Blazer's Edge

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

January 28, 2021 The Trail Blazers are once again, beaten and bruised and broken down. Now down six players from a 14 man roster, is it time to dust our expectations as Blazer fans? Dave and Dia discuss this, Damian Lillard's new twin babies and his record breaking game, The Blazers' young players stepping up and what that could mean for trades, the Oklahoma City shoe controversy and more Trail Blazers related topics. As the podcast was recorded on the one year anniversary of Kobe Bryant's death, Dia tells a story about that and talks about how human decency and kindness in the face of tragedy makes all the difference. 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/V

On this week’s episode of the Blazer’s Edge podcast, Danny Marang takes a look at the Portland Trail Blazers after 5 days off due to the NBA postponing two games against the Memphis Grizzlies and how that impacted their first game back to action against the New York Knicks and going forward. What can we take from the new defensive looks? Can the bench be counted in to score like it did in the first half vs New York? Is this a building block for Anfernee Simons? Will they continue to use Derrick Jones Jr more in the pick & roll? Which changes will stick and which will they throw away? There’s a lot to get into in this shortened, quick hit, podcast so buckle in and get your week started right! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

January 20, 2021 The Trail Blazers injury curse is running rampant with both Jusuf Nurkic and CJ McCollum suffering injuries within a week of each other. So what do the Trail Blazers do now? Do we still have a chance at the playoffs? The Western conference Finals? The Championship? The situation seems dire, but is it bad enough to finally crush Dia's sense of optimism? Dave and Dia get into the nitty gritty of what the season looks like now, plus the Blazer's defense, Damian Lillard's role in all of this, Gary Trent Jr, Harry Giles, 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/adc

On this week's episode of the Blazer's Edge podcast, host Danny Marang takes a look at what Portland could/should do with Jusuf Nurkic out for 8+ weeks, the re-emergence of Rodney Hood, the value of Robert Covington and Derrick Jones Jr, Enes Kanter's ability to fill in as a starter, how to get more our Gary Trent Jr and optimize Carmelo Anthony, as well as adjustments with the late breaking news about CJ McCollum being out for 4+ weeks when further tests reveal more extensive damage. Intro Opening comments Rodney Hood starts & looks... great? 2:00 What does Hood's play mean - if anything? 4:00 CJ McCollum status update 7:00 Will Portland add another body? 8:30 Can the Blazers Stay Afloat While Nurkic's out? 10:00 Enes Kanter is fine as the fill in guy 12:00 How has Robert Covington looked so far? 14:00 Derrick Jones Jr/Covington leading to good things on both ends 16:00 What changes are actually showing up in the adjustments? 18:00 Balancing Carmelo Anthony's role & possessions 20:00 The inconsistency of Ga

No catchy headlines, no breakdown, just some unfiltered thoughts about Jusuf Nurkic suffering another injury and what it means for the Trail Blazers right now and in the future. Do they roll out Enes Kanter as the starter? How about going the way of Noah Vonleh and giving Harry Giles token starts before the veteran Kanter comes in to play 30 minutes a night? Could they pursue a low level trade with a smaller piece of the roster to get an extra body with both Nurkic and Zach Collins down and who could they look at? Could Terry Stotts get really weird and opt to play small ball and begrudgingly move Robert Covington to the center spot defensively while utilizing Derrick Jones Jr as the 5-man offensively? There’s so many different questions with so many answers and ways things could end up going that I couldn’t touch on all of them, but with so many questions sent my way tonight - I wanted to address as many as I could right now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

January 14, 2021 On this week's episode, Dave and Dia break down the Trail Blazers 3 game winning streak--what Portland is doing well and what we hope to see going forward. Dave can't wait to talk about the Toronto win, and Dia is feeling pretty justified in her don't-trade-CJ-McCollum take. Can CJ continue this level of play while Damian Lillard plays like Damian Lillard? Will Jusuf Nurkic tie everything together? Can the Blazers make a run for the Western Conference Finals? Dave and Dia discuss 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/adchoices

January 6, 2021 The Trail Blazers are 7 games into the regular season and Dave and Dia have feelings about it--and they don't necessarily agree. Dia tries to come to terms with the current state of the team, and feeling like something is off, while Dave tries to get to the bottom of it. There are some references to putting on pants, unicorns coming out of a cup, and a whole lot of back and forth. This season has been weird and it's still anybody's season. At least one of us thinks so. 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

December 30, 2020 Regular season games are here and Dave and Dia react to the Trail Blazer's first week of games: Utah Jazz, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers. We discuss Carmelo Anthony and his role with the team going forward. Gary Trent Jr. came out and put on a show and we have feelings about it. We talk about the rest of the players as well as giving them grace and remembering they're humans before they're basketball players. Dave also brings up an issue with media, and just like most things, we have opinions. 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, host Danny Marang is joined by Blazersedge.com Associate Editor, Steve Dewald to take a look at: James Harden adding the Trail Blazers to his list of potential destinations and why Portland needs to act now, Portland's first two games vs the Utah Jazz and the Houston Rockets, Carmelo Anthony's rough start with the second unit, Enes Kanter doing Enes Kanter things, Jusuf Nurkic getting back in the groove, Damian Lillard is still REALLY good and the upcoming road trip that will see Portland take on Lebron James, Anthony Davis, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and Steph Curry. That and more on this week's episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

