Hardwood Knocks Takeover: Portland Trail Blazers 2025-2026 NBA Season Lookahead

With Mort tending to private matters for the remainder of September, Dan Favale is up to talk about the Portland Trail Blazers.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:05):
What is up? Fellas it goes, I am Dana Valley
coming at you with another twenty twenty five twenty twenty
six NBA season look ahead. We're on to the Portland
trail Blazers, which means I have the distinct pleasure of
being joined by the co hosts plural of the We
Havebitake podcast. Tara Bowen Biggs is back, as she always is,
very excited to talk to her and her co host

(00:27):
Rose Harding has agreed to join us. I'm gonna start
with the new person. Rose. It's nice to official, semi
officially meet you. How are you doing?

Speaker 2 (00:36):
Thank you? It's nice to meet you too.

Speaker 3 (00:37):
Dan.

Speaker 2 (00:39):
I'm doing well.

Speaker 3 (00:40):
It's I'm really getting excited for basketball and I'm really
getting excited for our new team. So I'm excited to
be here to talk to you. I'm just excited today.
I've had two cups of coffee. I'm ready to go dope.

Speaker 1 (00:51):
I'm caffeinating as we speak. Very exciting times. Although that's
kind of a loaded question, right, So it's like, how
are you doing? Are you gonna come on here and say, man,
this really sucks, Like I don't want to be here.
I don't want to talk to dan about the Blazers.
So kind of a loaded question, but I appreciate the
excitement nonetheless.

Speaker 3 (01:08):
Yeah, I mean, I'll say I I'm infinitely interested in
the background that I see behind you, but I'm resisting
the urge to ask about it. Just with your little
like Captain America's and your New York next jersey with
that's green.

Speaker 1 (01:23):
Ye that I will expand upon. I think the Knicks
need to bring back the green and orange Saint Patti's
Day jerseys, and that's a Danila Gallinari jersey, because I
would take I would die for him. But yeah, those
are one of my favorite jerseys. People thought they were hideous.
I think they're so cool. They're loud and weird. I
like them.

Speaker 3 (01:40):
I'm more shocked about your take around Danilo Gallinari.

Speaker 1 (01:45):
I was convinced when the if you guys remember Mellow
was traded from Denver to New York. I was like
gutted that they gave up Neil Gleanora. I even wrote
something about how I thought Mellow was worse than Danila Gallinari.
At the time. I was clearly wrong and in my feelings,
but I was Danilo Gallinari piled like, you give me
someone who's six' ten and could shoot and. DRIBBLE i
WAS i was, like, oh It's, Dirk It's Italian. Dirk

(02:07):
that's basically WHAT i thought he.

Speaker 4 (02:09):
Was we can, understand we can, Relate.

Speaker 1 (02:14):
Tara how are you doing your back for like? THIS
i think might be year seven for. YOU i don't
Think i've done A blazer's look ahead with anybody. ELSE
i think this is year.

Speaker 4 (02:21):
Seven, yeah it's been we have a, long storied history, Together,
dan AND i was thrilled and surprised that you asked
me yet. Again but when you were talking about people
coming on, saying oh, NO i don't want to you, know,
Uh but the last couple of, years remember The blazers
has been, rough and we haven't had as much to

(02:41):
get really excited. About and this Time i'm just this
time the excitement is real and not, Like, okay what
can we find to enjoy this? Season it's like things
are starting to fall into, place and So i'm super
excited to talk about.

Speaker 1 (02:55):
It, yeah this. TEAM i find every team interesting this
time of. Year but you AND i talked about last
year the just had a lot of dudes and it
turned out that having a lot of dudes served them
well by the end of the season for the stuff
that came, together and they seem to have reacted to.
That But, ROSE i will start with you. Here what
was kind of your single biggest takeaway from everything that
happened last?

Speaker 3 (03:14):
Year, GOSH i mean everything about happened last year felt
like a. Surprise i'll just say like it felt like
a surprise That i'll say for me That denny started
so poorly In portland and then he got so much
better to like a degree THAT i didn't think he
would turn it around inside a, season and then like

(03:35):
that wind streak they went at the end on the
end of the year was like a surprise. Too and
SO i think that one of the biggest takeaways THAT
i have is just, that, like this team might surprise
us again this. Year LIKE i think a lot of
times we look forward to new teams and like a
new identity of a team and think like they're going
to do more of, this but just. Better AND i

(03:57):
don't know IF i necessarily think that's. True i'm open
to being surprised this.

Speaker 1 (04:01):
Season what about, You?

Speaker 4 (04:03):
Tara my biggest takeaway from last season was they Weren't
they weren't kidding about, defense that they are actually going
all in on. That you, know we've talked a lot
about how for a Decade portland was very offensively, focused
and then you, know we got this coach who was
a defensive guy and we were gonna like build. DEFENSE
i was, like, okay, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah but WHAT

(04:27):
i took away from watching last season, is, yeah they're
not kidding about that that is going to be their,
identity and that they actually are building an identity, now
which was less clear until the end of the.

Speaker 1 (04:41):
Season and they certainly leaned further into that identity with
The Drew holiday. Trade but after, That Damian millard's. Back
who to thunk that was? QUICK i would have always
guessed that he went, back but that was. QUICK U,
Tara just what was your reaction to when that, Happens
and how big of a deal is it to we
know he's not gonna play this, year but how big
of a deal is it to have him around some

(05:01):
of the younger guys to?

Speaker 4 (05:02):
You, So i'll, say for, me it's. EVERYTHING i, mean
we were so happy and we were all shocked by
how much we were shocked by what being, happy felt
like because it had been so. Long And i'll say,
that you, Know damien coming, Back, like what's the thing

(05:24):
that we were always? Like you know? Who like we
we like the young up and coming guys on the,
team but like who's the? Leader you? Know Is scoo
going to be the? Leader should should he be the?
Leader is there somebody alse who's? Leader we were we've
been so used to having a. Leader now that we
don't Have Damian, lillard we don't know who the leader.
Is and then here Comes Damian. Lillard AND i think
That Damian lillard has shown through the years that he's

(05:46):
an adept and skilled enough leader that he doesn't isn't
necessarily going to take over push people. Out AND i
think the fact that he's not playing this year greatly simplifies.
Things you. Know another thing that we've talked about is
that we're just gonna enjoy this right. Now we're not
going to like AND i keep, saying there's gonna be
days where we're, like oh what did we? Do what

(06:09):
did they?

Speaker 1 (06:09):
Do But i'm not.

Speaker 4 (06:11):
Gonna worry about those days because right, now this young
team has this guy who's shown himself to like really
be able to be the core of a, team and
he Chose. Portland he chose to come back To, portland
and that means.

Speaker 1 (06:25):
EVERYTHING i won't do this with every, question BUT i
think because It's damian Little, rose how did like how
what was your sort of first reaction to seeing that
he had.

Speaker 3 (06:32):
RETURNED i, Mean i'll, say, like in real, time it
was weird because my phone was blowing, up BUT i
was in a meeting at work AND i just opened
up my text messages AFTER i left a meeting AND
i Saw tara, asking oh my, GOD i Hope rose is,
okay like something must have happened to. Me, WELL i
wasn't responding to all the, texts and then someone else

(06:55):
in the chat.

Speaker 2 (06:55):
Said you, Know Damian lillard is, back AND i was, LIKE.

Speaker 3 (06:59):
I hope this isn't a right because it's something THAT, i,
LIKE i think we all thought would probably happen, someday
but you, know just never, know because you, know sometimes
stuff doesn't work. Out and if that was a cruel
joke and then it never, HAPPENED i would have been
like deep in my feelings for a long. Time but
it was like the best day, ever AND i couldn't

(07:20):
wait to like log on to social, media which is
like in and of, itself like a, shock, Right BUT
i was, like everybody's gonna be celebrating and, excited and they,
were AND i was so. Happy and then twenty four
hours later some of them were in their feelings about.
It but like that first, day that first mom at
that first, HOUR i couldn't have been more, happy probably
this entire year of twenty twenty.

Speaker 2 (07:39):
Five to be, HONEST.

Speaker 1 (07:41):
I love that stuff because And i'm definitely guilty of
this is everything in THE NBA i view is so.
TRANSACTIONAL a lot of the time When i'm immediately looking
ahead thinking as they, say like what does this mean
for like, scoot like where we? Going like the two
small guard routes again. Here but it's just like the
ties between a player and organization That Damian lillard had With,
portland like it's just so few and far, between AND

(08:03):
i can't even think of a current situation because a
lot of the guys that might have those, ties like
A yokich or A, curry are still with those. Teams
so there's no like no other reunion THAT i think
you could have been waiting. For and then to see
this happen at a time WHEN i don't know what
he's gonna look like coming back from The. Achilles but
this isn't him coming back to, retire like signing the
one day ten day contract or whatever it is and then.

(08:25):
Retiring it's oh, no like he's gonna play basketball for
The blazers, again and that's just really. Cool there's also
just some poetic irony in both him And Drew holliday
coming back in the same, summer Because Drew holliday's On
portland for a hot minute the summer he gets, traded
SO i found that there was like some nice symmetry there.

Speaker 4 (08:40):
Too it was just such a such a great, storyline
and you, know it was like it felt like when
The blazers make the playoffs and suddenly everybody's outside like
walking in high five in each other and looking for
people Wearing blazer. Gear and this was just because they
signed a, player like for a mid level and we're, like,

(09:00):
yeah like running around in the park like head. Nodding
everybody's wearing a jersey and we were AT i can't
remember what the event, Was, oh it was The blazers
put through a season Take aholder event at the zoo and,
like even though this was mostly the case, before everywhere
you looked people of every single age wearing Their Damian

(09:23):
lillard jerseys and, like and he's back, Now like we're
wearing him and he's on the.

Speaker 1 (09:28):
Team i'm gonna be like that When Frank neilakina finally
returns to The knicks when they signed him to his
contracts that he was talking to be so, Stoked. Tara
independent of The Damian lillard, move what was your read
on the rest of their off season and what it
says about their? Direction Because lillard's intertwined, there BUT i
think they could have been stripping it. Down and if
he wants to come, back and this is the, setup

(09:50):
you just do it regardless of where you. Are so
what did the rest of the off season say about
how they're reacting to what happened this past?

Speaker 4 (09:58):
Year SO i was very excited about The Drew holiday
move for a couple of. Reasons number, one because that
Means Drew holiday won't be guarding anybody on The blazers
because he's now A. Blazer phew that he was. FINE
i don't, Know he's kind of in everybody's. NIGHTMARES i

(10:19):
don't a lot of us still haven't shaken The pelican
The pelicans.

Speaker 1 (10:24):
Playoffs so BUT i really.

