What New Skills will the Players Demonstrate This Season?

Ep. 231. Dan and Tara start by talking about which Trail Blazer they thought most exceeded expectations before taking a look a what we might expect from this year’s team. What can Damian Lillard do to take his game to another level? Can C.J. McCollum continue the defense that he showed during the playoffs? Will Jusuf Nurkic have an outside shot? Will 2015-16 Ed Davis return from injury? What can Al-Farouq Aminu and Moe Harkless do to make the team better? We’re all about internal development this week on the Blazer’s Edge podcast.

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Trail Blazers 2017-18 Schedule Overview

Ep 230. Dan and Tara dive into new news from the Portland Trail Blazers. They go over the recently released schedule and take a look at the Kevin Pelton’s NBA 2018 Season Projections for ESPN. Dan talks about how he approaches previewing teams and Tara talks about getting seduced by continuity last year. All this and more the latest Blazer’s Edge podcast.
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A Closer Look at the New Uniform Design with Graphic Artist Evanem

Ep 229. Fanalysts Tara and Jo are joined by Evan McCarthy, artist and graphics and clothing designer for EvanemPdx to talk all about the new Trail Blazer’s uniforms and remember uniforms of the past. 

The direct .mp3 link of this week’s podcast is here.

How Will the Blazers Fill an Allen Crabbe Sized Hole on the Roster?

Dan and Tara talk about how the Trail Blazers might fill the gap created by trading away Allen Crabbe: What did Allen Crabbe do for the Blazers? What can be made up for with the current roster? A case for Gerald Henderson. What might the front office do next?

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Allen Crabbe Trade Episode

Ep. 227 Just when we thought it was safe to turn off the Twitter notifications, the Trail Blazers have made a move. Tara Biggs and Eric Griffith dig into the specifics of the Allen Crabbe for Andrew Nicholson trade, talk about what they will remember most about Cool Breeze, come up with an algebra quiz question and guess what the future holds for the Trail Blazers. All this and more on a special Allen Crabbe Trade edition of the Blazer’s Edge podcast.


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Who has a higher ceiling, Zach Collins or Caleb Swanigan?

Ep. 226 At NBA Summer League we got a look (admittedly abbreviated) at rookies Zach Collins and Caleb Swanigan. How did their performance hold up to Dan’s initial assessment of their talents? Will they get minutes? Who has a higher ceiling of the two?

Dan and Tara recap summer league, talk about what “athleticism” means, wonder about Pat Connaughton’s future, and briefly chat about the merits of Melo in Portland.

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Who Stands Out at Summer League?

Ep. 225 Tara is joined by David MacKay, Brian Freeman and Steve Dewald to talk about the Portland Trail Blazers at the 2017 NBA Summer League. What are their initial impressions of Zach Collins, Caleb Swanigan, Jake Layman and Pat Connaughton so far? Are there other players/teams who have stood out? How about that defense, is it a hint of what is to come or is it fools gold? All this and much more on this week’s podcast.

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Catching up on the NBA Off Season

Ep 224 Free agency is in full swing. Dan Marang and Tara Bowen-Biggs talk about the draft, free agency and NBA Summer League while under Gordon Hayward watch. What does the Blazer’s activity on draft night tell you about the future of the team? Will Zach Collins and Caleb Swanigan contribute right away? Does it surprise you that the Trail Blazers have not done anything yet in free agency? All this and more on this week's edition of the Blazer's Edge podcast.

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Getting to know the newest Blazers and making wild guesses about free agency

Ep 223 The FANalysts are back! Tara provides an update on what went down on draft night as well as thoughts on the newest Trail Blazers, Zach Collins and Caleb Swanigan. Jo discusses her feelings about a possible LaMarcus Aldridge return along with how he might fit into the current lineup. Finally, we survey the landscape and make predictions (wild guesses) about where some of the biggest name free agents might end up, including Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and Gordon Hayward.

