Blazer Focused

Blazer Focused episodes:

• 05.30.2024

  Pre-draft workouts continue, and how many titles could the Blazers have won with a healthy Bill Walton?

  The Blazer Focused podcast, featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, reacts to Bill Walton dying at the age of 71 on Monday, and discusses his legacy as a player and broadcaster. Craig has stories. Also, the Blazers...

  
• 05.13.2024

  Trail Blazers face puzzling situation after falling to No. 7 in NBA draft lottery

  The Blazer Focused podcast, featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, reacts to the Trail Blazers falling to No. 7 in Sunday's NBA draft lottery. Select for need? Take the best player available? Trade pick? Package pick to...

  
• 05.07.2024

  Lillard's playoff runs ends early, and just how far behind the rest of the Western Conference are the Blazers?

  The Blazer Focused podcast, featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discusses the depth of the Western Conference on display during the NBA playoffs and how far the Blazers trail several elite teams with young talent. Also, Damian...

  
• 04.18.2024

  Trail Blazers enter offseason with plans to remain on development path

  The Blazer Focused podcast, featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discusses the franchise’s offseason following a 21-61 season. Plus, why the Blazers retained coach Chauncey Billups, why GM Joe Cronin plans to remain on the development path...

  
• 04.10.2024

  Positive road trip includes growth from Scoot Henderson; what we hope to learn during exit interviews

  The Blazer Focused podcast, featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discusses rookie Scoot Henderson’s growth during the team's recent road trip, as well as what we've learned about the young forwards and what we hope to learn...

  
• 04.04.2024

  Chauncey Billups a Hall of Famer, Blazers snap 10-game losing streak with a 'bad win?'

  The Blazer Focused podcast, featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, takes a look at Chauncey Billups getting elected into the Hall of Fame, how the Blazers ended their 10-game losing streak with a "bad win" and if...

  
• 03.22.2024

  Scoot Henderson struggles, Kris Murray flashes, Chauncey Billups’ future

  The Blazer Focused podcast, featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discusses rookie Scoot Henderson’s recent struggles, forward Kris Murray’s potential, and coach Chauncey Billlups’ future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  
• 03.15.2024

  Reaction to recent interview with Deandre Ayton, who discussed overcoming obstacles to become 'DominAyton’

  The Blazer Focused podcast, featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discuss Deandre Ayton’s dominant play and react to his comments to Fentress about his transformation into becoming a dominant force for the Blazers. Also, Ayton talked about...

  
• 03.06.2024

  The many positives that can be extracted from the Trail Blazers' 2-1 trip

  This episode of Blazer Focused, an Oregonian Sports podcast featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, reviews the team's 2-1 weekend with a focus on Anfernee Simons, the team's young forwards and if Dalano Blanton is a keeper. Learn...

  
• 02.26.2024

  Trail Blazers simply not showing reasonable progress during season of development

  Blazer Focused, an Oregonian Sports podcast featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, reacts to the Blazers’ horrible loss Sunday night to the Charlotte Hornets and what it means big picture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  
• 02.13.2024

  Did the Trail Blazers drop the ball at the trade deadline?

  Blazer Focused, an Oregonian Sports podcast featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, reviews the team's inactivity at the trade deadline, what GM Joe Cronin said regarding feeling good about where the team is headed and what teams...

  
• 02.01.2024

  Damian Lillard's return lives up to the hype with high emotions and a dramatic Blazers' win

  Blazer Focused, an Oregonian Sports podcast featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, returns to Wednesday night's epic atmosphere during the Portland Trail Blazers’ win over Damian Lillard and the Milwaukee Bucks. Also, trade talk, what to expect...

  
• 01.22.2024

  Blazer Focused: Blazers' midseason report, what have we learned about this team?

  Blazer Focused, an Oregonian Sports podcast featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, examines the Portland Trail Blazers’ first half of the season while naming MVP, most improved, best rookies, biggest disappointment, greatest surprise and more. Learn more about...