Speaker 4 (10:28):
Saw it as a culture building. MOVE i know some
people have talked about it as like a win now,
move AND i see it more as like a culture
building move because you, Know i've been talking the last
couple of years About blazers bringing in. Winners you, know
they they drafted several players who hadn't played on a
big stage like The national AND ncaa, championships you, know

(10:52):
who hadn't gone to college or had an opportunity to
play in like a super competitive. Environment and last year
with the the Drafting dono Van, KLINGEN i thought that was,
like we're we're bringing on guys who are used to.
Winning and then they Signed Drew holiday with his two.
Championships SO i don't think this is necessarily a move

(11:12):
where like we're gonna get, like you, know win, Now
we're gonna win what three more. Games BUT i think
what we're gonna, do what What Drew holiday is gonna
be super valuable for is just helping understand the culture
of what it takes to get there to you, know
get to, excellence and just providing that and being able
to play on the field as well and bring in

(11:34):
that you know more that even more that defensive identity.

Speaker 1 (11:38):
Ros is there like a level of concern? THOUGH i
think when you look at What tara, says everything about
the culture setting and then just fitting in with the
defensive motif here is. Excellent BUT i know Anforts signmon's
was overdue to get he was basically The Miles turner
Of portland's where he was in trade rumors FOR i
know how many, years and they finally move him because
also their most, now especially Because Damian lowder's not, healthy
like their most threatening floor. Spacer is there any concern

(11:59):
about what the offense now shifts, too because you Bring Andrew,
holliday who his shot didn't look great last year defense first,
player and you don't really Replace simon's as floor. SPACING
i mean.

Speaker 3 (12:11):
YEAH i mean, obviously, yes Like anfrety could score the
way very few.

Speaker 2 (12:16):
Players on this team could put up. Numbers but if.

Speaker 3 (12:21):
He's not part of the long term, plan And i'll
SAY i, Don't i'm not sure how like if he ever,
was but he was like kind of last man standing
from the old iteration of our, Team AND i think
that one of the things that like me as a,
fan AND i Think tara as a fan, too saw
is that like it needed to change of scenery just
as much as we probably needed to move on from

(12:42):
that like psychological iteration of the team that we had
tried to build. Before you're, RIGHT i don't really know
about floor spacing and some of the x's and o's
of it, all but, LIKE i think it was good
for both him and for our fan base to be
able to move on and get a clean.

Speaker 2 (12:59):
Start and you, Know i'll.

Speaker 3 (13:03):
Say like scoot shots coming, Along tumani made a huge
leap and his ability to shoot from, Distance, LIKE i
don't really know where all.

Speaker 2 (13:11):
Of these guys are going to land in terms of their.

Speaker 3 (13:12):
Ability to spread the, Floor like they might still be
developing towards. That and if that's the case with the
guys we already have on this, team maybe they were
like we see this, happening you, know when we, practice
and we think that this has promised and we want
to give them a real shot to. Try So i'm
really open to the idea that some of these guys
on our team are already going to be improving the floor.

Speaker 2 (13:32):
SPACING i Think.

Speaker 1 (13:34):
One of the Criticisms towers that and you said at
the top was they viewed The holiday trade as a
win now move and that The blazers might be reading
too much into what happened last. Season the defense ended
up being really. Good they're like top five in points
on posession almost half the, season but they were still
pretty bad defensively against top ten. Offenses i've struggled, With,

(13:55):
OKAY i get, it versus, if As rose, Said simon's
isn't part of your long term, Plan, like what did
you give up to just now help improve your? Defense
you could say cap, flexibility but cap space is like
one of the most overrated assets in the league right.
Now so what do you make of the criticisms or
what would be your response to the criticisms of The.
Blazers did they rush to coordinate themselves a little bit this?

(14:16):
SUMMER i.

Speaker 2 (14:17):
DON'T i don't know.

Speaker 4 (14:18):
WHY i. DON'T i don't know that we know what
the team's plan. IS i, MEAN i don't know.

Speaker 1 (14:23):
THAT i don't. Know MAYBE i don't know that THE.

Speaker 4 (14:27):
I don't know that the team was making that when now,
move you, KNOW i think that the team was, like
what does this team need right now for these guys to.
Develop they we know that they tried to find a
place For Jeremy grant and that didn't really work. Out
BUT i JUST i think it was a great. MOVE
i think they had a great, summer AND i think

(14:49):
that they're they're leaning into defense and that they're going
to figure out the offense. Later for ten, years they
leaned into offense and decided to find out about the defense.
Later you, know who can say what it worked, Out but,
YEAH i. DON'T i JUST i literally can't understand the
criticism BECAUSE i literally don't know what The blazers were.

(15:09):
Thinking and if they did, something you, know based on
short sighted, INFORMATION i have a hard time thinking that
they didn't have they don't have a plan that this
makes sense for because that's what they get paid the
big bucks.

Speaker 1 (15:19):
For and the other thing they did, too is like
Drafting Yon hanson wasn't a short term win now. Move
that's not like everyone was confused when they made that.
Selection you you picked that player knowing he's a quote
unquote project and you're gonna need to develop. Him that's
not something a team that has set some arbitrary win
loss benchmark for the next season does to, me and,

(15:42):
like even if they, DID i guess maybe BECAUSE i
was so out on dottovank clinging and was clearly. Wrong
and then you get To Monti kamara back in that
trade from two summers. Ago i'm just gonna defer to
Like Mike schmidz and crew of like they're, like they
clearly know what they're doing with the with the young.
Players But roe was, like how, Surprised like do you
have any early impressions of what he specifically On hanson
is going to do for this team or just his overall,

(16:03):
game or like what intrigues you most about his play?
STYLE i don't.

Speaker 3 (16:09):
Know so this is one of those things Where i'm,
like until like The combine came, around he was not
really known to, me AND i try to not have
too deeply held opinions on THINGS i don't know a
whole lot.

Speaker 2 (16:20):
ABOUT i like the way he looked at The.

Speaker 3 (16:23):
COMBINE i can see now after we've seen him play
Through Summer league that he is a player who a
lot of teams would probably take a chance on because
his play style is VERY i think it can do
quite well in the way that the MODERN nba is
shaping up to be like the style of the, game
a guy like him could be, really, really really, impactful

(16:46):
and SO i can see why a lot of teams
might be willing to take a risk on.

Speaker 2 (16:51):
Him and.

Speaker 3 (16:53):
On the other side of, Things i'm also, like out
of all of our, positions our center is the least,
settled which is weird because for a while we had
oops all, centers and after we had oops all. Guards
and but, like you, know like the two guys that
we have on our team that are most likely to
me to see the most investment from the team are,
young and you, Know Robert, williams the third is still

(17:18):
really a theoretical center for. Us he's played so little basketball.
Here we, love we love what we see when we see,
him but like he he's appears so, Infrequently like who
knows what kind of role he can, Play LIKE i don't,
KNOW i don't have ANY i don't have any problems with,
this like taking a chance on somebody who may have
a really high upside and whose style fits the like
current style of THE nba quite. Well and also like

(17:42):
the other weird luxury that we sort of have is,
yes we have you, know two young. Centers we Have Robert,
williams and we Have Wop wreath who kind of backs
up in lots of, WAYS i think at that center position.

Speaker 2 (17:56):
Our.

Speaker 3 (17:57):
Discord oh, OH i had a whole thing about, Him
like two seasons, Ago tara, knows she went with me
to go get a do A wop brief jersey made
at the like make your own jersey station because they
didn't sell it in the.

Speaker 4 (18:09):
Shop but he waited until his full, contract.

Speaker 3 (18:15):
Right that's right when he got his full, CONTRACT i
celebrated by going to the make your Own jersey station
and making My Wop breef.

Speaker 1 (18:21):
Jersey, hey tenure has been longer than some other. Players
is that was a good? Investment, yeah.

Speaker 3 (18:25):
TOTALLY i also have his Team Australia, jersey but that's
a conversation for a different. Time but ALSO i was gonna,
say Like denny can play some five in some circumstances,
Too like we've seen some looks Where denny's played, five
and you, know LIKE i don't, KNOW i think that
this team's flexibility is sort of, interesting so like why
not take a chance on a guy Like hanson who

(18:46):
really really fits the style that THE nba seems to
be playing right?

Speaker 1 (18:50):
NOW i am smitten with. HIM i had to do
like my summer league right ups For Bleach, report AND
i have some, concerns like the rebounding was, weird and
he like he can be phys but is in physical
all the. Time BUT i just go off vibes On
Summer league and this is someone who's gonna get everyone
around him moving because he can attack and pass in
so many different ways THAT i think he's going to

(19:12):
be the type of player that JUST i know people
want to make The yokis. Comparisons i'm not gonna bet
on that because it's Freaking, Jokic but to, me he's
the type of player who will make everyone better around
him on. Offense and when you Have portland's even if
some people don't believe in, it when you have their
defensive infrastructure right, now you don't have to worry as
much about maybe some of the foot speed things with.

(19:33):
Him and he blocked way more shots In Summer league
THAN i was expecting, anyway so maybe that's a non.
Issue BUT i am. Smitten and that's my long winded
way of Asking, tara how much is he gonna play this?
Season do you think we haven't even had media day,
yet and please say a whole fucking, lot Otherwise i'm
gonna be really.

Speaker 4 (19:49):
Upset, OH i think you're. RIGHT i think he is
gonna play a. Lot my first observation About huntson is
he is a, massive massive. Person Like i've, seen you,
know fan pictures of him out in, about like you,
know he shops At, costco like we love, that and
so we get pictures of people like next to, him

(20:12):
and he is so huge THAT i really think that
with the Having Donovan klingen and Young, HANSEN i have
this theory that The blazers have a theory that as
this league moves forward And Victor Webbin yama takes over
the THERE i THINK i think my hypothesis is that

(20:34):
they're seeing if maybe size is going to be one
thing that you can throw At. Wemby and SO i
think that having a couple of young centers who are
also very, LARGE i think they're going to get a
lot of playing time BECAUSE i think that they could
be one way to stop you, know this basically unstoppable

(20:55):
force that Is Victor Webbin.

Speaker 1 (20:57):
YAMA i think you're definitely at something, there and even
some teams might be, like look At houston with The
adams And shangoun lineups last, Year mobile And allen or
like not two physical, bigs but like a lot of
teams are just rolling with more. Bigs so do you
think that The blazers are gonna try playing those two?
Together maybe at any Point tara clinging hots to.

Speaker 4 (21:16):
LINEUP i, MEAN i don't think. SO i think it
could be, fun you, know for one of those wacky
lineups that you. Like BUT i, think at least at,
FIRST i would think that they will probably just try
to keep them in pretty typical, situations you, know because
they're both so, young so, new trying to learn and
process so many things all at. Once that like throwing

(21:38):
him into something that is an atypical way to. PLAY i,
MEAN i don't know what types of Lineups hanson played
with In, china BUT i just think that they would
probably try to keep it simple and just run them out.
Individually SO i don't know that they're gonna get time,
together but it sure would be.

Speaker 1 (21:57):
Fun what are we to the two of? You what
do we? Make how do we feel about the young handsome?
NICKNAME i feel LIKE i was reading something that said
he's embraced it, too which is always.

