Holy Backboard

A weekly Portland Trail Blazers centric NBA podcast, hosted by Dustin Hawes and Dillon Sage.

Complementary Pieces: Egor Demin 05/05/2025

Complementary Pieces: Egor Demin Dillon Sage presents an analysis of Egor Demin, a 6-foot-9 point guard/shooting guard from Moscow, Russia. Deadman has two years of high school basketball experience at the Moscow Basketball Academy and years of college basketball experience with BYU. Dillon looks at Demin's passing and shooting ability in different ways. Dillon recognizes that Demin can make complex passing plays, but he does mention that Demin struggles with making plays off the dribble and getting by defenders without a screen. Demin's shooting percentages are low, and Dillon believes they can improve if Demin takes fewer off-balance shots and less contested shots. /episode/index/show/sagedigital/id/36431770

Future Friday: Kon Knueppel 04/25/2025

Future Friday: Kon Knueppel On this 403rd episode of the Holy Backboard Podcast, hosts Dustin and Dillon discuss the promising Duke University prospect Kon Knueppel. We analyze his impressive basketball analytics, debating his ranking among other top players. Standing at 6'7", Knipple demonstrates excellent shooting and playmaking abilities, leading Duke to many victories despite team injuries. We compare Knipple to renowned players like Desmond Bane and Jeff Hornacek, providing a familiar reference point for our audience and enhancing their understanding of Knipple's potential. They also discuss how Knipple fits within the Portland Trail Blazers' roster and speculate on draft strategies. /episode/index/show/sagedigital/id/36318980

2025 Lottery Mock 1.0 04/11/2025

2025 Lottery Mock 1.0 the 402nd episode of the Holy Backboard Podcast, Dustin and Sage delve into their first mock draft of the 2025 NBA draft cycle. The duo chronicles each pick from the lottery, starting with the Utah Jazz selecting Duke's Cooper Flag and the Miami Heat getting Dylan Harper. They provide in-depth analysis of the potential of each prospect, discussing fit and future projections for various teams. Highlights include the Portland Trail Blazers landing Jace Richardson from Michigan State at 11th. We share their thoughts on the forward's fit and potential impact in the NBA. The episode epitomizes their enthusiasm for mock drafts and comprehensively summarizes the projected lottery picks. /episode/index/show/sagedigital/id/36105335

Blazers Extend Cronin, Now What? 04/09/2025

Blazers Extend Cronin, Now What? In the 401st edition of the Holy Backboard Podcast, hosts Dustin and Sage delve into various topics concerning the Portland Trail Blazers. We provide a comprehensive update on the Blazers' standings and recent games. There is also an insightful analysis of the Blazers' future, discussing draft strategies, player evaluations, and the potential impact of recent contract extensions, particularly for Joe Cronin. Furthermore, the consequences of tanking in the NBA are examined, alongside thoughts on coaching strategies and possible changes to the Blazers' roster and staff, mainly focusing on Chauncey Billups' future with the team. The episode concludes with a look ahead to the Blazers' mock draft, which will take place next episode. /episode/index/show/sagedigital/id/36075795

400! 04/02/2025

400! In the 400th edition of the Holy Backboard Podcast, hosts Dustin and Sage. We talk about the Blazers' recent victories and struggles, particularly focusing on the standout performances of players like Deni and Shaedon, and the impact of injuries on the team. We also address the Blazers' playoff chances and criticize the team's management and medical staff decisions. Additionally, they cover the Memphis Grizzlies' surprising coaching changes and share their predictions for the March Madness tournament, highlighting standout college players like Cooper Flag. The episode wraps up with a trivia segment on Portland's draft picks. /episode/index/show/sagedigital/id/35982045

Scoot and DC’s Continued Development on Display Against Cavs 03/26/2025

Scoot and DC’s Continued Development on Display Against Cavs /episode/index/show/sagedigital/id/35877920