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Trail Blazers Expected to Be Active in 2017 NBA Draft

EP 222: When the 2017 NBA Draft commences Thursday night, the Portland Trail Blazers will be packing a trio of first-round picks and a mandate for change. Coming off a 41-41 season, carrying a salary burden well past the luxury tax threshold, Portland cannot afford—literally or figuratively—to stay the course. What shape their evolution takes will depend on priorities and opportunities. Do they value economic sanity, winning at all costs, a slowly-emerging future or instant success? Are any of those eventualities within reach?

We discuss these subjects and more in the latest edition of the Blazer’s Edge podcast. Dwight Howard to Charlotte, Paul George on the market, Kristaps Porzingis for CJ McCollum, and what the Blazers will end up doing in the draft...it’s all in there! Enjoy!

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Not Another NBA Draft Podcast

Ep 221 Blazer's Edge features editor Eric Griffith joins Team Mom to unpack the rules around draft picks. What can the Trail Blazers actually do with three first round draft picks? Salary dumps, the Stepien rule, and draft-and-stash--we dig into the rules and options. When the rumors start to fly leading up to the 2017 draft, we'll be ready to sort out the pipe dreams from the real possibilities. 

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Brian Freeman from European League shares stories from his pro career

Ep. 220 Tara talks with Brian Freeman, Blazer’s Edge features writer and former European League basketball player. They catch up NBA Draft Lottery and All-NBA teams and then turn to Brian’s experiences playing overseas. Tune in to hear about his dad who played with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robinson on the Milwaukee Bucks, about his journey from Long Beach State (where he played against Damian Lillard) to Poland and finally, his six years in France.

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2018 Trail Blazer's Wish List

Ep. 219 Jo calls in from the wilds of Alaska to compare Blazer wish lists for next season. Do the FANalysts’ hopes and dreams for 2017-18 match yours?

• A mentor for Noah Vonleh
• A podcast for C.J. McCollum
• Handles for Al-Farouq Aminu
• More shots for Allen Crabbe
• #MoeDunks

 Listen to hear all these and what they are hoping for Lillard, Nurkic, Leonard and more!

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Is it Possible to Build Around a Point Guard?

EP. 218: On this week’s Blazer’s Edge podcast, Dave Deckard and Dan Marang discuss if it’s possible to build a title contending team around a franchise point guard, CJ McCollum’s suggestion that the Blazer’s should pursue Paul George in the offseason, their biggest surprises of the 2016-17 season, if Lonzo Ball and the accompanying LaVar Ball scare them, where Portland could and should be looking in the draft, and the layoffs of ESPN employees Henry Abbott, Marc Stein, and Chad Ford.

That and more on this week’s episode of the Blazer’s Edge podcast!

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Exit Interview Follies

EP. 217: Exit Interview Follies

On this week’s Blazer’s Edge podcast, Dave Deckard and Dan Marang take a look at the closing games of the Blazer’s playoffs and ultimately, their season.

With the year coming to a close, exit interviews between a majority of the players and the media took place Tuesday afternoon. Those exit interviews included revealing quotes about Meyers Leonard, Allen Crabbe, Festus Ezeli, Neil Olshey and the state of the team. Plus we dive into the recent controversy surrounding Portland’s basketball culture.

That and more on this week’s Blazer’s Edge podcast!

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So many questions about the Trail Blazers

Ep. 216. Dan Marang joins Tara to talk about the first two games of the Trail Blazer’s 2017 NBA Playoff series. Dan answers all of Tara's questions about what we know about this team, how they have progressed over the season and where they might go from here.

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Who’s the Best Backcourt Duo in the NBA?

EP. 215: Who’s the Best Backcourt Duo in the NBA?

