Basketball
**Blazer’s Edge: for Portland Trail Blazers fans**

The official home for audio programming from Blazer’s Edge, SB Nation’s community for fans of the Portland Trail Blazers.

Latest Episodes:

WHAT is with all the injuries? Nov 14, 2019

Show notes

On this week’s podcast, Tara and Cassidy talk about injuries that have plagued the Trail Blazers and the league. We discuss our own personal sports injuries and what we learned from them and the look at how injuries have increased over the past several years. We ask why they might be occurring and what could possibly be done to curtail the rising rates.

Then we take a trip around the league and make up headlines to capture all the weirdness and excitement of the first three weeks of the season.

Highlights

1:00 Icebreaker: The Blazers are headed on 6 game road trip do you have any flight routines? Must have snacks or entertainment?

4:00 Favorite moments from the Blazers in the last week or so are watching Damian Lillard score 60, Nas Little being in the floor, Anfernee Simons making things look easy, and being included in important end-of-game plays.

7:00 The injury bug has hit the Trail Blazers.

8:00 What we learned from our own sports injury stories, about love of the game and how the sports we played were part of our identities.

18:00 Cumulative NBA Injury Report tracker you can find historical information about the last 5 years worth of injuries.

19:30 Blazers have lost 29 player games to injury so far this season (in 10 games). Biggest year in recent memory was 2016 when they lost 172 games due to injury, which included 82 games for Festus Ezeli.

24:30 Are the number of injuries in the league increasing? According to 'These kids are ticking time bombs': The threat of youth basketball by Baxter Holmes, yes. (Note in the podcast Tara originally attributed this to Tom Haberstroh’s article NBA Injuries Are Mounting, Leaving League Wrestling with Who's to Blame which we discussed later.

26:30 How much of an increase is there really and how can we get the real story?

27:45 To change this, it will probably take a systemic approach rather than band aids.

29:45 Why do more injuries happen? Shorter preseason, faster pace, specialization.

33:00 What are some solutions. Current players who have children playing in the AAU system have a chance to change that system.

34:30 There are a lot of things contributing to injuries, sometimes it’s just bad luck, like when Aron Baynes landed on Step Curry’s hand.

38:00 Everyone get well soon!

38:30 Around the league: The Price of Gold Drops in San Francisco

40:00 New Orleans: Trust the process round 2?

41:30 Miami: Miami flying high on multiple levels

45:30 New York: Are Knicks about to Knicks it up?

47:30 Washington: The Wizarding World of Injuries.

48:30 Milwaukee: Blazers East looking good.

50:15 Why do people always assume starts in small markets are going to leave?

52:45 Outro

Get social

Follow Blazer’s Edge on Twitter @blazersedge, WHAT Pod @HoopsAndTalks, Tara @tcbbiggs, and Cassidy @CassidyGemmet.

Join the Women’s Hoops And Talks Facebook group to talk about Trail Blazers with others who identify as women who love basketball.

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

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Where do you Hope the Blazers will be in 2020? Nov 12, 2019

Show notes

On this week’s episode of the Blazer’s Edge podcast, Tara Bowen-Biggs makes a call to the bench for the super sub and is joined by Managing Editor of Blazer’s Edge- Dave Deckard. Together they look at the first 10 games of the season, Lillard's 60-point game, evaluating role players, McCollum's shooting slump, expectations by the new calendar year and more!

Intro

Opening Comments

Initial Thoughts 2:00

Compared to your expectations, where is Hassan Whiteside at? 4:30

What do you think of the idea of Rodney Hood playing at the 4? 8:30

Could we see Nassir Little getting some time at 4? 10:00

How are we feeling about Kent Bazemore in the starting lineup? 13:30

Are Hezonja and Tolliver playing different roles than you thought? 17:30

Anthony Tolliver and decision making 21:00

The 3-guard lineup with Lillard, McCollum & Simons 25:50

How worried are you about McCollum’s shooting slump? 27:00

Taking a look at where McCollum fits with this group 30:00

At what point will you make a decision about this version of the team? 31:50

Watching Lillard alongside his teammates in his 60 point game 34:00

Is the low number of assists worrisome? 36:00

Trading CJ McCollum….again 38:00

Dave’s impressions of Anfernee Simons 41:00

What other elements are you looking at for this team? 46:30

Where would you like to see the Blazers around the new year? 50:00

Closing Comments

Outro

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Blazers vs Atlanta Hawks Preview Special Episode Nov 09, 2019

Show notes

Tara talks to Jeff Siegel of peachtreehoops.com and earlybirdrights.com (and formerly on blazersedge.com) to preview the Portland Trail Blazers upcoming game against the Atlanta Hawks. Follow him on twitter @jgsiegel, @earlybirdrights.

