The Brief Case

Send us a textOn this edition of The Brief Case, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• The Trail Blazers first pre-draft workouts of 2025• Portland's fourth workout being their most high-profile so far with players expected to be taken in the first round• The many reasons why the Trail Blazers' are working out players projected to be selected after their pick at 11• Toumani Camara being named to an All-Defensive team and Donovan Clingan making an All-Rookie team• Bring back qualified stats!• The Trail Blazers are now officially for sale• The NBA Finals matchup between the Thunder and Pacers and how it reflects a new era

Send us a textOn this edition of The Brief Case, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• The Trail Blazers falling back to 11th at the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery and the reaction• Portland underperforming their draft lottery odds three of the last four years• We know that life isn't fair, but is it especially unfair for the Trail Blazers?• The Trail Blazers already hosting two workouts and what those workouts tell us about Portland's pre-draft preparation• Portland being one of the teams that still discloses (for the most part) which players participate in workouts• Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin's thoughts about the 2025 Draft and how Portland might approach using the 11th overall pick

Send us a textOn this edition of The Brief Case, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• The Trail Blazers hosting six players -- Rueben Chinyelu, Devon Prior, Ben Henshall, Dink Pate, John Blackwell and Lachlan Olbrich -- in their first round of 2025 pre-draft workouts• The decisions facing players who still have the option of going back to school• Florida center Rueben Chinyelu, Texas forward Devon Pryor and Mexico City guard Dink Pate discuss their workouts with the Trail Blazers, what they're trying to show teams during the workout process and what goes into their decisions to either stay in the draft or go back to school• The end of the first round and the start of the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs

Send us a textOn this edition of The Brief Case, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• Deni Avidja finishing 8th and Toumani Camara finishing 12th in 2025 Most Improved Player voting• Toumani Camara representing the Trail Blazers at the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery• Donovan Clingan getting no votes for Rookie of the Year and why he absolutely should have gotten at least a few• The schedule for Group D at Eurobasket 2025, which could feature Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara, Rayan Rupert and Sidy Cissoko• The report that the Trail Blazers will not review the contracts of three assistant coaches• Damian Lillard tearing his Achilles tendon• A quick recap of the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs 

Send us a textOn the latest edition of The Brief Case, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• The Trail Blazers losing the NBA Lottery random draw to the Houston Rockets (via the Phoenix Suns) and what that could mean once the 2025 NBA Draft takes place at the end of June• Toumani Camara finishing ninth in the 2025 NBA Defensive Player of the Year voting and what that might mean for his chances of making one of the two All-NBA Defense teams• The 2025 EuroBasket (aka the FIBA European Championships) to be held in Poland this summer that could potentially feature Deni Avdija (Israel), Toumani Camara (Belgium), Rayan Rupert and Sidy Cissoko (France) in one group• The first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs

Send us a textOn this edition of The Brief Case, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• The 2025 Play-In Tournament and how it's a great indicator of how much better the Western Conference is than the Eastern Conference this season• The 2025 NBA Playoffs starting this weekend• The NBA releasing the "finalists" on Sunday for NBA awards and keeping our fingers crossed for Toumani Camara• Deni Avdija, Anfernee Simons, Bryce McGowans and Isaac Nogués González all being recognized for their efforts on and off the court• The Trail Blazers finishing the season as one of the best bets in the NBA and one of the largest overachievers with regard to their season win projection• Anfernee Simons and Scoot Henderson discuss Chauncey's extension, their performances this season, their offseasons and what they'd like to improve upon during their exit interviews

Send us a textOn this edition of The Brief Case, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• The Trail Blazers defeating the Lakers Sunday afternoon at Moda Center in the final game of Portland's 2024-25 season• Both the Trail Blazers and Lakers turning the game over to their younger players• The Trail Blazers ending the season tied with the Suns and what that means for their draft lottery odds• Why the random drawing to break ties at the draft lottery matters• Chauncey Billups and the Trail Blazers agreeing to a contract extension Sunday morning• Joe Cronin and Chauncey Billups discuss their extensions, the direction of the team, the 2024-25 season, improvements on the defensive end and early expectations going into the 2025-26 season

