Blazer's Edge: for Portland Trail Blazers fans

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New Rotations will Feature Shot Creators and Shot Makers Jul 29, 2019

Show notes

The Trail Blazers added 39 year-old center Pau Gasol to their roster this week, likely the final move before the team heads into training camp in September. What will Gasol’s role be on the team? Big man coach who can play if necessary? Regular rotation player?

Then we look at what we think the starting lineup will be on opening night. Roster turnover necessitates that there will be three new starters and new rotations. What are the big picture questions that Coach Stotts will need to decide? All this and more on the latest podcast.

Follow on Twitter: @blazersedge, @tcbbiggs, @dmarang Subscribe on Apple Podcasts.

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Mirin Fader of Bleacher Report joins the WHAT podcast Jul 25, 2019

Show notes

Mirin Fader, writer for Bleach Report, joins the Women’s Hoops and Talks podcast to talk about her experiences covering a variety of interesting people. From observing LaMelo Ball in cold and lonely Lithuania, to hanging out in a basement with the close-knit Antetokounmpo brothers, to comparing lip gloss with the Las Vegas Aces’ Liz Cambage, Fader has immersed herself in the lives of the people she profiles to bring us their unique and compelling stories.

We learn what it takes to get to the heart of the stories she tells. What drives her to keep going even when things are going wrong? What is interesting about covering young players at the beginning of their careers? What is different about covering men and women? Why doesn't she like to put herself into the story? From Trail Blazer rookie Nassir Little to Trail Blazer arch nemesis Bill Laimbeer, we covered so much in this conversation.

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

Women’s Hoops And Talks (W.H.A.T.)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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Shifting lineups, shifting roles Jul 22, 2019

Show notes

One thing that we know about the upcoming Portland Trail Blazers’ season is that lineups will be different. They are looking to add another backup big man. They have new shooters. They need more facilitators. On this episode we look at who will make up for the assists that the departing players used to get each game. Can Hassan Whiteside learn to facilitate more? Will Zach Collins step into that role? Will Mario Hezonja the point-forward be released?

Then we talk to Daniel Hardee from goldenstateofmind.com about the new-look Golden State Warriors. Which of the many changes will be most impactful? How will the basketball change? Why are they retiring Kevin Durant’s number?

All this and more on the latest episode of the Blazers Edge podcast.

Follow on Twitter: @blazersedge, @tcbbiggs, @dmarang, @DHardee_SBN

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WHAT Podcast Blazer Rumors and Alexis Musante Jul 19, 2019

Show notes

Tara and Cassidy are back on the WHAT podcast to go over the latest Blazers rumors including which back-up centers could be on their way and will LaMarcus Aldridge ever return to Portland? Then they wonder about all the new “Super Duos” in the league--how will we which ones are most effective and where do Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum fit in among the best?

Finally, Tara interviews Alexis Musante of TEAM, Tech Exposure & Access through Mentoring, an Oakland-based non-profit that exposes high school students to tech related sports careers. Musante, a former college athlete, didn’t necessarily know what she wanted to do after her athletic career was over. But she found a calling in helping kids learn more about exciting careers in the industry all while honing their science, technology, engineering and math skills.

Follow Blazer’s Edge on Twitter @blazersedge, WHAT Pod @HoopsAndTalks, Tara @tcbbiggs, and Cassidy @CassidyGemmet. Learn more about TEAM: @weareteaminc and https://www.weareteaminc.org/about

Women’s Hoops And Talks (W.H.A.T.)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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Will the Blazers Sign a Back-up Point Guard or Another Big Man? Jul 16, 2019

Show notes

We wrap up the Trail Blazers’ 2019 Summer League run by reminiscing about Thomas Robinson, talking about the optimism that is fueling Pelicans fans, and discussing whether Anfernee Simons is ready to drive the Blazers second unit. We also get philosophical and talk about younger stars who teams are building around and older vets searching for a spot in the league. Between the boys of summer and the veterans still looking for teams are we witnessing a generational shift in the NBA? Then they listen to Tara’s interview with Harrison Faigen (@hmfaigen) of Silver Screen and Roll to learn more about the Lakers’ summer and discuss how the Blazers will stack up against them. Finally, we wrap up with some odds and ends, asking how likely will it be to see the Blazers push more in transition, and a short report on what Hassan Whiteside’s assists look like (hint: no bounce passes).

