The Blazers lost their fourth straight tonight -- eighth of their last 11. Their young legs are getting tired, and other teams are figuring them out. Given that the Portland team is in the highly competitive western half of their league, it may even miss the playoffs.

Now, some observers are saying that that would be good thing for Portland -- that missing the post-season would entitle the Blazers to another high pick in the college draft. Although they would indeed get that consolation prize, I disagree about the impact on the team. A playoff berth would be a major coup that would energize the young Portland squad far beyond the jolt that another young star would give them. In light of their phenomenal win streak in December, another year missing the playoffs would be demoralizing.

And so when the All-Star break ends and play resumes next week, it's time for Blazermania to resume like never before. It may take 48 wins or so to make the playoffs, and we have only 28 under our belt with 30 contests to go. To run up a record of 20 wins and 10 losses isn't going to be easy for a young team, and it will be impossible unless the local faithful scream their lungs out the whole way. I'm going to see if I can dig out my Blazer flag for the front porch. No sense keeping it in mothballs any longer.