Send us a textOn this edition of The Brief Case, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• The Trail Blazers losing to the Bulls in Chicago to end a five-game road trip• Portland returning home to defeat San Antonio on Sunday, and thus, ensuring a winning record at Moda Center this season• Being eliminated from post-season contention Sunday afternoon thanks to the Kings defeating the Cavs• Where the Trail Blazers are at in the current standings and how far up or down they could move with three games to play• Odds at the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery• The Trail Blazers agreeing on a contract extension with General Manager Joe Cronin

Send us a textOn this edition of The Brief Case, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• The Trail Blazers' loss to the Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Sunday• Reaching the midway point of the last extended in Atlanta• Deni Avdija's impressive stats in the month of March• Hopes for the play-in have almost entirely slipped away after four-straight losses. • The Blazers haven't moved up in the standings but they can still move down, though not that far• The launch of the Toumani Camara for Defensive Player of the Year campaign and "the box" and the video the team created to promote his candidacy at TheCamaraCase.com• An interview with Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons

Send us a textOn this edition of The Brief Case, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• The Trail Blazers wrap up a seven-gamer homestand with a loss to the Cavaliers on Tuesday• Staring a five-game road trip with a loss to the Kings in Sacramento on Thursday• Losing three-straight after winning four-in-a-row• Deni Avdija's stats on March (they're great)• Portland's increasingly difficult path to making the play-in with eight games to play• The Trail Blazers being the fourth-best team versus the spread this season

Send us a textOn this edition of The Brief Case, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• The Trail Blazers beating the Nuggets at Moda Center on Friday in one of the more entertaining games of the season• The importance of Friday's win for Portland's chances of making the play-in tournament• The loss to the Celtics on Sunday • Portland losing ground in the play-in with the loss and neither Phoenix nor Dallas playing on Sunday (though both play Monday)• One of the things great teams almost always do• The Top Golf Swing Suite at Spirit Mountain Casino• A rundown of the schedules for the teams fighting for the last play-in spot• The status of the tiebreakers in regard to the last spot in the play-in• Portland's odds of making the play-in compared to the Suns and Mavericks (and Lakers?)

Send us a textOn this edition of The Brief Case, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• The Trail Blazers getting their first win since February versus a team with a winning record Wednesday night versus the Grizzlies• Deni Avdija continues to do things few Trail Blazers have done before• Duop Reath coming up big when called into action• Portland being just two games out of the last spot in the Play-In Tournament• Finishing off a seven-game homestand versus the Nuggets on Friday, the Celtics on Sunday and the Cavaliers on Tuesday

Send us a textOn this edition of The Brief Case, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• The Trail Blazers breaking a five-game losing streak with back-to-back wins versus the Raptors and Wizards• What to make of both Toronto and Washington deciding to sit players that started the game• Matisse Thybulle getting his first action of the season after sitting out the last year• Other injury non-updates• Trying to figure out which team -- the Mavs, the Suns or the Trail Blazers -- has the best path to claiming the last spot in the Play-In Tournament• Portland being 39-29-1 versus the spread this season

Send us a textOn this edition of The Brief Case, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• The Trail Blazers falling to the Knicks in overtime Wednesday night at Moda Center in one of the most entertaining games of the season• Scoot Henderson's performance versus the Knicks and how it represents the progress he's made this season• Deni Avdija taking the reigns and the next step of his career in Portland• Natalie Zito, formerly Natalie Gilbert, returning to the Moda Center almost 22 year after needing Maurice Cheeks' assistance to perform the National Anthem Wednesday night• An interview with Dewayne Hankins, Trail Blazers' president of business operations, to discuss the state of the business side of the Trail Blazers, the switch to KATU and over the air broadcasts, the new big screens and video boards, stats as entertainment, expanding access to games, the importance of having an organization that welcomes all, the OneCourt technology, HBCU Weekend, the Women's Summit, the WNBA in Portland and the benefits of having an international roster