March Madness in Rip City 03/21/2025

March Madness in Rip City This episode of the Holy Backboard Podcast, hosted by Dustin and Dillon Sage, dives into the current state of the Portland Trail Blazers. They discuss the team's performance in recent games, including their overtime thriller against the New York Knicks and victories against the Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards, and Memphis Grizzlies. We also analyze individual performances, the impact of injuries, and roster decisions made by coach Chauncey Billups and GM Joe Cronin. The episode concludes with a trivia challenge about the Blazers' starting centers from the past seasons. /episode/index/show/sagedigital/id/35816265

Future Friday: Dylan Harper 03/13/2025

Future Friday: Dylan Harper Welcome to the 397th edition of the Holderly Backport podcast, hosted by Dustin in RIP City and Sage in rainy Beaverton, Oregon. In this episode, the hosts discuss the highly anticipated NBA prospect Dylan Harper, a 6'6 combo guard from Rutgers University. They analyze his stats, strengths, and areas for improvement, comparing him to notable players like Cade Cunningham. The discussion covers Harper's offensive prowess, defensive potential, and fit with various NBA teams. Please tune in for a comprehensive breakdown of Dylan Harper and his future in the NBA /episode/index/show/sagedigital/id/35678670

Pressure Cooked in Portland 03/12/2025

Pressure Cooked in Portland In the 396th edition of the Holy Backboard Podcast, Dustin and Sage discuss the Portland Trail Blazers' challenging week, recapping losses against higher-quality teams such as the Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, and Detroit Pistons. They delve into the team's current standings, the diminishing chances of making the playoffs, and prospects. They also critically analyze coaching issues, specifically Chauncey Billups' performance and the team's overall direction. Additionally, they engage in a trivia challenge involving past point guards for the Blazers and preview upcoming college basketball prospects for the NBA draft. /episode/index/show/sagedigital/id/35663125

“Allow me to Reintroduce Myself” 03/05/2025

“Allow me to Reintroduce Myself” In the 395th episode of the Holy Backboard Podcast, hosts Dustin and Sage break down the Portland Trail Blazers' recent surge and their fight for a playoff spot. The Blazers have defied expectations, bouncing back from a 13-28 record to 28-34, fueled by rising star Shaden Sharpe's expanded role. They highlight the team's defensive intensity, led by February's Defensive Player of the Month, Toumani Camara, and analyze the challenges ahead with a demanding remaining schedule. How will Coach Chauncey Billups navigate high-stakes matchups? What's at stake for the team's future—both on the court and offseason? Tune in for in-depth analysis, playoff projections, and a look at what's next for Rip City. /episode/index/show/sagedigital/id/35552425

Future Friday: V. J. Edgecombe 02/27/2025

Future Friday: V. J. Edgecombe In this 394th episode of the Holy Backboard Podcast, hosts Dustin and Sage break down the game of Baylor guard VJ Edgecombe. They analyze his physical profile—standing between 6'1" and 6'5", weighing 180 pounds—and discuss his strengths and weaknesses on both court ends. His explosive transition play, rebounding ability to his struggles in half-court offense and ball-handling. Edgecombe’s shot-blocking and versatility stand out on defense, drawing comparisons to NBA players like Victor Oladipo and Marcus Smart. We also explore his potential fit with the Portland Trail Blazers and other NBA teams, emphasizing the importance of a strong developmental path and a complementary backcourt partner. Tune in for an in-depth scouting report! /episode/index/show/sagedigital/id/35475320

Old Man Talk 02/26/2025

Old Man Talk In the 393rd edition of the Holy Backboard Podcast, Dustin and Sage break down recent Portland Trail Blazers games, including LeBron James' dominant performance against Portland, the Blazers' historic win over the Charlotte Hornets, and a narrow victory against a depleted Utah Jazz squad. Dustin voices his frustration with the NBA's tanking culture, debating its impact on fan engagement and the league's competitive integrity. The practice of resting healthy players to improve draft positioning and explore potential reforms to the NBA's lottery system aimed at discouraging intentional losing and promoting fair competition. /episode/index/show/sagedigital/id/35444890

