Rip City Report

In the first 2020 edition of the Rip City Report podcast, Joe Freeman and Casey Holdahl discuss where the Trail Blazers stand at the midway point of the 2019-20 season, whether the playoffs are still in play, and if not, how the team might proceed, Jusuf Nurkic's return and how the team should play it and thoughts on why Portland hasn't signed a stop-gap center before playing a round of "Walton or Oden" and answering listener questions Rodney Hood, Greg Oden, the NFL playoffs, Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum’s frustration with this season, Ed Davis, the bench outfits of Nurkic and Zach Collins and more.

In the final 2019 edition of the Rip City Report, Joe Freeman and Casey Holdahl discuss where the Trail Blazers find themselves going into the new year, yet another serious injury and if and how they could go about adding talent, whether the style of play that they've been forced to employ is all that interesting, play another round of "Walton or Oden" and finish up by answering listener questions about Hassan Whiteside, Kent Bazemore, trades, Portland’s chances of landing an All-Star Game, New Year’s Eve, favorite personal/Blazers moments of the decade, Zach Randolph memories and much more.

In the latest edition of the Rip City Report, recorded on location at Talking Stick Hotel Resort Arena in Phoenix, The Oregonian's Joe Freeman and the Trail Blazers’ Casey Holdahl banter about Jusuf Nurkic’s rehabilitation, his workout in Phoenix, being pain-free and when he might return, the struggles of the Trail Blazers' bench, play another round of "Walton or Oden" and answer listener questions about trades, assistant coach David Vanterpool’s departure, the next live podcast, Zach Collin’s anticipated return, 1980s night and more.

In an abbreviated edition of the Rip City Report, Joe Freeman and Casey Holdahl discuss the season-ending injury to Rodney Hood and why it's such a bummer, how the Trail Blazers might go about replacing his production, or whether such a thing is even possible, and if the injury changes Portland's long-term plans. Joe and Casey also play a round of "Walton or Oden" and finish up as always by answering listener questions about trades, “Parks and Recreation” vs. “The Office,” Damian Lillard’s three-point shooting and officiating.

In the latest edition of the Rip City Report, Joe Freeeman and Casey Holdahl discuss whether the Trail Blazers have turned the corner, the recent play of Hassan Whiteside and whether he's making improvements, the price of Christmas trees and Carmelo mania. Joe and Casey also making their Blazers stock watch picks, play a round of Walton or Oden and finish up with listener questions about potential trades, Anfernee Simons, fried chicken, Nassir Little’s new hairstyle, the coaches challenge, iso-ball, go-to breakfast items on the road, projected win totals and much more.

In the latest edition of the Rip City Report, Joe Freeman and Casey Holdahl discuss the current state of the Trail Blazers 16 games into the season, a disappointing road trip, Carmelo Anthony’s impact through four games, whether there's still time to turn the season around, Pau Gasol’s departure, play a round of "Walton or Oden" and finish up by answering listener questions about Hassan Whiteside, the team’s chemistry, Skal Labissiere, assistant coaching, Thanksgiving, how our opinions on things have changed since early in our careers, the open roster spot and the best-cast scenario for the rest of the season.

In this, an especially emergency edition of the Rip City Report, Joe Freeman and Casey Holdahl discuss the report that Carmelo Anthony and the Trail Blazers have agreed in principle to a non-guaranteed contract, whether it's worth the risk, how well Anthony will fit with the current Blazers team, Anthony's motivations at this point in his career, opinions of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum of the reported signing and play a quick round of Carmelo-themed "Walton or Oden." 

In the latest edition of the Rip City Report podcast, Joe Freeman and Casey Holdahl discuss the current state of the Blazers and breakdown some of their issues, Mario Hezonja and Anthony Tolliver struggling and the lack of depth at the power forward and center positions, rookie Nassir Little’s surprising rise and issues replacing Zach Collins on the defensive end. Joe and Casey also play a round of "Walton or Oden" and finish up by answering listener questions about Meyers Leonard, Little, Fortnite, favorite candies, New Orleans food, and more.

In the latest edition of the Rip City Report podcast, Joe Freeman and Casey Holdahl discuss Damian Lillard's 60-point performance in a loss to the Nets, the Blazers’ losing streak and general struggles, the play and criticism of Hassan Whiteside, CJ McCollum’s shooting woes, Zach Collins’ injury, play a quick round of "Walton or Oden" and finish up by answering listener questions about the vibe of the team, our biggest surprises, tanking, Anfernee Simons closing games and more.

In this week's edition, The Oregonian/OregonLive’s Joe Freeman and the Trail Blazers’ Casey Holdahl discuss where the Blazers stand after five games, Zach Collins’ shoulder injury, the impact of injuries on the early-season rotations and up and down play in the early going, especially from the bench. Joe and Casey also play a round of "Blazers Stock Watch," consider a few "Walton or Oden's" and finish up by answering listener questions about Halloween costumes, Jusuf Nurkic traveling with the team, the offense, Skal Labissiere, Damian Lillard’s MVP chances and more.

In the 2019-20 season preview edition of the Rip City Report, Joe Freeman and Casey Holdahl look at where the Trail Blazers stand heading into the regular season, give their opinions on whether Portland will win 50 games this season, how the Blazers will finish in the West, predict conference standings and NBA awards, debate which player will be the Blazers’ third-leading scorer, how many games Jusuf Nurkic might appear in before playing an extended edition of "Walton or Oden." As always, the show finishes up with your questions, which this week pertain to Pau Gasol, the best early-season game, Terry Stotts’ player rotation, which player likes spicy food, which new player has embraced the Pacific Northwest, gameday posters and more.