Send us a textOn this edition of The Brief Case, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• The Trail Blazers losing to the Pistons in their first game back from an extended road trip• Celebrating Bill Walton Sunday night in the loss to the Pistons• Losing to the Warriors in San Francisco in the unofficial end of the Trail Blazers' longest road trip of the season• Getting close against good teams• Where the Trail Blazers stand in the race for the Play-In Tournament• A discussion with Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara about being named Western Conference Defensive Player of the Month, how much his profile has increased in his second season, how the team played on the trip, coming together on the road, the "put them in a box" celebration and being motivated to make the Play-In Tournament 

Send us a textOn this edition of the Brief Case, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl, recording from the team hotel in Philadelphia, discusses...• The Trail Blazers blowing out the Nets in Brooklyn on Friday• Deni Avdija getting the first triple-double of his career in an overtime loss to the Cavaliers• How even though they lost, the game versus the Cavs might have been one of their best of the season• A change in Shaedon Sharpe• The Trail Blazers coming together over the course of a long road trip• Defeating the 76ers in Philadelphia Monday night to ensure a better than .500 road trip• A conversation with Trail Blazers rookie center Donovan Clingan about how the team is playing on the road trip, being back on the east coast, ticket requests, being the last center standing, conditioning, setting screens and whether it changes depending on which player you're screening for, displaying more of his passing ability, defending without fouling (jinx), Shaedon's dunk and fan support on the road

Send us a textOn this edition of The Brief Case, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• The Trail Blazers arriving in New York City on Thursday prior to Friday's game versus the Nets in Brooklyn• Getting an ugly win versus the Jazz in Salt Lake City• Defeating the Wizards in Washington DC to extend Portland's win streak to three• Deni Avdija's return to Washington is cut short• Toumani Camara is supposed to foul• Shaedon Sharpe's ridiculous dunk in the second quarter of Wednesday's win versus the Wizards• The NBA's "Dunk Score," which has Shaedon's dunk as the second-best this season, is a farce and should be recalibrated• Statistics being a poor way to judge the quality of dunks• The remaining five games on Portland's current seven-game road trip

Send us a textOn this edition of The Brief Case, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers beat reporter and Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• The Trail Blazers coming out a bit slow in what ended up being a close loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in their first game after the All-Star break• Posting the largest margin of victory in franchise history in Saturday's win versus the Hornets• Reasonable expectations for Toumani Camara• Up and coming country at Spirit Mountain Casino• Practice in Salt Lake City in preparation for Monday's gave versus the Jazz• Maybe Matisse Thybulle is getting close?• A seven-game, two-week road trip• Portland recent record versus the spread, covering as the favorite for the first time this season and being favorite on the road for the first time this season

Send us a textOn this edition of The Brief Case, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses... • The Trail Blazers holding practices on Tuesday and Wednesday after the All-Star break• Quick thoughts on All-Star Weekend and whether it's really any better or worse than it's ever been• Toumani Camara and Bryce McGowens at the Rising Stars Challenge at All-Star Weekend (and why didn't they introduce Scoot Henderson?)• Where the Trail Blazers are at with a third of the season yet to play• Hosting the Lakers on Thursday and the Hornets on Saturday before heading out for a two-week trip• Injury updates• The team upgrading the big screen and adding additional stat signage at Moda Center in time for the 2025-26 season• A conversation with third-year guard Shaedon Sharpe about how he spent his all-star break, thought on his third season, where he's made the most progress and where he's got the most room for growth, the win streak, relationship between Canadian players, what he wants out of his career and coming off the bench

