I grew up in northwestern Ohio and rooted for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and I remember seeing the Trail Blazers when they were in town in the early 90s. The Blazers won, and I heard many people in the Richfield, Ohio, crowd grumble, "We just can't beat those guys!" I had no idea I'd be a diehard Blazers fan years later, and I wasn't for the first year or so I lived in Oregon. But the roster changes have created a team I'd root for even if I didn't live in this region, as well as one I look forward to following as it matures and gels.