Future Friday: Asa Newell 02/21/2025

Future Friday: Asa Newell In this episode of our Future Friday series, Dustin and I dive into the game of Georgia’s Asa Newell one of the most intriguing prospects in college basketball. We break down his fluid movement, naturally gifted tools, and the areas he needs to develop to reach his full potential. His fit for the Portland Trail Blazers? We discuss his strengths, weaknesses, and how he might complement the Blazers' young core. Tune in for our in-depth scouting report! 🎧 Available on all podcast platforms—don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! /episode/index/show/sagedigital/id/35382480

Clearing the Runway for Clingan 02/19/2025

Clearing the Runway for Clingan Dillon and Dustin break down the NBA All-Star break. We discuss what to expect from Donovan Clingan as he gets extended minutes and how his development could impact Portland’s future. Plus, we share our thoughts on what we want to see from the Blazers in the final stretch of the season /episode/index/show/sagedigital/id/35356720

Assessing the Blazers at the Break 02/12/2025

Assessing the Blazers at the Break Dillon and Dustin break down the Portland Trail Blazers’ recent win streak and what it means for the team’s development. With the trade deadline in the rearview mirror, we discuss why the Blazers stood pat. Plus, when should Portland shift focus to its young core and scale back minutes for the veterans? All that and more on this episode of Holy Backboard! /episode/index/show/sagedigital/id/35262495

Evaluating Portland’s Forwards 01/29/2025

Evaluating Portland’s Forwards In this episode, Dillon and Dustin break down the performances of Blazers forwards Toumani Camara and Deni Avdija. We also dive into the upcoming trade deadline, discussing which players Portland needs to move now and what kind of returns could shape the team’s future. Plus, with so much misinformation floating around, we talk about how to find accurate and trustworthy NBA news. /episode/index/show/sagedigital/id/35073620

Trading Places with Current Trail Blazers 01/22/2025

Trading Places with Current Trail Blazers we explore potential landing spots for the Portland Trail Blazers’ veteran players and discuss which NBA teams could make the best fit for them. We also dive into the importance of staying patient with Scoot Henderson's development, highlighting why his growth is key to the Blazers' long-term success. /episode/index/show/sagedigital/id/34964310

What is Scoot Henderson's Celiling 01/15/2025

What is Scoot Henderson's Celiling Dustin and I dive into the latest developments in Trail Blazers basketball this week! 🏀 We break down: The ups and downs from the past week's games What’s holding the Blazers back and how they can improve Scoot Henderson’s ceiling—just how high can he soar? Which players we think are the most valuable pieces on this roster It’s a jam-packed episode with plenty of takes, insights, and Blazers love. Tune in and let us know your thoughts! /episode/index/show/sagedigital/id/34873425

New Year Same Blazers 01/08/2025

New Year Same Blazers After a short break, we’re back to dive into the latest ups and downs of Portland Trail Blazers basketball. From recent games that brought a mix of highs and plenty of lows, we break down the context behind our young players' struggles and what might be holding them back. Plus, a sneak peek at the current draft class and what it might mean for the Blazers' future. Tune in for honest insights, spirited discussions, and plenty of Blazers love. Let’s get into it! /episode/index/show/sagedigital/id/34778640

Real Talk in Rip City 12/13/2024

Real Talk in Rip City In this episode, Dustin and I dive into the latest week of Blazers basketball, dissecting the team's struggles and what’s gone wrong. From on-court performance to off-court decisions, we explore how the issues start at the top and what needs to change for Portland to turn things around. Tune in as we break down the key challenges, what solutions might look like, and where the Blazers go from here. /episode/index/show/sagedigital/id/34440565

A Tale of Two Teams 12/04/2024

A Tale of Two Teams In this episode, Dustin and I dive into the world of lineup data, breaking down every two-man lineup including Scoot and Shaedon for the Portland Trail Blazers. We analyze the potential future stars, Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, looking at how they performed in various lineups and what their pairing might mean for the team's future. We also discuss the small group of teams that could realistically be interested in trading for Anfernee Simons and DeAndre Ayton, exploring potential fits and trade scenarios. /episode/index/show/sagedigital/id/34292280