  
• 01.02.2024

  Scoot Henderson and other young players show improvement as Blazers face a tough 7-game trip: Blazer Focused podcast

  The Blazer Focused podcast, featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discuss the improvement of Scoot Henderson, Jabari Walker, Duop Reath and Ibou Badji. Also, what do victories mean for this team, if anything? Learn more about your ad...

  
• 12.21.2023

  Blazers earn impressive win over Suns thanks to DominAyton and Scoot Henderson's improved aggressive play

  Blazer Focused, an Oregonian Sports podcast hosted by The Oregonian/OregonLive’s Aaron Fentress with Craig Birnbach, examines the Portland Trail Blazers breaking their seven-game losing streak against the Phoenix Suns, the play of Deandre Ayton and the continued development of Scoot...

  
• 12.16.2023

  Scoot Henderson impressive during disappointing loss to Utah, the Blazers' 3-guard dilemma, evaluating Deandre Ayton

  The Blazer Focused podcast, hosted by The Oregonian/OregonLive’s Aaron Fentress with Craig Birnbach, react to the Portland Trail Blazers getting blasted by a depleted Utah team and what the recent hot play from Scoot Henderson means in regards to the team's future in...

  
• 12.08.2023

  Anfernee Simons returns, Blazers no push over, could they make a run at the play-in if healthy?

  Blazer Focused, an Oregonian Sports podcast featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, reacts to the return of Anfernee Simons and how the Blazers have defied the odds in games where they were listed as heavy underdogs. Could...

  
• 11.29.2023

  Blazers show improvement, defense legit, Jerami Grant a force

  The Blazers have won two out of three thanks to improved shooting and a solid defense. Could they be on to something? Blazer Focused, an Oregonian Sports podcast featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, takes a look...

  
• 11.16.2023

  Trail Blazers’ young players stepping up during rough stretch

  Blazer Focused, an Oregonian Sports podcast featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, react to the play of Shaedon Sharpe, Toumani Camara, Duop Reath and Skylar Mays during the team's recent struggles. Plus, Deandre Ayton continues to search...

  
• 11.07.2023

  Trail Blazers show positive signs during 3-4 start but Robert Williams' injury stings

  Blazer Focused, an Oregonian Sports podcast featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, dives into the Portland Trail Blazers' 3-4 start that revealed several positive signs including the rapid development of Shaedon Sharpe and the impact being made...

  
• 11.01.2023

  Trail Blazers and Scoot Henderson off to bumpy start in season of development

  The Blazer Focused podcast, featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, evaluates the Portland Trail Blazers 1-3 start to the season. While stacking losses should have been expected, is there reason for concern regarding rookie Scoot Henderson's poor...

  
• 10.18.2023

  Trail Blazers exit preseason facing long season of development: Blazer Focused podcast

  The Blazer Focused podcast, featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, evaluates the Portland Trail Blazers following a 1-3 preseason. The defense looked awful. The offense has the potential to be exciting. A season filled with losing could...

  
• 10.13.2023

  Trail Blazers look shaky early in preseason, reason for concern?

  The Blazer Focused podcast, hosted by The Oregonian/OregonLive’s Aaron Fentress with Craig Birnbach, react to the Portland Trail Blazers first two preseason games. Rookie Scoot Henderson looks solid. Shaedon Sharpe, not so much. Deandre Ayton up and down. Is this team simply too...

  
• 10.09.2023

  Trail Blazers training camp info, Scoot Henderson gets his groove on during Fan Fest

  The Blazer Focused podcast, hosted by The Oregonian/OregonLive’s Aaron Fentress with Craig Birnbach, reacts to the success of Sunday’s Fan Fest and discuss how Portland Trail Blazers training camp went with preseason games getting started Tuesday night against the New Zealand Breakers....

  
• 10.03.2023

  Joe Cronin talks Damian Lillard trade, Deandre "DominAyton" is eager to go. Let the show begin: Blazer Focused podcast

  The Blazer Focused Podcast, hosted by The Oregonian/OregonLive's Aaron Fentress and Craig Birnbach, gets you ready for Tuesday's start of Training Camp with a recap of what went down during Media Day. Deandre Ayton expressed confidence. Anfernee Simons is ready...

