The Oregonian/OregonLive

Blazer Focused

Sports EN ↓ 181 episodes

Portland Trail Blazers news, interviews and analysis from The Oregonian/OregonLive's Aaron Fentress and co-host Craig Birnbach.

Author

The Oregonian/OregonLive

Episodes

Who is Tom Dundon and what will his potential Portland Trail Blazers’ ownership look like? 08.09.2025 48:50

When news arrived late last month that Tom Dundon and a collection of investors reached a tentative agreement to buy the Portland Trail Blazers, it sparked more questions than answers for Blazermaniacs. What does it mean for the future of the franchise? What type of owner will he be? What does it mean for the Moda Center? And ... who the heck is Tom Dundon? In the latest episode of the Oregonian S...

Trying to make sense of Damian Lillard’s return to the Trail Blazers: Blazer Focused podcast 18.07.2025 47:34

The hosts of the Blazer Focused podcast‚ Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discuss the return of Damian Lillard to the Portland Trail Blazers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Blazers rookie Yang Hansen off to hot start; will Deandre Ayton shine in LA? 14.07.2025 1:06:04

The hosts of the Blazer Focused podcast‚ Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discuss Trail Blazers rookie center Yang Hansen’s first two Summer League games and if Deandre Ayton can revive his career with the Los Angeles Lakers. Plus, is it a concern that Portland hasn’t done much this offseason? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Deandre Ayton out for the Portland Trail Blazers; Damian Lillard in? 02.07.2025 58:38

The hosts of the Blazer Focused podcast‚ Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discuss the possibility of Damian Lillard returning to Portland and the ramifications of buying out Deandre Ayton’s contract. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does Blazers' GM deserve benefit of the doubt following shocking selection of Yang Hansen? 26.06.2025 43:10

The hosts of the ⁠Blazer Focused podcast⁠‚ Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discuss the Portland Trail Blazers trading back from the No. 11 pick in Wednesday night’s draft to ⁠select center Yang Hansen from China in a move that stunned the basketball world⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Analyzing the Trail Blazers’ acquisition of Jrue Holiday, NBA draft preview 24.06.2025 1:24:38

The hosts of the Blazer Focused podcast‚ Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, dive into the Blazers trading Anfernee Simons for Jrue Holiday, and discuss what they believe the Blazers should do with the No. 11 pick during Wednesday night’s NBA draft. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Could Chris Paul be a fit in Portland? Mock drafts project Blazers' selection at No. 11 29.05.2025 41:55

The hosts of the Blazer Focused podcast‚ Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discuss mock NBA drafts, Chris Paul being linked to the Trail Blazers and Craig’s New York Knicks taking a tumble in the NBA playoffs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donovan Clingan recognized, grading the guards, Trail Blazers for sale 22.05.2025 57:11

The hosts of the Blazer Focused podcast‚ Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discuss Donovan Clingan being named to the All-Rookie team, the Blazers seeking a buyer and what that means for Moda Center and they grade the guard position. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trail Blazers go up for sale and the draft lottery fallout 13.05.2025 50:50

The hosts of the Blazer Focused podcast‚ Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discuss the Trail Blazers finally going up for sale and what’s next for the team on the court after landing at No. 11 in Monday night’s NBA draft lottery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Damian Lillard injured, Trail Blazers shake up staff, will Donovan Clingan make All-Rookie team? 02.05.2025 56:50

The hosts of the Blazer Focused podcast‚ Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discuss the Trail Blazers making staff changes, Damian Lillard’s injury, rookie of the year voting and they break down the center position. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grading the Trail Blazers forwards, lottery slippage, Lillard healthy 22.04.2025 1:01:45

The hosts of the Blazer Focused podcast‚ Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discuss the Portland Trail Blazers falling a tad in the NBA draft lottery, analyze the forward position and address the return of Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks’ lineup for the playoffs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did Trail Blazers make the right move retaining coach Chauncey Billups? 14.04.2025 58:49