Speaker 2 (22:06):
Fun he has a shirt he made. It he was,
like he has a. Shirt, yeah he has like a like.

Speaker 3 (22:10):
A leaning branded shirt that says young and, handsome go for.

Speaker 1 (22:16):
HIM i think it's. RIGHT i think it actually.

Speaker 2 (22:21):
Is handsome and. Young.

Speaker 4 (22:23):
YEAH i like young and. Handsome BUT i think you're, right,
though rose.

Speaker 1 (22:29):
Have we and is this we've established this is how
we're gonna say his name, Too like it's not, Handsome
like wasn't there something where or is it? Written it's.
DIFFERENT i still don't even understand. THAT i had to
chat with my editors on how we were publishing his
name BEFORE i did my summer league right.

Speaker 3 (22:43):
Up so this is An asian is a Classic asian
name trying to fit into A western mold, problem which
is That young is his family, name which goes first
In asian, languages And hanson is his given, name which
is in our. Language we call that a first, name

(23:03):
but that's really we call it first and last because
it like that's the order it comes. In but really
it's given, name family, name and An asia family name given.
Name so one of the one of the things that
people have talked about is how we Call yaming by
his last name the entire time that he was in THE,
nba because we didn't know that it was actually the.

Speaker 2 (23:24):
Reverse SO i don't know how you all are going
to publish.

Speaker 3 (23:27):
IT i DON'T i think that our team is settled
on calling Him Young, hanson because.

Speaker 1 (23:31):
That's WHAT i was just curious if that was even.

Speaker 3 (23:33):
Correct, yeah, so BUT i don't know, how like The
western media is going to like settle in uncovering, him
whether we're going to have another yaming problem or whether
we're gonna figure out how to address him As hanson
when we speak to him or speak about him and
then Young.

Speaker 1 (23:49):
Hanson when is there anything against just asking him like
how he wants? It like didn't we find out Remember
Reggie well or at LEAST i called Him Reggie bullock
for like a decade and then he told the media
casually like it's actually block and like the pronunciationals, Off
like why can't we just ask these guys what they
want to be click or how to say? It it's
does anyone even asked? HIM i at least haven't seen
anything about, That like For western, media it was not

(24:11):
an ignorant dumbass like. Me it doesn't know any of
this stuff like why not just ask rather than we're
gonna have these mental gymnastics with.

Speaker 2 (24:17):
IT i, mean it's a great it's a great.

Speaker 3 (24:20):
Plan and actually there's a website THAT i don't think
that they DO nba this, way but FOR, wnba there
is a website where they have recordings of all of
players saying their own names when you like click on
a little like.

Speaker 2 (24:33):
Icon AND i love that they.

Speaker 3 (24:35):
Do that Because i'm, like everyone in the media should
go through and click and hear everybody say their own,
name because sometimes we're.

Speaker 2 (24:41):
Really botching people's.

Speaker 3 (24:43):
Names WHEN i Heard Ariana grande say her name for
the first, TIME i almost lost it AND i was,
like it's really offensive that we haven't figured out how
to say people's names the way they say.

Speaker 1 (24:52):
It it's even worse in this case because you're only.
Here i'm only hearing his name on summer league broadcast
or up to this point in summer league broadcasts are a
wild card with names like he was probably called like
four or five different things over the course of his
time in sepparate.

Speaker 4 (25:06):
League, yeah we'll let you know how it plays out
as our local, media BECAUSE i think that they've been,
UH i think they'll figure out.

Speaker 1 (25:15):
What normally the local teams are good, at like hammering it.
DOWN i would, assume, yeah, big, oh go, Ahead, Sorry, Tara, no, no, no it's.
Okay i'm gonna stick with the. Bigs. Tara you KNOW
i wasn't really a clinging guy last. Year what were
your rookie year impressions of him and what's kind of
the area of development you'll be watching the most in year.

Speaker 4 (25:35):
Two, WELL i really liked that That klingon really likes
to win and he's really a good like bench hype.
Guy you can tell that he has you, KNOW i
JUST i really liked his vibe in terms, of you,
know how he's able to get people, together how he

(25:56):
is able to correct his own. Mistakes BUT I i
had a very favorable impression of. Him he's also a
little bit of a you, know he can be a
little bit of, uh he defends his, guys, right he,
Will he'll stick up for his his, players and you,

(26:18):
know he'll be a little bit of an. Enforcer that's
the Word i'm looking. For and so it's that's been
cool because like you, Know DeAndre ayton was you, know
this is our our podcast is A DeAndre ayton. Podcast
we were very supportive of. Him we were on was about,
him but he wasn't exactly an, enforcer and that's WHAT

(26:39):
i kind of enjoy watching About.

Speaker 1 (26:40):
Clinging he was way better, defensively AND i EXPECTED i
thought THE nba speed of THE nba game was really
going to hurt. Him it did. NOT i worry about
what he's going to be for this team on, offense
rose like he's not the best finisher at the. Rim
they still don't have the best playmakers and as we
talked about the top, now the spacing and theory could.
Be you made a great point though About Devani kamara got.

(27:02):
Better Denny avvio's three balls, trustworthy but like they need
like someone needs to pop from beyond the arcs of
this guy doesn't have to like catch the, Ball like
he's already not going to be great at catching the.
Ball and it just doesn't look at his roster AND
i don't think they made his life any easier this,
OFFSEASON i guess is What i'm getting.

Speaker 3 (27:18):
At, honestly the one thing THAT i would love to
see From donovan is just LIKE i want him to
have like one solid post, move like he doesn't really
have one of, those just like one solid post move
on offense that he could reliably go.

Speaker 2 (27:31):
To and, honestly IF i could.

Speaker 3 (27:33):
Bring like Like hanson And donovan, together WHAT i would
want to do IS i would want to like Lend
donovan some Of hanson's inside, game and THEN i would
also want to like Lend hansen some Of donovan's ability
to stay, down you, know make shots, hard but don't
necessarily go for, blocks BECAUSE i think that WHEN i
Watched hanson In Summer, LEAGUE i would see him sometimes
get made it. Up And donovan did a really good

(27:56):
job of staying down in ways THAT i like didn't
expect him to as a, Rookie like a lot of
those guys get caught jumping and they get a lot
of fouls drifted off them that, Way and he was
really good at making those adjustments even in, game staying
in the game with like like racking up a few
quick fouls and then being able to stay in the
game on his next shift for. Longer but, yeah that

(28:16):
one post Move i'm looking, for like that one reliable
post move where you're just like and this is very
hard to. Guard so if he can get, THAT i
will feel so much more confident about him in that,
position he will feel like a much more well rounded.

Speaker 1 (28:28):
Center to, Me, uh do you, THINK i guess Having
hanson on the roster does it say anything about what
the team views him as long term or do you
guys think this was more of just a this one
guy's too good or we think he's gonna be really.
Good klingon's not a, Superstar so you don't draft for
fit or not Draft hanson because we already have clean in.

Speaker 3 (28:46):
SITUATION i don't think that they drafted him like in
relationship to their feelings About donovan or. Not they made
it really clear that they were following him for years
and they thought that he might be in the same Draft,
donovan and so, like you, KNOW i think that they
just saw a guy that they thought was really really,
promising and they saw him be available and what the

(29:11):
rest of the draft looked, like and they were, like
this is where this is where we want to take our,
chances because, really every every draft pick is taking a
chance on, somebody and you, know you so everyone's making a.
Gamble and when everybody was, like, oh like you, know
nobody Expected hasting to be this, Time i'm, like, well.

Speaker 2 (29:30):
Body but he, was and everyone's taking a.

Speaker 3 (29:32):
Chance and just because everybody's coalesced around what they think
the order should be or who's the, best it doesn't
necessarily mean that that's, true and it doesn't necessarily mean
they're the best for your. Situation so if this is
who they thought was like going to be the best
opportunity for them in this draft at this, position then like,
Great AND i was even pleased that they were even
able to get the guy that they said that they
wanted and trade. Down like that's if they had drafted

(29:56):
him with their original, pick we would have heard criticisms of,
like why didn't you trade? Down and then even though
they did trade down this, TIME i like people were,
like why didn't they trade down?

Speaker 1 (30:04):
Further probably hope The pelicans did what they did in
this draft provided a little, cover but, yeah pick sixteen
is what he ended up, at, Right so it's just
like at that, POINT i feel, like first of, all
a lot of the outrage is probably from people who
are pretending to know stuff about the draft that they don't,
Anyway so something like, Me i'm just like pick, SIXTEEN
i don't know about this. Guy i'll just give it
the benefit of that that, like why not take a shot? There,

(30:26):
uh another, guy maybe a little divisive. Tower where are
we at With Scoot? Henderson how are you feeling about
him these? Days?

Speaker 4 (30:33):
Oh you, KNOW i think this is. UH i think
this is this. Year scoot is under a lot of. Pressure.
Uh this is his year, three and the first couple
of years the general consensus was that he wasn't you
know what a number three with what they were expecting
out of a number three. Pick BUT i think that
he uh, SO i think he. DO i do think

(30:54):
he has a lot of pressure on him this, Season
BUT i really believe that he's going to show that
he's fine under. Pressure AND i think he's got two
really great mentors there to help him through that pressure.
Part And i'm more interested IN i, MEAN i, definitely
of course want to see progress on the, court But
i'm super interested to see how he handles this. Pressure

(31:17):
AND i fully expect that he will rise to it
and be capable of coming through it and getting. Better
and he's got great help surrounding.

Speaker 1 (31:27):
Him is he gonna start like what is the just
The drew holiday shade and? Sharp it's a little bit
easier this year Because Damian liller is not. There but
even if you start to go through WHO i think
are like the starting, locks i'd have, Clinging timani And
denny is, like, well these guys just need to. Start
and so one Of shaden Or, Scooter Drew holliday is

(31:48):
then coming off the. Bench and then If Jeremy grant's
also coming off the, Bench you're really gonna Have drew
And Jeremy. Grant i've spent way too much time thinking
about this. Guy so where are you at with Is
scoot going to start to begin this?

Speaker 4 (31:59):
YEAR i think he. SHOWED i mean everybody always says
they got to earn their, spot but you know they
got to earn their spot in training. CAMP i think
That shadon is OR i do Think scoot is going to.
START i Think scoot And drew start, together AND i
would love to see them play. Together AND I scoot
is set soaks up so, much you know of what's
going on around. Him he just needed to learn how

(32:19):
to slow down a little. Bit THAT i. THINK i
do Think scoot is going to, start AND i Think
shadon is the one who's going to come off the.

Speaker 1 (32:24):
Bench you mentioned slow down With scoot AND i felt like,
that aside from the catch and, shoot efficiency went up
a great. Deal it felt like to me that was
like the biggest difference from him to wire last, year
as he felt we saw some of it is rookie,
season but it felt like he just had a better
command of the. Game, rose what do you have more
faith in him improving? Though is it like the, jumper

(32:45):
like having more of a pull up, jumper even a
pull up, three or just getting to the mid range
or finishing at the rim at higher clips than we've
seen so.

