Holy Backboard

Dustin and I talk about the Blazers' moves in Free Agency, how we feel about each move, the potential fit with Dame, and who will be the starting Small Forward. Follow the show @HolyBackboard, @dasage, and @DHawes22.

Dustin and I discuss Damian Lillard's return to Portland. The pros, cons, the potential roster building, relationship building and the proper marketing 

In the 414th episode of the Holy Backboard Podcast, Dustin and Sage dive deep into the Portland Trail Blazers' choices during the 2025 NBA Draft. They discuss the controversial selection of  Hansen Yang, the Blazers' strategy, and the implications for the team's future. The conversation spans various topics, including the perplexing direction of the Blazers' front office, the potential of their new picks, and the competitive landscape of the NBA. They also touch on standout performers and winners of the draft, as well as projections for the upcoming Summer League.

Dustin and I work together to create a mock draft! 

In this episode of Future Friday, Dillon and Dustin dive into one of the most intriguing prospects in the NBA Draft:Cedric Coward . Known as the “man of mystery,” Coward’s game sparks debate, with Dillon taking a more cautious stance on his potential, while Dustin sees high upside. Together, they break down: Coward’s biggest strengths and where he thrives on the court The key weaknesses that could impact his transition to the NBA How fit, role, and development could make or break his pro career This episode gives listeners a balanced, thoughtful look at one of the Draft’s most polarizing players.

In the 409th edition of the Holy Backboard Podcast, Dustin and Sage discuss Illinois combo guard Kasparas Jakučionis, a top prospect for the 2025 NBA Draft. They go into detail on Kasparas Jakučionis's measurements, skills, and performance stats from his season at Illinois, discussing his potential as a lottery pick. The episode also examines Kasparas Jakučionis's strengths, including his rebounding, shooting, and ability to apply rim pressure, as well as his areas for improvement, like turnovers and ball handling. The discussion touches on his fit with the Portland Trail Blazers and his potential for growth in the NBA. They also briefly touch on other prospects and upcoming content in preparation for the draft. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:20 Player Profile:Kasparas Jakučionis 04:13 Kasparas Jakučionis's Strengths and Skills 10:18 Concerns and Areas for Improvement 16:28 Comparisons and Potential 19:59 Draft Strategy and Final Thoughts 23:09 Closing Remarks and Future Content

Dustin and I talk about some burning questions about the 2025 NBA draft. 

Dustin and I talk about Maryland's Derik Queen. We talk about the sky high potential and the real potential of him failing. 

In this episode of the Holy Backboard Podcast, hosts Dustin and Sage discuss the Portland Trail Blazers' current situation and potential moves they could make during the NBA off-season. Topics include evaluating whether the team should package assets for a superstar player or let the current young core develop further. The hosts delve into several trade scenarios, analyzing players like Zion Williamson, Ja Morant, Trae Young, and Domantas Sabonis, weighing their fit with the Blazers' existing roster and long-term plans. The episode also discusses the importance of drafting well, managing contracts wisely, and developing underutilized talent. Ultimately, they emphasize the need for innovative, strategic moves rather than high-risk trades.

In the 404th episode of the Holy Backboard Podcast,  Dustin and Sage provide their latest thoughts on the Portland Trail Blazers and the various events with the franchise. They discuss the team's new ownership, Chauncey Billups' contract being extended, and what we think the ownership change and extension(s) mean for the franchise's future and stability within the organization. We also discuss different components of the upcoming NBA draft, specifically the Blazer's draft positioning and various players they might look to draft. We assess how players fit together along with the needs down the road for the Blazers as they try to figure out their strategy in the future. Lastly, the podcast raises the common debate around whether the NBA draft is rigged and assesses whether player development may impact how we view the quality of franchise decision-making.

 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.

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. 

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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.