Rip City Report

In the latest 2019 Playoffs edition of the Rip City Report, Joe Freeman and Casey Holdahl discuss the taunting and trash-talking of Game 3, how that will affect Game 4, the need for the Blazers to not get involved in the sideshow antics, which plays into the Thunder’s hands, Oklahoma City's role players finally showing up, officiating and free throw shooting, play yet another round of Walton or Oden and finish by answering listener questions about Jake Layman’s minutes, whether the Thunder are the NBA’s most obnoxious team, the Blazers’ mentality, Russell Westbrook’s treatment of the media, adjustments moving forward and more.

In the third 2019 Playoffs edition of the Rip City Report podcast, Joe Freeman and Casey Holdahl discuss Portland's Game 2 victory versus the Thunder, Moe Harkless being the Trail Blazers’ X-factor, what adjustments, if any, the Thunder make, Damian Lillard’s defense and dominance in the series and Russell Westbrook’s struggles before playing another round of Walton or Oden and finishing up by answering listener questions about Meyers Leonard’s play, whether Seth Curry should get more shots, Jusuf Nurkic’s recovery, Oklahoma City’s home-court atmosphere, Zach Collins’ reluctance to shoot and more.

In the second 2019 Playoffs edition of the Rip City Report podcast, Joe Freeman and Casey Holdahl discuss the Trail Blazers' victory versus the Thunder in Game One at the Moda Center, what they liked and didn’t like about Portland's performance, Enes Kanter's career game, Moe Harkless setting the tone with his defense, Paul George’s health and struggles, the Thunder running their offense through Steven Adams, play another round of "Walton or Oden," and finish by answering listener questions about the Blazers’ rotation, Jake Layman’s absence, staggering Lillard and McCollum’s minutes, Zach Collins, Game 2 adjustments and more.

In the first 2019 Playoffs edition of the Rip City Report podcast, Joe Freeman and Casey Holdahl look the Blazers vs. Thunder in the three-six matchup, the bad blood between the two teams, Paul George and Russell Westbrook's dominance against the Blazers this season, how the Blazers’ recent playoff failure impacts the series, the wild season finale and Anferee Simons’ rookie moment, play a Playoffs round of "Walton or Oden" and finish by answering listener questions about playoff X-factors, spending time in OKC, Moe Harkless’ headband, the Blazers’ advantage vs. the Thunder, pick-and-roll coverage, Simons’ chances of playing in the postseason and much more.

In the latest edition of the Rip City Report, Joe Freeman and Casey Holdahl discuss Jusuf Nurkic’s season-ending injury, what it means for Nurkic moving forward, the mood both in the arena and in the locker room after the injury, what it means for the Blazers’ playoff hopes, who starts in Nurkic’s absence, how this injury rank among the worst in franchise history and finish off by answering listener questions. 

In the latest edition of the Rip City Report podcast, Joe Freeman and Casey Holdahl discuss CJ McCollum’s left knee strain, when he might return and how it impacts the rest of the season, what the Blazers’ rotation might look like moving forward, a rundown of the Blazers’ closing schedule, which is rather easy, give their Not Top Blazers’ Starting Five — the worst players in franchise history, play another round of Walton or Oden and finished by answering listener questions about Moe Harkless’ “kick block,” tiki drinks, the Blazers’ playoff chances, lettuce on burritos, the Blazers’ success against elite defenses and more.

In the latest edition of the Rip City Report podcast, Joe Freeman and Casey Holdahl take a look at where the Trail Blazers stand with 15 games left, the team being ready for the playoffs and how that's the most important marker for success or failure by postseason success or failure, give a quick rundown of the most likely playoff matchups, play a round of "Walton or Oden" and finish up by answering listener questions about home-court advantage vs. a good playoff matchup, the Enes Kanter vs. Zach Collins debate, the Blazers’ free agent priorities, Moe Harkless’ knee, North Portland food options, Universal Studios and much more.

In the latest edition of the Rip City Report podcast, recorded on the road in Boston, The Oregonian's Joe Freeman and the Trail Blazers’ Casey Holdahl discuss the Trail Blazers’ propensity for post-All-Star break success, initial impressions of Enes Kanter, the Blazers suddenly being a deep team team, their current seven-game road trip, play another round of "Walton or Oden" and finish by answering listener questions about X-factors down the stretch, the players we most (and least) want babysitting Joe’s kids, our all-time Blazers starting five, retiring Brandon Roy’s jersey, Moe Harkless’ headband and much more.

In the latest of the Rip City Report podcast, recorded on the road in Brooklyn, The Oregonian's Joe Freeman and the Trail Blazers’ Casey Holdahl banter the Enes Kanter signing, the Trail Blazers' rotation over the final 25 games, Jake Layman and whether he should be starting, Damian Lillard's run at All-Star Weekend, play a round of "Walton or Oden" and finish by answering listener questions about playoff matchups, Brooklyn MC’s, re-signing Layman, why Kanter chose Portland, buffets, All-Star Weekend changes and much more.

In the latest edition of the Rip City Report, recorded live at Tough Luck Bar in NE Portland, Joe Freeman and Casey Holdahl discuss the NBA trade deadline, the deal that brought Rodney Hood to Portland, the wing rotation with the arrival of Hood and the recent strong play of Jake Layman, play a quick round of Walton or Oden and finish by answering questions from fans in attendance. 