Addition by Subtraction in Rip City 11/20/2024

Addition by Subtraction in Rip City This week, Dillon and Dustin break down the exciting developments in Blazers basketball! We dive into the team's offensive and defensive changes over the past week, discuss potential trades that could shake things up, and share the buzz surrounding the upcoming NBA Draft. Tune in for analysis, laughs, and plenty of Rip City love! /episode/index/show/sagedigital/id/34052856

Marketing Moves in Rip City 11/13/2024

Marketing Moves in Rip City Dustin and I talk about the last few weeks of Blazers Basketball Teams performance The team has players with the same skill sets and the issues around that. We talked about how marketing affects basketball and people's perceived value. /episode/index/show/sagedigital/id/33920797

Recess Ball in Rip City 10/30/2024

Recess Ball in Rip City Another season of Blazers basketball is here! Join Dustin Hawes and me, Dillon Sage, as we break down the first four games and talk about Anfernee Simons, Jerami Grant, DeAndre Ayton, basketball marketing, game strategies, and much more!" /episode/index/show/sagedigital/id/33697277

2024-25 Blazers & Western Conference Predictions 10/11/2024

2024-25 Blazers & Western Conference Predictions Dustin and I talk about Scoot Henderson, Donovan Clingan ,and the remaining Blazers. Did our 2024-2025 Western Confrence predictions HB Merch: https://holy-backboard.printify.me Follow the show @HolyBackboard, @dasage, and @DHawes22 Underdog Fantasy: https://play.underdogfantasy.com/dasage /episode/index/show/sagedigital/id/33425932

2024 Blazers Draft Recap: A Clingan Conversation 06/28/2024

2024 Blazers Draft Recap: A Clingan Conversation Dustin and I talk about the 2024 NBA Draft. Mainly discussing about our new Center, Donovan Clingan. We want the Blazers to give Donovan achievable goals in his first season His role with DeAndre Ayton We are trading away all our seconds Deni Avdia, the good and bad plus comps HB Merch: https://holy-backboard.printify.me Follow the show @HolyBackboard, @dasage, and @DHawes22 Underdog Fantasy: https://play.underdogfantasy.com/dasage /episode/index/show/sagedigital/id/31936602

2024 NBA Mock Draft 5.0 06/21/2024

2024 NBA Mock Draft 5.0 Dustin and I do our last mock draft of the draft cycle. We do our entire first-round mock. Who were the risers? Who were the fallers? Do you like the Blazers picks? HB Merch: https://holy-backboard.printify.me Follow the show @HolyBackboard, @dasage, and @DHawes22 Underdog Fantasy: https://play.underdogfantasy.com/dasage /episode/index/show/sagedigital/id/31844137

2024 NBA Draft Big Board 06/14/2024

2024 NBA Draft Big Board Dustin and I do our Big Boards for the draft cycle, Top 15 guys on our big board Who are the guys we are missing? Who are we too low on? Who are we too high on? HB Merch: https://holy-backboard.printify.me Follow the show @HolyBackboard, @dasage, and @DHawes22 Underdog Fantasy: https://play.underdogfantasy.com/dasag /episode/index/show/sagedigital/id/31752782

2024 NBA Mock Draft 4.0 06/06/2024

2024 NBA Mock Draft 4.0 Dustin and I remember Bill Walton's Legacy on and off the court. Then, we did our 4th mock draft of the cycle We had some draft risers that went against the consensus We focused on getting bigger and stronger with the Trail Blazers Building a switchable team that fits around Scoot and Shaedon /episode/index/show/sagedigital/id/31638317

Complementary Pieces: Bub Carrington 05/29/2024

Complementary Pieces: Bub Carrington This episode of Complementary Pieces: Bub Carrington I talk about the fantastic start of his NCAA career. His shot-creating Pick and roll craft Playmaking Defense Weakness Comps /episode/index/show/sagedigital/id/31507397

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