On this week's episode of the Blazer's Edge podcast, Blazer's Edge managing editor Dave Deckard and Dan Marang take a look back at Game 1 of the Trail Blazers vs Warriors series. They discuss CJ McCollum's absolutely monster night- particularly highlighting his defensive effort. From there it's Damian Lillard's night, as spectacular as can be expected, and how as good as it was it was overshadowed. As great as those two were, what happened to almost everyone else?

The big question of the podcast however, Dave asks "who the best backcourt duo is in the NBA today?" While we discuss it, let us know in the comments below who you think the best backcourt tandem is. Have McCollum and Lillard elevated to the top spot? Is is Klay Thompson and Steph Curry? How about the emergence of John Wall and Bradley Beal?

There's that and more on this week's episode of the Blazer's Edge podcast!

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Playoff Preview with Erik Garcia Gundersen

The FANalysts are back with a special playoff preview with Locked on Blazers host Erik Garcia Gundersen. They talk about what it is like covering a team that you are a fan of and what is different between regular season and playoff basketball? And of course, how will the Trail Blazers fare in the first round? Tune in for some great insight from someone who loves the game and has been behind the scenes.

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Who is the Trail Blazers' Sixth Man?

Tara is joined by Ashley Williams and Sean Philipsen to provide fan perspective on the Trail Blazers season. They discuss Meyers Leonard, debate who is the 6th man for the team, and talk about what has surprised them about this season.

They talk about current and former Blazers at the Nike Hoop summit and Ashley provides behind-the-scenes glimpse of what goes on during the week for the high school stars including a Steve Blake sighting!

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What's your best Trail Blazers moment?

EP. 214: What's your best Trail Blazers moment?

On this week's episode of the Blazer's Edge podcast, Dave Deckard and Dan Marang brea-well maybe break isn't the best word choice, discuss Jusuf Nurkić's fractured leg and what that means for Portland in the immediate future. From there they chronicle the Blazer's last 7 games, following up wins against San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks with 6 straight wins including a convincing victory over the Houston Rockets and a phenomenal game from Nurkić against the Denver Nuggets.

Dave asks the two big questions of the pod, first of all- did the Nurkić signing save Portland's season? There's plenty to take in there, but someone also sent in a mailbag question (sorry whoever it was, we didn't have your name!) asking what our favorite Trail Blazers moment is.

As usual there's that and a whole lot more on this week's episode of the Blazer's Edge podcast!

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Where do the Blazers Go From Here?

EP 213: Where do the Blazers Go From Here?

On an impromptu episode of he Blazer’s Edge podcast, Dave Deckard and Dan Marang discuss Portland’s recent run of form, Jusuf Nurkic’s big game against his former team and ask if the playoffs are now secure with the recent win against the Denver Nuggets?

From there the guys debate whether or not the outlook has changed for Portland and whether or not it matters this late in the season. They also highlight the contributions from Portland’s Big-Three, Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic. Dave even convinces Dan to make a prediction on Portland’s stretch run and what odds he gives them to make the 8th seed.

That and more on this weeks’ Blazer’s Edge podcast!

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Dane Carbaugh on the post all-star break Trail Blazers

Ep  212 On this FANalyst edition of the podcast, Tara is joined by friendly neighborhood sportswriter Dane Carbaugh of Dane Not Dan YouTube Channel and NBC Sports. They explore whether Jusuf Nurkic's production is sustainable and how it impacts Noah Vonleh's play of late. They talk about how Evan Turner is fitting back into the lineup. Dane gives Tara advice on how to approach analysis without getting overwhelmed by a preponderance of data.

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Best Stretch of the Season

EP. 211: Best Stretch of the Season! On this week’s episode of the Blazer’s Edge podcast, Dave Deckard and Dan Marang wax poetic about Portland’s recent run of form- with wins coming against the San Antonio Spurs, Atlanta Hawks, and Miami Heat- and clearly their best stretch of play all season long.