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Learn more about Bazemore, Whiteside, Hezonja and Tolliver from writers who covered them Jul 11, 2019

Show notes

Get to know more about the newest Trail Blazers, Kent Bazemore, Hassan Whiteside, Mario Hezonja and Anthony Tolliver by hearing from writers who covered them. Gain insight into their skills, preferred positions and what they will bring to the locker room. Tara talked to Jeff Siegel of Peachtree Hoops, Nekias from 5 Reasons Sports Network, Preston Ellis of Orlando Pinstriped Post, and Brady Klopfer of Golden State of Mind to hear more about what expectations were for these players and how they did (or did not) meet them.

@jgsiegel, @NekiasNBA, @PrestonEllis, @BradyKlopferNBA,

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Anfernee Simons and Gary Trent Jr Summer League Report Jul 09, 2019

Show notes

Steve DeWald, Miles Custis and Tara Bowen-Biggs share observations about the first two Trail Blazers' games at Las Vegas Summer League.

1:00 Miles’ earthquake report and first impressions of Summer League.2:30 Overall impressions of Game 1 against the Detroit Pistons. Communication was rough and that made it difficult to get any rhythm. 4:00 Some of the younger guys like Little and Hoard are still learning the NBA vocabulary. 5:00 There was a night and day difference between the first and second games. It helped that the shots were falling (and the competition was pretty undersized).7:35 How much will the Blazers be looking to Anfernee Simons for playmaking? What can he work on to be more effective in regular season games?10:00 Simons’ defense is looking good, especially down low. 12:00 The Gary Trent Jr game. Trent went off shooting wise in the game against Houston, he was lights out from three and also able to get to the rim. He stayed in the zone without being a ball hog. He was willing to pass when he was trapped rather than take bad shots.16:00 Thoughts on Nassir Little. In his debut he looked good on defense. Few if anyone was able to get past him in both games. He excels at one-on-one defense but its pretty hard to tell from summer league how his help defense will be. He looks big enough to play or guard the three or four positions. 20:30 Jaylen Hoard is a fun player to watch, he has some European flair combined with the strength and conditioning he got from going to high school in the U.S. He has the potential to be a steal as someone who was undrafted. 22:30 Other players who have been fun to watch include Devlin Robinson and Mike Daum. Daum had a whole cheering section in the audience. 25:00 More Blazers in attendance include Terry Stotts and Zach Collins (along with his mom and dad) and Meyers Leonard who spent some quality time with the Blazer fans and media.

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Trail Blazers Off Season Moves: How Will They All Work Together? Jul 06, 2019

Show notes

Danny returns with exciting personal news and then we step through all of the Blazers’ off season moves. The new-look team will have plenty of interesting new storylines. How much will the Blazers miss the departing players, how will the new players fit into the basketball schemes? And what impact will they make in the locker room?

Say “goodbye” to old friends and solid screens, “hello” to more trash talk, more corner threes, and more dunks. Plus, bonus audio of Danny and Tara responding to the big news of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George to the Clippers.

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Free Agency Day Two Fireworks Special Jul 03, 2019

Show notes

It’s a special bonus edition of the Blazers Edge Podcast featuring Team Mom aka Tara Bowen-Biggs, Hoops and Talks co-host Cassidy Gemmet, and Blazer’s Edge writers Nate Mann and Isaiah De Los Santos. They talk about the Trail Blazers big trade for Hassan Whiteside, how he might fit in, what his game is like compared to Jusuf Nurkic, and wonder if locker room chemistry might be tested?

Then they discuss what impact Mario Hezonja and Anthony Tolliver might have on the team. What position does Hezonja play? Why hasn’t Tolliver stayed with any team more than a few seasons over the course of his career? We are excited for all the changes but still trying to figure out exactly what they mean. Join us as we explore the new roster.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blazers-edge/id949238542

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How Did the Blazers Do on Day 1 of 2019 NBA Free Agency? Jul 01, 2019

Show notes

Blazer’s Edge editor Steve Dewald joins Tara hours after the start of NBA Free Agency to break down what has happened with the Portland Trail Blazers. . . so far.

We talk about the newest additions, Kent Bazemore and Mario Hesonja, discuss hopes and dreams for a successful Rodney Hood season and speculate what gaps they will need to fill (rebounds anyone?) We also look at some of the big moves other teams have made, especially the ones that are (thankfully) taking place out east, like the Brooklyn Nets landing Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, and the move that has Jimmy Butler heading to the Miami Heat.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blazers-edge/id949238542

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