  
• 09.28.2023

  Instant reaction to Trail Blazers trading Damian Lillard to the Bucks: Blazer Focused podcast

  Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach react to the blockbuster trade that included the Blazers acquiring polarizing center Deandre Ayton from the Phoenix Suns for a package that included Jusuf Nurkic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  
• 09.20.2023

  Damian Lillard's future remains cloudy with training camp on the horizon. We examine the latest noise: Blazer Focused podcast

  Trail Blazers training camp starts Oct. 3 and Damian Lillard still remains on the roster. The Blazer Focused podcast, featuring The Oregonian/OregonLive’s Aaron Fentress and Craig Birnbach, examines the latest trade rumors and what it could mean to have an...

  
• 08.02.2023

  The latest regarding Damian Lillard’s trade demands to the Miami Heat: Blazer Focused podcast

  It’s been a month since Damian Lillard demanded a trade to Miami and so far a moving truck hasn’t been in required. Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach are joined by Bill Oram, sports columnist for OregonLive on...

  
• 07.21.2023

  Would keeping Damian Lillard make any sense for anyone?

  With no movement on the trade front, the Blazer Focused podcast with Aaron Fentress and Craig Birnbach examines what it would mean to bring back Damian Lillard, where the Blazers roster (minus Lillard) ranks in the West and Anfernee Simons’...

  
• 07.12.2023

  What we learned from Blazers GM Joe Cronin and Scoot Henderson at summer league

  Cronin addressed the ongoing situation with Damian Lillard and talked about the team’s future, which is built around Henderson. The Blazer Focused podcast reacts to the slow trade negotiations and the rookie’s short debut. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

  
• 07.06.2023

  Damian Lillard’s push to land in Miami has reached the standoff stage. Will it eventually become Contentious?

  The superstar guard has demanded a trade to the Heat which impacts the Blazers’ negotiating power. There is real belief that if Lillard doesn’t get what he wants, the entire situation could become volatile. Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and...

  
• 07.02.2023

  Who is to blame for Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard requesting a trade; Blazer Focused podcast

  Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard has requested a trade after the franchise failed to improve the roster enough to his liking. Who is to blame? Where will Lillard land? And where do the Blazers go from here? The Blazer Focused podcast crew of...

  
• 06.23.2023

  Scoot Henderson and Damian Lillard don’t fit, so is it time to trade the franchise player?: Blazer Focused podcast

  The Trail Blazers rejected all trade proposals seeking the No. 3 pick in Thursday’s NBA draft to ultimately selected 6-foot-2 point guard Scoot Henderson. But how does that help Damian Lillard’s quest to bring a championship to Portland? Not at...

  
• 06.22.2023

  Trail Blazers must do right by Damian Lillard: Blazer Focused podcast

  The Trail Blazers promised Damian Lillard and he fans that they would do whatever it takes to acquire impact veterans to improve the roster. But as of Wednesday evening, it appeared that the Blazers were set to draft and keep...

  
• 06.12.2023

  The Trail Blazers could very well end up keeping whomever they select at No. 3

  The Blazers, having trouble finding takers for the No. 3 pick in the NBA draft, could very well end up keeping the player they select. The Blazer Focused podcast crew of Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach discusses...

  
• 06.01.2023

  Jaylen Brown to the Portland Trail Blazers. Is this something worth discussing?

  The Blazer Focused podcast with Aaron Fentress and Craig Birnbah examines what a Trail Blazers trade for Jaylen Brown could look like for Portland. Also, the Blazers work out high-end draft prospects despite seeking to trade the No. 3 pick,...

  
• 05.17.2023

  Will Trail Blazers use or trade No. 3 pick in NBA draft?: Blazer Focused podcast

  The Portland Trail Blazers received the No. 3 pick during the draft lottery providing the team with a valuable asset. But will they use the pick or trade it? The Blazer Focused podcast wasted no time overanalyzing what the team should...

  
• 05.12.2023

  Would landing the No. 1 pick lead to trading Damian Lillard? Should Kevin Durant have chosen the Trail Blazers?: Blazer Focused podcast

  With the NBA draft lottery set for Tuesday, the Blazer Focused podcast asks an important question: Would the Portland Trail Blazers securing the No. 1 pick and the chance to draft Victor Wembanyama lead to trading Damian Lillard? Also, should Kevin...