December 23, 2020 The NBA is back, and Dave and Dia are ready to talk about it. They glaze right over the Denver pre-season games (because lets be honest, that was tough), chat about brainwashing their children into Blazer fandom (that's how it works, right?), discuss Zach Collins' future with the team (Dia gets really honest about this one), touch on Damian Lillard's MVP talk (he's always been our MVP), and propose a challenge to the listeners (with a reward--kind of). 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

December 16, 2020 The Preseason is underway! Dave and Dia talk about the first two preseason games against Sacramento. How is Carmelo Anthony looking as the 6th man? Is Rodney Hood back to his pre-injury self? Do the Blazers stand an actual chance at a Championship this year? Does Dave still have a job at Blazers Edge? these questions and more are answered as Dave and Dia discuss all things Trail Blazers basketball. 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

December 9, 2020 Melo vs BRoy? Harden to Portland? Ant as backup Point Guard? Dave and Dia discuss some of the hot topics amongst Trail Blazers fans going into the Pre-Season. Should Melo wear number 7? Should Portland make a move to get James Harden? How will Anfernee Simons be as back up Point Guard? Can Dia keep her cool while discussing these topics (spoiler alert: Nope). Join us this week for all the chit chat leading up to the Pre-Season start up! 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, Danny Marang is joined by new Portland Trail Blazer's wing - Derrick Jones Jr! Together they hit on; the rapid cross country move from Miami to Portland, how he's getting acclimated to the region, if he's talked with Carmelo Anthony about their back and forth during the season last year (Jan 5th, 2020) , playing basketball "without chains," putting the ball anywhere near the rim and he'll go get, what his role will be, breaking down his defensive versatility, building up a 3-point shot and a whole lot more! Intro Opening Comments Getting acclimated with Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum and Carmelo Anthony immediately 2:00 Going back and forth with Melo - have you talked to him about that at all? 4:00 With you and Robert Covington on the team together - you're two of the most successful G-League pairings yet, what would you tell those guys that are still grinding down there? 7:30 Who is/are the guys you want to cover- that you want to take on the challenge of gu

December 2, 2020 Starting lineups, win projections, and the ways in which social media shapes our modern sports experience. Listen to hear Dave and Dia discuss these topics and more. Or, just come to hear the explosion of Mount St. Dia. Nope, we are SO not kidding. Music: 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, Greg Wissinger of The King's Herald hops on to take a look at former Sacramento King, and newly signed Trail Blazer big, Harry Giles III. How healthy is he? What kind of player is he now and could he be later? How does he get on the floor - and should he play Enes Kanter? Why doesn't he shoot 3's and how on Earth did he end up a free agent already!? That and more on this week's episode of the Blazer's Edge podcast. Intro Opening Comments How on Earth did Harry Giles end up a free agent already? 2:00 The handling of Giles by the Kings early on 5:00 Where is Giles at physically now, are his knees still a worry? 8:00 What are the things you want to drive home about Harry Giles the player? 9:30 "He's a poor man's (Nikola) Jokic as a passer" 10:00 Athletic profile of Giles, "he moves more like Nic Batum than some center" 12:00 Why hasn't Giles been able to get more playing time? 14:00 "He could be a passable defender..." 17:00 Could coming to Portland (where th

November 26, 2020 Dave and Dia discuss the Blazer's off season as it currently stands. Our thoughts on the draft, trades, big moves and did Portland finally win? How are we feeling about the team with just a few weeks before the season begins? 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/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

November 26, 2020 Meet Dave and Dia. Who are they? What are their formative Blazers memories? How in the world does a Portland fan survive living in LA amongst Lakers family members? Find out the answers to these questions and more at the start of a brand new podcast series. 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/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week's episode of the Blazer's Edge podcast, host Danny Marang is joined by Nekias Duncan of basketballnews.com (and follower of all things Miami Heat) to talk about: the Trail Blazer's offseason acquisitions; specifically former Miami Heat wing Derrick Jones Jr, the impact that Robert Covington could have on the Blazers, a changing and possibly more aggressive Portland defense, how the rotation could shake out, where Portland sits in a loaded Western Conference and more! Intro  Nekias Duncan on the show! Opening Comments Thoughts on Derrick Jones Jr getting the MLE 1:30 Who Does DJJ remind you of? 3:30 What will DJJ's primary role be in Portland? 5:45 DJJ is the best athlete Portland has had in two decades 7:30 What are the drawbacks of DJJ - what will keep him off the floor? 9:00 Do you believe he can continue to add to his game? 10:30 Do you think DJJ is going to have the work rate to maximize his potential? 13:30 Does coming to Portland unlock anything for DJJ? 14:30 How good are DJJ's hands - ca