In the latest edition of the Rip City Report, Joe Freeman and Casey Holdahl discuss Portland’s preseason opener, the debuts of Mario Hezonja and Kent Bazemore, whether the Blazers are going to play faster before playing a round of “Walton or Oden” and finishing up as always by answering listener questions about throwback jerseys, Hassan Whiteside’s offense, Zach Collins, the coach’s review, Blazers killers, how to take in opening night and much more.

On the latest edition of the Rip City Report, Casey Holdahl and Joe Freeman discuss the first few days of training camp and what they've been hearing about the workouts, Anthony Tolliver potentially having a larger than expected role, the team being bullish on their defense, Gary Trent Jr. putting up highlights, the "vibe" around the team this year, play a round of Walton or Oden and answer listener questions about Hassan Whiteside proving Heat fans wrong, the Blazers’ defense, lobs, autumn, sitting in a DeLorean, old Blazers destined for a breakout, the G-League and much more.

In the first 2019-20 edition of the Rip City Report, Joe Freeman and Casey Holdahl give their initial thoughts on the season a few days away from the start of training camp, whether the Trail Blazers are better this season, discuss win/loss projections, the increased importance of Zach Collins and Anfernee Simons, the hype around Simons going into his season season, play a round of "Walton or Oden" and finish by answering listener questions about the Blazers’ projected rotation, the likelihood of a trade, whether the Blazers will win more than 53 games, Jusuf Nurkic’s rehabilitation, our glorious summers and much more.

In the latest edition of the Rip City Report, recorded live in Las Vegas, Joe Freeman and Casey Holdahl discuss the Portland Trail Blazers’ busy offseason thus far, the Hassan Whiteside trade and his fit with the Blazers, every new Blazers addition and say brief goodbyes to the seven players who have moved on, Anfernee Simons and Zach Collins taking on more prominent roles, play another round of Walton or Oden and finish by answering listener questions about chemistry, the 14th and 15th roster spots, Simons, next year’s X-factor, the new starting lineup and much more.

In the post 2019 NBA Draft edition of the Rip City Report, Joe Freeman and Casey Holdahl look discuss the Trail Blazers selecting UNC forward Nassir Little, whether there was good reason for his draft stock falling, it being the perfect draft pick for a team selecting 25th in a bad draft, the “rap beef” between Damian Lillard and Marvin Bagley III, play another round of “Walton or Oden” and finish up by answering listener questions about Bagley, Little, Jake Layman, video games and the national perception of the Blazers.

In the 2018-19 season ending edition of the Rip City Report podcast, Joe Freeman and Casey Holdahl look back at the best and most enjoyable Trail Blazers season in 20 years, recap of the playoffs and what a wild ride it was, discuss what the playoffs meant to the future of this group, break down the Blazers’ cap and roster situation heading into the offseason, play yet another round of "Walton or Oden" and finish up by answering listener questions about Blazers ownership, the Game 7 vs. Denver, who we would retain if we were GM, how this season ranks in franchise history, Jusuf Nurkic, Meyers Leonard and much more.

In the latest edition of the Rip City Report podcast, The Oregonian's Joe Freeman and the Trail Blazers’ Casey Holdahl discuss Portland's Game 6 win and the team's incredible playoff run so far, the play of Rodney Hood and Zach Collins, Hood’s chance at playoff redemption, the upcoming Game 7 in Denver, whether the Blazers should bench Moe Harkless and Al-Farouq Aminu in favor of Collins and Hood, play another round of Walton or Oden and answer listener questions Evan Turner’s playoff production, the Blazers’ Game 6 closing lineup, Will Barton’s eye poke, Mike Malone’s classiness, the X-factor in Game 7 and more.

In the first 2019 Western Conference Semifinals edition of the Rip City Report podcast, Joe Freeman and Casey Holdahl discuss the Blazers’ Game 1 loss to the Nuggets in Denver, what adjustments the Blazers might consider for Game 2, Nikola Jokic's incredible play and whether the Blazers have an answer for him, transitioning playing playing the Thunder to the Nuggets and why that's a challenge and Enes Kanter’s gutsy performance before playing another round of "Walton or Oden," and finishing up by answering listener questions about the defense of Meyers Leonard and Zach Collins, the Blazers’ shooting, defending Jokic, the officials, whether Jake Layman should play, home-court advantage and the Blazers’ turnovers.

In another 2019 Playoff edition of the Rip City Report podcast, The Oregonian's Joe Freeman and the Trail Blazers’ Casey Holdahl discuss Damian Lillard’s remarkable Game 5 performance and unforgettable buzzer-beater against the Thunder, whether Lillard is the best player in franchise history, the special nature of the moment and why you should savor it, the scenes that stand out to us from a memorable Game 5, Jusuf Nurkic’s surprising visit to the Moda Center Tuesday, play another round of "Walton or Oden" and finish by answering listener questions about Lillard’s status as a superstar, whether he owns the two best shots at franchise history, the insanity at the Moda Center, the biggest surprise of the series, how Game 5 ranks in our 12 seasons covering the team, Enes Kanter’s shoulder injury and more.