00:30 The Atlanta Hawks have had an up-and-down season so far. For most of the season they have had pretty good luck in opponents three point shooting but opponents are starting to shoot well from beyond the arc now. Trae Young has looked good and John Collins did too before he got suspended for 25 games.

3:00 Biggest strength of the team is Trae Young. He is one of the top passers in the league and also has good shooting streaks. They have depth and play a deep rotation but the players are not high caliber yet.

4:30 People who have length and can blitz have the most success against Trae Young. Once you get the ball out of his hands there are not too many other options.

6:30 The team did not fight the NBA about John Collins’ suspension. He will be back in December.

9:00 Kevin Hurter may be the starting shooting guard, Siegel wishes that he was. Jabari Parker has been the second best player on the team, he’s rolling and dunking and shooting some threes. Their defense is shakey. He has no idea who Trae Young is going to guard.

12:00 Both teams are relying on their guards because they are thin or underwhelming in the front court. The Hawks have three centers but they are not very strong.

14:00 Trae does not seem to be the same kind of leader as Lillard, although he is very good leading on the court. Vince Carter and Evan Turner have been solid locker room vets.

16:00 Checking in on Allen Crabbe. People were looking forward to him coming in to provide shooting off the bench, but he’s been out all season with a knee injury. It will be interesting to see how he fits into the rotation when he comes back because the rotation is already really deep. Evan Turner has been backup point guard but he has only played three games due to achilles soreness.

18:45 Blazers should be favorites, Portland’s defensive style should be effective against Trae Young.

Find Jeff’s work at earlybirdrights.com and peachtreehoops.com (and formerly on blazersedge.com). Follow him on twitter @jgsiegel, @earlybirdrights.

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WHAT Podcast: Jamie Goldberg, Reporter for The Oregonian Nov 07, 2019

Show notes

Jamie Goldberg of the Oregonian makes her first appearance on the Women’s Hoops And Talks Podcast. Fresh off of six years covering the Thorns and the Timbers, Goldberg is the newest NBA and Trail Blazers reporter for the Oregonian. We talk to her about what it has been like making the transition from soccer to basketball, her first impressions of the team and the players and what she is looking forward to covering on her new beat.

Highlights

00:30 Have she and Jamie Hudson worked out what we are supposed to call them?

1:00 Icebreaker: What is your self-care strategy after a tough game?

3:45 Introducing Jamie and how she became a sports writer?

5:30 What has the transition from soccer to basketball been like? What did she do to prepare?

7:00 What was the end of the soccer season like, and what was it like knowing you were going to move right into something new?

12:30 Early impressions of the team. Damian Lillard has lived up to his reputation. League mandated press time in the NBA is much more liberal than with MLS. Easier to tell stories when you have access to the players.

14:00 Follow up story on Coach Yim.

15:00 What are some of the ways that covering the leagues are different? Pace is different when there are so many games. In soccer each game carries so much weight. Even though sometimes it doesn’t feel like it, in the NBA the sheer volume of games means you have to move on quickly.

17:15 You’ve spent a lot of time covering teams with huge supporters groups, the Timbers Army and the Riveters? How is the world of Blazers fans different?

20:20 What was it like covering championship runs and when can we expect a Blazers championship?

22:30 She has done stories so far on Kent Bazemore, Anthony Tolliver and Skal Labissiere who have all been great to work with.

24:45 Basketball things that she has seen that she thinks the team can build on. They are probably going to be one of the best offensive teams in the league. They need a rim protector, it seems like Stotts isn’t ready to give Labissiere much of that role yet.

27:20 For fans who watch soccer, what would you tell them to watch in the NBA? The speed and the spectacle are very fun.

29:15 Does she have any additions to the 2020 Trail Blazers 50th Anniversary Playlist?

Get social

Follow Blazer’s Edge on Twitter @blazersedge, WHAT Pod @HoopsAndTalks, Tara @tcbbiggs, and Cassidy @CassidyGemmet. This week’s guest: @jamiebgoldberg

Join the Women’s Hoops And Talks Facebook group to talk about Trail Blazers with others who identify as women who love basketball.

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

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Is Damian Lillard a Real MVP Candidate? Nov 04, 2019

Show notes

On this week's episode of the Blazer's Edge podcast- Varoon Bose of Bleacher Report and carrier of the Blazer's flag in New York city hops on with Tara Bowen-Biggs and Danny Marang to talk; Damian Lillard's MVP start to the season, the positive and the negatives of the Blazer's start to the season, will the Blazers sign a big man, should Skal Labissiere get more minutes, breaking down the last play vs the Philadelphia 76ers and more!

Intro

Opening comments

Varoon Bose of Bleacher Report 3:00

How to be a Blazer’s fan away from Portland 5:00

How are the Blazer’s viewed outside the market now 8:00

Through 6 games- how are you feeling about the Blazers? 11:00

Hezonja and Hood- the little things and expectations 17:30

How the new additions are impacting opponent’s game plan vs Dame 21:00

The need for Dame to bail out the Blazers in the 4th quarter 24:40

Something doesn't feel right with where McCollum is in the offense 28:00

What has Dame added to his game this season 36:00

Will Dame get enough buzz to be voted in as in All Star 43:30

Does Dame have the narrative to get MVP momentum 45:30

Twitter Questions!

Breaking down the last play vs the 76ers 53:00

Will the Blazers fill the last roster spot with a big 57:30

Why isn’t Skal getting more minutes 1:04:00

Looking ahead on the schedule 1:07:00

Closing comments

Outro

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WHAT did we expect? Oct 31, 2019

Show notes

Tara and Cassidy discuss the Trail Blazers’ first four games--how much can we learn from this start? We discuss how high our expectations were going into the season and whether or not they have been met by this small sample size.

Then we talk to Jannelle Moore from Golden State of Mind about the surprising start for the Golden State Warriors. Why does she think they are struggling? How much is the coach to blame? How will they look when the Trail Blazers play them in San Francisco next week?

Highlights

1:00 Icebreaker courtesy of twitter friend @burlicious_M: what was your favorite Halloween costume?

6:00 Historical starts for the Blazers.

10:00 Did we have high expectations or low expectations and why?

14:00 Sometimes it is hard or weird to watch this team because we were so used to the last team.

15:15 Zach Collins’ injury, how did we react? What does it mean for the team?

19:00 Coaches challenges and last two minute reports: best things ever? Terrible ideas? Or somewhere in between?

27:00 Jannelle Moore, Golden State of Mind. What were her expectations for the Warriors going into the season and how have they been met (or not)?

29:15 Steve Kerr enjoyed the success of the last several years, now he’s going to have to deal with the pressure.

36:00 Draymond Green and Omari Spellman and The Warrior’s Way.

38:00 What is missing in the Warriors culture right now?

40:00 Warriors dynasty is not over. They were never a dynasty, they were just really good.

44:45 Is THIS the year of the Timberwolves?

45:30 Confidence in shooters is fun!

47:15 Bench celebrations are going well, especially considering they are just getting used to each other.

49:00 Skal Labissiere looking good early.

51:00 When will Tolliver heat up from the three point line?

54:00 First-to-50 update

Get social

Follow Blazer’s Edge on Twitter @blazersedge, WHAT Pod @HoopsAndTalks, Tara @tcbbiggs, and Cassidy @CassidyGemmet. This week’s guest: @Jannelle12

Join the Women’s Hoops And Talks Facebook group to talk about Trail Blazers with others who identify as women who love basketball.

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

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The Good, the Bad and the Injury Oct 28, 2019

Show notes

On this week's episode of the Blazer's Edge podcast, Tara Bowen-Biggs and Danny Marang take a look a the first 3 games of the Blazers season to find themes- both good and bad, points of emphasis, discuss the defensive woes from the 3-point line, how the new players are fitting in, Rodney Hood's possible emergence as that oft-discussed "3rd option," Zach Collins' shoulder injury and what Coach Stotts may do with the lineups, the next 3 upcoming games and more!

Intro

Opening Comments

Early trends 2:00

What’s happening on defense? 3:00

Small sample size theater! 5:00

There’s good news, promise! 8:20

Do the Blazers finally have someone to count on beyond Dame & CJ? 13:00

Early impressions of Hassan Whiteside 16:30

Whiteside needing to step out of the paint defensively 21:00

How has Collins looked…before the injury 22:00

How will Stotts deal with Collins’ injury 28:00

First thoughts on Hezonja? 31:00

Could Hezonja start in Collins’ place? 34:00

The Kenergizer Bunny makes his appearance 37:00

CJ McCollum finds his shot and his finishing boots 41:00

The highs and lows of Anfernee Simons through 3 games 44:40

Heavy minutes for McCollum and Lillard early on 49:00

Looking at the next 3 games 56:00

Spurs keep Spursing - LaMarcus Aldridge and Dejounte Murray

OKC and conquering Chris Paul 1:00:00

Danny tried to Mel Gibson his shoulder back in once upon a time 1:07:00

Closing Comments

Outro

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WHAT Podcast: First to 50 Oct 24, 2019

Show notes

Join Tara, Cassidy and Blazers Edge editor Lindsay as they predict which Portland Trail Blazers will stand out amongst their teammates? Who will be the sixth man of the year for the Blazers? Will it be someone who brings energy off the bench, or someone whose technical proficiency means he’s reliable? Who will be most improved? A young player who finally gets the opportunity or an older vet whose improvement impacts winning the most?

