Jamie Hudson of NBC Sports Northwest joined us to talk about what she will remember about the season (so far), what she misses about basketball, how reporting on the NBA has changed since the suspension of the league and how she is spending her time at home. It was so great to talk to her and hear her cheerful voice. Basketball marathons, games to re-watch, Gary Trent Jr coming into his own, Instagram baby dance parties, covering Carmelo Anthony, finding her voice as a reporter, Below Deck vs 90...
Mar 20, 2020•51 min
On this week's episode of the Blazer's Edge podcast, Tara Bowen-Biggs and Danny Marang look back at the past week with horrible losses to the Phoenix Suns and the Sacramento Kings, the upcoming return of Jusuf Nurkic and all the listener questions we can handle! Intro Opening comments What team were we watching? 2:00 Aron Baynes and the 3-point murder bus 4:00 Back and forth with Trevor Ariza and Hassan Whiteside 7:00 Why do this losses feel so bad? 10:00 Alex Len v CJ McCollum and the Tale of t...
Mar 09, 2020•1 hr 10 min
On this week’s Hoops and Talks podcast, Cassidy and Tara choose celebrity ambassadors, discuss the playoff race, comment on the outstanding play of CJ McCollum and Gary Trent Jr, and give Mario Hezonja some love for taking one for the team. Then it is time to choose our players for the 2010s All Decade team. Listen in and tell us which team would win! Highlights 1:00 Who would be your choice for celebrity ambassador for the Trail Blazers? 5:30 Blazers are not that far out of the playoff race. 6:...
Mar 05, 2020•44 min
On this week's episode of the Blazer's Edge podcast Tara Bowen-Biggs and Danny Marang take a look at where the Blazers are and how to rationalize the season, the unwritten rules of basketball, the growth of the deep bench, early looks at draft prospects, how safe is Coach Stotts, the return of Jusuf Nurkic and more! Intro Opening comments Trae Young, Trevor Ariza & the unwritten rules 3:00 How has Ariza looked in a Portland uniform? 8:00 Competence is not a bad word! 10:00 Taking a look at t...
Mar 02, 2020•57 min
On the latest episode of the WHAT podcast, Tara and Cassidy name their All 2000 Decade team and they are nothing like you would expect. Tune in to find out who they chose, catch up on the Blazers since the All Star Break and ask if we should let go of our anger about the Blazers’ loss on March 6, 2001? 1:00 Icebreaker: Red Vines or Twizzlers? Also black licorice stories. 2:30 Thoughts on the Blazers without Lillard? CJ McCollum has limited options. There is a big difference between the guys in s...
Feb 29, 2020•49 min
Learn more about the Indiana Pacers with Caitlin Cooper from Indy Cornrows. Who to watch, what their style of play is like, and how they have adjusted to their own injury bad luck. 00:45 Main story lines, reintegrating Victor Oladipo into the lineup and trying to get some continuity with lots of injuries 1:45 More on Oladipo: He’s not as explosive as he was before the injuries. He’s not getting as many on-target shots as he used to, he seems like he’s still a little off balance.He’s still able t...
Feb 27, 2020•28 min
On this week's episode of the Blazer's Edge podcast, Tara Bowen-Biggs and Danny Marang are joined by guest Brian Noe to take a look back at games since the All Star break, CJ McCollum running the show and how it differs from Damian Lillard, what limitations are impacting the game, listener questions, why Brian Noe still has a Christmas tree up and more! Intro Opening comments 2:00 Brian Noe on the show! 4:30 CJ McCollum running the show 6:00 Taking a look at..ugh… the Piston’s game 8:00 Gary Tre...
Feb 25, 2020•1 hr 11 min
Tara and Cassidy welcome friend of the podcast, the original FANalyst, Jo Wulffenstein (and her dog Seymoure) back onto the show. We talk about what she has been up to, how she stays connected to her beloved Blazers, and what is the most unique Blazers paraphernalia she has come across in her world travels. We recap the best All Star Weekend in recent memory, debate the ending of the dunk contest, and have an idea how to improve the Elam Ending even more. Plus, we share what we think the Blazers...
Feb 20, 2020•1 hr 11 min
On this week’s edition of the Blazer’s Edge podcast, Tara Bowen-Biggs and Danny Marang take a look at the final games leading up to the All Star Break (begrudgingly), discuss the future in the NBA with Zion Williamson and Ja Morant, the curious case of CJ McCollum, looking at the final 26 games of the season, discussing whether or not the Blazers will end up making the playoffs and more... on this week’s episode! CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD Intro Opening comments The ups and downs of the season 2:00 ...
Feb 17, 2020•56 min
Alex Haigh returns to the Hoops and Talks podcast to catch up with Tara and discuss what Gary Trent Jr said to Donovan Mitchell, how does she feel about the season so far, which Blazer has the most fashion sense, and what difference has Carmelo Anthony made to the team? Then we talk about the newest basketball, culture and art magazine, Flagrant, for which she is the designer. Issue #1 is about to debut. She talks about what it is like to make a print publication when so much has gone digital an...