Speaker 2 (32:51):
Far, well we saw a big leap in his three
point shooting last.

Speaker 3 (32:55):
Season Like i'll, say like the season before, THAT i
was getting a little, Nervous, Tara, NO i was getting
a little. Nervous i'm, like this. Looks this doesn't look
close to being a good. Shot and he came back
though this last season AND i was, Like, oh he
looks not only does it look like a good shot,
now but it's like he's comfortable taking. It he looked
really comfortable stepping into some of those threes last season

(33:17):
in years that we had like in the previous years
we had not. Seen but, honestly the big thing for,
HIM i think we'll be figuring out how to finish
at the rim and.

Speaker 2 (33:28):
Pick up.

Speaker 1 (33:29):
Fowls the fouls, THING i honestly think the fouls thing
and the finishing thing is as guys around him get
better at shooting or they put better shooters around, HIM
i think both of. THOSE i don't know if they'll
take care of, themselves BUT i think really that's been
a big part when you look at the quality of
the stuff he's facing when he does get his paint,
touches or how hard he would need to work to

(33:49):
get an on ball paint touch with the rosters that
we've seen him around so. Far like if we get
to a point fast forward to twenty, six twenty, seven
and it's like he's on the court With Damian lillard
at any points like that might be a situation where
if you have that one knockdown shooter that would really
open things up for him on the, inside which we
just have yet to see because Even simon's defense has respected,

(34:10):
him but like he's not they're not guarding him like
they're gonna Guard Damian, lillard or even maybe like a
wing that is gonna get up more threes than A
denny or A Jeremy grant or even A. Tamani oh they.

Speaker 4 (34:20):
WERE i mean when when teams played The, blazers they
were like triple Team, anthony just because he was the
only one that could do. It so it's gonna it's
gonna change the shape of the. Floor even though The
blazers themselves weren't a huge. Threat the other people weren't
a huge. Threat anthony was the, threat and so they
threw you, know lots that he did get a lot

(34:42):
more double teams THAN i would have thought last. YEAR
i wanted to just add one thing About. Scoot one
of the things THAT i saw as an improvement that
the whole team made last year as everybody was more
prepared for the. Ball AND i feel like that is
one of the Reasons i'm happy that they didn't make
a whole bunch of changes to the roster is those

(35:03):
guys who were all playing, together you, Know timani And
denny And donovan And scoot And, shaden they were all
getting more used to being ready for the ball because
you know the first, year you're just figuring it, out
and it's like the ball's coming your. Way and if
we're gonna hopefully have more secondary ball handlers as. Well
they all need to be more, prepared AND i felt

(35:25):
like they all just got more alert for that particular,
thing uh last, Season AND i think that's gonna Benefit
scoot BECAUSE i think a lot of his turnovers were
throwing it out of bounds because people weren't. Ready AND
i think that that, will you, know them just being
more used to playing together will also you, know show
up In scoots like counting. Stats.

Speaker 1 (35:48):
Rose what should we all be watching for in year
four of The shade And sharp?

Speaker 3 (35:53):
Experience Oh, Man so one of The i'll, say one
of the Things i'm looking for IS i just want
to see how he's engaged on. DEFENSE i know that
like last, year the team like pretty publicly challenged him
to play better defense when they decided to pull him
out of the starting lineup and bring him off the,
Bench and it was like the kind of confrontation that

(36:16):
felt like not, desperate but like they were escalating a
problem by making it known to the. Public but he
responded really, Well like, AFTERWARD i saw him really working
harder on defense and he knew that that was what
he was being asked to, do and in a way
that like showed me his, coachability because some guys can
be challenged in that way and like shut. Down like

(36:38):
we've seen guys be like like where a team get
hard on a guy and it's really hard for them
to perform the thing that they're being asked to. Do
either because it's like a psychological challenge that's really, challenging
or it's because like the thing is too. Hard but
LIKE i Saw shade and put in a ton of
effort last year toward the end of the season after
he was challenged to play, defense and he looked. Better
he wasn't always. Good there were still times where he got,

(37:00):
lost AND i think some of the team defense concepts
are a little bit challenging for him because every now
and Then i'd see him switch on to nobody and
just be standing in the middle. Somewhere but, like if
he gets that practice with his, Team i'm very curious
if he can make that like a consistent part of
his game that will help him stay on the floor the.

Speaker 1 (37:21):
Taro is there anything on offense you're still looking to
see from? Him is it just better three point? Efficiency
is there more passing to plumb? THERE i think he
certainly showed signs And he's always been the guy we.
LOVE i like seeing dunks From shane and, sharp like
when he's gonna dunk. It but he's already the guy
that can get off tough. Shots it's a question of
how consistently you can make. Them but, like was there
something on offense that you're just sort of zeroing in
on for a year? Four?

Speaker 4 (37:42):
NO i mean, WHAT I i Love shadan's dunks as.
WELL i want to make sure that he's not dunking
because like he wants to duld in rather than that's
like the best shot for. Him you, know sometimes when
you know you're known for one, thing then you start
to do that thing a whole bunch to the maybe
to the exclusion of other things that you could also be.

(38:03):
Doing his three point shooting took a little dip last
year or. SO i would love to see more concentration
on that and just making sure that gets up because
somebody's got to shoot. THREES i, mean Obviously dunny and
Too money have been able to do, that but like they,
ARE i would hope That shadon could kind of step
into That anthony role where we just need a, bucket

(38:24):
just get it To. Shadon he can get us a.

Speaker 1 (38:25):
BUCKET i don't know if he's ever gonna be that
guy at a high, level but the progress he made
from mid range last year made me feel better in
the face of a lot of evidence that still to me,
SCREAMS i don't know what this player is going to.
Be And i'm probably even more just fascinated with him
now because he's extension. Eligible they Have, scoot they Have,

(38:46):
damien and they Have Drew holliday as. Well do you
guys just throwing it to both of you at, large
do we think he gets an extension or is this
going to be taken into restricted free?

Speaker 4 (38:54):
AGENCY i don't, know AND i just hope that he
doesn't get caught in that awkward situation like these guys
have other guys have been this. SUMMER i, just you,
KNOW i really have no, idea nor DO i have
an opinion on what he should. DO i just hope
that he doesn't get stuck in that weird situation where

(39:14):
he's waiting, there waiting and nobody knows what they're, doing
what's gonna happen for a whole.

Speaker 1 (39:18):
Summer i'd be shocked if he was in. Limbo if
he did reach restructive. FREEENCY i think there would be
teams that would give him an offer, sheet unlike what
we saw With Cam thomas And, giddy and we're still
waiting On kaminga And Quinn. Grime SO i think there's that,
onment which is WHY i Think i'm gonna guess and
SAY i think he gets an. EXTENSION i think they're
gonna end up signing, one AND i think it's gonna

(39:41):
his first three years were uneven enough that maybe they
get one that they consider as a hometown, discount where
if you look at the cap landscape next, year there
might be a few teams with cap. Space so if
you can get him for like twenty five million a
year now or, SOMETHING i think something gets. DONE i
don't feel super, confident but that's my.

Speaker 4 (39:56):
Prediction, yeah maybe they can get him a job not planting,
trees just to help.

Speaker 1 (40:01):
Out they could make up the rest of his. Mouth,
yeah so twenty five on the court and then about
eight or nine off the, court to make sure he's
getting more Than Kawhi. Leonard, yeah for. SURE i think
that's a great. Idea. Rose how'd you feel about year
one of The Danny avvia?

Speaker 2 (40:14):
EXPERIENCE i So tara knows. This SO i watched a
lot of The wizards this season that he was, There.

Speaker 1 (40:22):
Massa caused there we have a word for. Massacre SO
i watched a.

Speaker 3 (40:27):
Lot of teams that WHERE i thought were in a
similar stage of development as my own, team BECAUSE i
wanted to know how we measured, up and that meant
for a while watching the very bottom of THE, NBA
i watched a lot of The pistons that.

Speaker 2 (40:39):
YEAR i watched a lot of The wizards that.

Speaker 3 (40:41):
YEAR i wanted to, know like how we looked compared
to the other people that were trying to just like
find the right. Pieces SO i was a little bit
disappointed at how hard the game seemed to be at
the beginning for, Him but LIKE i said, before LIKE
i was shocked at how much he put it together
by the end of the. Season and so my like
feeling About denny after watching this season is.

Speaker 2 (41:02):
That he's a little bit like a wild. Stallion he
like leaves it all on the.

Speaker 3 (41:06):
Floor he's like a really intense, player and, LIKE i
don't think the goal is to ever like just lean
into this wild stallion like, METAPHOR i don't think the
goal is to ever put a saddle on him and ride,
him but it's for him to be able to run
with the other. Horses, LIKE i don't think that he's
somebody that you want to have put any super structured,

(41:28):
system BECAUSE i think that he's best when.

Speaker 2 (41:30):
He has a lot more.

Speaker 3 (41:31):
Freedom i'm thinking about an interview THAT i heard with,
him or THAT i read with, him where he was
talking about playing in the twenty nineteen under TWENTY Feba,
finals and he talked about how he couldn't sleep the
night before because he was so, amped he was so
ready to, play AND i was, like, Oh and AS

(41:51):
i was hearing him tell the, Story i'm, like this
is a recipe for.

Speaker 2 (41:53):
Disaster you didn't.

Speaker 3 (41:54):
Sleep the whole night before a really important, game and
then he went out there and played the best game
of his. Life somebody who can do that is a
really special person who can harness that intensity and make
something of. It but of the flip side of that
is that there's a there's a concern out there that,
like he could also burn out if he is it

(42:16):
isn't able to like harness it a. Little so my
hope for him is that we still let him be
this wild stallion that he is out, there but he
learns to run with all the other horses and make
the most of.

Speaker 1 (42:26):
IT i like that metaphor. Analogy that was a great.
One Ty do you have any overarching thoughts On.

Speaker 4 (42:33):
DENNYAVYA i would just SAY i learned that he is
big and strong and, Fast like you, know he's not
Young hansen, big but he is a, big strong, dude
and he is fast and when he grabs that balls and,
go everybody better be. Ready SO i think he kind
of like set the tone for.

Speaker 1 (42:51):
That he, yeah like in guys will bounce off him
too when he has his head of, Team like that's
how strong he. Is he doesn't, NECESSARILY i guess when
you watch him, enough he does look at but you
don't look at him and be, like, oh like that
that dude will play a, physical fast brand of. BASKETBALL
i don't look at him and think that he.

Speaker 4 (43:06):
Doesn't look that big until he's standing next to somebody
who's like six ten six, eleven and you're, like, oh
he's like not really, Shorter he's only a little bit
smaller than.