Send us a textOn this edition of The Brief Case, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• The Trail Blazers heading into the All-Star Break off three road losses• The Trail Blazers making the Nuggets work in the second game between the two teams in Denver• Deandre Ayton out for at least the next month and how that impacts the center rotation• Donovan Clingan putting up a career high in rebounds on Wednesday after posting a career high in scoring on Monday• Clingan moving into the starting lineup and how playing 31 minutes might be more impressive than grabbing 20 rebounds• Where the Trail Blazers are at in the standing, offensive rating, defensive rating and net rating going into the All-Star Break• Toumani Camara facing off against Bryce McGowens in the 2025 Castrol Rising Stars Challenge at All-Star Friday night in San Francisco

Send us a textOn this edition of The Brief Case, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• Portland's seven-game homestand coming to an end• Losing to the Timberwolves in Minnesota to end a six-game winning streak• Getting blown out by the Nuggets in Denver• Losing both Deandre Ayton and Scoot Henderson to injury • Whether Scoot's injury might keep him out of the Rookie/Sophomore Challenge at All-Star Weekend• Donovan Clingan doing something no one in Portland has done since Arvydas Sabonis• Portland signing Sidy Cissoko and his debut with the Rip City Remix

Send us a textOn this edition of The Brief Case, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• The Trail Blazers wrapping up a seven-game homestand with a 108-102 victory versus the Kings Thursday night at Moda Center • Portland remaining the hottest team in the NBA after winning six in a row and 10 of their last 11 and whether they can keep it going with three road games before the All-Star break• The decision to stand pat at the 2025 NBA trade deadline and the notion of using the deadline to start discussions that become trades at a later date• Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin's comments to the media after the decision to make no moves at the trade deadline• Portland winning the last 10 games versus the spread and officially hitting the over on their preseason win projection... before the All-Star break

Send us a textOn this edition of The Brief Case, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• The Trail Blazers being the hottest team in the NBA in the last 10 games• Defeating the Suns in consecutive games -- one blowout and one overtime thriller-- at Moda Center thanks in larger part to the effort of Deandre Ayton• Blowing out the Pacers Tuesday night in the second game of a back-to-back for both teams• Portland extending their winning streak to five games and winning nine of their last 10 and some interested stats compiled during that stretch• Watching "the Big Game" at Spirit Mountain Casino• Scoot Henderson and Toumani Camara being "drafted" to play for Team Mitch Richmond at the 2025 Rising Stars Challenge, the rest of the roster and their prospects of advancing to face the actual NBA All-Stars Sunday night• Some general thoughts less than 24 hours before the 2025 trade deadline expires• Portland covering in 10-straight games and being just one win away from hitting the over on their season win projection

Send us a textOn this edition of The Brief Case, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• The Trail Blazers defeating Damian Lillard and the Bucks on Tuesday to sweep the Eastern Conference squad• Blowing out the Magic for the second time in a week to secure another sweep and finish the month of January with a .500 record• Portland getting a significant uptick in overall wins, road wins and offensive and defensive rating in the month of January• Scoot Henderson and Bryve McGowens being invited to participate in the Rising Stars Challenge at All-Star Weekend• The NBA rectifying a mistake by naming Toumani Camara as an injury replacement for the Rising Stars Challenge• The Trail Blazers covering the spread in seven-straight games and being just four wins away from hitting the over on their win projection this season with more than 40 percent of the season left to go

Send us a textOn this edition of The Brief Case, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• The Trail Blazers returning from a 3-0 road trip versus the Heat, Magic and Hornets• Having a season-best, four-game winning streak ended Sunday afternoon versus the Oklahoma City Thunder at Moda Center• Starting a seven-game homestand after a three-game trip• The play of Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara, Robert Williams III and Scoot Henderson on the road trip• Rookie center Donovan Clingan returning to the lineup after missing two weeks with an ankle injury• The Trail Blazers hosting Damian Lillard and the Bucks Tuesday night for the second time since the trade that sent the guard to Milwaukee• Portland covering the spread in five-straight games and moving even farther ahead of schedule with regard to their season win projection• All quiet on the trade front with the deadline a little over a week away

