Trail Daddy: A Trail Blazers Podcast Hosted by Dave Deckard

Epiode 70: Rip City!

·56 min·5 clips

Dave Deckard hates running, but the Portland Trail Blazers are sprinting into an unexpectedly fun season without their stars.

The episode opens with hosts Dave Deckard and Dia Miller joking about running and athletic primes, setting a casual tone. They recap the Blazers' week: a loss to Utah, a win over Washington where Portland scored 70 points in the paint, and a near-win against Atlanta that exposed the team's struggles in half-court play. Dia notes a shift in her fandom, enjoying the games more now that expectations are low and players like Josh Hart are stepping up. Hart's recent scoring outbursts—75 points in two games—are highlighted as a sign of his fit alongside Lillard in the future. The conversation turns to roster construction, with Dave explaining that contracts limit major moves, though trades could still involve Lillard or Hart. Trendon Watford's consistency is praised, with Dia mentioning he's the first rookie since Lillard to have multiple 20-point games, and Dave arguing against critiques of his athleticism. New signings like Kris Dunn and Brandon Williams are discussed for their defensive energy and scoring ability, respectively. Drew Eubanks' tenacity on third 10-day contract is commended. The hosts reflect on how the losing season has created a fun, pressure-free environment for player development. They delve into Blazers history with Bill Schonley, the original announcer who coined 'Rip City' in the 1970s and is now retiring in his 90s, emphasizing his role in building the fanbase through radio broadcasts. The episode concludes with lighthearted predictions for future games and a promo for Cars.com.

As heard by us

A lively Blazers discussion turns Trendon Watford's athleticism into a sharper question about role, growth, and staying power.

Trendon Watford sits at the center of this PlayNext discussion as Dave Deckard and Dia Miller test what "athletic" should actually mean in an NBA context.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You can hear Dave and Dia talk their way through why Trendon Watford looks more athletic than that label sometimes allows.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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