WHAT Is Different About the Blazers This Time Around?

Dillon Sage (@dasage) of Holy Backboard Podcast (@holybackboard) joined Tara to discuss ways that the Trail Blazers look different (or the same) this season.  2:00 What changes have we seen to their playing style? 5:00 Blazers are working on implementing a high risk, high reward defense 6:30 Drop defense isn’t Voldemort 8:45 Why don’t the Blazers keep their hands up?  10:15 Second unit defense 12:00 Four guard lineup 13:30 Why do role players always have career nights against the Blazers?  15:00 Tony Snell is long 18:15 Larry Nance Jr observations. Why is he hesitating? Is he happy in this setting?  21:30 Could Anfernee have been playing at this level in years past?  23:15 More ball movement, more pace, more drives. What other ways has the offense changed?  26:00 Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum are sharing the ball pretty equally.  28:15 What happened to all the dunks in the first week?  29:30 Accountability 30:00 Watch Willie Green in New Orleans - I’m not calling you out, I’m calling you up! 34:00 There isn’t anything new or innovative that we’re seeing from this coach.  37:45 Do whatever it takes to keep Greg Brown and Nas Little’s joy. 38:45 Award catch up. Early season front runners for Bench Celebrator Man of the Year: Greg Brown, Nassir Little, Trendon Watford, Ben McLemore  41:00 Most Improved Fits Anfernee, Cody Zeller (gets extra credit for enthusiastic costume and Christmas Sweater wearing). 46:46 Assistant coach of the year. Roy Rodgers? He’s smarter than us at defense! 48:30 Most Important Pet - Probably Norman Powell’s dogs are leading the way.  50:45 Other teams we’ve been watching: Memphis, Kings 52:30 Lakers have discovered Carmelo Anthony exists. Sage suggests watching Herbert Jones on the Pelicans. Happy Birthday to Sage’s mom! Music used in the episode: “Happy Alley” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. Follow us on twitter: @wehaveatake, @cassidygemmet and @tcbbiggs. We are part of @bluewirehustle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices