Blazer's Edge

On this week's episode of the Blazer's Edge podcast - host Danny Marang is joined by Blazer's Edge Associate Editor, Steve Dewald to talk about the upside-down world the Blazer's have been living in this season, their current run of play, looking a bit ahead at 1st round match ups, Damian Lillard looking like himself again, the integration of Norman Powell, closing out the season and discuss who the 2nd most important player is for the Blazers right now & much more! Intro Opening comments Steve Dewald & dad time home improvement! Getting ahead ourselves with playoff match ups 4:00 Clippers or Nuggets - Nikola Jokic or Paul George, Kawhi Leonard & Patrick Beverly Looking at the Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns - beleive in them at all? 8:00 Resetting and looking at the Blazers from the past 3-ish weeks 12:00 Damian Lillard getting healthy Return of the Bosnian Beast? 15:00 What was happening 17:00 Brand building has to happen 20:00 Two - way play out of Lillard and Norman Powell fitting in 23:00 Finding another g

April 29, 2021 The Trail Blazers have finally broken their losing streak! After three more difficult losses-- including two against Memphis, a defining moment for the team-- Portland finally got a win against the Indiana Pacers. Damian Lillard is once again breaking records, and so is Anfernee Simons! Dave and Dia discuss all of this, plus their thoughts on where the Blazers currently stand and where we go from here. Dia gives a much needed pep talk, and the two look forward to more wins this week. Podcast Music Credits Protofunk by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4247-protofunk License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Blue Ska by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3453-blue-ska License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/3271E/traffic.megaphone.fm/VMP5983745033.mp3 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week's episode of the Blazer's Edge podcast, host Danny Marang takes listener questions after the Blazers go 0-4 on a 4 game homestand, fall out of 6th place, lose the tie-breaker to Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies, and are about to embark on a 6 game road trip that will likely define their season. Should the Blazers shut down Damian Lillard? Can they keep Norman Powell? Who's responsible for what's ailing the team? Come on in and commiserate, this is a safe place. Intro Opening comments Fire & brimstone! Blazers drop all 4 games at home, lose tie breaker with Grizzlies Can this team do anything to redeem themselves this season? 2:30 Is there any fight left in this team? 4:00 The little bit of good - Jusuf Nurkic & Norman Powell 6:00 Damian Lillard doesn't look right This is the most selfish brand of basketball I've seen from this team 7:30 This iteration of the Blazers have run it's course 10:30 Listener Questions! Brandon Goldner @GoldnerPDX Why is Olshey not accountable for having LMA be

April 21, 2021 The Trail Blazers started the week off strong with a good win against San Antonio, but it was all downhill from there with two more losses. Dave has a lot to say about one of those losses, while Dia, true to form, thinks it's not so bad. She also tells a personal story about her young son and CJ McCollum. The duo discuss Damian Lillard's injury, Derrick Jones Jr inadvertently sitting out, Coach Terry Stotts in the hot seat, Lamarcus Aldridge suddenly announcing his retirement, and more! Podcast Music Credits Protofunk by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4247-protofunk License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Blue Ska by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3453-blue-ska License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/3271E/traffic.megaphone.fm/VMP5983745033.mp3 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On a special episode of the Blazer's Edge podcast - Managing Editor, Dave Deckard is joined by the OG himself...Ben Golliver of the Washington Post to discuss Ben's new book, "Bubbleball: Inside the NBA's Fight to Save the Season" detailing his time spent in the NBA Bubble in Orlando last season. Intro 3:30 Framing the Bubble 6:30 Explaining how/why and the day-to-day 8:00 The success of the bubble 11:30 The experiment itself and how it's not repeatable 15:00 Looking at players as people and the spark points in the bubble 19:00 The idea of community and spaces 22:00 Live testing theory and viewing personal relationships 27:00 Being in the middle of more than just a practice but among the players/coaches 30:00 Living in a bubble with people on top of you but not being able to interact 33:00 What was at stake for various franchises 35:00 The storylines worked out and couldn't have been better 40:00 Is Damian Lillard the greatest Trail Blazer ever? 42:00 The most trustworthy players in the NBA 49:00 Why are t

On this week's episode of the Blazer's Edge podcast - host Danny Marang takes a host of listener questions following the the Trail Blazer's loss to the short handed Charlotte Hornets (while Damian Lillard received much needed rest) - hitting on the overall "vibe" of the team right now, internal struggle, how hot is Coach Terry Stotts' seat, retaining Norman Powell in the offseason, trading CJ McCollum, the short term benching of Derrick Jones Jr and a whole lot more! Intro Opening Comments MAIL BAG QUESTIONS! Bradstreet Racing @BobBradstreet I understand your not a fire TS guy but my issue is with FA’s usually not wanting to come to PDX unless traded here or being a Melo type situation we need to develop our younger players and he just refuses to give them consistent run and keep them involved even when they struggle Joseph Steckmann @SteckmannJR Can you talk us off the ledge, or are the Blazers doomed to either miss the playoffs or get crushed in the first round? aaronlopresti @aaronlopresti ·This team c

