winning it all!

by BlazerStache on 4/25/2011 1:18 PM
Oh, and I grew a playoff beard!

by BlazerStache on 4/25/2011 1:21 PM
Isn't it crazy how as much as we rationalize that superstitions probably don't mean anything we're still unwilling to change what we think helps? Ha. Love it.

by sarahhecht on 4/25/2011 1:22 PM
I have no superstitions. Its about doing the work. Fighting back when it all seems lost. Celebrate your accomplishments. Get back to work. Accept your mistakes. Get back to work. Its not about colors, rainbows, black cats or pots of gold. Its about preparation and effort.

by Divotking on 4/25/2011 1:58 PM
i have crazy superstitions even during the regular season. if i'm watching the game on tv, i'll stand up the whole time. if i'm sitting a certain way and they're playing well, then i'll continue to sit like that even if its totally uncomfortable. i also wear the same socks to every game i attend, and they never lose :)

just the little things that matter!

by blazelover on 4/25/2011 3:05 PM
Alright, well, I am superstitious, but do not have particular routines or objects or anything. I have a rule or two, which primarily amount to not making predictions or ever, ever, ever saying, "Oh, we got this in the bag" until the buzzer sounds and the game is for sure over :)

However, I am the first one to believe in positive energy having intangible effects on things we couldn't imagine it would, with the same being said for negative energy. I think that all us BlazerManics, who focus so intently on doing little rituals, saying little prayers, wearing special clothes and so on, contribute a positive vibe that helps in some way :)

Sarah, those shoes are spectacular! One day, you and me gotta go shoe shopping, lol!

by SisillaRiann on 4/25/2011 3:33 PM
I wear the same Blazer tee if they keep winning. Once they lose, the tee goes in the laundry basket and I get a new tee to wear. And what do you know? THEY WIN AGAIN!

by blazerdarren77 on 4/25/2011 3:36 PM