When the Portland Trailblazers visited the Denver Nuggets last Wednesday, my personal battle of cities officially began. As a devoted Portland local, but a recent Denver homeowner as well, my allegiance is torn. Do I abandon my young Portland squad, with last year’s Rookie of the Year Brandon Roy in favor of NBA veteran Allen Iverson and the polished Denver Nuggets team, who many are claiming to be the team to beat this year? I just can’t do it yet. Longtime Denver local and SNOWBOARD’s favorite superagent Jay “Ninja” Issacs knew my problem all too well, so he lined up two rows of floor seats so we could witness the season’s first match up in style. He also brought the entire Forum Team (who was in town hitting handrails), Colorado Golden Boy JJ Thomas, and my only ally, Rip City’s Darrell Mathes along for the night.

With Portland coming in hot off four wins in a row at home, including defeating NBA powerhouses like the Dallas Mavericks and the Detroit Pistons, my hopes were high. But a 3 am arrival in Denver the night before after the tough Detroit game proved to be too much for the young Blazers. The first quarter was okay, as Portland hung in there, but things started to quickly go downhill. John Jackson didn’t care, as long as he could flirt with the Nuggets Cheerleaders every now and then.

This is the view of downtown from the Penthouse. Yeah, Denver's alright...I guess.

Jake Blauveezy and a Blunt Brother.

Ninja's got clout—rows AA and BB on lock.

Nick the court guard took the shot for us, as you can see he was pretty rad.

Forum TM Bryan Knox kept the drinks flowin'.

Portland's Lamarcus Aldridge trying to post up.

Pat Moore hours before his 21st B-Day!

This was a typical scene: Portland misses the layup as the Nuggets swarm for the rebound.

JJ Thomas in full fan attire.

John Jackson rocking the Estate LA Pin Up girls tearaway.

Flipping out.

Coors Light DJ Booth. Whenever Iverson gets the ball a ringtone rap beat comes on sos he can get his swagger right.

Darrell and I trying to keep our heads up.

Okay, so Portland lost. Bad. It was embarrassing actually. But at least we got a cooler mascot! Screw Rocky, Blaze would shut him down anyday. Shout out to Ninja, Knox and the rest of the crew...we'll see what happens when the injured #1 Draft Pick Greg Oden comes back next year.