Speaker 1 (43:16):
Them, So, tara how do you Think Chauncey billups will
juggle the push and pull of the duality of some
of this roster to where IT'S i think it helps
that some of The blazers' best players are also their
most important long term. Players but when you get into
Having Jeremy Grant Andrew holliday and if for some reason

(43:37):
R w three is, healthy, like how do you see him,
juggling playing and developing some of the kids versus do
The blazers have this mandate that they want To you,
know progress isn't, linear but if you're looking to enter
the play in discussion or just to improve upon your
win total from this, year like is there a push

(43:57):
and pull there or someone like me exaggerating like the
complexity of just those roster dynamics at.

Speaker 4 (44:03):
PLAY i think the biggest question is really how are
they going to fit In Jeremy? Grant AND i, think
like you, said a lot of the younger players are
the key to the, future so they're just and they're
also the most impactful players right, now SO i don't
think it's a huge. CONCERN i think just the most

(44:23):
complicated one is what to do With, jeremy which is.

Speaker 1 (44:27):
What should they do to bring him off the? Bench
is that do they have the gall to do.

Speaker 4 (44:32):
That, YEAH i don't know how real this whole thing,
is where like if they get paid this much, money
they have to, start you, know you hear different sides
of that. Coin SO i don't. Know i'm glad it's
not me having to.

Speaker 1 (44:45):
Decide rose what's impressed you so far the most about
too Many kamara's growth on the offense. EVENT i think
everyone kind of not that they expected him to be
in the all defense, discussion but he came. In it's just, like,
oh this dude can defend basically every. Position he's basically
lived up to that, billing but he's way better for,
Them Like suns fans are angry still about that, trade
like he's been Really so what's impressed you the most

(45:06):
about his offensive development the past two?

Speaker 3 (45:08):
YEARS i, mean, honestly it's probably just about how quick it,
Was like like like HE i feel like he was
shooting like thirty three percent from THREE i think his first,
season and then he like moved it all the way
up to thirty seven and he was shooting. More and
that's like a really surprising amount of growth for a
player that was playing on a team that didn't have

(45:29):
an identity yet and maybe that was part of it
was that like a lot of guys had the green
light to shoot the to shoot the three ball for
a while there because we were still trying to figure
out who everybody. Was but, like the speed at which
he's improved is pretty, wild AND i did not think
that we would have someone that we would be able
to like hold up and be like we have a
campaign for him to be all in like all DEFENSE

(45:53):
nba or LIKE i don't, know like The Defensive player
of The, year like they did like a campaign around.
That LIKE i didn't think we would have anybody that
we would be doing that for for a couple of.
Seasons so, honestly LIKE i feel like it's it feels
like a like found, money you, know like you put
your ski jacket away for the, season and the next

(46:14):
year you go back and you find two hundred dollars
that you stuffed in the pocket and you're, like, oh.

Speaker 1 (46:19):
Shoot because, yeah BECAUSE i mean that trade now is
just that's The Tamani kamara trade when you look at
the players that were involved in, there which is kind of. Insane.
UH i echo everything you said about, That like in
the three point stuff you mentioned, too that was like
real volume that he shot it on and, no, no
you don't expect him to create, those but he's not supposed.
To and the thing That i've, LIKED i think he

(46:39):
deserves like a medal for shooting over forty nine percent
on drives Within portland spacing last, year and he passes
out of those drives like way more Than i'd ever.
Expected it's not like the highest pass out, rate but
this is like you look at someone like A i don't,
know like A Miles bridges is just like like if
he puts his head, down like he's not gonna survey
the floor or see, anybody so he's not. It it

(47:00):
never would have been a ball, stopper but he's more
of a connective tissue on. Offense, no he's not like
the best, passer but, like this isn't LIKE i guess
his processing he's. Been he makes quicker decisions THAT i
THINK i just. DIDN'T i don't know a lot about
these guys coming out of the, draft but even watching
him his rookie, SEASON i don't know THAT i would
have predicted like that type of just. Player like he's
way more of a well rounded player THAN i ever

(47:21):
would have. Anticipated after year one of watching him In.

Speaker 3 (47:24):
PORTLAND i love what you said about connective tissue because
one of the things That tara AND i really focused
on last year was watching what connections. Emerged AND i
think that Bringing Denny avvia to this team was actually
really important for Too Mani kamara's growth because they were
the first two to really. Connect they were the first
two to have a game that games that were really,

(47:45):
complimentary and they were the first guys THAT i noticed
like they knew where the other one was gonna be without.
Looking and for a long time there was guys pass
passing the ball out of bounds because they didn't know
where guys were gonna. Be denny And tumani were the
first guys to like really do that for, us and
then when they settled into that, relationship it made the
game easier for everybody else around them to find their

(48:06):
spots and for them to be predictive of where they
were all going to. Be, so, LIKE i think connective
tissue is a really good way to think About, toomni
but he has to have another thing to connect to
in order to make the good use of.

Speaker 1 (48:19):
That, Wait so what Are tara And roses? Like top
Three blazers like one two punch or connective. Rankings, now
so we Have toumani And Denny, aavia who what are
the other two combinations that stood out to?

Speaker 4 (48:30):
You scoot And donovan okay are? STARTING i mean these
are you know it was it was just too money
and And denny for quite a long. Time BUT i
Think scoot And donovan are starting to become become more,
connected you, KNOW i mean they're gone, now but Like

(48:51):
anthony And ayton were actually really complimentary. Together who else
really do think of any?

Speaker 2 (49:00):
OTHERS a lot of guys that are.

Speaker 3 (49:02):
GONE i was really feeling Like jabari was having some
good connection with some of those second unit. Guys i've
been waiting For shadon to find like his, guy like
the guy that he plays really well off. Of AND
i JUST i think That i've just come to this
place Where i'm like that that role is still available
on our team for the person who has great like
connective tissue with with the With shaden SO, tbd if.

Speaker 1 (49:26):
He if he could stay. HEALTHY i actually Think Robert,
williams the third could fit that. Role it's like maybe
they're not running the actions, together but if Like shadon's
cutting off of a pet Like Robert williams in the
short role throwing to a cutting shaden like that could absolutely.
Work BUT i don't even like how many minutes did.
IT i don't even know how many minutes are w
three played it last year like. That dude is just

(49:46):
never healthy and he what are we two or three
years removed from people thought he should have Won Defensive
player of The year instead Of Marcus, Smart like that
is the level of player that he, was which is
WHY i still IF i was AN, Mbagm i'd be
trying to trade for. Him i'd give up way too
much to do it BECAUSE i just still.

Speaker 4 (50:01):
Believe, yeah we Love Robert williams and would love to
see him play. More from what our understanding, is last
year he took on a lot of that role of
sort of the verbal leader in the locker, room you,
know and it's always helpful when the verbal leader in
the locker room is also, playing but you can't always
have all. That but you, know he really he really did.

(50:21):
That you. Know one of the things That scoot does
That Damian lillard never did was throw like just joy
and throwing, lobs and so he has been connecting pretty
well with guys all over up and down the roster
in terms of you, know being connected and like just

(50:42):
throw it, up you. Know and for, him it's more
LIKE i would like to see it more like we
have guys who are, like just throw it anywhere near
And i'll grab. It at this, POINT i feel like
it's more, like just be, Ready i'll be throwing, you
throwing it to. You SO i like to see them
get to a point where's. This everybody's all always ready
if anything is anywhere near the hoop at all for a.

(51:03):
Lob but we'll get.

Speaker 1 (51:05):
There i'll throw this question into both of. You i'll
start with. Tower is there any one of like kind
of the? Players we haven't discussed the non core, guys
whether it's a wreath Repair Chris murray that intrigues you the.
Most the answer can be none of. Them but that's not.

Speaker 4 (51:21):
FUNNY i really. Am i'm rooting For Chris murray to
have a year where his offense, develops BECAUSE i know
it seems like the coach really likes, him you, know on,
defense and like he can can depend on. Him but
he just his offense hasn't come around enough to really
get him much playing. Time SO i would just love

(51:42):
to see him crack a little bit deeper into the
rotation because his offense has come.

Speaker 1 (51:47):
Around what about, You, Rose.

Speaker 3 (51:51):
Well i'm interested to see how they Use wreath BECAUSE
i think that he's one of the only like bigs
that is playable Alongside donovan And hanson because he stretches
the floor and so if you want to throw out
a two big, lineup he's like probably the most flexible
to do. That of Course barri And Robert williams the

(52:12):
third being. Available but, again LIKE i, said he's kind
of theoretical to us right, now SO i don't really
count on him exactly because we saw so we've seen
so few games where he's been able to play meaningful.

Speaker 2 (52:23):
Minutes and then the other Person i'm really looking at Is.
Roops Can roops make a?

Speaker 3 (52:29):
Leap like we see some really great flashes of, Greatness
so like if for folks who go to see the remix,
play he can really like light it up. There and
In Summer, league we saw games where he like would
really take, over but like you, know then the next
game you'd see him really. Disappear and SO i want
to know if he can make take a leap because
at this, point like you, know insert that Judge judy

(52:51):
gift for taping her, watch like it's getting on time
to figure out what we're gonna do With, roops if
we're gonna reinvest in him or, not and what he's gonna.
Be AND i don't know what that is.

Speaker 1 (52:59):
Yet i'm a fan of being, right AND i remember
saying very inflammatory things two or three years ago when
he was, Drafted SO i want him to break out as.
WELL i don't know that the pathway to playing time
is for him on this, roster BUT i would love to.
SEE i said spicy things about his like On Ball
chops IT i. CAN'T i don't even THINK i could
reread or re listen to WHAT i. Said it was.
Bad tara had to be a witness to some of,

(53:20):
it Because i'm sure we went through him that year
on the. Podcast we could pretend it didn't, happen, Though,
tara based off how this roster is currently, constructed what
is the most realistic path like area of the way
they play that would noticeably improve their offense just based
off the current personnel that they.

Speaker 4 (53:39):
Have, TIME i know that's a really terrible cop about, it,
excuse but like that's the team that we're looking. At
they are, young and they are, developing and SO i
want to see.

Speaker 1 (53:51):
Time is there anything else for, you rose that you
could see this team again based off how it's currently, built, improved,
realistically improving on.

Speaker 3 (53:59):
OFFENSE i, MEAN i just want to see the continued
development in people's shooting from. Three but, again Like i'm
not somebody who necessarily thinks they need to go out
and find somebody to fill that role that's external to
the team, now like we've seen a lot of growth From,
scoot From, tumani guys who are on the team that are,
young that are still, DEVELOPING i want to see what

(54:20):
they can continue to do as the game gets a
little bit, easier because when everyone's playing a little bit,
better the game gets, Easier like we saw Like tara
was talking about how we used to See Anthony Simon's
Get triple team because there was nobody else that was a.
Threat as the team got, better the game got easier
because they couldn't sell out like. That and so when
all of these players become a little bit, BETTER i

(54:40):
think that it makes it a little bit easier for
everybody to shoot a little better and get better shots
because defenses don't have quite a straightforward of a. Proposition so,
yeah that's What i'm looking.

