Trail Daddy: A Trail Blazers Podcast Hosted by Dave Deckard

Trail Daddy Episode 20: Player Reviews and What They Mean for Next Season

·47 min·4 clips

The Knicks and Pacers upset top seeds in the playoffs, hinting at a chaotic second round.

The episode begins with Dave Deckard discussing the NBA playoffs, highlighting upsets like the Knicks over the Celtics and Pacers over the Cavaliers. He notes the Warriors-Timberwolves series and reflects on a past Blazers trade rumor involving Draymond Green. Deckard then transitions to the main topic: Blazers player season reviews. He explains that reviews showed a clear split, with young players like Toumani Kamara, Deni Avdija, and Donovan Clingan having great seasons, while veterans like Anfernee Simons, DeAndre Ayton, and Jeremy Grant struggled. Deckard expresses surprise at the sharp divide and questions its causes, such as coaching or role adjustments. He speculates on potential locker room unrest if veterans continue to underperform next season. The host analyzes individual players, noting that even top performers lack distinction league-wide, emphasizing the need for a star. Deckard addresses fan debates over Anfernee Simons' season and contract future, suggesting Simons might not sign an extension. He also discusses DeAndre Ayton's situation. The episode explores the concept of NBA culture, arguing it often follows winning rather than causes it, but acknowledges its value in establishing team identity. Deckard contrasts Portland's homespun loyalty with big-market approaches, noting the Blazers' emphasis on defensive, versatile wings. He concludes by looking ahead to the NBA draft lottery and offseason moves, emphasizing the team's need for adaptability and growth.

As heard by us

A Portland roster review focused on what actually separates players in the NBA.

Trail Daddy frames Portland's roster review around a tougher question than whether a player is useful: what makes him stand out across the league.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You get a Trail Blazers roster audit with the draft lottery hovering over every judgment.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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