Blazer fans (including myself, unfortunately) have such a desperate desire for national acceptence. We have such an inferiority complex that we see any perceived slight to be a personal shot against the Blazers and us as fans. Yes, the Blazers are a great story this year, one worthy of national attention... and would be if the Blazers were based out of LA, NY, Chicago.. but because it's in Portland... if a team wins a game and no one sees it, do they really win?
Nobody outside of the states of Oregon and Washington gives a rat's ass about the Blazers. They don't sell tickets, they don't bring ratings, and everyone wishes they could just be the Washington Generals, cannon fodder for the big boys and go away.
Blazer fans get by on two things... hope and hatred. Hope for unlikely success, and hatred for the way the team is treated by the media. It's an odd mix, but it seems to work.