Speaker 4 (54:52):
FOR i thought of a more specific answer than time easy.
Buckets they left a lot of points on the.

Speaker 2 (55:01):
Floor transition, buckets, yeah finishing, lamps.

Speaker 1 (55:05):
Yeah uh, Man if scooed could be a better, finisher
that takes a lot of. Stuff BUT i do look
at the personnel and feel LIKE i liked that they
got out more in transition last year after grabbing. REBOUNDS
i feel like they have the personnel to be more
efficient in those situations. Too, now if you don't have
shooters in, transition that makes things, Harder but that feels
like a realistic area rather than, saying, yeah it'd be great, if,

(55:27):
like you, Know Jeremy grant could shoot fifty percent on
two pointers again rather than like thirty six or whatever
it was last. Year it would be great If shane
sharp coul shoot forty four percent from, Three, yeah that'd be.
Cool BUT i look at this team and feel Like
scoop can be a better, finisher AND i think that
they can do more efficient damage in.

Speaker 4 (55:43):
Transition they, have you, know multiple guys who like to
steal the ball and are skilled enough to not just
steal the ball but keep the ball after they steal,
It and so capitalizing on those and finishing on those
are gonna be uh that they they're leaving points on

(56:04):
the board when they don't do. That but now that
you know they have somebody like guys Like holiday who
can if he can get, Them him And, matisse, like
they're both wizards at stealing the, Ball so let's reward
that with by the rest of the team.

Speaker 1 (56:20):
Finishing, MAN i Forgot matis tible existed for a. Minute
they can build really it's not a defensive combinations that's just.
Wow this team has a lot of defensive. TALENT i,
like a lot of people just come out and said
they haven't bought like the rise that we saw later
in the. SEASON i know there's a lot of noise,
there but you look on paper and they Just i'll

(56:40):
say it, again tarrl, like but they have a lot of,
dudes a lot of dudes that can defend their ass,
Off AND i think this team is going to end
up being like really good. Defense LIKE i think they'll
have a top twelve defense next. Year IF i had
to make a bold, prediction like it feels like it
might be a little unconventional the way they do, it
but like they have just the perimeter personnel Of avdia
and thigh ball and Now Drew holliday like it's just

(57:01):
and Then Tamani kamara like that's, man this, TEAM i
don't know what they're gonna look like on. Offense i'm
pretty low on them. Offensively i'm not gonna, lie but
their defense is gonna be.

Speaker 4 (57:08):
Insane we keep saying that we want to be, that
we want The blazers to be the team that every
other team just hates to, play where there's like like
even if they know they can get a, win they
just dread going in to play The.

Speaker 1 (57:21):
Blazers are you guys ready to enter the Cookie Cutter
Lightning round portion of the? Podcast, yeah throw it. OUT
i feel like we've talked about it, enough BUT i
have to ask the question, anyway looking at the roster right,
now what is this team's single biggest weakness that concerned.
You i'll go with you, first.

Speaker 3 (57:38):
Ros so for, me it's LIKE, i LIKE i was saying,
before it's probably floor. Spacing i'm like a little bit worried.
About we have a lot of guys that are really
good at getting, inside But i'm, like but it it's
too hard without flour spacers because the defenses can just
collapse on. You it makes it really. Straightforward so we

(57:58):
really need guys who to like to like find their
shots and to know exactly how to get those when
they need, them because there's just no substitute for that right.
Now in THE, nba we have more playmakers than we've
ever had probably on our team in like the most recent,
years but they are only as good as like the
rest of the personnel can turn those into.

Speaker 2 (58:19):
Points so, YEAH i just want to see the floor
spacers continue to.

Speaker 1 (58:23):
Develop do you have anything else like to add to
that or a different, one, terror BECAUSE i, mean like
that's just the need with this.

Speaker 4 (58:30):
Right mine is a personal. Preference last year we had
a really awesome resurgence in the two handed, dunk and
this YEAR i want to see backwards.

Speaker 1 (58:38):
Dunks who aside From shade And, sharp are you going
to rely on to get the backwards dunks?

Speaker 2 (58:43):
Done Without Mason plumley on this?

Speaker 4 (58:45):
TEAM i, Know Mason plumley our is our, model you.
KNOW i Think donovan and Young hanson could both do.

Speaker 1 (58:51):
It what do you make OF i think this could
be a nomination they could still use and this is
not something you go out and get and they might
still develop. Them but what's tough about this team IS
i don't look at them and see their tent pole
of the, future like it could Be. SCOOT i haven't
really given up On. Scoot. There it won't Be, Clinging he's.
GOOD i don't think it's gonna Be shane And. SHARP

(59:13):
i know a lot of people kind of like him Over.
Scoot maybe It's John, hanson but like that's something to
sort of track, here because that would be your fast
track to the middle is you're like good and you're
frisky and you've done, these but you don't have the.
Guy And tara, like would you do you Think scoot
of the current members is their best chance at having
the guys at somebody? Else do you not view them

(59:33):
as just even having that type of prospect on the
roster right? Now it's hard.

Speaker 4 (59:38):
To know because if you have a, guy you have
to have the guy that makes all the other guys,
better and it depends on who the other guys, Are
so it really depends on the mix of who you
HAVE i think the best potential that we have on the.
Roster if we, couldn't you, know choose anybody, ELSE i
would Say scoot Or denny are probably the ones who
are the most likely to be able to take this

(01:00:00):
team into the, Future BUT i don't know if they Are.

Speaker 1 (01:00:05):
Rose is there anything about this team could be a, need, concern,
storyline whatever that's flying under the radar that you think
deserves more.

Speaker 3 (01:00:12):
Spotlight, Yeah so this is one That i've kind of
preached on our own podcasts a little bit That AND
i think that this is the reason Why i'm kind
of hard on this story is BECAUSE i think it's
really easy for fans and media to grouse around, leadership, ownership, Whatever,

(01:00:33):
like it's really easy to have a lot of criticism
to go. Around but one of the things THAT i
feel now in, retrospect now that we know about the
new ownership of our team and the plan for, TRANSITION
i think That Jody allen did a really nice job
Building portland a promising team and planning seeds that she

(01:00:54):
was never going to see blossom. Here she didn't intend
to own a team like her brother tragically passed away
and she inherited a team and was the steward for
us for a long, time and we didn't know a
lot about. Her she inherited it a weird. Time and
as far as like the things that could have happened
this year this, offseason as they knew they were transitioning

(01:01:14):
to a new, OWNERSHIP i couldn't be happier with what.
Happened they were able to find enough of the right
players that they feel like they want to take the
next step from like looking for the right pieces to
them to like bringing the pieces together and assembling. Them
they Brought Damian lillard.

Speaker 2 (01:01:27):
Home she gave. Him they gave him a no trade
clause so that he could would be here and no
future owner could mess that up for. Us, like, honestly
for all of the ways that like owners have feel
people that fans of feel like owners have screwed their fan,
BASES i feel Like jody took incredibly good care of.
Us and not a lot of people say, THAT i
think because it's just our default position is to say

(01:01:48):
nothing about ownership or complain about.

Speaker 1 (01:01:50):
THEM i love THAT i asked that question BECAUSE i
never would have thought LIKE i just. Did The pelicans
one BEFORE i hopped on with you. Guys he's talking
about like these rights to the. Arena had no idea
that was really going. On it's one of my favorite
questions to, ask so thank you for that, One. Tara
do you have like an under the radar thing that
isn't that that you wanted to add or?

Speaker 4 (01:02:06):
No, Yeah i'll just say that The blazers have brought
in some really experienced new assistant coaches and the level
of assistant coaches has really every year notched, up And
i'm really excited about the staff that is Around Chauncey
billups right. Now they've brought In Thiago's. Splitter we're number

(01:02:28):
One Thiago Splitter fan. Podcast they also you, Know patrick St,
Andrews Quintin. Crawford these are guys who have you, know
one in THE G league one and other, levels AND
i just think it's exciting that the assistant coaches ARE
i THINK i think that's showing that the team is

(01:02:48):
ready to progress to be. Competitive i'm not really sure
what if they're ready to, compete BUT i think that
they're ready to be, competitive and assistant coaches with you
know what more history willing to come. ON i think
they're seeing the vision as.

Speaker 1 (01:03:02):
Well So i'll ask you two to hash this. Out
it's you're building a ten man rotation for opening. Night
who are your five starters and then who are the
five most used reserves after?

Speaker 2 (01:03:14):
That scoots starting at point? Guard, Right scoot And, Drew, YEAH.

Speaker 1 (01:03:21):
I, HAVE i.

Speaker 4 (01:03:22):
HAVE i Think, Scoot, Drew, Denny, tumani And. Donovan that's
that's WHO i would love to see On Opening.

Speaker 1 (01:03:29):
NIGHT i think that's the right. Answer by the, WAY
i think that that's like the like to be the
idea Of shandon coming off the bench is. Where BUT
i think in so far as you, CARE i think
that that's like the right lineup for them to.

Speaker 3 (01:03:40):
Start, YEAH i think that they've made it really clear
that like we played defense first and that's Not shandon's
thing just, Yet and you don't bench any of those
other guys to. Start shadony And shane's probably six the
man off the, bench you, know first off the.

Speaker 1 (01:03:57):
Bench he's like he could win that Six man of
The year award if he just came off the bench and,
Blocked like he's the type of player that would be
wired to win that. AWARD i think, too they could
sell him that, WAY.

Speaker 2 (01:04:11):
I think it.

Speaker 4 (01:04:11):
It's tough, well AND i think Just jeremy hasn't been,
around hasn't been a part of the rotation, enough in
kind of like same With Robert, Williams like they're not
as used to playing with each, other and if they
want to start off with they want to start off with,
success they got to be used to playing. Together And
jeremy just hasn't been around as. Much he's been, Injured
he's just hasn't been around as. Much and so as

(01:04:34):
weird as it seems to bring, somebody you, know with
the experience Of jeremy off the, bench to, me it
makes the most. Sense keep, those you, know those guys
who finished out the year so off the.

Speaker 1 (01:04:46):
Bench then would Be Grant. Shaden Robert williams The third
is playing if he's, healthy, RIGHT.

Speaker 3 (01:04:53):
I mean, yeah BUT i mean if in lieu of
him being, HEALTHY i don't. Know IF I i don't,
KNOW i don't count on, THAT.

Speaker 2 (01:05:01):
I, guess is What i'm trying to.

Speaker 3 (01:05:02):
Say so and LIKE i, Would I'm i'm inclined to
believe THAT wop will get more minutes Than Robert williams
The third.

Speaker 1 (01:05:08):
Nixt, OH i love that. Prediction, well MAYBE i. Don't i'm.
Conflicted but so Is hantson gonna be do you think
in the regular rotation or is that like a later season? Thing, yes,
okay so he brings us into. Nine, WELL i guess
if W reith is in, there So wreath Or williams
will count as one spot Plus hanson and then who

(01:05:29):
do we just? NAME i think that brings us to.
Nine matis is Top, matisse and you think he's the,
tenth he'll be the tenth. Guy.

