I’m not sure if the experienced Trail Blazer fans out there amongst you have thought about this, but it’s time to break the news to you: you have a new responsibility this season.

You’re going to have to spend some time hand-holding and talking people off the ledge. Or calming them down.

That’s because this new era of Blazermania has attracted A TON of fans to the team that really haven’t experienced much about the NBA — or even sports in general — before now. Casual fans, if you will. And that means they don’t understand the up-and-down nature of long seasons. They aren’t familiar with the highs and lows of 10-game winning streaks and winless road trips. They don’t understand that even clutch players miss big shots. And sometimes good players have lousy games. And mediocre players have terrific games.

They’re going to need help. Most of all, they’re going to need perspective. Because, friends, they really aren’t going to understand the ramifications of much of what they see moving forward. Honestly.

I saw it last year, when this team began to attract new fans jumping on the bus. A lot of times, I needed to explain the realities to them as they got too hyped or too bummed about what happened. Often, I was shocked that people who two years prior to that had turned their nose up at the Trail Blazers or made jokes about them were suddenly interested — as if they’d been fans all their lives.

The craziness starts tonight. Yup, it’s opening night . . . in Staples Center, against the Lakers and Kobe, on national television. The dial on the hype machine will be turned up to “10″ right from the opening tip of the season. So understand one thing, fans — it’s just one game! Now, I know that sounds silly and elemental, but just remember what I’m telling you: win or lose, it’s just one game.

That means don’t go thinking the Blazers will go 82-0 if they win tonight. Or 0-82 if they lose. Don’t try to sell off all your season tickets if Greg Oden lands in foul trouble two minutes into the game. And don’t go trying to reserve playoff tickets if Portland should somehow steal this game.

Just relax and take a deep breath, either way. This one tonight looks so big but the reality is, it’s No. 1 of 82. And if you don’t pace yourself, you’re going to be a wreck by the time No. 82 gets here.

Have a great time, Blazer fans — you’ve earned it.

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Tags: Blazer fans, Blazermania, Greg Oden, Portland Trail Blazers