The Portland Trail Blazers lost back-to-back games to the LA Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers to fall to 11-11 on the season. The Blazer Focused podcast, supported by ZoomCare (Beyond Better™ Healthcare) goes over what’s going wrong with this team that has now lose eight of their last 10 games. The podcast is hosted by Aaron Fentress, who covers the team for The Oregonian/OregonLive, and Craig Birnbach. On this week’s show: Blazers collapse? Concerning or injury-related? What’s wrong with the def...
Dec 01, 2022•42 min
The Portland Trail Blazers entered Wednesday having lost four out of their last five games and were without Damian Lillard, out for at least a week because of a second lower-leg injury. The Blazer Focused podcast, supported by ZoomCare (Beyond Better™ Healthcare) goes over what has gone wrong for the Blazers (10-7) since that eventful 4-2 road trip that left them at 9-4. The podcast is hosted by Aaron Fentress, who covers the team for The Oregonian/OregonLive, and Craig Birnbach. On this week’s ...
Nov 23, 2022•53 min
The Portland Trail Blazers went 4-2 on their recent trip and return home tied for the best record in the Western Conference at 9-4. The Blazer Focused podcast, supported by ZoomCare (Beyond Better™ Healthcare) goes through the five observations on the trip made by Aaron Fentress, who covers the team for The Oregonian/OregonLive. He is joined by podcast producer, Andrew Theen. Craig Birnbach is on vacation and unavailable to keep Fentress in check this week. Theen stands no chance. On this week’s...
Nov 14, 2022•38 min
Kelly AuCoin, the actor and Portland Trail Blazers super fan, joined the Blazer Focused podcast this week. Blazer Focused is supported by ZoomCare and hosted by Aaron Fentress and Craig Birnbach. On this week's show: How Kelly convinced Craig to come to Portland back in the day. Kelly is a total diehard fan Projects he is working on, including a show on former LA Clippers owner, Donald Sterling. His expectations for the rest of the season. Subscribe to Blazer Focused anywhere you listen to podca...
Nov 07, 2022•44 min
The Blazers are sitting tied atop the Western Conference standings. But, Dame is out and a big road trip looms. On the latest episode of Blazer Focused, Aaron and Craig discuss all that and more. They hit on: -How concerned should we be about Dame's injury? -Shaedon Sharpe, of course -The brutal road trip -Fact or Fentress Blazer Focused is supported by ZoomCare. Subscribe to Blazer Focused anywhere you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 31, 2022•48 min
The Portland Trail Blazers are red, hot and rollin. On the latest episode of the Blazer Focused podcast, which is sponsored by ZoomCare, Aaron and Craig go back to their season previews. Lo and behold, they had a great formula for Blazers success. They hit on: - Dame's return to Dameness - Jerami Grant doing it all - Nurk is Nurk - Josh Hart and Anfernee Simons Subscribe to Blazer Focused anywhere you listen to podcasts to catch new episodes each week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit meg...
Oct 25, 2022•31 min
The NBA season is finally back! On the latest episode of Blazer Focused, Aaron and Craig talk about what a realistic season looks like for the Trail Blazers. Will this team make the playoffs, and what are the playoffs in the age of the play-in tournament? They discussed: Nassir Little's extremely team-friendly deal What it would take for this team to underperform What it would take for the Blazers to beat expectations How the West shakes out Subscribe to Blazer Focused anywhere you listen to pod...
Oct 18, 2022•47 min
The Portland Trail Blazers ended the preseason at 1-4 with zero wins against NBA teams. It wasn’t pretty but is the sky falling? The Blazer Focused podcast, sponsored by ZoomCare, provides some hope and answers during its latest episode with hosts, Aaron Fentress and Craig Birnbach. TOPICS: Just how bad was it? Deep look, with grades, at where the Blazers stand in key areas: Is Damian Lillard all the way back? Does Jusuf Nurkic look like a $70 million man? How Jerami Grant is living up to the hy...
Oct 12, 2022•56 min
The Portland Trail Blazers are off and running in the preseason and the Blazer Focused podcast, sponsored by ZoomCare, dissected the goings on with the team through two games. Hosts Aaron Fentress and Craig Birnbach hit on several pressing topics in this latest episode: Damian Lillard looks right. Rookie Shaedon Sharpe struggling. Jerami Grant is having a tremendous impact. Anfernee Simons off to a slow start. Competition at small forward. Subscribe to Blazer Focused anywhere you get your podcas...
Oct 06, 2022•49 min
Portland Trail Blazers training camp is underway in Santa Barbara, Calif., and the Blazer Focused podcast, sponsored by ZoomCare, is on the case. Hosts Aaron Fentress and Craig Birnbach hit on several pressing topics: Sloppy play with high energy mark the first two days. Rookie Shaedon Sharpe turning heads. Competition at small forward. Jerami Grant and Jusuf Nurkic learning each other’s games. What we hope to see during three preseason games next week. Subscribe to Blazer Focused anywhere you g...