Speaker 3 (01:05:34):
Then probably the reason WHY i Think matisse is Because
matis really fits the identity that this team is going,
for and he's just getting back in like he was
injured for so much of last, season like we haven't
really seen a whole lot of.

Speaker 2 (01:05:49):
Them but when he did come, back when the team
was winning and doing, well he looked.

Speaker 1 (01:05:55):
Good tara to some extent matchup, Dependent but what do
you think should be or will end up being? There
go to closing?

Speaker 4 (01:06:05):
UNIT i think BECAUSE i want so badly For scoot
to have show the success that we're all hoping. FOR
i would love it If scoot is. Closing So i'm
Thinking scoot To Denny, Donovan Drew, DREW i don't. Know

(01:06:33):
my most important thing IS i really want to See
scoot closing because he's shown that that's where he should that's,
whoa that's who needs to be in commanding the floor
and running things at the end of the.

Speaker 1 (01:06:46):
Game could you see a spot because that's, like that's
basically the starting five that it seems like we all
agree should. Be the, answer is there a spot within
that lineup rose that you could see like closing, games
that you could See Chauncey billps futzing and fiddling with,
specificly like one player who wouldn't be guaranteed to close
of that.

Speaker 3 (01:07:02):
Group, uh it's tough because it's so much of its
matchup dependent and like situation, dependent you, know like are we,
up are we?

Speaker 2 (01:07:11):
Down like what's going?

Speaker 3 (01:07:12):
On BUT i could See matisse in for one of
those like one of those those, guards Because matisse is
such an oppressive defender and he's one GAME i, mean
like we saw him win games last year when he came,
back like getting like game winning blocks and, Stuff like

(01:07:35):
he's capable of that kind of playmaking in those like closing,
situations and so LIKE i can see him being given
that trust if we.

Speaker 2 (01:07:44):
Need if like the goal at the end is to
get us.

Speaker 1 (01:07:47):
Stup oh go, ahead, sy are you gonna say?

Speaker 4 (01:07:50):
SOMETHING i was just gonna. Say and if the goal
at the end is to get a, bucket then maybe
they swap it out and they Put shade, in if
they can, run if they can come up with a
like reliable play For shaden to score on Or.

Speaker 3 (01:08:07):
JEREMY i think it's very possible that we See jeremy
and closing situations when you need a.

Speaker 2 (01:08:11):
Bucket that's WHY i got them at one.

Speaker 1 (01:08:14):
Point that's kind of a terrifying notion to. Me at this,
Point i'm not gonna lie if that's if that's where
The blazer are sent up At, ROSE i was gonna
ask you to build a like their best realistic offensive.
Lineup who is who is in?

Speaker 2 (01:08:27):
It the Pass i'm just Skiddy Wreath.

Speaker 1 (01:08:34):
Hanson Robert lane will go all bigs and we'll figure it.

Speaker 2 (01:08:37):
Out i'm SO.

Speaker 3 (01:08:41):
I don't know exactly what that looks, like BECAUSE i
feel like every, year it's a.

Speaker 2 (01:08:44):
Lot of these younger players have looked different every single.

Speaker 3 (01:08:47):
Year so like, today IF i was gonna, say based
on WHAT i saw at the end of last, YEAR
i would be really happy to See Scoot SHADEN toi Mony,
denny and Then i'm Not i'm actually not sure in.
It in a perfect, WORLD i would love to be
able to See donovan Or, hanson but they have NOT

(01:09:08):
i have not seen exactly what they will be like
offensively in THE nba and being like a real, ASSET
i could imagine a small ball situation where you Play
denny at the five depending on the.

Speaker 1 (01:09:19):
MATCHUP i love those.

Speaker 2 (01:09:21):
Lineups and THEN i don't know who that fourth person would.

Speaker 3 (01:09:24):
Be it could be, true it could Be matisse, like
BUT i JUST i like, this, this this idea Of
denny getting to play the, five because the times where
we did get to see him play the five last
year were really interesting and. Fun watching him play shingoon
like for an entire game was really, fun and like

(01:09:46):
the THE nba is a touch that you might play
a team where that's.

Speaker 1 (01:09:48):
Possible the theory of might actually make sense in that situation.
Too is the floor, spacer because Then denny still gets
the open floor if you have a big man who could,
space Because donna won't or at least he. SHOT i
don't need to See donovan clink and shoot threes R
w three does not haunt, him as you, said is
a question. Mark it's like if you still wanted to
have like a quote unquote five in there, wreath WOULD

(01:10:10):
i was, LIKE i know he didn't shoot the ball
to l a, year we didn't play a. BUNCH i
still that's the him And Carlo macovich of The pelicans are,
like if you're trying to find someone who might be
a floor spacing room, protector like just a diamond in the,
rough it's. Him SO i wouldn't mind seeing him in
those type of looks, too to open the. Floor my favorite,
Question tara will start with. You is there a weirdo
lineup you want to See Chauncey billups try this? Year?

Speaker 4 (01:10:34):
Yeah What the One i've come up with is possibly
the first non scoring quarter in the. League and WHAT
i met this was that the other team wouldn't be
able to. Score but Now i'm also looking at it
going maybe we can't score. Either BUT i would love
just the death lineup Of Drew, Matisse, Timani Rob williams And.
DONOVAN i feel like that would be.

Speaker 1 (01:10:56):
Terrifying that would be on both sides of the. Floor
that would be.

Speaker 4 (01:11:02):
Can they hold a team to zero points in a?

Speaker 1 (01:11:05):
Quarter, rose do you have a weird old lineup you
would like to? See and if it was The denny
at the five, one that's perfectly cool too if that
works for.

Speaker 3 (01:11:12):
Me it is similar With denny at the, five but
it's a slightly different. Lineup With denny at the. Five
it Scoot Drew Matisse TooMany And denny because if they are,
small fast and infinitely.

Speaker 1 (01:11:24):
Switchable, yeah, man is do you could build some ridiculous defensive.
LINEUPS i want to see R w three With hans
And Denny toimani AND i feel LIKE i should put
a REAL i want to Say. Shaden that lineup is
just so. WEIRD i don't need to see like. SCHOOL
i don't need someone to run, like let's Throw shaden in.

(01:11:45):
There you Have, denny make Sure hanson gets plenty of.
TOUCHES i honestly have no idea what that lineup looks
like at either side of the, floor which is WHY
i would favor. It if it's ever on the, Court we'll.

Speaker 2 (01:11:55):
Have to keep your eyes out for. These report back
if we see any of.

Speaker 1 (01:11:58):
THESE i Need, yeah, weird don't line up like. Signal
it's and on social media if it's ever on and
SO i could choper in and watch.

Speaker 4 (01:12:04):
THAT i remember In chauncey's first year as a, COACH
i tagged you because it was an oops all guard.
Lineup they literally put five.

Speaker 1 (01:12:13):
Guards dan had like nine. Guards, yeah my.

Speaker 4 (01:12:16):
God it's Like, dan it happened.

Speaker 1 (01:12:19):
BEFORE i ask you guys for some. Predictions is there
anything or anyone else about this team THAT i didn't
ask you about that you believe that you think needs more.
Discussion i'll say.

Speaker 4 (01:12:32):
That i'll just reiterate THAT i really want them to
lean into the defense this, year and not that, worry
not worry that much about the. OFFENSE i really want
them to lock that in and then we'll worry about
laying laying on the. Offense so if they lose a
bunch of games seventy seven to eighty, Eight i'm fine with.

Speaker 1 (01:12:55):
That you'll add the offense. LATER i get the morbid
intrigue factor. Bump if you start seeing games of, theirs
like go into the, eighties like it's almost, like, well
it's a car. Crash you have to stop and look at. It.
Rose i'll start with you viewing this. Roster what could

(01:13:15):
happen the, development any, trades injury. Risks how many games
do you think they can? Win and where do you
see them lining up relative to the rest of The.

Speaker 2 (01:13:24):
West this is a hard.

Speaker 3 (01:13:27):
Question this is like not the WAY i typically think about.
Basketball so this one really felt like homework WHEN i saw.

Speaker 2 (01:13:32):
It So i'll say.

Speaker 3 (01:13:35):
FORTY i think that, forty especially considering the division that they're.
In so they got to play like the thunder a,
bunch they gotta play The nuggets.

Speaker 2 (01:13:43):
Like the division is a tough.

Speaker 3 (01:13:45):
Division the only team that you can really expect to
beat up on is The, Jazz and SO i think,
Forty like if they were in the weakest if this
team were in the weakest possible, division maybe forty.

Speaker 2 (01:13:57):
FIVE i don't, know but forty AND i think they're
probably like a.

Speaker 3 (01:14:01):
Playing, team like right around, Eight, tara what about.

Speaker 4 (01:14:05):
YOU i try to temper my expectations and set the
bar low SO i can be excited if they surpass.
It so this Time i'm gonna SAY i really don't
think that they're going to improve their win total that,
much just because of Like rose was, saying how brutal
The west. Is So i'm gonna go with thirty.

Speaker 1 (01:14:25):
Eight i'll start with you for this, One, tara COULD
i get one additional prediction about this team for this?
Season you could take it wherever you.

Speaker 4 (01:14:33):
Want i'll just readiterate What i've been saying this whole
time IS i Think scoot is going to show. Growth
he's gonna respond to the pressure, well and he's going
to show.

Speaker 1 (01:14:41):
Growth how about, You, Ros do you have any other
predictions for this?

Speaker 2 (01:14:45):
TEAM i Think timani stays hot from.

Speaker 3 (01:14:49):
THREE a lot of people have wondered whether that's that's,
real you, know because it was such a huge.

Speaker 2 (01:14:54):
LEAP i think he stays hot from.

Speaker 3 (01:14:56):
THREE i think he's somebody WHEN i see him put
his nose, down he's somebody who wants it, bad like
he's he's working, hard and SO i think that he
stays hot from. Three and he also adds something else
really surprising to his game this year that we don't
even know what it is.

Speaker 1 (01:15:12):
Yet you know what's funny IS i had more questions about, like,
oh is he just gonna shoot five threes or more
game all? That, LIKE i had more questions about him
like doubling up on the volume relative to the. Efficiency it's,
LIKE i don't even know how big of a question
that is still for. Me BUT i don't want to
SAY i think he's a capslock. Shooter BUT i just
didn't look at the what was he at thirty, seven

(01:15:32):
thirty seventy? Five, YEAH i didn't look at that and was, like,
oh that's it was The for some, reason it was
the volume that stood out to, me And i'm just, like, huh,
So i'm gonna be curious to see if he even
has room to, like can we get him over five
attempts per? Game because, again if he's making them even
at a league average, clip that helps open up the
floor for all their other. Guys are you guys down
for Some blazers superlatives hypotheticals That i've left in for

(01:15:56):
the end of This, yeah so sure for anyone who's
not listened To tara And rose yet they do. That
we have A Takes awards at the end of every,
year AND i listened to this year's. Episode it was,
Fun SO i came up with my own. Category SO
i guess these are like predictions or they could be
just your picks based on right, Now i'll start with

(01:16:16):
the first. One, tara who is The blazer most likely
to watch A hallmark movie on The Team.

