It was a bit of a surreal experience last night at the Rose Garden as the new season got underway with a little preseason action against the Sacramento Kings.

It was a night of firsts in many ways.

Andre Miller made his official Portland debut, aside from Sunday’s Fan Fest. Martell Webster was back. So was Sergio Rodriguez in purple and black. And a typical polished Blazers team at home looked rusty at best in some instances in the win.

For me though, it was the start of a new adventure. It was my first time back in the arena since watching the Blazers struggle against the Houston Rockets in the first round. Back then I was writing for HOOPSWORLD. These days, I’m knee deep in the freelance game and looking for significant playing time.

First stop, SLAMonline courtesy of SLAM Magazine – where I’ll be providing insight on the Portland Trail Blazers and the latest from the Rose Garden all season long. My first story ("Andre Miller Talks A Good Game") is running on SLAMonline now in their Game Note section.

A big thanks by the way to Ryne Nelson over at SLAM for welcoming me and answering all my annoying emails the past week.

Let me say this real quick about Miller before I get out of here....

I’ve been around this league for a minute now. I’ve seen guys come to new teams and struggle to find their place. There’s an adjustment period where guys are often at times mercy. Doesn’t matter if they are a veteran or rook. It happens. But last night was the first time I saw a guy slide onto a new home court like he owned the joint. Miller looked that comfortable, content on the floor while being a private person away from the court. Nothing but respect there.

What matters for Portland’s overall success is how Miller communicates on the court with his teammates and based off last night against Sacramento, no way is that even a concern. Hopefully my piece for SLAMonline conveys that.

On a night of firsts, Andre Miller certainly got the last word in.

pic via: thehoopdoctor

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