Sep 29, 2022•45 min
The season from hell is in the rearview mirror. Now, what exactly do we make of the Portland Trail Blazers? On the latest episode of Blazer Focused, Aaron and Craig set the stage for training camp next week. They talk about the major themes and issues facing the Blazers. They hit on: Back to the old Dame? What exactly will Jerami Grant's role be? Nurk still in the crosshairs Ant's time to shine Subscribe to Blazer Focused anywhere you listen to podcasts to get new episodes every week. Learn more...
Sep 23, 2022•53 min
Welcome to this week’s episode of the Blazer Focused podcast with Aaron Fentress and Craig Birnbach. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: Training camp moves to Santa Barbara. Good move? Gary Payton II says he chose Portland for the money. Big deal? Donovan Mitchell leaves the Western Conference and the LA Lakers add Patrick Beverley. Do those moves matter to the Blazers? How does the pairing of Damian Lillard and Jerami Grant rank among the league’s best duos? Blazers add size with 7...
Sep 09, 2022•45 min
Welcome to this week’s episode of the Blazer Focused podcast with Aaron Fentress and Craig Birnbach. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: First podcast in a few weeks, what have the hosts been up to? One saw the Yankees play in NY and the other went on college tours with his daughter and retired from roller coaster. To travel the broadcast team or not to travel the broadcast team? That was the question finally settled by the Blazers. The Blazers’ schedule is out. Let’s take a look. Da...
Aug 25, 2022•44 min
Damian Lillard is officially 32-years-old and likely still basking in the glow of the two-year $122 million extension. On this week’s episode of the Blazer Focused podcast, Aaron and Craig discuss that deal a bit more in depth, Jabari Walker turning all sorts of heads and much more. They also hit on: · The ripple effect of the Dame deal on the books · How effective could Jabari Walker really be? · Keon Johnson talk. What is he? · Other Vegas takeaways Subscribe to Blazer Focused anywhere you get...
Jul 15, 2022•52 min
Damian Lillard has no problem getting in touch with Jody Allen. He’ll also have no problem paying the bills anytime soon. The franchise superstar directly refuted a NY Post assertion from this week that Lillard tried, and failed to reach chair Jody Allen. He also signed a two-year $122 million contract extension, ending the speculation of when that would occur. On the latest episode of the Blazer Focused podcast, Aaron Fentress and Craig Birnbach discuss that tabloid drama, plus they weighed in ...
Jul 08, 2022•43 min
The Blazers offseason of intrigue started with a bang. Jerami Grant is headed to Portland and the mysterious Shaedon Sharpe is also headed westward. On this week’s episode of the Blazer Focused podcast, Aaron and Craig discuss what to make of the trade, the draft and much more. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: · Shaedon Sharpe is a mystery, and a big swing · Jerami Grant heads home · Jabari Walker thoughts Subscribe to Blazer Focused on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, St...
Jun 24, 2022•26 min
The NBA draft is one week away. On this week’s episode of the Blazer Focused podcast, Aaron Fentress and Craig Birnbach reveal their mock drafts, debate potential viable trades, some of the recent workouts and much more. They discussed: · John Collins and OG Anunoby talk · Pie in the sky trades · Mock drafts for Aaron, Craig, Andrew Subscribe to Blazer Focused on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you listen Interested in sponsoring this show or any of our other podca...
Jun 16, 2022•51 min
This episode of the Blazer Focused podcast was already underway with discussion about Pistons forward and potential offseason target Jerami Grant and what to do with the number seven overall pick in this year's NBA draft. Then news intervened. On the latest episode of the Blazer Focused pod, Aaron and Craig react in real time to the ESPN report that Phil Knight and Alan Smolinisky have submitted a more than $2 billion bid to buy the Portland Trail Blazers. That part of the conversation starts ar...
Jun 02, 2022•44 min
You win some, you lose some. Now the pressure is on for Joe Cronin and the Portland Trail Blazers’ front office. On this week’s episode of the Blazer Focused podcast, Aaron Fentress and Craig Birnbach discuss the disappointing (but mathematically spot-on) NBA Draft lottery and what comes next for the franchise. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: · Fentress describes the scene from Chicago · Dame’s reaction and the viral video · An epic Kevin Durant rant · Assessing the summer, futur...
May 18, 2022•41 min
Starting Tuesday, Blazers fans will suddenly become big fans of the ol’ bouncing Ping-Pong balls. The NBA’s draft lottery is Tuesday and the franchise’s short-term future may hang in the balance. Or is that hyperbole? On the latest episode of Blazer Focused, Aaron Fentress and Craig Birnbach discuss the lottery odds, Joe Cronin officially getting the general manager gig and which players from last year’s roster are here to stay. Highlights: · When is the Cronin honeymoon over? · Envisioning lott...
