Dillon Sage (@dasage) of Holy Backboard Podcast (@holybackboard) joined Tara to discuss ways that the Trail Blazers look different (or the same) this season. 

2:00 What changes have we seen to their playing style?

5:00 Blazers are working on implementing a high risk, high reward defense

6:30 Drop defense isn’t Voldemort

8:45 Why don’t the Blazers keep their hands up? 

10:15 Second unit defense

12:00 Four guard lineup

13:30 Why do role players always have career nights against the Blazers? 

15:00 Tony Snell is long

18:15 Larry Nance Jr observations. Why is he hesitating? Is he happy in this setting? 

21:30 Could Anfernee have been playing at this level in years past? 

23:15 More ball movement, more pace, more drives. What other ways has the offense changed? 

26:00 Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum are sharing the ball pretty equally. 

28:15 What happened to all the dunks in the first week? 

29:30 Accountability

30:00 Watch Willie Green in New Orleans - I’m not calling you out, I’m calling you up!

34:00 There isn’t anything new or innovative that we’re seeing from this coach. 

37:45 Do whatever it takes to keep Greg Brown and Nas Little’s joy.

38:45 Award catch up. Early season front runners for Bench Celebrator Man of the Year: Greg Brown, Nassir Little, Trendon Watford, Ben McLemore 

41:00 Most Improved Fits Anfernee, Cody Zeller (gets extra credit for enthusiastic costume and Christmas Sweater wearing).

46:46 Assistant coach of the year. Roy Rodgers? He’s smarter than us at defense!

48:30 Most Important Pet - Probably Norman Powell’s dogs are leading the way. 

50:45 Other teams we’ve been watching: Memphis, Kings

52:30 Lakers have discovered Carmelo Anthony exists. Sage suggests watching Herbert Jones on the Pelicans.

Happy Birthday to Sage’s mom!

Music used in the episode: “Happy Alley” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

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