  
• 05.08.2023

  The Portland Trail Blazers and NBA draft lottery fever

  The NBA lottery is about a week away (May 16) and the Portland Trail Blazers will be hoping to land the No. 1 pick. On the latest episode of the Blazer Focused podcast, Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive, and Craig Birnbach...

  
• 04.21.2023

  OFFSEASON PREVIEW: What comes next for the Portland Trail Blazers?

  On the latest episode of the Blazer Focused podcast, Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive, and Craig Birnbach discuss what comes next for the Blazers. They hit on: - Damian Lillard’s expectations. - Lillard spotted at Nets-76ers. Is he recruiting? - What would it take...

  
• 04.11.2023

  Following another pitiful season, where do the Trail Blazers go from here?

  The Portland Trail Blazers ended their 2022-23 season on Sunday with a 157-101 loss at home to the Golden State Warriors that left the team’s record at 33-49. On the latest episode of the Blazer Focused podcast, Aaron Fentress of The...

  
• 03.29.2023

  Portland Trail Blazers set lottery trajectory, but that’s a good thing

  The Portland Trail Blazers’ have pulled the plug on the 2022-23 season. On the latest episode of the Blazer Focused podcast, Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive, and Craig Birnbach discuss why this is a good thing. They hit on: - Blazers have entered...

  
• 03.16.2023

  The Blazers' postseason dreams are all but dashed

  The Portland Trail Blazers’ postseason hopes are all but dashed. Aaron Fentress has finally accepted that reality. Craig Birnbach, who gave up on this team two months ago, was not shy with the gloating. On the latest episode of the Blazer Focused...

  
• 03.08.2023

  Where will the Portland Trail Blazers leaky ship dock?

  Will Portland make the NBA Playoffs? Not likely. How about the play-in tournament? Maybe. On the latest episode of the Blazer Focused podcast, Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach discuss all things Rip City. Do any of these recent wins matter? They...

  
• 02.20.2023

  Damian Lillard, All-Star weekend and can the Trail Blazers make a run toward the postseason?

  Damian Lillard won the 3-point contest. The All-Star game was unwatchable. The Portland Trail Blazers (28-30) have 24 games to get their act together. All of that and more on the Blazer Focused podcast with Aaron Fentress and Craig Birnbach. SHOW TOPICS. Was winning...

  
• 02.09.2023

  Did the Blazers get better at the NBA Trade Deadline?

  The Portland Trail Blazers made a series of moves before the trade deadline: Trail Blazers trade Josh Hart to the New York Knicks for Cam Reddish Portland Trail Blazers acquire guard Matisse Thybulle from Philadelphia 76ers Portland Trail Blazers trade Gary Payton II...

  
• 02.07.2023

  The Blazers look small, will the trade deadline bring size?

  The Portland Trail Blazers (26-28) looked small during their 127-108 loss Monday night to the Milwaukee Bucks. With Thursday’s trade deadline looming, can the Blazers add size to the lineup? On the latest episode of Blazer Focused, Aaron Fentress and Craig Birnbach...

  
• 01.31.2023

  Amazing Dame and the mediocre Blazers head on the road as trade deadline looms

  Dame is on fire. That much is indisputable. Everything else in Blazer land remains on uncertain ground. On the latest episode of Blazer Focused, Aaron Fentress and Craig Birnbach take stock of the Blazers as they head out on another critical...

  
• 01.24.2023

  Remembering Bill Schonely and John Curry, and taking stock of this team as trade deadline looms

  The Portland Trail Blazers picked up a huge win Monday night over the Gregg Popovich-led San Antonio Spurs, 147-127.  Is this the return to the glory days of November? Yeah, not so sure about that. On the latest Blazer Focused podcast, Aaron...

  
• 01.10.2023

  Reeling Blazers return home in desperate need of wins and the return of key bench players

  The Portland Trail Blazers (19-20) are struggling but return home to play 10 of the their next 11 at the Moda Center during what could be the most critical stretch of their season. On the latest Blazer Focused podcast, Aaron Fentress...