Blazer Focused

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Portland Trail Blazers news, interviews and analysis from Aaron Fentress and The Oregonian/OregonLive.

The Oregonian/OregonLive


    • Jul 17, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 44m AVG DURATION
    • 146 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Blazer Focused

    Evaluating Donovan Clingan's summer league performance thus far

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2024 58:43


    The Blazer Focused podcast, hosted by Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, evaluates the Trail Blazers first three summer league games with a focus on the play of rookie Donovan Clingan. Plus, why people should leave Bronny James alone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    What to look for from rookie Donovan Clingan when summer league starts on Saturday

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2024 28:13


    The Blazer Focused podcast, featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, gets you ready for the start of summer league play this weekend. What to look for from rookie center Donovan Clingan and others. Plus, should Scoot Henderson have been added to the roster? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Trail Blazers draft Donovan Clingan, trade for Deni Avdija

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2024 41:45


    The Blazer Focused podcast, featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, examines the selection of Donovan Clingan out of Connecticut with the No. 7 pick in the NBA draft, and takes a look at the team's acquisition of forward Deni Avdija from the Washington Wizards for Malcolm Brogdon and draft picks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    NBA draft week is here, let's get prepped

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2024 58:50


    It's NBA draft week, and the Blazer Focused podcast, featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, examines the latest mock drafts while attempting to predict what the Blazers might do in an unpredictable draft. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    NBA draft a week away, Payton Pritchard wins a ring, Caitlin Clark drama is a good thing

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2024 51:50


    The Blazer Focused podcast, featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, dives into next week's NBA draft, praises Payton Pritchard and gives their take on the drama surrounding Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Pre-draft workouts continue, and how many titles could the Blazers have won with a healthy Bill Walton?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2024 47:52


    The Blazer Focused podcast, featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, reacts to Bill Walton dying at the age of 71 on Monday, and discusses his legacy as a player and broadcaster. Craig has stories. Also, the Blazers continue their pre-draft workouts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Trail Blazers face puzzling situation after falling to No. 7 in NBA draft lottery

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2024 58:05


    The Blazer Focused podcast, featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, reacts to the Trail Blazers falling to No. 7 in Sunday's NBA draft lottery. Select for need? Take the best player available? Trade pick? Package pick to trade up? Decisions, decisions for the Blazers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Lillard's playoff runs ends early, and just how far behind the rest of the Western Conference are the Blazers?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2024 46:26


    The Blazer Focused podcast, featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discusses the depth of the Western Conference on display during the NBA playoffs and how far the Blazers trail several elite teams with young talent. Also, Damian Lillard's playoff run with the Bucks comes to an early end. And are the Blazers set at center? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Trail Blazers enter offseason with plans to remain on development path

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2024 53:22


    The Blazer Focused podcast, featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discusses the franchise's offseason following a 21-61 season. Plus, why the Blazers retained coach Chauncey Billups, why GM Joe Cronin plans to remain on the development path and what to expect this offseason and next season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Positive road trip includes growth from Scoot Henderson; what we hope to learn during exit interviews

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2024 44:28


    The Blazer Focused podcast, featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discusses rookie Scoot Henderson's growth during the team's recent road trip, as well as what we've learned about the young forwards and what we hope to learn during upcoming exit interviews following the end of the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Chauncey Billups a Hall of Famer, Blazers snap 10-game losing streak with a 'bad win?'

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2024 60:49


    The Blazer Focused podcast, featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, takes a look at Chauncey Billups getting elected into the Hall of Fame, how the Blazers ended their 10-game losing streak with a "bad win" and if any signs of hope for the future have been on display. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Scoot Henderson struggles, Kris Murray flashes, Chauncey Billups' future

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2024 49:09


    The Blazer Focused podcast, featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discusses rookie Scoot Henderson's recent struggles, forward Kris Murray's potential, and coach Chauncey Billlups' future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Reaction to recent interview with Deandre Ayton, who discussed overcoming obstacles to become 'DominAyton'