The hosts of the Blazer Focused podcast‚ Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discuss the Portland Trail Blazers signing coach Chauncey Billups to a contract extension and take a quick look at the team’s chances of reaching the playoffs next season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trail Blazers GM Joe Cronin’s contract extended, Chauncey Billups should be next 08.04.2025 47:14

The hosts of the Blazer Focused podcast‚ Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discuss general manager Joe Cronin receiving a contract extension and agree that coach Chauncey Billups should be next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trail Blazers, led by Deni Avdija, continue playing with heart 02.04.2025 38:03

The hosts of the Blazer Focused podcast‚ Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discuss the Blazers’ unexpected 127-113 win at Atlanta, Deni Avdija’s second triple-double, Toumani Camara’s chances of landing on the All-Defensive team and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can Deni Avdija, Anfernee Simons lead Trail Blazers to play-in berth? 21.03.2025 42:08

The hosts of the Blazer Focused podcast‚ Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discuss the Blazers making noise in the tight race for the final play-in berth in the Western Conference and more during the latest episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trail Blazers fading, but Henderson and Avdija shining 13.03.2025 45:09

The hosts of the Blazer Focused podcast‚ Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discuss the Portland Trail Blazers' fading play-in hopes, the play of Scoot Henderson and Deni Avdija, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Possibility of Trail Blazers earning play-in berth just improved 05.03.2025 41:04

The hosts of the Blazer Focused podcast‚ Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discuss the Blazers winning five out of six, what Kyrie Irving being lost for the season means for Dallas and the Blazers, the rise of Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija, plus what reaching the play-in would mean for the franchise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trail Blazers remain in play-in hunt, Shaedon Sharpe posterizes on career night 27.02.2025 40:38

The hosts of the Blazer Focused podcast‚ Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discuss the team's recent winning streak, chances of reaching the play-in, Shaedon Sharpe’s career night and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trail Blazers enter All-Star break with no clear direction 14.02.2025 1:00:20

The hosts of the Blazer Focused podcast‚ Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discuss where the Blazers stand after losing three consecutive games entering the All-Star break and once again dealing with injuries. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Surging Trail Blazers complicate future 05.02.2025 56:25

The hosts of the Blazer Focused podcast‚ Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discuss the team winning nine of 10 and what that means for the rebuild, Thursday’s trade deadline, coach Chauncey Billups and the future of the franchise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is the Trail Blazers' rise legit or smoke and mirrors?: Blazer Focused podcast 31.01.2025 1:01:56

The hosts of the Blazer Focused podcast‚ Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discuss the team winning six out of seven, Scoot Henderson’s ascension, coach Chauncey Billups’ future and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Making sense out of an interesting few days for the Trail Blazers 22.01.2025 44:25

The Blazer Focused podcast, hosted by Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, jumps all over the latest developments surrounding the team. Scoot Henderson continues to shine. Anfernee Simons bounced back. Shaedon Sharpe lost his starting role. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scoot Henderson shines, but Trail Blazers still reeling 16.01.2025 49:02

The Blazer Focused podcast, hosted by Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, offers well-earned praise to Scoot Henderson for his performance against the Nets. But was it just a fluke? Also, why does Deandre Ayton coast at times, and should the Blazers regret not trading Damian Lillard to Miami for a package including Tyler Herro? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit meg...

Simons, Sharpe and Avdija rolling with trade deadline a month away 07.01.2025 51:23

The Blazer Focused podcast, hosted by Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, examines the team's solid play lately, especially that of Shaedon Sharpe, Anfernee Simons and Deni Avdija. Plus, the trade deadline is coming up on Feb. 6. What should the Blazers do? And would we trade for Zion Williamson? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reviewing the first quarter of the Trail Blazers' season 05.12.2024 51:46

The Blazer Focused podcast, hosted by Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, examines all that went right and all that went wrong for the 8-14 Trail Blazers during the first quarter of the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices