The Blazers Balcony

In the latest edition of the Rip City Report podcast, The Oregonian's Joe Freeman and the Trail Blazers’ Casey Holdahl touch on a host of topics, including: •A recap of the NBA trade deadline. •An appreciation for Neil Olshey. •Why was Tim Frazier cut? •A look at the schedule over the final two months. •Plus, Casey and Joe answer a host of listener questions about the deadline, Gerald Henders...

In the latest edition of the Rip City Report podcast, The Oregonian's Joe Freeman and the Trail Blazers’ Casey Holdahl touch on a host of topics, including: •A discussion about the Blazers’ playoff chase and why they are playing so well. •Joe’s preseason bets aren’t looking so good. •The improved play of Moe Harkless and Gerald Henderson. •The All-Star break. •Plus, Casey and Joe answer a hos...

In the latest edition of the Rip City Report podcast, The Oregonian's Joe Freeman and the Trail Blazers’ Casey Holdahl touch on a host of topics, including: •A look at the Blazers’ winning streak and whether or not is has altered our preseason predictions. •The Blazers’ suddenly improved defense. •Damian Lillard’s All-Star snub. •Is Gerald Henderson being showcased for a trade? •Why is Moe Ha...

In the latest edition of the Rip City Report podcast, The Oregonian's Joe Freeman and the Trail Blazers’ Casey Holdahl touch on a host of topics, including:•A look at Damian Lillard’s All-Star chances.•The return of Nicolas Batum.•Noah Vonleh’s recent development.•CJ McCollum wants to take part in something at All-Star Weekend.•Plus, Casey and Joe answer a host of listener questions about Moe...

In the latest edition of the Rip City Report podcast, The Oregonian's Joe Freeman and the Trail Blazers’ Casey Holdahl touch on a host of topics, including: •A look at the Blazers at the midseason. •The debate between chasing the playoffs or a lottery pick. •Midseason awards. •Plus, Casey and Joe answer a host of listener questions about Terry Stotts’ future in Portland, Gerald Henderson, for...

In the latest edition of the Rip City Report podcast, The Oregonian's Joe Freeman and the Trail Blazers’ Casey Holdahl touch on a host of topics, including: •The CJ McCollum roster snafu. •Damian Lillard’s cold-shooting return. •The surprising connection between Lillard and Brandon Roy. •Plus, Casey and Joe answer a host of listener questions about Chris Kaman’s Christmas wish-list, balancing...

In the latest edition of the Rip City Report podcast, The Oregonian's Joe Freeman and the Trail Blazers’ Casey Holdahl touch on a host of topics, including: •Damian Lillard’s injury. •The strong play of Allen Crabbe and CJ McCollum. •Is Meyers Leonard’s slump over? •The Blazers’ playoff chances. •Plus, Casey and Joe answer a ton of listener questions about Tim Frazier, Damian Lillard’s new sh...

In the latest edition of the Rip City Report podcast, The Oregonian's Joe Freeman and the Trail Blazers’ Casey Holdahl touch on a host of topics, including: •Meyers Leonard’s slump. •Moe Harkless’ return to Orlando. •The direction of the franchise and the symmetry between the front office and coaching staff. •The Blazers are in the middle of a tough trip. •Plus, Casey and Joe answer a ton of...

In the latest edition of the Rip City Report podcast, The Oregonian's Joe Freeman and the Trail Blazers’ Casey Holdahl touch on a host of topics, including: •The Blazers’ current road trip •The return of Robin Lopez (and Arron Afflalo). •Terry Stotts’ relationship with his players. •Plus, Casey and Joe answer a ton of listener questions about Pat Cannaughton, Keanu Reeves movies, potential tr...

In the latest edition of the Rip City Report podcast, The Oregonian's Joe Freeman and the Trail Blazers’ Casey Holdahl touch on a host of topics, including: •A look at Al-Farouq Aminu’s struggles. •The Blazers fourth-quarter woes (again). •Is Gerald Henderson turning the corner? •Should Meyers Leonard go back into the starting lineup? •Plus, Casey and Joe answer a host of listener questions a...

In the latest edition of the Rip City Report podcast, The Oregonian's Joe Freeman and the Trail Blazers’ Casey Holdahl touch on a host of topics, including: •Mason Plumlee’s strong play. Is he a long-term piece? •Damian Lillard’s improvement and growth as a facilitator. •The Blazers’ fourth quarter improvement. •Thanksgiving. •Plus, Casey and Joe answer a host of listener questions about Meye...

In the latest edition of the Rip City Report podcast, The Oregonian's Joe Freeman and the Trail Blazers’ Casey Holdahl touch on a host of topics, including: •A look at the Blazers’ seven-game losing skid and what’s wrong. •Are things really as bad as they seem? •The Blazers remain upbeat and together despite losing streak. •The fourth quarter issues. •Plus, Casey and Joe answer a host of list...

