Let's go back to Halloween night, October 31st, 2000...
A truly chilling evening. Until last night, it was the last time the Portland Trail Blazers lost a home opener.
Eighteen years ago, the Los Angeles Lakers began their 2000-01 championship-winning campaign with a with a 96-86 win over the Blazers behind 36 points and 11 rebounds from Shaquille O'Neal at the Rose Garden. The box score is old enough to buy a pack of cigarettes. The contest was littered with stars of yesteryear including Shaq, Kobe Bryant, Rick Fox, Horace Grant and Isaiah Rider for the Phil Jackson coached Lakers. The Blazers were led by Rasheed Wallace, Steve Smith, Damon Stoudamire, Bonzi Wells and Scottie Pippen(!) who were coached by Mike Dunleavy.
It was nearly two decades ago. What else was different in the world back then?
The original iPhone was almost eight years from being released.
Rookie, sixth round pick, quarterback Tom Brady completed one pass for six yards in his lone game action of the season for the 5-and-11 New England Patriots.
The New York Yankees overtook the New York Mets in five games for the Subway Series, World Series.
Christina Aguilera's 'Come On Over' was at its end of a four week run as the top song.
Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro starred in the top box office earning movie 'Meet the Parents'
The Blazers lost the next game to the Phoenix Suns but were able to right the ship and went onto win 50 games before being swept by the Lakers in the then best-of-five, opening round of the playoffs. It was Dunleavy's fourth and final season at the helm of the Blazers. The team fired Dunleavy and hired Maurice Cheeks in the offseason.
Damian Lillard and crew look to rebound from last night's 108-100 loss to Denver tomorrow night on the road at the Sacramento Kings. The Trailblazers play the next four on the road before returning home to host the Philadelphia 76ers on November 2nd.