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
Oct 09, 2023•35 min
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/adc...
Oct 03, 2023•44 min
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
Sep 28, 2023•44 min
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
Sep 20, 2023•48 min
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
Aug 02, 2023•1 hr 4 min
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
Jul 21, 2023•1 hr 4 min
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
Jul 12, 2023•1 hr 6 min
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
Jul 06, 2023•54 min
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
Jul 02, 2023•57 min
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
Jun 23, 2023•1 hr 3 min
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/adch...
Jun 22, 2023•57 min
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
Jun 12, 2023•48 min
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
Jun 01, 2023•52 min
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
May 17, 2023•41 min
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
May 12, 2023•55 min
The NBA lottery is about a week away (May 16) and the Portland Trail Blazers will be hoping to land the No. 1 pick. On the latest episode of the Blazer Focused podcast, Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive, and Craig Birnbach discuss lottery fever amongst many other topics. They hit on: - Damian Lillard showing up at Phoenix-Denver playoff game. It means nothing but let’s pretend it does for the fun of it. - Player reviews: We go through about a dozen Blazers and what their future with the...
May 08, 2023•1 hr 1 min
On the latest episode of the Blazer Focused podcast, Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive, and Craig Birnbach discuss what comes next for the Blazers. They hit on: - Damian Lillard’s expectations. - Lillard spotted at Nets-76ers. Is he recruiting? - What would it take for the Blazers to land Mikal Bridges? - Is it more likely that the Blazers are able to acquire two strong pieces rather than one superstar? - Draymond Green can become a free agent this summer. How would he fit in Portland? ...
Apr 21, 2023•51 min
The Portland Trail Blazers ended their 2022-23 season on Sunday with a 157-101 loss at home to the Golden State Warriors that left the team’s record at 33-49. On the latest episode of the Blazer Focused podcast, Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive, and Craig Birnbach discuss what comes next for the Blazers. Draft lottery. The Draft. Free agency. Trades. Can the Blazers use all of the above to finally build a contender around Damian Lillard? They hit on: - Is there reason for optimism give...
Apr 11, 2023•52 min
The Portland Trail Blazers’ have pulled the plug on the 2022-23 season. On the latest episode of the Blazer Focused podcast, Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive, and Craig Birnbach discuss why this is a good thing. They hit on: - Blazers have entered the tank race and it’s the best thing they could do? - The value of having a lottery pick this season plus the Knicks’ pick. - Could Anfernee Simons and/or Shaedon Sharpe be dangled in a trade? - Why Chauncey Billups isn’t to blame for this m...
Mar 29, 2023•39 min
The Portland Trail Blazers’ postseason hopes are all but dashed. Aaron Fentress has finally accepted that reality. Craig Birnbach, who gave up on this team two months ago, was not shy with the gloating. On the latest episode of the Blazer Focused podcast, Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive, and Birnbach discuss the team’s performance on the road leading up to the Tuesday night’s loss against the New York Knicks. They hit on: - Blazers showed signs of life at Philadelphia then looked looked aby...
Mar 16, 2023•43 min
Will Portland make the NBA Playoffs? Not likely. How about the play-in tournament? Maybe. On the latest episode of the Blazer Focused podcast, Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach discuss all things Rip City. Do any of these recent wins matter? They hit on: - Do the wins matter? -Is it really time to give up? - Cam Reddish showing flashes - Dame’s chance at the scoring title Subscribe to Blazer Focused anywhere you get your podcasts to hear the latest episodes. Learn mor...
Mar 08, 2023•39 min
Damian Lillard won the 3-point contest. The All-Star game was unwatchable. The Portland Trail Blazers (28-30) have 24 games to get their act together. All of that and more on the Blazer Focused podcast with Aaron Fentress and Craig Birnbach. SHOW TOPICS. Was winning the 3-point contest a big deal for Damian Lillard’s career? Oh, and about that dunk contest. How to fix the NBA All-Star game. It’s become a dreadful mess. Can the Blazers still make a run at the playoffs? Fentress and Birnbach agree...