Send us a textOn this edition of The Brief Case, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, recorded from the team hotel in Miami, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• Finishing up a disappointing homestand with a win versus the Chicago Bulls on Sunday• Chauncey Billups' decision to bring Shaedon Sharpe off the bench and how it's worked thus far• Starting a three-game road trip with a win versus the Heat in Miami• Deandre Ayton turning in one of his best games as a Trail Blazer• Scoot Henderson stepping up his play in the month of January• Rayan Rupert being assigned to the Rip City Remix• Portland's recent record versus the spread and where they're at in terms of hitting the over on their season win projection

Send us a textOn this edition of The Brief Case, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• The Trail Blazers losing to the Clippers 118-89 to the LA Clippers Thursday night at Moda Center• Following up a decent road trip with a bad homestand• The value of Deni Avdija, who has missed the last two games with a sprained ankle• A conversation with second-year forward Kris Murray about earning more minutes, areas in which he's improved and where they still has room to grow, trying to remain consistent, who he looks to for advice and what he'd like to see from himself and the team in the second half of 2024-25

Send us a textOn this edition of The Brief Case, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• The Trail Blazers starting a five-gamer homestand with losses to the Heat and Nets• Scoot Henderson posting a career-high in scoring versus the Nets and some of the other interesting statistial noters from his performance• Toumani Camara also having a career night scoring versus the Nets, albeit in a loss• Donovan Clingan missing at least the next week with a "mild ankle sprain"• The injury report for Thursday's game versus the Clippers at Moda Center• Entering a stretch in which the Trail Blazers will play six games in nine nights in between two cross country flights• The Trail Blazers' recent record versus the spread and how far along they are in terms of hitting the over on their season win projection

Send us a textOn this edition of The Brief Case, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers Insider/Reporter Casey Holdahl discusses...• Opening 2025 with a close loss to LeBron James and the Lakers• A great practice in Milwaukee• Getting the first road win in over a month versus Damian Lillard and the Bucks in Milwaukee• Anfernee Simons with another go-ahead bucket versus his mentor• Kris Murray stays ready• The potent forward duo of Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara• A conversation with Toumani Camara about his second season

Send us a textOn this edition of The Brief Case, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• Finishing up 2024 with an ugly game versus the 76ers Monday night at Moda Center• Portland's starting lineup having one of their best games of the season in a victory versus the Mavericks on Saturday• The recent play of Deni Avdija, Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson• Nate Bjorkgren filling in for Chauncey Billups• One last reminder about New Year's Eve at Spirit Mountain Casino• Greg Oden's return to Portland, his visit to the practice facility and his thoughts on how he looks back on his time with the Trail Blazers 

Send us a textOn this edition of The Brief Case, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• The Trail Blazers getting their second win of December Thursday night versus the Jazz at Moda Center• Scoot Henderson capping one of his best games as a pro with a game-winning, nearly buzzer-beating shot• Deni Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe putting up big numbers in the fourth quarter of Thursday's win• Post-game comments from Scoot and Deni• The Trail Blazers dropping three-straight versus the spread though remaining ahead of schedule in terms of hitting the over on their season win projection

Send us a textOn this edition of The Brief Case, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• The Trail Blazers ending a six-game losing streak by defeating the Nuggets Thursday night at Moda Center• Anfernee Simons putting up 28 points, including a baby hook over Russell Westbrook to win the game as time expired• Simons' comments after the win• The play of Simons, Shaedon Sharpe, Deandre Ayton, Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara• All that practice time paying off versus the Nuggets• The Trail Blazers last two road games of 2024 versus in San Antonio and Dallas• The Trail Blazers winning their last three games versus the spread 