April 14, 2021 The Trail Blazers go 2-2 this week and it's not pretty. Are the Trail Blazers in a funk? Where do we go from here? Dave and Dia are here to break it all down for you. They also discuss the media versus Coach Stotts, Offense versus Defense, and Gary Trent Jr--who is still making waves even though he's no longer a Trail Blazer. For the first time, the duo answers questions from listeners and a few more Trail Blazers topics. Podcast Music Credits Protofunk by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4247-protofunk License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Blue Ska by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3453-blue-ska License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/3271E/traffic.megaphone.fm/VMP5983745033.mp3 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week's edition of the Blazer's Edge podcast- host Danny Marang returns to talk about the Blazer's struggles against top end teams, Norman Powell's integration into the game plan on both sides of the floor, and focuses on whether or not the Blazers can trust Jusuf Nurkic... and/or trust his health. It's not all doom and gloom, as Dallas the adorabe Chi-weenie-poo makes her podcast debut! Intro Welcome in, Dallas Marang! Norman Powell through 6 games 2:30 Powell filling a role that's been mising for 7 years 4:30 Looking at Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and TJ Leaf acquisitions 6:30 Why couldn't Portland land someone like LaMarcus Aldridge?  Looking at the context clues for the defensive woes 9:30 If you're looking for some semblance of silver lining... 12:00 Portland can cover up when CJ McCollum is out... 13:30 Can the Blazers trust Jusuf nurkic? 15:00 Portland still has playmaking issues without Nurkic on the floor 18:00 Can the Blazer's compete with/without Jusuf Nurkic? 19:30 There can no longer be discu

April 7 , 2021 The Portland Trail Blazers have two wins and two losses this week. Nurk gets hurt--again. Two new players join Portland's roster. Dave and Dia have a whole lot to say about all of this as well Norman Powell's role with the Blazers and how Gary Trent Jr is doing in Toronto--and more! Podcast Music Credits Protofunk by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4247-protofunk License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Blue Ska by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3453-blue-ska License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/3271E/traffic.megaphone.fm/VMP5983745033.mp3 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

March 3, 2021 It's been an emotional week for Trail Blazers fans as Gary Trent Jr and Rodney Hood left the team to join their new team. Portland welcomes Norman Powell to the roster, and Jusuf Nurkic finally makes his return. The Trail Blazers manage to win all 3 games this week and that's cause for celebration--at least Dia thinks so, Dave is a little more hesitant. The two also talk other trades around the league, the buy out market and how the second half of the season will play out. Podcast Music Credits Protofunk by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4247-protofunk License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Blue Ska by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3453-blue-ska License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/3271E/traffic.megaphone.fm/VMP5983745033.mp3 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

March 24, 2021 The trade deadline is quickly approaching, and the Trail Blazers still haven't made a move. Dave and Dia don't agree on how to proceed, and as always, both are pretty stubborn. CJ McCollum is back, Gary Trent Jr is struggling, and Damian Lillard is getting banged up. We talk about 3 wins and two losses, a 17 point come back with only 6 minutes remaining, and Coach Stotts' 500th win. Lebron is injured and Dame is moving up in the MVP talks. Podcast Music Credits Protofunk by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4247-protofunk License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Blue Ska by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3453-blue-ska License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/3271E/traffic.megaphone.fm/VMP5983745033.mp3 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

March 18, 2021 The NBA trade deadline is quickly approaching and there are plenty of rumors as to what the Blazers might do. Dave and Dia discuss some of the noise rumors-- could Lamarcus Aldridge be coming home? Is Aaron Gordon an attainable option? Dave puts Dia on the spot and asks what moves she wants to see, and she can't escape answering this time. All of that plus CJ McCollum's impending return, a couple of tough losses and a win, and more trade talk on this week's episode. Podcast Music Credits Protofunk by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4247-protofunk License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Blue Ska by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3453-blue-ska License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/3271E/traffic.megaphone.fm/VMP5983745033.mp3 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

March 11, 2021 The All Star break has come and gone, and the Trail Blazers made quite a show out of the events, with Robert Covington in the skills event, Anfernee Simons in the dunk contest and Damian Lillard playing in the All Star game. Dave and Dia discuss the events of the day. With the All Star break over, it's time to talk about the second half of the season and with that, the hopeful return of CJ McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic. Dave and Dia also discuss the upcoming trade deadline and there's an extra special guest who makes her first ever podcast appearance, but it probably won't be her last. Podcast Music Credits Protofunk by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4247-protofunk License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Blue Ska by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3453-blue-ska License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/3271E/traffic.megaphone.fm/VMP5983745033.mp3 Learn

