Rip City Report

On this edition of The Blazers Balcony, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Brooke Olzendam and Casey Holdahl discuss...• The Trail Blazers' losing streak extending to six games with Tuesday's loss to the Suns at Moda Center• Offense was good enough Tuesday night but the defense wasn't• The Trail Blazers trading Duop Reath and two second-round picks to Atlanta in exchange for Vít Krejčí • First impressions of Vít both on and off the court• Blake Wesley returning to the lineup after missing three months with a broken bone in his right foot• The imminent season debut of Scoot Henderson• Deni Avdija named a reserve for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game and the makeup of the international team and the two United States teams• It's Brooke Hearts Your Heart month!• Shoutout to season ticket holder fashion, Blake Wesley's mom, Jusuf Nurkic's three-straight triple-doubles, more NBA trades, live reaction to mascot violence, All-Star in L.A. is going to be spread out and hot chicken plays

On this edition of The Blazers Balcony, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Brooke Olzendam and Casey Holdahl discuss...• The Trail Blazers losing three-straight after winning four-straight• Another rough start, this time versus the Celtics in Boston• Poor free throw shooting and turnovers leading to a loss versus the Wizards in Washington DC• The factors that made Tuesday's game versus the Wizards more difficult than it might have initially appeared• Deni Avdija returning (again) to Washington DC and the way he view his job as a professional athlete• Appreciation for the way Tiago Splitter deals with the media• Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen to race off at the 2026 Rising Star Game at the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend

On this edition of The Blazers Balcony, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers reporters Brooke Olzendam and Casey Holdahl discuss...• The Trail Blazers having the best record in the NBA since the start of 2026• Having a good team to root for • Donovan Clingan taking a big step this season• Jerami Grant picking up right where he left off• Whether the Blazers can get out of the play-in and get into the playoffs• Putting wins above individual performances• The reasons to think Portland's recent success is sustainable • Deni Avdija finishing fifth in 2026 NBA All-Star starters fan voting but finishing seventh in the total vote• Winter days, Brooke going to a live taping of the Drew Barrymore Show, the things we say that no one else understands, Jon Lovitz gifs, Deni's ice cream, Duop's British accent and Cameo requests, turtlenecks and "shackets," Mark Normand has a wife and baby, New Brunswick to New York

On this edition of The Blazers Balcony, Brooke Olzendam and Casey Holdahl discuss...• The Trail Blazers ending a five-game winning streak and a four-game homestand with a loss to the Knicks• Losing Deni Avdija to a back injury in the fourth quarter of the loss to New York• Trail Blazers, more shorthanded than usual, come up short versus the Warriors • If the Blazers lost to the Warriors so no one would have to do a non-Brooke post-game interview• Figuring out how to play with Avdija out of the lineup and if they're at a breaking point with regard to injuries• Jrue Holiday's return and the potential for other players to rejoin the rotation with four of the next five games at home• The upcoming schedule the next two weeks• the potholes are getting worse, Portland's locker room debating which language is the most beautiful, sci-fi sucks, Brooke's plea for "Heated Rivalry," retelling the Nikki Glasser/Ian Karmel Golden Globes Trail Blazers joke, Brooke meets Sean Penn, "I love w

On this edition of The Blazers Balcony, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Brooke Olzendam and Casey Holdahl discuss...• The Trail Blazers starting a three-game road trip with the loss to the Thunder• Spending New Years in Oklahoma City• Deni Avdija, Shaedon Sharpe and Donovan Clingan leading the way• Bouncing back to defeat the Pelicans in New Orleans• One of the best wins of the season versus the Spurs in San Antonio• Deni's birthday triple-double and Donovan's career-high versus the Spurs• A rare blowout versus the Jazz on Monday to start a home-heavy January • Deni Avdija is doing a bit of everything and is finally being recognized for his efforts• Cornhole competition, Donovan's three-point shooting, Caleb Love keeps shooting, post-game interview adjustments and Brooke sitting out the trip to San Francisco 

On the latest episode of The Blazers Balcony, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Brooke Olzendam and Casey Holdahl discuss...• The Trail Blazers defeating the Warriors for the third time this season at Moda Center on Sunday • Winning the season series versus the Warriors for the first time since the 2020-21 season• Jerami Grant, Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija all having impressive performances versus Golden State• Finally overcoming a great shooting night from Steph Curry after not doing so for a decade• A great crowd Sunday at Moda Center• The team's new "box" award for defense that they're giving out after every game• A supportive locker room• Good vibes in the gym even after losses• Hoping that Jrue Holiday and Matisse Thybulle are able to return some time soon• Decorating for the holidays after returning from a road trip, trying to keep it fair when no one really cares, Steph Curry as Nicole Kidman, "LEBRON" Blazers license plates, Cheri O'Terri is not Rachel Dratch