Send us a textOn this edition of The Brief Case, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• The Trail Blazers being winless in the month of December thus far• Sunday's loss to the Suns in Phoenix• Another extended break before facing the Nuggets on Thursday at Moda Center• The return of Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III• New Year's Eve at Spirit Mountain Casino• Chauney Billups' comments at practice on Tuesday regarding Matisse Thybulle's availability, the recent play of Shaedon Sharpe and which players he'd like to give more minutes to• Whether the Trail Blazers make a change to the lineup or rotation if their current losing streak continues• Bouncing back versus the spread but falling behind on the season over/under

Send us a textOn this edition of The Brief Case, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• The Trail. Blazers losing four-straight, including a loss to the LeBron-less Lakers in Los Angeles on Sunday• The Trail Blazers being eliminated from the NBA Cup• Portland playing just three games in the next 11 days and how they might spend that time• Scoot Henderson returns to the lineup, Toumani Camara's foot seems fine and waiting on injury updates regarding Robert Williams III and Donovan Clingan• The Trail Blazers sinking in offensive rating, defensive rating and their record versus the spread• Tom Haberstroh's stat about Shaedon Sharpe's vertical leap• An interview with Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija regarding his first month of the 2024-25 season, the differences between DC and Portland, understanding his new teammates on the court, his defensive versatility, what it means to "express yourself on the court" and his hopes for the team going forward

Send us a textOn this edition of The Brief Case, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• The Trail Blazers losing to the Grizzlies in Memphis on Monday to move to 1-3 on a five-game road trip• Splitting the back-to-back in Houston• The recent yeoman effort from Deni Avdija and his comments after practice in Indianapolis on Tuesday•Donovan Clingan, Robert Williams III and Matisse Thybylle sustaining injuries that will keep them out of the lineup for the next few weeks• The rest of Portland's injury report for Wednesday's game versus the Pacers• Donovan Clingan not getting mention in the race for Rookie of the Year and why that's ridiculous

Send us a textOn this edition of The Brief Case podcast, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• The Trail Blazers starting a five-game road trip with a "good" loss to the Thunder In Oklahoma City• Where the Trail Blazers stand in the NBA Cup with the second group stage game on Friday versus the Rockets• The Rip City Remix playing two games at Chiles Center this weekend after starting their season with four losses on the road• Portland offensive and defensive ratings and covering in their last four games• An interview with Trail Blazers guard/forward Dalano Banton aka "DB Hooper" about what his offseason looked like, the importance of having an offseason workout routine, how he's played this season and his role on the team, his role as a closer in the fourth quarter, being a "fringe" player and how that impacts his approach to the game, always playing on non guaranteed contracts, becoming a reliable player when you get reliable minutes, his improved three-point shooting, balancing scoring and creating for others, his "Young Boy" Shaedon Sharpe and the state of basketball in Canada and the nickname

Send us a textOn this edition of The Brief Case, presented  by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• Bouncing back from one of their worst losses in recent memory with back-to-back wins versus the Timberwolves• Robert Williams III excites in his first game at Moda Center this season• Donovan Clingan's 17-point, 12-rebound, 8-block coming out party in Wednesday's win versus the Timberwolves• Shaedon Sharpe puts up 33 points and throws down a ridiculous dunk to secure the victory Wednesday night• The Portland Trail Blazers sitting atop the Western Conference NBA Cup standings after one game in Group A play• The official release of the Trail Blazers' 2024-25 City Edition jerseys• Portland's record versus the spread and being ahead of schedule on the season win total

Send us a textOn this edition of the Brief Case, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• Chauncey Billups' comments after an "embarrassing" loss to the Grizzlies at Moda Center Sunday night• Robert Williams III discusses Chauncey Billups' comments, holding each other accountable, the importance of honesty and getting out of their own heads• Toumani Camara on Billups' post-game comments, not getting too low a few weeks into the season and figuring out ways to work together• The passing of former radio play-by-play announcer Brian "Wheels" Wheeler and some of his best calls throughout his career covering the Trail Blazers