In the latest edition of the Rip City Report podcast, The Oregonian's Joe Freeman and the Trail Blazers’ Casey Holdahl touch on a host of topics, including: •The Blazers’ up-and-down early-season play. •Meyers Leonard’s shoulder injury. •LaMarcus Aldridge’s return to Rip City, the boos and how he might be remembered in Portland years from now. •Gerald Henderson’s return and potential impact....

The Oregonian's Joe Freeman and ForwardCenter.net's Casey Holdahl recap this week in Trail Blazers news, discussing: •The Blazers dynamic backcourt: How good can Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum be? •The surprising impact of Al-Farouq Aminu. •McCollum’s pointed comments to reporters after Wednesday’s win over Utah. •Moe Harkless’ play. •Plus, Casey and Joe answer a host of listener questio...

The Oregonian's Joe Freeman and Trailblazers.com's Casey Holdahl bring you this week's Rip City Report from Phoenix to recap Portland's season-opening win over New Orleans, CJ McCollum's career night and an insane 48 hours in Oregon sports.

In the latest edition of the Rip City Report podcast, The Oregonian's Joe Freeman and the Trail Blazers’ Casey Holdahl touch on a host of topics, including: • Is Al-Farouq Aminu’s absence cause for concern? • Who will survive the final roster cuts? • A discussion about coach Terry Stotts’ player rotation and his pledge to make it flexible. • A brief look at tonight’s exhibition finale vs. the...

In the latest edition of the Rip City Report podcast, The Oregonian's Joe Freeman and the Trail Blazers’ Casey Holdahl touch on a host of topics, including: • Has the Blazers’ play in the preseason changed our expectations? • Our first impression of Al-Farouq Aminu. • Will Meyers Leonard and the Blazers agree to a contract extension before the season? • The Blazers’ chemistry has been good. •...

In the latest edition of the Rip City Report podcast, The Oregonian's Joe Freeman and the Trail Blazers’ Casey Holdahl touch on a host of topics, including: • Noah Vonleh, who seems to be ahead of schedule. • A look back at the first exhibition game vs. the Kings and ahead at tonight’s second exhibition game vs. the Warriors. • The versatility of the Blazers’ big men. • The over-under on Blaz...

Topics on this week’s podcast include takeaways from Media Day, our thoughts on the first few days of practice, Paul Allen’s statements, starting lineup predictions, Chris Kaman’s role and answer your Twitter-submitted questions, as always. And as mentioned on the show, we’re determined to be more regimented with the podcast this season, so be on the lookout for new editions every Thursday (we hop...

n the latest edition of the Rip City Report podcast, The Oregonian's Joe Freeman and the Trail Blazers’ Casey Holdahl touch on a host of topics, including: • A look at the just-released schedule. • The return of LaMarcus Aldridge — and his former teammates — to Portland. • Will the Blazers get in the trade market for Markieff Morris? • How long will Chris Kaman be a part of the roster and wha...

In the latest edition of the Rip City Report podcast, The Oregonian's Joe Freeman and the Trail Blazers’ Casey Holdahl touch on a host of topics, including: • The LaMarcus Aldridge exodus and its ripple effect on the roster. • A look back at free agency and the NBA draft. • A review of summer league and first impressions on Noah Vonleh, Pat Connaughton and Allen Crabbe. • Plus a lot more in t...

With the 2015 NBA Draft set to take place on Thursday, Joe Freeman of The Oregonian/OregonLive.com and I, Casey Holdahl of ForwardCenter.net/Trailblazers.com, hit the studio in the basement of the Moda Center to discuss what we think the Trail Blazers might do with the 23rd pick. We throw out a few potential targets, discuss how there just doesn’t seem to be the same excitement for this year’s dra...

In the latest edition of the Rip City Report podcast, The Oregonian's Joe Freeman and the Trail Blazers’ Casey Holdahl touch on a host of topics, including: • A discussion about the Blazers’ playoff loss to the Memphis Grizzlies and what went wrong. • A little reflection on the 2014-15 season, which could be remembered as the season of “What could have been.” • The season ended March 5, when...

In a playoff edition of the Rip City Report podcast, The Oregonian's Joe Freeman and the Trail Blazers’ Casey Holdahl touch on a host of topics, including: • Injury updates on the Blazers and Grizzlies • A conversation about the contrast in styles between these two teams and how that factors into the outcome of the series • Memphis’ dominance against the Blazers in recent seasons. •Wesley Mat...

In the latest edition of the Rip City Report podcast, The Oregonian's Joe Freeman and the Trail Blazers’ Casey Holdahl touch on a host of topics, including. A quick rundown and discussion about the Blazers’ myriad injuries. • How the Blazers’ recent swoon — and glut of injuries — impacts the stretch run. • Is it time to panic? (depends on your expectations). • The Blazers’ defensive woes. • P...