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2024 43:09


    The Blazer Focused podcast, featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discuss Deandre Ayton's dominant play and react to his comments to Fentress about his transformation into becoming a dominant force for the Blazers. Also, Ayton talked about that whole situation with the ice strom. Plus, Scoot Henderson and when is the tank coming? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The many positives that can be extracted from the Trail Blazers' 2-1 trip

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2024 27:43


    This episode of Blazer Focused, an Oregonian Sports podcast featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, reviews the team's 2-1 weekend with a focus on Anfernee Simons, the team's young forwards and if Dalano Blanton is a keeper. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Trail Blazers simply not showing reasonable progress during season of development

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2024 46:05


    Blazer Focused, an Oregonian Sports podcast featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, reacts to the Blazers' horrible loss Sunday night to the Charlotte Hornets and what it means big picture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Did the Trail Blazers drop the ball at the trade deadline?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2024 65:50


    Blazer Focused, an Oregonian Sports podcast featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, reviews the team's inactivity at the trade deadline, what GM Joe Cronin said regarding feeling good about where the team is headed and what teams in the NBA are worse off than the struggling Blazers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Damian Lillard's return lives up to the hype with high emotions and a dramatic Blazers' win

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2024 53:32


    Blazer Focused, an Oregonian Sports podcast featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, returns to Wednesday night's epic atmosphere during the Portland Trail Blazers' win over Damian Lillard and the Milwaukee Bucks. Also, trade talk, what to expect in the second half from these Blazers and the evolution of Anfernee Simons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Blazer Focused: Blazers' midseason report, what have we learned about this team?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2024 48:46


    Blazer Focused, an Oregonian Sports podcast featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, examines the Portland Trail Blazers' first half of the season while naming MVP, most improved, best rookies, biggest disappointment, greatest surprise and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Scoot Henderson and other young players show improvement as Blazers face a tough 7-game trip: Blazer Focused podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2024 42:15


    The Blazer Focused podcast, featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discuss the improvement of Scoot Henderson, Jabari Walker, Duop Reath and Ibou Badji. Also, what do victories mean for this team, if anything? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Blazers earn impressive win over Suns thanks to DominAyton and Scoot Henderson's improved aggressive play

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2023 50:35


    Blazer Focused, an Oregonian Sports podcast hosted by The Oregonian/OregonLive's Aaron Fentress with Craig Birnbach, examines the Portland Trail Blazers breaking their seven-game losing streak against the Phoenix Suns, the play of Deandre Ayton and the continued development of Scoot Henderson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Scoot Henderson impressive during disappointing loss to Utah, the Blazers' 3-guard dilemma, evaluating Deandre Ayton

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2023 42:20


    The Blazer Focused podcast, hosted by The Oregonian/OregonLive's Aaron Fentress with Craig Birnbach, react to the Portland Trail Blazers getting blasted by a depleted Utah team and what the recent hot play from Scoot Henderson means in regards to the team's future in the backcourt. Also, Deandre Ayton has yet to dominate. Plus, what to make of the Draymond Green situation in Golden State and how it could impact the Blazers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Anfernee Simons returns, Blazers no push over, could they make a run at the play-in if healthy?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2023 39:00


    Blazer Focused, an Oregonian Sports podcast featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, reacts to the return of Anfernee Simons and how the Blazers have defied the odds in games where they were listed as heavy underdogs. Could a healthy Blazers team become a postseason threat? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Blazers show improvement, defense legit, Jerami Grant a force

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2023 46:05


    The Blazers have won two out of three thanks to improved shooting and a solid defense. Could they be on to something? Blazer Focused, an Oregonian Sports podcast featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, takes a look a the Blazers' sudden improvement. Get exclusive insights and bonus content from the sports staff at The Oregonian/OregonLive. Oregonian Sports Insider Texts are your ticket to entertaining and informative analysis and discussion of the Ducks, Beavers, Blazers, Timbers, Thorns and high school sports from the state's premier news source.  Text JOIN to (503) 386-0095. Then simply click the link and subscribe today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Trail Blazers' young players stepping up during rough stretch

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2023 56:08


    Blazer Focused, an Oregonian Sports podcast featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, react to the play of Shaedon Sharpe, Toumani Camara, Duop Reath and Skylar Mays during the team's recent struggles. Plus, Deandre Ayton continues to search for consistent offense in a system not yet designed for him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Trail Blazers show positive signs during 3-4 start but Robert Williams' injury stings

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2023 48:52


    Blazer Focused, an Oregonian Sports podcast featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, dives into the Portland Trail Blazers' 3-4 start that revealed several positive signs including the rapid development of Shaedon Sharpe and the impact being made by rookie Toumani Camara. Then there is the bad news surrounding the injury to Robert Williams. How much will losing Williams hurt the Blazers now and into the future? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Trail Blazers and Scoot Henderson off to bumpy start in season of development

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2023 46:47


    The Blazer Focused podcast, featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, evaluates the Portland Trail Blazers 1-3 start to the season. While stacking losses should have been expected, is there reason for concern regarding rookie Scoot Henderson's poor start? Shaedon Sharpe is filling in nicely for Anfernee Simons, Deandre Ayton is a rebounding force, and what to make of James Harden landing with the LA Clippers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Trail Blazers exit preseason facing long season of development: Blazer Focused podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2023 49:05


    The Blazer Focused podcast, featuring Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, evaluates the Portland Trail Blazers following a 1-3 preseason. The defense looked awful. The offense has the potential to be exciting. A season filled with losing could boil down to the development of Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Trail Blazers look shaky early in preseason, reason for concern?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2023 53:25


    The Blazer Focused podcast, hosted by The Oregonian/OregonLive's Aaron Fentress with Craig Birnbach, react to the Portland Trail Blazers first two preseason games. Rookie Scoot Henderson looks solid. Shaedon Sharpe, not so much. Deandre Ayton up and down. Is this team simply too young and not put together well enough to compete? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Trail Blazers training camp info, Scoot Henderson gets his groove on during Fan Fest

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2023 35:20


    The Blazer Focused podcast, hosted by The Oregonian/OregonLive's Aaron Fentress with Craig Birnbach, reacts to the success of Sunday's Fan Fest and discuss how Portland Trail Blazers training camp went with preseason games getting started Tuesday night against the New Zealand Breakers. They talk lineups, small forward, expectations for Scoot Henderson and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Joe Cronin talks Damian Lillard trade, Deandre "DominAyton" is eager to go. Let the show begin: Blazer Focused podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2023 43:46


    The Blazer Focused Podcast, hosted by The Oregonian/OregonLive's Aaron Fentress and Craig Birnbach, gets you ready for Tuesday's start of Training Camp with a recap of what went down during Media Day. Deandre Ayton expressed confidence. Anfernee Simons is ready to assume a leadership role. Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe need time to grow. And GM Joe Cronin publicly discusses the messy summer that ended with trading away Damian Lillard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Instant reaction to Trail Blazers trading Damian Lillard to the Bucks: Blazer Focused podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2023 43:48


    Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach react to the blockbuster trade that included the Blazers acquiring polarizing center Deandre Ayton from the Phoenix Suns for a package that included Jusuf Nurkic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Damian Lillard's future remains cloudy with training camp on the horizon. We examine the latest noise: Blazer Focused podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2023 48:03


    Trail Blazers training camp starts Oct. 3 and Damian Lillard still remains on the roster. The Blazer Focused podcast, featuring The Oregonian/OregonLive's Aaron Fentress and Craig Birnbach, examines the latest trade rumors and what it could mean to have an unhappy Lillard actually report to camp. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The latest regarding Damian Lillard's trade demands to the Miami Heat: Blazer Focused podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2023 63:43


    It's been a month since Damian Lillard demanded a trade to Miami and so far a moving truck hasn't been in required. Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach are joined by Bill Oram, sports columnist for OregonLive on the latest episode of the Blazer Focused podcast. The trio get into the weeds of what's going on with this ongoing drama. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Would keeping Damian Lillard make any sense for anyone?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2023 63:36


    With no movement on the trade front, the Blazer Focused podcast with Aaron Fentress and Craig Birnbach examines what it would mean to bring back Damian Lillard, where the Blazers roster (minus Lillard) ranks in the West and Anfernee Simons' murky future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    What we learned from Blazers GM Joe Cronin and Scoot Henderson at summer league

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2023 66:18


    Cronin addressed the ongoing situation with Damian Lillard and talked about the team's future, which is built around Henderson. The Blazer Focused podcast reacts to the slow trade negotiations and the rookie's short debut. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Damian Lillard's push to land in Miami has reached the standoff stage. Will it eventually become Contentious?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2023 54:08


    The superstar guard has demanded a trade to the Heat which impacts the Blazers' negotiating power. There is real belief that if Lillard doesn't get what he wants, the entire situation could become volatile. Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach examine all of the angles involving this complex situation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Who is to blame for Trail Blazers' Damian Lillard requesting a trade; Blazer Focused podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2023 57:15


    Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard has requested a trade after the franchise failed to improve the roster enough to his liking. Who is to blame? Where will Lillard land? And where do the Blazers go from here? The Blazer Focused podcast crew of Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach dive into all of that and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Scoot Henderson and Damian Lillard don't fit, so is it time to trade the franchise player?: Blazer Focused podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2023 63:14


    The Trail Blazers rejected all trade proposals seeking the No. 3 pick in Thursday's NBA draft to ultimately selected 6-foot-2 point guard Scoot Henderson. But how does that help Damian Lillard's quest to bring a championship to Portland? Not at all says the Blazer Focused podcast crew of Aaron Fentress (The Oregonian/OregonLive) and Craig Birnbach. They believe it's just about time to trade Lillard and completely start over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Trail Blazers must do right by Damian Lillard: Blazer Focused podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2023 56:31


    The Trail Blazers promised Damian Lillard and he fans that they would do whatever it takes to acquire impact veterans to improve the roster. But as of Wednesday evening, it appeared that the Blazers were set to draft and keep Scoot Henderson (G League Ignite). How, if at all, would that help Lillard? The Oregonian/OregonLive's Aaron Fentress is joined by Craig Birnbach to discuss the many options in play heading into Thursday's NBA draft. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The Trail Blazers could very well end up keeping whomever they select at No. 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2023 48:04


    The Blazers, having trouble finding takers for the No. 3 pick in the NBA draft, could very well end up keeping the player they select. The Blazer Focused podcast crew of Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach discusses what it would mean to add another young player to the roster and whether Damian Lillard would stick around to play with yet another young talent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Jaylen Brown to the Portland Trail Blazers. Is this something worth discussing?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2023 51:37


    The Blazer Focused podcast with Aaron Fentress and Craig Birnbah examines what a Trail Blazers trade for Jaylen Brown could look like for Portland. Also, the Blazers work out high-end draft prospects despite seeking to trade the No. 3 pick, the Brooklyn Nets supposedly want in on Damian Lillard, plus, is it possible that both Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe would welcome a trade out of Portland? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Will Trail Blazers use or trade No. 3 pick in NBA draft?: Blazer Focused podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2023 41:14


    The Portland Trail Blazers received the No. 3 pick during the draft lottery providing the team with a valuable asset. But will they use the pick or trade it? The Blazer Focused podcast wasted no time overanalyzing what the team should do with the pick. Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive says to trade it for a star to help Damian Lillard contend. Craig Birnbach has reservations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Would landing the No. 1 pick lead to trading Damian Lillard? Should Kevin Durant have chosen the Trail Blazers?: Blazer Focused podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2023 55:06


    With the NBA draft lottery set for Tuesday, the Blazer Focused podcast asks an important question: Would the Portland Trail Blazers securing the No. 1 pick and the chance to draft Victor Wembanyama lead to trading Damian Lillard? Also, should Kevin Durant have chosen the Trail Blazers over Phoenix? Could Portland pursue Phoenix center Deandre Ayton? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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