Blazer Focused

By The Oregonian/OregonLiveSports Basketball

Blazer Focused episodes

April 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 for the Blazers to land Mikal Bridges?
- Is it more likely that the Blazers are able to acquire two strong pieces rather than one superstar?
- Draymond Green can become a free agent this summer. How would he fit in Portland?
- Our first Blazers mock draft selections.
- Much more.

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51 min
April 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 Oregonian/OregonLive, and Craig Birnbach discuss what comes next for the Blazers.
Draft lottery. The Draft. Free agency. Trades.
Can the Blazers use all of the above to finally build a contender around Damian Lillard?
They hit on:
- Is there reason for optimism given the assets the Blazers will have including a high lottery pick?
- Lillard claims he knows prominent players who want to be in Portland. Can the Blazers lure one to Rip City?
- What will happen with Shaedon Sharpe and Anfernee Simons? Can they co-exist? Will one be traded for a proven All-Star?
- Blazers can’t afford to let Jerami Grant get away. But what about Jusuf Nurkic?
- Players express support of Chauncey Billups.
- And much more.

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52 min
March 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 the tank race and it’s the best thing they could do?
- The value of having a lottery pick this season plus the Knicks’ pick.
- Could Anfernee Simons and/or Shaedon Sharpe be dangled in a trade?
- Why Chauncey Billups isn’t to blame for this mess.
Plus more.

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40 min
March 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 podcast, Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive, and Birnbach discuss the team’s performance on the road leading up to the Tuesday night’s loss against the New York Knicks.
They hit on:
- Blazers showed signs of life at Philadelphia then looked looked abysmal in New Orleans.
- Blazers likely must go at least 10-3 the rest of the way to have a chance. That’s highly unlikely. But Damian Lillard and Chauncey Billups have not given up.
- No postseason means lottery pick, which isn’t a bad thing.
- Much more.

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44 min
March 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 hit on:
- Do the wins matter?
-Is it really time to give up?
- Cam Reddish showing flashes
- Dame’s chance at the scoring title
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39 min
February 20, 2023Damian 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 the 3-point contest a big deal for Damian Lillard’s career?
Oh, and about that dunk contest.
How to fix the NBA All-Star game. It’s become a dreadful mess.
Can the Blazers still make a run at the playoffs? Fentress and Birnbach agree to disagree even when they agree.
More.

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1 hr 5 min
February 09, 2023Did 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 to Warriors for multiple picks, acquire Kevin Knox from Detroit
But did the Blazers improve?
On the latest episode of Blazer Focused, Aaron Fentress and Craig Birnbach take a look at where the Blazers stand following the trade deadline and how good other teams in the Western Conference became after making more impactful moves.
They discuss:
Blazers move Josh Hart and Gary Payton II for pieces who barely played on their former teams.
The West became tougher with Kevin Durant landing in Phoenix and Kyrie Irving going to Dallas. Plus, the Lakers added four valuable pieces.
Is the deadline yet another example of how the Blazers can never attract/acquire a marquee talent?
More.

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35 min
February 07, 2023The 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 take a look at where the Blazers stand, what moves could be made by the trade deadline and much more.
They discuss:
Jarred Vanderbilt? Christian Wood? Could the Blazers land a forward help?
Who is on the block for the Blazers?
Blazers have three important games coming up in the next week against Golden State, Oklahoma City and the Los Angeles Lakers.
More

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50 min
January 31, 2023Amazing 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 three-game roadtrip.
The discussed:
Dame's brilliance
Jerami Grant got a contract offer he hasn't signed. What now?
Do they have to trade Ant?
Road trip predictions

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48 min
January 24, 2023Remembering 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 Fentress and Craig Birnbach talk about the latest news in Rip City. They talked about
Remembering Bill Schonely and veteran cameraman John Curry
Why is this team struggling so much?
Thoughts on the trade deadline
Fact or Fentress

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51 min