Feb 20, 2023•1 hr 5 min
The Portland Trail Blazers made a series of moves before the trade deadline: Trail Blazers trade Josh Hart to the New York Knicks for Cam Reddish Portland Trail Blazers acquire guard Matisse Thybulle from Philadelphia 76ers Portland Trail Blazers trade Gary Payton II to Warriors for multiple picks, acquire Kevin Knox from Detroit But did the Blazers improve? On the latest episode of Blazer Focused, Aaron Fentress and Craig Birnbach take a look at where the Blazers stand following the trade deadl...
Feb 09, 2023•34 min
The Portland Trail Blazers (26-28) looked small during their 127-108 loss Monday night to the Milwaukee Bucks. With Thursday’s trade deadline looming, can the Blazers add size to the lineup? On the latest episode of Blazer Focused, Aaron Fentress and Craig Birnbach take a look at where the Blazers stand, what moves could be made by the trade deadline and much more. They discuss: Jarred Vanderbilt? Christian Wood? Could the Blazers land a forward help? Who is on the block for the Blazers? Blazers...
Feb 07, 2023•50 min
Dame is on fire. That much is indisputable. Everything else in Blazer land remains on uncertain ground. On the latest episode of Blazer Focused, Aaron Fentress and Craig Birnbach take stock of the Blazers as they head out on another critical three-game roadtrip. The discussed: Dame's brilliance Jerami Grant got a contract offer he hasn't signed. What now? Do they have to trade Ant? Road trip predictions Subscribe to Blazer Focused anywhere you get your podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. ...
Jan 31, 2023•47 min
The Portland Trail Blazers picked up a huge win Monday night over the Gregg Popovich-led San Antonio Spurs, 147-127. Is this the return to the glory days of November? Yeah, not so sure about that. On the latest Blazer Focused podcast, Aaron Fentress and Craig Birnbach talk about the latest news in Rip City. They talked about Remembering Bill Schonely and veteran cameraman John Curry Why is this team struggling so much? Thoughts on the trade deadline Fact or Fentress Subscribe to Blazer Focused a...
Jan 24, 2023•51 min
The Portland Trail Blazers (19-20) are struggling but return home to play 10 of the their next 11 at the Moda Center during what could be the most critical stretch of their season. On the latest Blazer Focused podcast, Aaron Fentress and Craig Birnbach analyze the Blazers chances of turning their season around in January after falling below .500 for the first time. On this week’s show: The Blazers are a mess. Can it be fixed? How many games must they win the rest of this month to save the season...
Jan 10, 2023•36 min
It's a new year and GPII is finally here! On the latest episode of Blazer Focused, Aaron and Craig discuss Gary Payton II's long-awaited debut as a Portland Trail Blazer. Is this the mojo this team sorely needed? They also discussed: - Jerami Grant continues to dazzle - Is Grant an All-Star this season? - The January schedule - Fact or Fentress Subscribe to Blazer Focused anywhere you get your podcasts to get new episodes each week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 03, 2023•45 min
The Portland Trail Blazers continue their up-and-down season that included a loss Monday at Oklahoma City on the night Damian Lillard became the franchise’s all-time leading scorer. The Blazer Focused podcast, supported by ZoomCare (Beyond Better™ Healthcare) goes over that night and Lillard’s somber reaction given the loss. The podcast is hosted by Aaron Fentress, who covers the team for The Oregonian/OregonLive, and Craig Birnbach. On this week’s show: What does Lillard’s record mean for his l...
Dec 22, 2022•40 min
Turns out Dame is important. The Blazers got their leader back, and after a challenging stretch of games, things are suddenly looking slightly better in Rip City. On the latest episode of Blazer Focused, Aaron and Craig explain why. They hit on: Dame's return What Anfernee still can do to improve The defense: Which version should fans expect going forward Fact or Fentress Subscribe to Blazer Focused anywhere you get your podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Dec 07, 2022•46 min