From there the guys break down the return of super-nova-flame-thrower Damian Lillard and his Western Conference Player of the Week performance as well as highlighting some of the hidden gems who have stepped their game up since the All-Star Break. With the Blazers peaking at the end of the season they turn their attention to the remaining 13 games and discuss what Portland has to do to make the playoffs.

Hear that and more on this week’s podcast!

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What Does Nurkic Mean to Damian Lillard?

EP. 210: On this week's episode of the Blazer's Edge podcast, Dan Marang is joined by Blazer's Edge contributor Steve DeWald as a guest host to discuss the Blazer's best stretch of wins this season, the effect Jusuf Nurkic has had on Damian Lillard (and others), the final 17 games of the regular season, the Blazer's playoff odds and some March Madness picks!

That and more on this week's episode of the Blazer's Edge podcast!

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Welcome to Nurklandia

Ep. 209 The FANalysts are back. Jo has been out of the country so Tara gets her all caught up on what’s been happening with the Blazers and around the NBA (don’t miss the dramatic reenactment of Boogie’s press conference). Jusuf Nurkic and Shabazz Napier get lots of attention and Jo is mad--really mad--at Ricky Rubio.

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To Tank or Not to Tank?

EP. 208: On this week’s episode of the Blazer’s Edge podcast Dave and Dan talk the merits and pitfalls of making the playoffs. In between exchanges of fire during tank warfare, they take time to discuss the Blazer’s recent run of play (2 wins in a row!), Bosnia’s most deadly export ever “Nurkic-Fever,” Festus Ezeli’s season ending surgery, the home stretch of the schedule, and send out a thank you for supporting Blazer’s Edge Night!

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Can The Blazers Afford to Draft Three Guys?

EP. 207: On this week’s edition of the Blazer’s Edge podcast Dave Deckard and Dan Marang ask whether or not the Trail Blazers can afford to use all three of their current draft picks, give their final thoughts on the trade deadline, and should or could Portland pick up any of the recently released/waived/bought out players on the market.

That and more on this week’s Blazer’s Edge podcast!

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Why The Blazers Didn’t Get Cousins

EP. 206: On this week’s Blazer’s Edge podcast Dave Deckard and Dan Marang break down the trade between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Sacramento Kings that sent DeMarcus Cousins and Omri Casspi to New Orleans for Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, Buddy Hield, a 1st and a 2nd round pick. While seeing that in print may still boggle your mind, Dave and Dan dissect it from both a Trail Blazers perspective and a larger league wide viewpoint.

When both of them are done face-palming themselves to death pitying the Kings fanbase, they revisit the other BIG trade so far this trade season, the acquisition of Jusuf Nurkic and his debut game for the Trail Blazers.

Beyond that they discuss some rumors around the league, particularly the possible movement of point guards Ricky Rubio, Derrick Rose, and Reggie Jackson. That and more on this week’s Blazer’s Edge podcast!

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Is Nurk' a Jerk?

EP. 205: On this week's edition of the Blazer's Edge podcast Dave and Dan have Adam Mares the editor of DenverStiffs.com, the SBNation site for the Denver Nuggets, to discuss the incoming (former Denver Nugget) big man Jusuf Nurkic. Adam breaks down the good, the bad, and everything in between. Not to be missed is Adam's telling of Nurkic's origin story (too good to be true) as well as if the some of the stories and rumors swirling around Nurkic are true- mainly, is Nurk a Jerk?

They also breakdown Meyers Leonard stepping into Plumlee's vacated starting spot, and turn an eye past the all star break and at the ever nearing NBA Draft.

That and more on this week's Blazer's Edge podcast!

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Lets Talk About the Draft

Ep. 204. Tara and Ashley join forces to break down Thursday's Blazers-Celtics game and how the Blazer’s looked without Evan Turner in the lineup (and how Evan Turner looked in street clothes). They talk about the upcoming All Star Weekend with C.J. McCollum in the 3 Point Contest and Meyers Leonard coaching at Basketball Without Borders camp. Finally, they take a first look at potential Blazer’s draft targets including Justin Patton, Donovan Mitchell and T.J. Leaf.