May 12, 2022•49 min
After years of toiling away in apparent obscurity in Portland, CJ McCollum enjoyed rave reviews during his first-round exit as a New Orleans Pelicans guard. Kinda funny, isn’t it? On this week’s episode of the Blazer Focused podcast, Aaron Fentress and Craig Birnbach discuss CJ’s exit, the fawning national media attention, losing the second draft pick the looming draft lottery and much more Here are some highlights from this week’s show: · CJ’s performance was very CJ · Draft pick – trade it or ...
May 02, 2022•1 hr 16 min
The Blazers bid adieu to a dreadful season and gave a lovely goodbye to the legendary broadcaster and ambassador, Bill Schonely (aka The Schonz) in recent days. Now the hard work begins. On the latest episode of the Blazer Focused podcast, Aaron Fentress and Craig Birnbach dissect the exit interviews and look ahead to the critical offseason. They hit on: What Cronin and Billups had to say Thoughts on The Schonz's legacy Whether a big fish is coming in the offseason Fact or Fentress See acast.com...
Apr 12, 2022•51 min
CJ McCollum sure felt the love Wednesday night from the Rip City faithful. On this week’s episode of the Blazer Focused podcast, Aaron Fentress and Craig Birnbach recap the overwhelming standing ovation fans gave to McCollum in his first game back at the Moda Center since the trade. They put the moment in perspective and discusses its meaning and much more. They also hit on: · CJ’s place in franchise history · The incredible tanking exposition continues · Players to watch in the Final Four · Fac...
Apr 01, 2022•58 min
There’s not a ton to enjoy in the end of this NBA season here in Portland, but Aaron Fentress went deep with a three-part story looking at Anfernee Simons’ childhood and rise. On the latest episode of Blazer Focused, Fentress and Craig Birnbach dove into that feature story and analyzed the latest mock drafts. They hit on: - Fentress called for the tank but is complaining about how hard the tank is hitting. What gives? - Inside notes from the Simons story - Looking at the mock draft. Who makes se...
Mar 18, 2022•43 min
The tank is on in spectacular fashion, but what do the young Blazers get out of the beatdowns? That's a point of discussion on the latest episode of the Blazer Focused podcast. Aaron and Craig break down the young players, their performances so far and whether it's time to shut Ant down. Also, Aaron rains on many parades. They discussed: What is Ant getting out of this at this point? Can we learn anything about Chauncey Billups with this roster? CJ Elleby...NBA player? Or soon-to-be overseas pla...
Mar 04, 2022•43 min
Jusuf Nurkic is out for a month (at least) and the suddenly quite youthful Blazers were blasted off the court by the Golden State Warriors on Thursday. On this week’s episode of the Blazer Focused podcast, Aaron and Craig discuss the reemergence of the presumptive narrative that a high draft pick is unavoidable. Well, it sure is. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: Why the Nurk injury may guarantee his return Who else may come down with a minor injury? Thoughts on Keon Johnson's debu...
Feb 26, 2022•42 min
It's a question that would have been ludicrous a few weeks ago: Will the Trail Blazers lose again? It's sort of a joke, but the Blazers are in a groove now and the tank appears to be in jeopardy. What's it all mean? On the latest episode of the Blazer Focused podcast, Aaron and Craig discuss the Red Hot & Rollin' squad, the draft implications and much more. They discussed: Will Dame come back this season? Should he? Anfernee Simons is a star Are Winslow and Hart here to stay? No denying that...
Feb 19, 2022•50 min
Now Blazer fans have nothing to do but wait -- for the Ping-Pong balls, for the draft, and for free agency. On this week’s episode of the Blazer Focused podcast, Aaron Fentress and Craig Birnbach look back at the riveting week that was in Rip City. They discussed: · Joe Cronin and Chauncey Billups' comments · Josh Hart's arrival · What actual options exist in free agency · Fact or Fentress/Theen's No-Look Passes Here’s the full episode: [I’ll drop audio hyperlink] See acast.com/privacy for priva...
Feb 12, 2022•44 min
The Dame and CJ era is officially over in Rip City. On the latest episode of Blazer Focused, Aaron Fentress and Craig Birnbach dissect the two big deals in the past few days and give their takes on the overall direction of the franchise. They discussed: · The Norman Powell and Robert Covington move · Josh Hart and Keon Johnson · McCollum with the Pels · How Cronin is trying to straddle blow it up with rebuild and reload See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about ...
Feb 10, 2022•40 min
The Portland Trail Blazers were steamrolled by the woeful Oklahoma City Thunder this week despite the Thunder being without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Tough nights happen in the NBA, poor shooting nights do as well, but it was a rough performance. On this week’s episode of the Blazer Focused podcast, Aaron Fentress and Craig Birnbach discuss the pre-trade deadline doldrums and what to make of Anfernee Simons’ (gasp) bad game. They discussed: · Why covering this team right now is a challenge · Trad...
Feb 02, 2022•53 min
