THRILLIPS ARENA — Another tough test awaited the soaring Hawks as the Trail Blazers were poised to play spoiler during a deafening Friday night showcase featuring plenty of All-Stars…and one particularly salty snub.

Not once, but twice the Portland point man was shown the door denying him access to the mid-season classic. An explosive night looked to be inevitable, however, produced by the actual All-Star.

Aldridge’s bum thumb seemed to be just fine, as he erupted for 37 and 11. But like so many fallen clubs before them, the Blazers witnessed being beaten by a team mightier because of the sum of their parts.

The Hawks trophy case collection of stars was on display for the first time since the announcement (with Korver in limbo as a potential fourth) and yet the extra attention never seemed to deviate away from the game plan. Six players were in double figures, from 21 to 11 points, buoying a back and forth affair, more impressive if you consider how depleted we were at the 3.

The Junkyard Dog sat in the dog house nursing a minor injury. His replacement Sefolosha failed to make it before the first timeout before succumbing to a calf strain himself. But before we could call our former Plastic Man, Stacey Augmon, out of retirement, you forget how deep this team is and the poise that initiates the next man up mentality.

Enter Kent Bazemore. Wow, when that kid gets rolling, his smile is infectuous. He knocked down his first three shots like a veteran en route to 12 points, 5 boards, 3 dimes, and 2 steals. My personal favorite aspect is how he’s matured and blossemed into a player that can initiate the break. The notable play being the port-sider’s right-handed zip pass down the lane to a jaunting Mike Scott for the flush.

The Hawks proved they can win big and in crunch time as well. This is the first win in a long time a 10 point or more lead wasn’t eclipsed, showing the grit of an upper echelon team. And now with a Dubs defeat in Salt Lake, a team that’s now alone on top of the league.

And I’d be remiss if we forget the other battles against the city of Portland that took place off the basketball court. The league’s top two Twitter accounts had been engaging in a one-upping, .gif infused battle with Portland bowing down to become our 18th W in the name. Side Show Rob Lopez, a wanted man in mascot circles, succumbed to defeat in the most highly publicized staring contest in television history against one Harry T. Hawk.

We love to Keep Portland Weird…and losing. HAWKS FLY TOGETHER!