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Okafor or Noel, Who Ya Got?

EP. 203: On this week's edition of the Blazer's Edge podcast Dave and Dan commiserate over the Trail Blazers' recent run of form, reminisce over Patty Mills, Tim Frazier and missed opportunities. Which, inevitably leads to Will Barton and the 2-year anniversary of the trade that sent him, a 1st round pick, Victor Claver, and Thomas Robinson to the Denver Nuggets for Arron Afflalo. With news that Jahlil Okafor could be had for the low, low price of terrible contracts and a 1st round pick, is it worth kicking the tires on the former Top 3 pick? If the Blazers are really looking to deal at the deadline, does it make more sense to target Nerlens Noel or Okafor?

That and more on this week's Blazer's Edge podcast!

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Isaac Ropp on Olshey, Getting Fired, Ben Golliver on NBA Media

EP. 202: On this special edition of the Blazer’s Edge Podcast, co-host Dan Marang and I welcome a couple of guests to talk about the media environment surrounding the Portland Trail Blazers. Isaac Ropp of 1080 The Fan sits down with us to further illuminate his comments about the Blazers, Neil Olshey, and the media after he was dismissed from CSNNW’s Talkin’ Ball show. He shares his motivation for making the statement and expounds upon the role of Olshey and the organization in media circles. After that old friend Ben Golliver of SI.com/TheCrossover stops by to offer his perspective on the Portland media versus other cities, on his time as a Portland media member, and how franchises and media outlets relate to each other.

If any episode of the podcast is un-missable, it’s this one.

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Debating the Merits of Serge Ibaka

EP. 201: Debating the Merits of Serge Ibaka

On this week's edition of the Blazer's Edge podcast Dave and Dan ask whether or not a deal for Serge Ibaka makes sense. With so many variables in place, what would a deal look like? What would Portland have to give up, and would his addition bring immediate or future success? They also discuss rumors circling Orlando Magic big man Nikola Vucevic, and a Nik by any other name, Nikola Mirotic of the Chicago Bulls. They also run down Portland's recent playing form, and the media's perception throughout the season as well as CJ McCollum's recent social media smackdown of Memphis Grizzlies forward Chandler Parsons. 

That and more on this week's Blazer's Edge podcast!

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Will the Trail Blazer's lineup changes last?

EP: 200 On this week's edition of the Blazer's Edge podcast Dave and Dan ask, will the Trail Blazer's lineup changes last? They also discuss if a Damian Lillard for Jimmy Butler swap make sense, Meyers Leonard's performance in Boston, and the most important question of all, eggs and bacon or waffles for breakfast? That and more on this week's edition of the Blazer's Edge podcast!

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The Meyers Leonard Ed Davis Conundrum

Ep. 199. The Fanalysts look at the Trail Blazers in 2017 and try to decide if the team can still finish the season strong. We try to puzzle out the Meyers Leonard/Ed Davis conundrum, and learn all about Mason Plumlee who is this episode's Player of the Week. 

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Is CJ McCollum better than Damian Lillard?

Ep. 198: Dave Deckard & Dan Marang discuss whether or not CJ McCollum is better than Damian Lillard, Portland’s recent run of play, and do a near-midseason report card check on Allen Crabbe, Mason Plumlee, and Ed Davis. That and more on this weeks Blazer's Edge podcast.


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Would You Rather?

Ep. 197. Jo, Tara and Ashley welcome the new year with a round of "Would You Rather?" asking questions related to the Portland Trail Blazers: Would you rather have Festus Ezeli or Wesley Matthews on the team right now? Would you rather root for a small market team or a big market team? Would you rather trade CJ or everyone else? Find out who would rather what, plus Obligatory Evan Turner Talk and remembering Tilikum, the Orca whale.

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