In this edition of the Rip City Report podcast, The Oregonian's Joe Freeman and the Trail Blazers’ Casey Holdahl discuss the Trail Blazers’ successful January, whether they've shaken their reputation as a team that doesn't beat good competition, the Kristaps Porzingis trade, star players demanding trades and the implications in Portland, details of next week’s live podcast, play round of “Blazers Jeopardy" and a round of "Walton or Oden," and finish up by answering listener questions about about Jake Layman, covering the All-Star Game, whether CJ McCollum feels under appreciated, Blazers triple-doubles, Jusuf Nurkic’s knee pain, the biggest fan “freak out” in recent memory and much, much more.

On the latest edition of the Rip City Report, recorded from Phoenix, Joe Freeman and Casey Holdahl discuss the the Trail Blazers’ struggles against good teams and whether they've turned the corner after beating Utah on the road, the Jake Layman/Moe Harkless/small forward situation, Joe reveals his All-Star starters ballot, play a round of Walton or Oden and finish by answering listener questions about Carmelo Anthony, the Blazers’ youth, Jusuf Nurkic’s trash-talking, a one-on-one game between Nurkic and Arvydas Sabonis, CJ McCollum, the Meyers Leonard-Nurkic pairing and more.

In the latest edition of the Rip City Report podcast, Joe Freeman and Casey Holdahl discuss Jusuf Nurkic's first triple-double and his recent play, whether Damian Lillard is a "lock" for the 2019 All-Star Game, Jake Layman and what happens if/when Moe Harkless returns to the lineup, Blazers feasting on bad teams, play a round of "Walton or Oden" and answer listener questions about Caleb Swanigan, if Portland deserves to have multiple All-Stars this season, Al-Farouq Aminu's defense, favorite eras of Trail Blazers' basketball, chicken nuggets and more. 

In the latest edition of the Rip City Report podcast, Joe Freeman and Casey Holdahl discuss he Blazers’ recent hot streak, whether the team and this season have been kind of boring, whether the Blazers are playing down to their opponents, but still winning, Moe Harkless’ continuing knee trouble, the Jake Layman/Nik Stauskas rotation situation and then play a round of "Walton or Oden" before answering lister questions about the trade deadline, whether Jusuf Nurkic is poised to become Portland’s GOAT big man, male body spray, Kevin Love, Pat Connaughton, Lillard’s foul-baiting, why Anfernee Simons isn’t playing in the G-League and much more.

On the first 2019 edition of the Rip City Report podcast, Joe Freeman and Casey Holdahl discuss Jusuf Nurkić’s strong play as of late and whether we are seeing Nurkic Fever 2.0, both Seth Curry and Moe Harkless stepping up their respective games, play yet another round of Walton or Oden, give an update on the one-sided Nurkić three-point attempt wager and finish off as always by answering listener questions about Nik Stauskas’ struggles, Curry’s recent play, Blazers in-game promotions, healthy eating, a perfect non-star player for the Blazers, resolutions for the new year and much more.

In the last 2018 edition of the Rip City Report podcast, Joe Freeman and Casey Holdahl discusses whether the Trail Blazers are “hot” again and if so, whether it will last, the supporting cast and how they determine how much success this team has, whether fans romanticize Ed Davis, play another round of Walton or Oden and finish by answering listener questions Christmas movies, approaching players in the real world, the nickname “Zers,” overeating to winning and losing streaks, our approach to covering games and much more.

In the latest edition of the Rip City Report podcast, Joe Freeman and Casey Holdahl debate which team is the "real" Trail Blazers, how worried should fans be, the recent lackluster play of the bench, Jake Layman’s career night, play another round of Walton or Oden and answer listener questions about the 2007 NBA Draft, the rotation, Moe Harkless, our favorite cold weather city, lineup changes and much more.

In the 150th edition of the Rip City Report podcast, Joe Freeman and Casey Holdahl give their thoughts on what has gone wrong with the Blazers’ defense, whether the current version of Jusuf Nurkic is better than the “Nurkic Fever” version, Zach Collins’ recent foul trouble, whether Damian Lillard should be an MVP candidate, play yet another round of "Walton or Oden" and finish by answering listener questions about the Blazers’ forward production, whether Lillard will get a supermax contract, Stotts’ 400th win, the Blazers’ MacGyver, “Christmas Vacation,” the Blazers' standing after 20 games and more.

On the latest edition of the Rip City Report, recorded on the road in New York City, Joe Freeman and Casey Holdahl discuss how the Trail Blazers have played so far on their six-game trip, the up and down play of the bench, the team’s chemistry and cohesiveness, which was on display during one incredible possession versus Washington, Moe Harkless’ injury, the Jusuf Nurkic three-pointer attempt bet, play another round of “Walton or Oden,” and finish by answering listener questions about Jake Layman, the Wizards, Zach Collins’ 21st birthday, annoying NBA public address announcers, Thanksgiving turkey, Thanksgiving side dishes, Evan Turner's chances of winning Sixth Man of the Year and more.

On the latest edition of the Rip City Report, Joe Freeman and Casey Holdahl consider the good and bad from the first 10 games of the season, Portland's depth and why it's been a strength, whether CJ McCollum is in a slump or in transition, give a quick Moe Harkless injury "update," the defense and whether it's as bad as it has looked or as good as the statistic say, play a round of "Walton or Oden" and answer listener questions about making pancakes with Terry Porter, the biggest surprise so far, wearing sweaters to games, Evan Turner’s role, if Al-Farouq Aminu is underrated, fantasy sports, Jake Layman’s role when Harkless returns and more.