Portland: From Sleepy Town to Rip City - A Basketball Shout Heard 'Round the World (Well, Maybe Oregon)
Portland, Oregon. What conjures up images in your mind? Hipsters sipping lattes? Raincoats and drizzle? Lumbersexuals with impeccably groomed beards? All valid assumptions, but there's another side to Portland, a side fueled by caffeine and the roar of the crowd - Rip City!
But how, pray tell, did a place synonymous with flannel and craft beer earn such a delightfully aggressive nickname? Buckle up, basketball fanatics (and confused tourists), because we're about to delve into the origin story of Rip City, a tale as unexpected as a behind-the-back no-look pass.
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| How Did Portland Get The Name Rip City |
The Birth of a Blazer (and a Nickname)
The year is 1971. The Portland Trail Blazers are fresh out of the womb, a scrappy new team in the NBA. Enter one Jim Barnett, a Blazers guard with a questionable shot selection and a penchant for defying the odds. During a nail-biting game against the mighty Los Angeles Lakers (because of course it was against the Lakers), Barnett finds himself with the ball, the score tied, and the clock ticking down.
Tip: Read once for gist, twice for details.
This is where things get interesting.
Barnett, with the strategic brilliance of a squirrel dodging traffic, launches a heave from practically half court (remember, this was way before the glory days of the three-pointer). Against all basketball logic, the ball finds its way through the hoop! The crowd erupts, pandemonium ensues, and in the midst of this glorious chaos, the legendary Blazers announcer, Bill Schonely, lets out a call that would echo through the halls of Blazer history: "Rip City! Alright!"
QuickTip: Scan for summary-style sentences.
Even Schonely himself admits he has no idea where the phrase came from. Maybe it was the adrenaline, maybe it was a sudden craving for Rip City Reds (a local candy, not a metaphor for, well, you know). Whatever the reason, "Rip City" stuck. It became a rallying cry, a badge of honor for Portland's underdog spirit.
Rip City: More Than Just a Nickname
Fast forward to today, and Rip City is synonymous with Portland basketball. It's on t-shirts, it's chanted by fans, it's a way of life (or at least until the final buzzer). It's a testament to the city's ability to surprise, to fight above its weight class, and to celebrate the unexpected heroics of a dude with a questionable jump shot.
QuickTip: Read step by step, not all at once.
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So next time you hear "Rip City," remember: it's not just about basketball, it's about embracing the underdog, the crazy shot, the sheer joy of a city that found its voice through a single, inexplicable shout.
Rip City FAQ
How to become a Rip City citizen? Easy! Just bleed Blazer red (or black, or white... those are the team colors).
Tip: Don’t overthink — just keep reading.
How to talk Rip City? Learn essential phrases like "Let's go Blazers!" and "Fire Neil Olshey!" (just kidding... maybe).
How to dress Rip City? Flannel is acceptable, but jerseys are encouraged. Bonus points for vintage Bill Walton gear.
How to act Rip City? Be loud, be proud, and high-five your neighbor after every three-pointer.
How to experience Rip City in person? Grab tickets to a Blazers game, soak in the atmosphere, and maybe even yell "Rip City!" yourself. Just don't blame us if it becomes your new catchphrase.
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