Feb 14, 2020•36 min
On this week's episode of the Blazer's Edge podcast, Tara Bowen-Biggs and Danny Marang are joined by Trail Blazers Beat Reporter Casey Holdahl to talk about the insanity in Salt Lake City, how ridiculous Damian Lillard has been, how has it been covering Carmelo Anthony, the emergence of Gary Trent Jr. and more! Intro Opening comments Casey Holdahl! Reactions from at the game following the blown goaltending call 2:00 Guys were definitely irritated 3:00 Gary Trent Jr needs to speed up his post gam...
Feb 11, 2020•56 min
Cassidy and Tara talk on the eve of the NBA trade deadline. They discuss the huge four team trade that occurred on Wednesday, remark on how many former Blazers are scattered throughout teams in the Northwest Division and wonder how their friends in Memphis are dealing with Andre Iguodala leaving for Miami? LeBron was chosen as Player of the Month over Damian Lillard, can we let this stand? Anfernee Simons was passed up for the dunk contest but Pat Connaughton got the nod. How do we feel? Finally...
Feb 06, 2020•47 min
On this week's episode of the Blazer's Edge podcast, Tara Bowen-Biggs and Danny Marang marvel and discuss Damian Lillard's absolutely epic week, running out of superlatives along the way. Then it's the emergence of the "pink show crew"; Anfernee Simons, Gary Trent Jr and Nassir Little, ranking Dame as an MVP candidate, all the listener questions about the upcoming trade deadline and what Portland would/could/should do, even more Damian Lillard praise and so much more! Intro Opening comments Dami...
Feb 03, 2020•1 hr 8 min
Jasmine D. Brown, production assistant for ESPN and former beat writer for Washington Mystics and Capital City Go-Go (the Wizard’s G-League affiliate) joined the Hoops And Talks Podcast to talk about her journey to working full-time in sports.She talked about Trevor Ariza’s time with the Wizards, Maryland alumni who have played for the Trail Blazers and the trajectory of the Washington Mystics leading to their 2019 WNBA Championship. We had a great time learning that there was a Twitter account ...
Jan 31, 2020•50 min
On this week’s episode we remember Kobe Bryant, our own memories of him, stories that we’ll never forget and what a perfect villain he was for Portland fans. We talk about what he must have meant to players in the league, how his active retirement showed us a different side of him, and wonder who in the league plays with the same passion that Kobe did? Then we talk about the amazing week Damian Lillard just had, how the ball seems to be moving around more, what we saw from Trevor Ariza and how G...
Jan 29, 2020•1 hr 22 min
Kristen Kerbaugh has a front row seat to all the Trail Blazers’ home games as the Stage Manager for the broadcast team. We talked to her about how she got started in television and found out what she is doing up at the front table during the games. She’s got some fun memories and funny stories about what it is like to be so close to the action. Game 5 against the Thunder? We got chills just hearing her talk about it! We also discuss how we’re feeling about Trevor Ariza joining the Trail Blazers,...
Jan 23, 2020•55 min
1:00 Initial reaction to trade: Does this trade make more clear the plan for the rest of year 2:15 Is it possible to make a move that makes everyone happy? Blazers usually work with a small group of teams. 9:00 Remembering the Anthony Tolliver game. 15:00 Kent Bazemore had a nice game against Houston. 17:00 Things basketball wise seem like they are starting to fall into place. 22:00 Carmelo Anthony has been having a good week, here’s why. Not taking too many shots, getting guys in the post and b...
Jan 20, 2020•1 hr 16 min
Expectations have changed dramatically for the Golden State Warriors this season, so we checked in with our friend Jannelle Moore of goldenstateofmind.com to compare notes about surviving a down season. We learn about how the Warriors are juggling 45-day contracts and how being hard capped lead to letting Marquese Chriss go. (Since we recorded, Chriss himself was signed to a 45-day contract.) Talking to her was illuminating because even though the Trail Blazers are having a tough year, at least ...
Jan 16, 2020•53 min
On this week's episode of the Blazer's Edge podcast, Tara Bowen-Biggs and Danny Marang take a look the impending return of Jusuf Nurkic in the coming weeks and want to expect, what Jody Allen's motivations at the deadline could be, Tara's desire to have Ed Davis back, the development of Anfernee Simons, and more! Intro Opening Comments Tara really wants Ed Davis back 2:40 How much longer can the team go without making a move? 6:00 What are Jody Allen’s motivations? 7:00 Are the Blazers being pru...
Jan 13, 2020•54 min
We are fired up about a few things this week: why aren't the Utah Jazz playing Ed Davis? Can we see Anfernee Simons in the NBA All Star Dunk Contest already? And why shouldn't we just enjoy Carmelo Anthony while he is with the Blazers? Highlights 1:15 What past NBA players would have done better in today’s NBA rather than their own time? 7:00 Blazers highlights from the game in Toronto. 10:45 Skal Update: 4 more weeks before he is evaluated. Former Blazer Al-Farouq Aminu is out for the season (O...