We wonder who is going to contribute big time in the community the season, who will replace Evan Turner as class clown, and who will impress with his fashion sense?

From Anfernee Simons to Zach Collins, we discuss how we think players will contribute this season. Then we play “First to 50” in which we predict who will be first to reach 50 in various box score stats.

Highlights

1:00 Made up headlines from opening night.

4:00 Award Predictions.

5:00 Who will be the 6th man for the Blazers?

11:00 Most improved player?

15:30 Defensive player of the year?

19:00 Community Assist award

22:30 Class Clown

24:30 Best Dressed (note on Zach Collins’ mustache)

27:30 Which recently departed Blazer will have the best year with his new team?

30:00 Favorite player who was never a Blazer to watch

34:00 First to 50 who will be first to 50 assists, personal fouls, points in a game, blocks, rebounds, steals, dunks?

40:00 2020 Trail Blazers Playlist addition: Can't Hold Us, Macklemore ft. Ryan Lewis

Follow Blazer’s Edge on Twitter @blazersedge, WHAT Pod @HoopsAndTalks, Tara @tcbbiggs, and Cassidy brookeolzendam @CassidyGemmet. This week’s guest: @corvallisonian

Join the Women’s Hoops And Talks Facebook group to talk about Trail Blazers with others who identify as women who love basketball.

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

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Who Will be the Breakout Player for the Blazers this Year? Oct 21, 2019

Show notes

On this week's episode of the Blazer's Edge podcast- Tara Bowen-Biggs and Danny Marang are joined by Isaiah De Los Santos and Nate Mann to discuss who the breakout player could be for the Trail Blazers, injury worries in the frontcourt, previewing the first three games of the season and more!

Intro

1:30 Getting regular season ready

3:50 How worried should people be about the ankles of Portland big men?

5:00 Skal? SKAL!

10:00 Jusuf Nurkic signs with Klutch Sports

13:00 Impact on CBA with issues in China

14:30 International growth of the game

16:30 Nurkic’s commercial opportunities

18:00 Fantasy Draft update!

18:50 Who’s going to have a breakout year?

19:10 Nate Mann takes Zach Collins

22:30 Blazers are the midrange maestros

27:45 Isaiah De Los Santos takes Rodney Hood

28:30 Hood and a full summer with the team

31:00 Hood should be the best scorer Portland has had at the 3 in a while

37:20 Hood has opportunities and a place in the pecking order

40:00 Danny Marang takes Anfernee Simons

43:00 Where will Simons fit as a playmaker?

47:00 Isaiah endorses the season of CJ

47:30 Overreacting to the preseason

48:00 Previewing the first 3 games of the season!

60:00 More season of CJ!

Closing comments

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Bonus episode: Brooke Olzendam joins the WHAT podcast Oct 20, 2019

Show notes

As Rip City prepares for the start of the new season, we welcome Trail Blazers’ sideline reporter Brooke Olzendam to the WHAT podcast to get us all caught up on what is happening with the team. She’s been getting to know the new players over the past few weeks and gives us her impressions so far: Whiteside’s humor, Tolliver’s smarts, Hezonja’s intensity, and Bazemore’s joy.

Along the way we get a story about the Goonies house in Astoria, and update on Jusuf Nurkic, and two new songs to add to the 2020 Trail Blazers Playlist.

Highlights

1:00 Icebreaker: Weekend getaway suggestions for new team members?

5:30 Impressions of the new players. Very cohesive, they were eager to get started. Kent Bazemore is shooting well. They like the coaching staff and the freedom to play to their strengths.

7:30 Getting to know brand new players, how does she figure out the best way to cover them, make them comfortable and open?

9:30 Did anyone surprise you now that you are getting to know them? Hassan Whiteside is really funny and entertaining, Anthony Tolliver is a real family guy and the person to go to if you have financial questions,

12:00 Kent Bazemore is jolly and fun and really loving life in Portland.

13:30 What is Mario Hezonja like? Very dry sense of humor, loves basketball, wants to win at every drill.

15:30 Update on Nurkic--how is he doing? You can tell he really wants to be out there, it is good to have him around the team. He seems to have a really positive episode.

20:00 Brooke’s addition to the 2020 Youtube Playlist. Bone Crusher Never Scared, All I Do is Win, by DJ Khalid.

Apple Podcasts

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Follow Blazer’s Edge on Twitter @blazersedge, WHAT Pod @HoopsAndTalks, Tara @tcbbiggs, and Cassidy @CassidyGemmet. This week’s guest: @brookeolzendam

Join the Women’s Hoops And Talks Facebook group to talk about Trail Blazers with others who identify as women who love basketball.

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

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