On this edition of The Blazers Balcony, presented by Spirit Moutain Casino, Brooke Olzendam and Casey Holdahl discuss...• The Trail Blazers starting a four-game trip with a close loss to the Raptors in Toronto• Portland rallying in the fourth quarter in Toronto but unable to overcome missed free throws (and at least one missed call)• The Blazers bouncing back by winning in Cleveland on the second night of a back-to-back• The pre-game film session in Cleveland that helped Portland get the win• Portland players refusing to give up even in losses• Free throws, free throws and more free throws• Finishing the trip on Friday versus the Pistons and Sunday versus the Grizzlies• RoboCop statues, telling someone they're tall in an elevator might be part of our evolution, sit down Matisse and how long can you keep Lil' Caesars pizza 

On this edition of The Blazers Balcony, Brooke Olzendam and Casey Holdahl discuss...• Arriving in Oklahoma City for a Sunday game versus the Thunder• The ridiculousness of having a five-game road trip, returning home to play a back-to-back, then heading back out for three more games• Finally winning a game in San Francisco Friday night versus the Warriors and whether it's the end of an era• Needing everyone to contribute when you're trying to break losing streaks when you're incredibly shorthanded • Donovan Clingan going beast mode• Caleb Love and Sidy Cissoko making a difference on two-way contracts• Deni Avdija Most Improved AND a first-time All-Star? • Toumani Camara taking on off-court responsibilities and having is best game of the season versus Golden State• Sidy shouts out Shae, Brooke's boutique shuts down, big glasses, Duop the Sweetest, a different brand of leadership and old boyfriends catching strays

On this edition of The Blazers Balcony, presented by Spirt Mountain Casino, Brooke Olzendam and Casey Holdahl discuss...• Starting the five-game trip with two losses... but not feeling bad about it• Going cold down the stretch versus the Heat in Miami• Losing on a buzzer-beater to the Magic in Orlando• Upcoming games versus the Pelicans, Rockets (in the NBA Cup!) and Mavericks• Only one "bad" loss in the first 10 games• Deni Avdija continues to play at an All-Star level• Brooke gets hit in the head in Miami• Hitting Casey where it hurts (sandwiches)• The pool should be open• Who should get bylines for broadcast stories

On the latest edition of The Blazers Balcony, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Brooke Olzendam and Casey Holdahl discuss...• The Trail Blazers losing to a short-handed, second game of a back-to-back Lakers squad Monday night at Moda Center• Wins versus the Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz• Trying to win when the shots aren't falling• Injuries to Matisse Thybulle and Blake Wesley catching up to the team• The upcoming game versus the Thunder leading into a five-game road trip• Cubano sandwiches, tall people in elevators and sitting out road trips

On this edition of The Blazers Balcony, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers sideline reporter Brooke Olzendam and Trail Blazers digital reporter Casey Holdahl discuss...• The Trail Blazers starting the 2025-26 season 2-2 and how they're weren't far off from starting 4-0• Portland following through on changing their style of play• The "new look" Trail Blazers drawing praise from their opponents• Changing perceptions about a team takes some time• Matisse Thybulle has been unleashed• Jerami Grant thriving off the bench, accepting his role and being honest when it would be easier to lie• Deni Avdija having a historic start -- at least in terms of franchise history -- to the season• Jrue Holiday is just what the Trail Blazers needed• Young Donovan Clingan taking a considerable step forward in his second season• Being starstruck by Instagram chefs, too old for Apple Pay, someone let Calabro buy a sandwich, eating Golden State's post-game locker room spread

On this edition of The Blazers Balcony, sideline reporter Brooke Olzendam and digital reporter Casey Holdahl discuss...• Shaedon Sharpe and Toumani Camara signing four-year contract extensions• Feeling great about both teams which reward the players for what they've already done while also expecting continued improvement• What it means to have a wing rotation featuring Shaedon, Toumani, Deni Avdija and Jerami Grant all under contract for the next few seasons• Toumani's waffle mix• Inflatable Halloween decorations and how long unattended candy lasts• Defining your own worth• How much money is enough? (answer: there's no such thing) • Javonte Cooke getting the third and final two-way spot with the Trail Blazers, who now have the max number of players under contract• An increase in enthusiasm going into the 2025-26 season• The Holiday family settling into life in the Pacific Northwest• Predicting various stats such as "How many assists will Scoot Henderson average?" "How many minute

On this edition of The Blazers Balcony, Brooke Olzendam and Casey Holdahl discuss...• The Pacific Northwest being the center of the sporting world at the moment• Brooke's Mariners fandom (If you are watching the Mariners on tape delay, skip this podcast)• Thoughts on the Trail Blazers' first two preseason games versus the Warriors in Golden State and versus the Kings at Moda Center• The Trail Blazers looking like a team that is ready for the regular season• Chauncey Billups is pushing the right buttons• The play of Jrue Holiday, Shaedon Sharpe, Yang Hansen and Blake Wesley• What to watch for in the last two preseason games versus the Warriors (again) and Jazz• You don't get to complain about "spoilers" in live sports