Jan 11, 2020•52 min
The Portland Trail Blazers haven’t found a rhythm and it seems like their roster is getting thinner all the time. Erik Garcia Gundersen of Associated Press and LeBron Wire joined Tara Bowen-Biggs on the podcast to try and make sense of how to watch this team. They are 11th in the league at rebound per game but are they a good rebounding team? How long can they play undermanned? What kind of improvement should we be looking for with the young players? Gundersen watched the Cavaliers for a full se...
Jan 07, 2020•1 hr 7 min
Tara talked to Nekias Duncan (@nekaisNBA) about the upcoming matchup between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Miami Heat. Who are the main characters? How is Meyers Leonard doing? What does he expect Hassan Whiteside’s return will be like? All this and more. Highlights: 1:00 Main characters in Miami are Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. Butler has been great even though he is having a shooting slump. This has really been a coming-out year for Adebayo. 2:30 The rest of the starting lineup is Kendri...
Jan 04, 2020•20 min
Happy New Year from the WHAT podcast. Tara and Cassidy are back to catch up (very quickly) on how the Trail Blazers are doing before rating some of the more memorable events of 2019 and of the 2010s. How important were Evan Turner’s back-to-back triple doubles? Did the elevator escapade leave any lasting impressions? How important was the drafting of CJ McCollum compared to drafting Lillard or signing Jusuf Nurkic? All this plus talk about taglines, ninja headbands (of course) and the 2020 Olymp...
Jan 03, 2020•53 min
Tara talks to China (@chiniqua) from Posting and Toasting about the Trail Blazers' upcoming game vs the New York Knicks. The two teams who commit the most fouls, have the lowest number of assists, in New York City on New Years day. Oh boy! As China says, “Someone has to win this game”. 00:15 Remembering the Enes Kanter experience. And sharing notes on the Melo experience. 4:30 What happened when David Fizdale left. It seems like he wasn’t able to make it work with the roster that he had and Mike...
Dec 31, 2019•25 min
On this week’s episode of the Blazer’s Edge podcast, Tara Bowen-Biggs and Danny Marang are joined by Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale to take a look at the defining moments of the decade for the Blazers, the impact of Damian Lillard, the spark points for NBA growth, Dan’s thoughts on Coach Stotts and expectations, looks at Anfernee Simons and Hassan Whiteside, listener questions and more! Intro Opening Comments Putting a piece together with so many contributors and so many points of view 4:00 The de...
Dec 30, 2019•1 hr 26 min
Dillon Sage, co-host of Holy Backboard podcast, joined Tara to talk about the New Orleans Pelicans. 00:30 How have expectations changed for the Pelicans? High expectations were quickly adjusted when Zion Williamson went down, but he’s not the only one who has been injured. Basically Pelicans fans have already had their hearts broke a number of ways this season. 2:45 What is the plan moving forward for this season? Will Zion play at all? The front office is adamant that he will play, although the...
Dec 22, 2019•23 min
On this week's episode of the Blazer's Edge podcast, Tara Bowen-Biggs and Danny Marang are joined by Blazer's Edge editor Steve Dewald to take a look at fringe moves, making the first trade, the never ending links to Kevin Love, understanding GM speak, the improvement of Hassan Whiteside, buyers vs. sellers market, the next 5 games and how it could set the tone - and a lot more! Intro Opening Comments 2:00 Changing Expectations Using the DPE 4:00 Making fringe moves 5:00 Steve Dewald talks small...
Dec 16, 2019•1 hr 7 min
Just in time for the holidays Tara and Cassidy have ideas for gifts to give the Trail Blazers this season. What gift might help channel Hezonja’s intensity or help Whiteside focus? What could we possibly give to Damian Lillard, the man who has it all, that would adequately express our appreciation for everything he does? What experience would Anfernee Simons remember forever? Highlights 2:45 Rodney Hood goes down. 5:30 What do the Blazers do next? They will still fight. 10:15 Holiday gifts: For ...
Dec 13, 2019•54 min
On this week's episode of the Blazer's Edge podcast, Tara Bowen-Biggs and Danny Marang are joined by Dave DuFour of The Athletic podcast network to discuss all things Portland; the Carmelo Anthony Experiment results are in, Rodney Hood's season ending injury, what the Blazers should/would/could do going forward, tank vs chase, asset management, expectations and goals for the season, the problem with Portland's defense, developing young players, tribute videos and more! Intro Dave DuFour! The mos...
Dec 09, 2019•1 hr 11 min
Blazers Edge editor Steve DeWald and special guest Scott Hatley of Incight join Tara to discuss our choices for the all-decade team for 2010’s. But there was a twist: we couldn’t select a current Blazer. Who did we chose for point guard? Which other players from the 2010s made the list? Listen or read the highlights below and let us know who would be on your All-Decade team for the 2010s? Whose team would win? Incight, an organization dedicated to unlocking the potential of people with disabilit...
Dec 08, 2019•42 min