On this edition of The Brief Case, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• The Trail Blazers besting the Pelicans in New Orleans Monday night• Another record-setting fourth quarter for Dalano Banton• Has Chauncey Billups created a "closer" position in the NBA similar to what managers do in the MLB?• The imminent return of Shaedon Sharpe -- he's listed as questionable for Thursday's game versus the Spurs in San Antonio Tuesday night• An interview with Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III on his return to the court after missing a full year due to injury, what he likes to be called, Portland's center rotation, being a mentor to rookie Donovan Clingan, his hopes for the season and where he gets all those stocking caps

On this edition of The Brief Case, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• The Trail Blazes coming up just short versus the Suns In Phoenix• The boost in Saturday's loss provided by The Dubber Don, The DB Hooper, Dalano Banton• Yet another third-quarter collapse and what Chauncey Billups said about it after Saturday's loss• Robert Williams III getting very close to returning after being upgraded to questionable for Monday's game in New Orleans• Portland's offensive, defensive and net rating seven games into the season• The Trail Blazers' record versus the spread• Spirit Mountain Casino coming on as the presenting sponsor for both The Brief Case and Blazers Balcony podcasts 

On this edition of The Brief Case, recorded from the team hotel in Los Angeles, Trail Blazers reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• The Trail Blazers getting their first win of the season Sunday versus the Pelicans at Moda Center• Portland starting off with first road trip with versus the Kings Monday night in Sacramento• A bad loss, an okay loss and a good loss • The Rip City Remix selecting Thierry Darlan, Sterling Manley and Blaise Akonobi in the 2024 G League Draft• The new Trail Blazers collectors glasses featuring Shaedon Sharpe, Scoot Henderson and Donovan Clingan• The Trail Blazers going 2-1-1 versus the spread in their first four games• Quick updates on the injury statuses of Robert Williams III and Shaedon Sharpe

On this edition of The Brief Case podcast, Trail Blazers beat report/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• The Trail Blazers getting blown out by the Warriors in their 2024-25 season opener• The vibe at practice on Thursday after the loss on Wednesday• The upcoming two-game series versus the New Orleans Pelicans at Moda Center• Portland failing to cover (and by a lot) Wednesday versus Golden State• The Toyota Halfcourt Shot drought continues and what can be done to change that• An interview with Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton regarding his offseason playing with the Bahamas, what he learned during his first year in Portland, the center rotation, being Donovan Clingan's vet and replacing his beard with a mustache

On this edition of The Brief Case, Portland Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider discusses...• The Trail Blazers wrapping up preseason with a 3-1• Portland blowing out the Utah Jazz Friday night at Moda Center• The new starting lineup of Anfernee Simons, Toumani Camara, Deni Avdija, Jerami Grant and Deandre Ayton• The Trail Blazers going 3-0 versus the spread against NBA teams, their season over/under and other futures bets• Injury updates on Matisse Thybulle, Robert Williams III and Shaedon Sharpe• The team picking up option on Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe and Kris Murray• Dalano Banton earning the 15th spot (probably) and waiving Devonte Graham•  An interview with Donovan Clingan about his life since summer league, what he's learned at training camp, being on his own for the first time, improving from one game to the next, the Trail Blazers' center rotation, the return of the Big Man, the "Cling Kong" nickname, Rookie of the Year and what he's expecting in the first month of his first season

On this edition of The Brief Case podcast, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• The Trail Blazers' 101-99 loss to the Clippers in Seattle in their first preseason games of 2024• Bouncing back by blowing out the Kings in Sacramento Sunday afternoon in their second preseason contest• Returning to Moda Center to play their two remaining preseason games• Injuries to Anfernee Simons and Matisse Thybulle• Chauncey Billups' speech at his Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Sunday• The new Trail Blazers/Rogue beer collaboration: The Rip City IPA