March 4, 2021 This week the Blazers played the Lakers and the Hornets-- and Dave & Dia have a lot to say about it. In the process, the team breaks more than one record within a week. All Star weekend is coming up and Portland has a big presence in the competitions. Dia gets a new mic and Dave calls her old. But don't worry, they still find common ground. Podcast Music Credits Protofunk by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4247-protofunk License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Blue Ska by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3453-blue-ska License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/3271E/traffic.megaphone.fm/VMP5983745033.mp3 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week's episode, host Danny Marang returns after a health related hiatus - but with the help of Steve Dewald they're able to jump back in and take a look at where the Blazers are now, where they were and what we know - or don't know about this team as they get ready to head into the All-Star Break. Hot shooting, poor defense, trade deadlines, rotations, breakout play of Gary Trent Jr, Anfernee Simons and Nassir Little, looking at the 2nd half schedule and the contractually obligated pick 'em team-by-team that is sure to have everyone in agreement and a whole lot more! Intro Opening comments - we're back! Health & homes, the officially washed life Where are the Blazers now, good-bad or otherwise? Is it time to panic? 2:00 Bailing water is what needs to happen 4:00 Damian Lillard as the best clutch player in the league 5:00 Do we know what this team really is yet, two years later? 6:00 Looking at how Portland deals around the margins 8:00 Anfernee Simons, Damian Lillard and Robert Covington at All Star

February 24, 2021 The Trail Blazers are coming off tough losses 3 games in a row, Dame got snubbed as an All Star Starter, and Dave expects Dia to be positive. The duo discuss Portland's recent struggles along with the 3 point heavy NBA and what that could mean for the future, Carmelo Anthony's hot streak, Derrick Jones Jr and Robert Covington and their place on the team, subway sandwich orders (yes, seriously), how much Dia hates change, and more! Podcast Music Credits Protofunk by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4247-protofunk License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Blue Ska by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3453-blue-ska License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/3271E/traffic.megaphone.fm/VMP5983745033.mp3 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

February 17, 2021 In this week's podcast, Dave and Dia are ecstatic about the fact that the Trail Blazers have won every game since we last recorded! They talk about the Blazers' defense, Damian Lillard for MVP, the All Star game and their thoughts on wether or not it should even happen, Robert Covington, Clutch Damian Lillard, Stephen A Smith's apology and more! Podcast Music Credits Protofunk by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4247-protofunk License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Blue Ska by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3453-blue-ska License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/3271E/traffic.megaphone.fm/VMP5983745033.mp3 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

February 10, 2021 The Portland Trail Blazers six game road trip is over, and Dave and Dia have a lot to say about it! They discuss the huge win against the 76ers, and CJ Elleby's breakout performance as well as other young players who reveled in the spotlight while most of Portland's starting line up was injured. Dia has a Knicks trade up her sleeve and Dave avoids talking about the Knicks game as much as possible. Then, due to technical difficulties with the podcast, there's a surprise ending even Dia doesn't see coming! All of this and more! Podcast Music Credits Protofunk by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4247-protofunk License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Blue Ska by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3453-blue-ska License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/3271E/traffic.megaphone.fm/VMP5983745033.mp3 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/a

February 4, 2021 The Trail Blazers are on a road trip and still struggling through injuries, and defense problems. The internet is abuzz with who to blame, and this week Dave and Dia don't agree--not even a little. Words are exchanged, voices get louder, and nothing is solved, but lots is talked about. They also talk abour Charles Barkley, Nassir Little and his record 30 point game, Melo's joy and pain, and more! Podcast Music Credits Protofunk by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4247-protofunk License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Blue Ska by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3453-blue-ska License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/3271E/traffic.megaphone.fm/VMP5983745033.mp3 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s Blazer’s Edge podcast, Danny Marang sits down to talk with The Athletic’s NBA Anlayst (and former Milwaukee Buck’s Director of Basketball Research) Seth Partnow about; how to look at shot quality (and quantify it) why it matters, what to do with it, the ideas behind how Portland defends opponents and where breakdowns occur, the idea of Carmelo Anthony as a “sineater” for the offense, whether or not you should be worried about Robert Covington’s shooting struggles and should the Blazers be taking a look at the young guys on the roster while there are so many injuries and a whole lot more! NOTE: This was a really great/fun discussion I got to have with Seth about a lot of top level ideas and how teams fundamentally look at things. If you want to get a better understanding on how things are looked at from inside an organization, listen to this pod and definitely seek out Seth’s work. Intro Seth Partnow! What is Second Spectrum tracking data? 2:00 Using tracking data and algorithms for shot qualit