On the latest edition (which is the 143nd edition, not the 142nd) of The Blazers Balcony, Trail Blazers sideline reporter Brooke Olzendam and beat reporter Casey Holdahl discuss...• Takeaways from the 2025 Fan Fest, presented by Toyota, held last Saturday at Moda Center• What they're seeing at training camp matching what was seen at Fan Fest• Bill Kennedy and other NBA referees at training camp practices• Thoughts from training camp after a week of drills and scrimmages• Wednesday's preseason opener versus the Warriors in San Francisco• Brooke's review of the new Taylor Swift album • Casey gets hit in the head and no one flinches

On this edition of The Blazers Balcony, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Brooke Olzendam and Casey Holdahl discuss...• Returning to the podcast game• Takeaways from the Trail Blazers' 2025 Media Day• The Damian Lillard Reunion Rally and the enthusiasm around the team heading into the upcoming season• The first day of practice at the Trail Blazers' facility in Tualatin• Defense, defense, defense• Jrue Holiday, Yang Hansen and the other new additions• Respect but confusion for streamers• Congrats to the Mariners, celebrate your victories (even though no other sport gets to)

On the latest edition of The Blazers Balcony, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Brooke Olzendam and Casey Holdahl discuss...• Playing well on the now-completed five-game road trip, even if it didn't always result in wins• Starting off a five-game homestand with a "closer than the final score indicated" loss to the Miami Heat• The injuries of Robert Williams, Deandre Ayton and Matisse Thybulle• Kris Murray, Duop Reath and the rest of the players on the fringes of the rotation doing a great job of staying ready when their number is called• The Deni to Toumani To Shaedon To Donovan fastbreak versus the Heat• Local tire shops, the social implications of a decline in the number of bowling alleys, Brooke forgets her headphones, trying to get in pickleball matches on the road and NBA heating pads

On this edition of The Blazers Balcony, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Brooke Olzendam and Casey Holdahl discuss...• The Trail Blazers starting 2025 with an eight-point loss to the Lakers in Los Angeles• Bouncing back with a three-point victory versus Damian Lillard and the Bucks in Milwaukee• Hitting the midway point of a five-game trip with a three-point loss to the Pistons in Detroit• Kris Murray's consistency, Shaedon Sharpe sets a new mark in assists and Deni Avdija does finger guns• Zora Stephenson and Jason Benetti filling in for Kevin Calabro on the television broadcast• Brooke's back pain, recording on the campus of Tulane University, running in the cold, avoiding talking to opposing teams' fans in the arena and driverless cars don't care about police escorts

On this edition of The Blazers Balcony, Brooke Olzendam and Casey Holdahl discuss...• The Trail Blazers going 2-1 in the last week of 2024• The recent play of Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija• The changing landscape of college football• The return of the Guerschon Yabusele's of the world• Brooke sees a fight• Nicknames are not creative enough anymore• Frustration with timeout game contestants • The "miss two free throws in the fourth quarter" promotions and why the Trail Blazers need one (or don't)• Brooke meets Kato Kaelin at Nobu • Nancy Kerrigan turns down Brooke for an autograph• Tonya Harding is a TRUE Oregonian (and would have signed an autograph)• Ice skating is hard and let people sleep in Lloyd Center• Scratch-off tickets and why the crossword versions are the worst• Staind/Disturbed vs. Jelly Roll• Happy Gilmore 2 and whether "Shooter" is a good name Brooke's next child• Greg Oden's great return to Moda Center

On this edition of The Blazers Balcony, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Brooke Olzendam and Casey Holdahl discuss...• Ending a losing streak at home with a win versus the Nuggets• The road losing streak continuing with a loss to the Spurs in San Antonio on Saturday• The Trail Blazers holding practice in Dallas Sunday afternoon before Monday's game versus the Mavericks• "Season" versus "Year"• Shaedon Sharpe getting to the rim on the regular• What Brooke and Casey would give the Trail Blazers for Christmas• Locking in• The necessity of having a short memory in pro sports • The mystery of Casey's missing carnitas taco• Spirit Mountain Casino New Year's Eve celebration• Leaning into what is comfortable on the road• Ohio State vs. Oregon and Brooke's cabin neighbors

On this edition of The Blazers Balcony, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Brooke Olzendam and Casey Holdahl discuss...• A historic lull in the Portland Trail Blazers' schedule• Getting back in the gym, getting healthy and getting away from the team • Enthusiasm for the NBA Cup• Scoot returns, Toumani avoids the worst, Donovan is close and Rob is nearing the end of the concussion protocol• En Vogue at Spirit Mountain Casino on December 13• Spurs on Friday, Suns on Sunday and Nuggets on... Thursday a week from now• Brooke gets a haircut, not meeting Dorit, Clash of the Titans got stars, The Fugitive is too slow, when parents don't want your senior photos anymore, Hearth socks, Brooke goes to Japan, They're All Bad People, Danny DeVito and Jack Nicholson spill coke at Memorial Coliseum and the three tallest players in the NBA