On this edition of The Brief Case, Trail Blazers Insider/beat reporter Casey Holdahl discusses...• Both Shaedon Sharpe and Robert Williams III missing the rest of training camp (and perhaps more) due to injury• Robert Williams' comments about his rehabilitation and Shaedon's injury• Deni Avdija winning Fan Fest MVP Honors• Chauncey Billups' fake quote about Deni Avdija being the team's best player and general media literally in the social media age• The Trail Blazers heading up to Seattle to begin preseason play versus the Clippers on Friday• Why the Trail Blazers might have scheduled a preseason game against Ulm of the German Bundesliga• Anfernee Simons and Scoot Henderson's comments at Media Day• How the injury to Shaedon Sharpe all but assures Ant and Scoot will be starting together on the first day of the regular season

On this edition of The Brief Case, Trail Blazers Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• The Trail Blazers signing a jersey patch deal with Brightside Windows• The Bill Walton memorial jersey patch the team will be wearing all season• The elite vibes at Portland's 2024 Media Day• The first day of training camp practice at the team's facility in Tualatin• Everyone competing for starting spots• The differences between NCAA and NBA practices• The footage from inside the gym on the Trail Blazers' first day of training camp• General Manager Joe Cronin and Head Coach Chauncey Billups take the podium at Media Day 

On this edition of The Brief Case podcast, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• the 2024 Fan Fest, sponsored by Diamler North America • The Trail Blazers announcing a new broadcast agreement to broadcast 81 games over-the-air on KATU and other stations under the Sinclair Broadcasting umbrella• The new direct-to-consumer streaming option, BlazerVision• An interview with Trail Blazers president of business operations Dewayne Hankins regarding the new broadcast and streaming options for the 2024-25 season

On this edition of The Brief Case, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• Training camp starting in a little over a week• The yearly NBA2K jersey and uniform leaks• How the Trail Blazers might utilize the Remix in their second season• The announcement Wednesday that the WNBA is returning to Portland • The former WNBA players working in the Trail Blazers' front office

On this edition of The Brief Case, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• The NBA's In Season Tournament, now known as the NBA Emirates Cup• The three Western Conference "groups" and how the Trail Blazers' competition in Group A stacks up to Group B and Group C• Portland's four-game group stage schedule versus the Timberwolves, Kings, Clippers and Rockets, which also happen to be four of their soon to be announced 80-game (plus two games to be added later) schedule

On this edition of The Brief Case podcast, Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...• The Trail Blazers being 2-1 at the Las Vegas Summer League after back-to-back wins Monday and Tuesday• Donovan Clingan and the rest of the Trail Blazers holding Wizards rookie Alex Sarr to 0 points on 0-of-15 shooting • The roles players on Portland's summer league team have settled into through three games• The Trail Blazers' chances of making the Las Vegas Summer League Tournament• And the show ends with an interview with Trail Blazers rookie center Donovan Clingan about how he's performed thus far at summer league, what a 20-year old can do in Las Vegas, his sunny disposition, whether or not he still gets nervous, a brief visit from Jacky Cui, growing up in ESPN's backyard,   that photo with Cooper Flagg and their relationship and growing up with a mom who played basketball.

On this edition of The Brief Case Podcast, Portland Trail Blazers beat reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl, on location with the team in Las Vegas, discusses...• The Trail Blazers splitting their first two games at the 2024 NBA2K Las Vegas Summer League• Differences between Portland's first and second games in Las Vegas• Donovan Clingan's performance at the end of the Trail Blazers' victory versus the 76ers Monday night• Clingan's comments after Monday's win at Thomas & Mack Arena• Duop Reath playing just two minutes in Team Australia's loss to Team USA in a friendly Monday • And the show ends with an interview with Trail Blazers forward Kris Murray about his offseason, what he's looking to improve at his second Summer League, how one gets better defensively, developing chemistry in a short amount of time and his golf game