Speaker 4 (01:16:21):
Plane, OH i love that. QUESTION i would say that
my nominee for the player most likely to watch A
hallmark movie on The Team, Plane i'm gonna go With Chris.
Murray and he is a huge dog lover And hallmark
loves to do a dog related. Storyline SO i Think
Chris murray anytime he sees A hallmark movie that has

(01:16:44):
like A Golden retriever in, it he's hit and play.

Speaker 1 (01:16:48):
Rose who is the? Blazer who would be best suited
to host A Love island?

Speaker 3 (01:16:52):
Podcast, oh this one's so, Hard like we lost so
many guys who would have been great it last over
like the. SUMMER i would have, not like Said Jabbari
walker would have put it together a really Fabulous Love island.
Podcast or Maybe Delano banton but they are no longer.

Speaker 1 (01:17:09):
With Us dolano.

Speaker 3 (01:17:10):
Banded, Wow Delano banton would have been really. Funny BUT
i would say among the guys that we have now
is probably TOO Monti, kamara probably.

Speaker 1 (01:17:23):
RIGHT i don't. Know its just so, VERSATILE i get.

Speaker 3 (01:17:25):
It, yeah, yeah AND i think that he he would
drop some really like great birds.

Speaker 4 (01:17:34):
That would be.

Speaker 3 (01:17:34):
Surprising but, YEAH i don't, KNOW i, mean Obviously Josh
harden H. Uh Jalen brunson covered Some Love island stuff
on their. Podcast So Josh hart memorial, blazer you, know
he's out there doing it for.

Speaker 1 (01:17:49):
Us, tara who is the blazer most likely to have
a collection of Jelly?

Speaker 4 (01:17:56):
Cats so first of, ALL i had to Google jellycat
because that is how out of TOUCH i, am apparently
with the modern. World but it appears to be. There like,
Basically Beanie babies for the next.

Speaker 1 (01:18:07):
Generation They're Beanie babies. Rebranded that's absolutely what they.

Speaker 4 (01:18:11):
Are, cool, well they are. Adorable and this is my
third time Where Chris murray has been the answer to the,
question which is kind of of a, surprise BUT i
think it would Be Chris murray and that he would
say that he's buying him for his dogs and his. Girlfriend.

Speaker 1 (01:18:27):
Uh, Now i'm completely out of touch with pop culture
for the most. Part so when did is He Dame?

Speaker 3 (01:18:33):
Dollar?

Speaker 1 (01:18:33):
Still what's this d apostrophe dollar With Damian? Lillard i've
SEEN i have what is? That how do we pronounce?

Speaker 4 (01:18:39):
That is it to?

Speaker 1 (01:18:39):
Dollar what is?

Speaker 4 (01:18:40):
THIS i don't everybody goes To milwaukee and goes through some.
Stuff so we'll figure out what. Happens we'll we'll find out.

Speaker 1 (01:18:47):
Later. Okay So, rose with that, said who is the
Current blazer most likely to feature on A Dame dollar?

Speaker 3 (01:18:54):
Track this is tough because, LIKE i like player on The, Blazers,
like there's definitely guys out there across THE nba THAT
i would put on, this BUT i was going for The.
BLAZERS i would go for something, unorthodox Like Jeremy grant
on the. Harp we saw some videos of him this

(01:19:14):
summer playing harp for his new baby on his.

Speaker 2 (01:19:19):
Part So Jeremy grant on the harp is my.

Speaker 1 (01:19:21):
Answer oh, man that needs to. Happen. Now you need
to send that request To BLAZERS pr or something to
Let Damian liller know, That, like, Hey Jeremy grant can
shred on the, harp like you need to get up
on the track or. SOMETHING i did not know he
played the. Harp that is. Insane that's. Insane they can't
trade him.

Speaker 2 (01:19:40):
Now jeremy is a very.

Speaker 3 (01:19:42):
Eclectic he is a very eclectic. Person he's done a
ton of stuff around. Town his socials have shown us
a lot Of. Portland he's like he went camping over spring, Break.

Speaker 2 (01:19:53):
Like he's doing it. All and one of those things
is playing the harp for his.

Speaker 4 (01:19:57):
Baby he makes the out Of march And.

Speaker 1 (01:20:00):
APRIL i favor, it Uh. Tara who is The blazer
most likely to spontaneously adopt a puppy or kitten and
then name them after a current or former.

Speaker 4 (01:20:12):
TEAMMATE i can totally close my eyes and See Ryan
rupair adopting a kitten and naming It nikola After Nicholas.
BATOOMA i fav, that.

Speaker 1 (01:20:24):
Bros would you have a different? Answer who would be
another nominee for this?

Speaker 3 (01:20:26):
Award oh, gosh that's a really good. Answer AND i
didn't even realize that that's What nicola you were talking. About,
Nicola you're, Right, Nicholas, yeah because they're they're old. BUDDIES
i would maybe Say. SCOOT i think That scoot has
been really trying hard to like find his identity here
and be like like like lean all in On, blazers

(01:20:47):
and SO i could See scoot doing it and like
like adopting like a.

Speaker 2 (01:20:50):
Dog and naming it Like. Sheed.

Speaker 1 (01:20:54):
Yeah that's WHAT i, thought, too is that that's got
to be like a popular pet. Name sheed, Right, yes
it's a.

Speaker 4 (01:20:59):
Very popular pet. Name. Him, okay at least around here, Anyway.

Speaker 1 (01:21:04):
Okay he's next to or for both of, You i'll
start with. Rose which player is, Better shade And sharp
With Tamani kamara's defense Or Denny avdya With Damian lillard.

Speaker 2 (01:21:13):
SHOOTING i don't, know.

Speaker 3 (01:21:20):
So the the correct answer is Probably shade And sharp
with Too Money kamara's, defense Because i'll, say Like Denny,
avdya like it would be great if he could shoot Like,
dame but like he does so much and all the
other things like him shooting just means that he's doing
less of that other. Stuff and SO i would Say
shade And sharp with Too Money kamara's defense because that
ensures That shadon gets to stay on the, floor and

(01:21:42):
because he's playing high enough level of defense that like
the coaches can leave him.

Speaker 4 (01:21:46):
In what about, You, Tara, Well i'd flip it slightly
and SAY i would like To Money kamara With shaden's dunking.
Form and he actually showed a couple of times Last
timani had a couple of, highlights SO i think that
player is actually could be out.

Speaker 1 (01:22:03):
There, Okay joint one for the most of, you and
it's the most important. One who's the player most likely
to have a What award named after them in the,
future Non Damian lillard, Division, well.

Speaker 4 (01:22:17):
We already have one named After josh hart We.

Speaker 1 (01:22:19):
DO i was surprised to hear That DeAndre was not
paying enough attention to deandreton on the. BENCH i was
surprised to hear that you won the bench got the
Celebratory Bench.

Speaker 3 (01:22:29):
Award so this is something THAT i think, about AND
i don't know how Much tara, does BUT i could
imagine there being like A Matist thible Most Portland Coded
Blazer man of The, year because there's always somebody on
our team at any time that feels Super portland even

(01:22:49):
and it doesn't necessarily mean like he's contributing to like
the team in like a big, way but Like Robin
lopez would be eligible for this, award like guys are
really Fit portland vibe And Matist seibel like he's just
out there walking around town all the, time like he's
throwing out the first pitch at the pickles. Game he's

(01:23:09):
walking into like you, know Walking hawthorn and shopping and
like people see him Around LIKE i don't, Know matist
to me seems like the guy who would be Most
portland coded on the team right, now although there's an
argument For jeremy and worthy of like having an aboard for, that.

Speaker 1 (01:23:28):
There's gotta be like A Jeremy Grant Shocking talent of
The year award or something that has to do with
all the playing the harp is. Absurd i'm not gonna
let go of. That Every he also made.

Speaker 3 (01:23:38):
Jewelry he like went to a jewelry making class at
one of the like art studios here and made himself a. Signet,
like he's a very eclectic, guy AND i WHEN i
see him like doing his, Hobbies i'm, like when you
time for your to, retire you're not gonna be one
of those people that panics and doesn't know what to
do With it's, like you got plenty of stuff to.

Speaker 1 (01:23:56):
Do, yeah he's gonna have his, own like but dazzling
business or something where he serenades just customers with the
harp as they walk. In it's gonna be Sick. Tower
would you have a different answer or do you think it's?

Speaker 4 (01:24:06):
Fatisse Uh, NO i would actually like just suggest The
Wop Wreath memorial G League Call up. Award So wop
played one game with the remix and scored thirty seven
points and got himself a position immediately on The. Blazers
was called up immediately to The. Blazers so the wop

(01:24:27):
ree wreath G league call up is the one that i'd, suggest.

Speaker 1 (01:24:31):
True Unicorn force basing room protector free free wop. Wreath
that's Where i'm. At this was, great, Guys thank you
for giving me so much of your. Time would you
just be able to tell our audience where they can
find you and all the great work that you, do the,
podcast your handles on the. Socials let's start with, You. Rose.

Speaker 3 (01:24:48):
Uh, yeah you can find me At Roselle harding On Blue.
Sky you can find the podcast at is it? What
podcast On Blue.

Speaker 2 (01:24:56):
Sky we have a, Take we have a, Take, no
we have a. Take, HUSH i don't even know the
our own. Handle i'm so bad at. This are you GONNA?

Speaker 3 (01:25:01):
Haveso find us on, YouTube, tara you can find me
at TCB B i G.

Speaker 4 (01:25:07):
Gs yeah and subscribe and. Listen give us a. Listen
let us know what you. Think we off Some we
often ask for, questions finding out what's on people's, mind and,
uh you know we. Did we don't talk about aprons
so if you have a question about the Second, apron
we're probably not going to answer, it but just about
any other question we'll. Take or if you ask us
a question About, apron we're gonna turn it into all

(01:25:28):
kinds of. Craziness.

Speaker 1 (01:25:30):
Uh the links to the, podcast their, podcast the what
podcast that we have to take podcasts will be in
our podcast and YouTube. Description go check them. Out they
have a lot of. Fun they're very, enjoyable refreshing listen
AND i guess. WATCH i don't listen to podcasts on.
YouTube i'm just. Not it's not my. GENERATION i listen
On apple Or spotify. Sometimes what's?

Speaker 4 (01:25:50):
That that's how you think it's our.

Speaker 1 (01:25:52):
Generation thank you guys so much for giving me your
time and rest Assured i'll be pestering you again in the.
Future