Advertise on podcast: We Have A Take: A Portland Trail Blazers Fan Podcast

Rose and Tara wrap up their thoughts on the 2025-26 season, talk about the new Fire season and announce the winners of the 2025-26 WHAT Awards, the only awards that matter!

The season is wrapping up, the Blazers are in the play in as the 8th seed! We caught up about our early thoughts on the new ownerships, answer listener questions, and threaten to withhold the WHAT Awards if they don't take care of business with Sacramento. (They did, here is the ballot: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScOLS994wBT_UuvQooK033nXf818cS2NzKgnYQY1zAEShDF9g/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=117146787304348480959) 7:00 New ownership first impressions 15:00 Did we get kicked out of the group chat? 20:00 Matisse Thybulle, house cat 25:00 Centers Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III taking (and making) threes 31:00 Question from Jason: Would you rather the Blazers make the playoffs or be in the lottery? 40:00 Blake Wesley or Caleb Love next season? 42:00 San Pedro ‪@linssenp.bsky.social‬ Eventful season 47:00 KeanuReevesBook; enough with the Clippers!!  59:00 Rose (does not) define “double dribble” and “traveling” (question via @octdesertlover.bsky.social 1:02:00 Keith wish we could have seen more Yang Hansen

Announcing the 2026 WHAT Award Nominations! First we caught up with Conor Bergin of Blazers Edge then he joined us to announce the nominees for the Most Important Awards of all, the 2026 WHAT Awards! 1:00 Catching up with Conor: Coach is arrested, Deni Avdija is an All Star, Donovan is a beast, Tiago Splitter is holding it down, Vít Krejčí arrives . . . It was great catching up with him to get some behind the scenes stories about this Blazer’s season.  15:30 Sidy (pronounced City) Cissoko profile - how it came about, what didn’t make it into the article 41:00 WHAT Award nominations introduction 42:00 Most Valuable Blazer: Donovan Clingan Tiago Splitter Sidy Cissoko & Caleb Love “Two Way Brigade” Deni Avdija 52:00 Blazer Cutie Pat Connaughton Jusuf Nurkic Deandre Ayton Rodney Hood 1:01:00 Fashion Moment Blake Wesley big shorts Toumani Headband Jerami Grant hand made hats Kris Murray’s commitment to team issued sweats 1:13:00 Most Improved Blazer Donovan Clingan Toumani Camara Rob Williams III Sidy Cissoko 1:17:30 MVP Donovan Clingan's dog Ollie Kris Murray's dogs Rosie and Indie Maybe: Vít Krejčí’s dog who we don’t know anything about but Conor is going to find out their name and we’re sure they are a very good girl or good boy.  +1:26:00 Celebrator man of the year award Sidy Cissoko Scoot Henderson Blake Wesley The Box 1:33:00 Takes

We catch up on how we are feeling about the team now vs expectations we had in the beginning of the season. We also ask about what we have been surprised about? Then we do a deep dive into Blake "Hot Wheels" Wesley (a nickname we should all get behind!) 00:10 Expectations vs reality 6:30 Half time adjustments who knew we'd ever come to love the 3rd quarter? 10:15 Donovan Klingan's growth 36:15 Blake "Hot Wheels" Westley: Early life and NBA 52:53 Family and Community 1:1:18:47 Nicknames: if a player has to give themselves a nickname thats on us 1:24:15 Schedule chaos (and betting Booooooooo) https://x.com/MananaZoo/status/1942742940666786296 Spurs Fans Reddit thread about Blake Wesley After ‘depressing’ summer, Blake Wesley in mix for spot in Trail Blazers rotation Frost Spurs Stories | San Antonio Spurs Blake Wesley's Trip Back Home  What Blake Wesley brings to the San Antonio Spurs: ‘He got guys easier shots’ - The AthleticEx-Riley hoops coach threatens lawsuit against South Bend schoolsDerrick Wesley, Jr. v. South Bend Community School Corporation et al, No. 3:2019cv00032 - Document 53 (N.D. Ind. 2019) :: Justia

Its All Star Break and we're talking about Portland Trail Blazer's FOUR participants in the festivities: Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen in the Rising Stars, Deni Avdija in the All Star Game and of course, or special guy, the man of the people, storyteller and the heart of RipCity, Damian Lillard, THREE time 3 Point Contest winner! Plus - a few more Blazer tier rankings, takes and a few minutes on Olympics to open it up!

Scoot Henderson and Blake Wesley are back! We're thrilled to be able to talk about these speedy guards and how they are impacting the game already a few games in.Plus! Today we're revealing our definitive (for us) ranking system for former Blazers! Learn more about the tiers we've defined (for ourselves) and see if they work for you! 1:00 Goodbye to Duop Reath and hello Vít Krejčí! 9:00 Welcome back Scoot Henderson and Blake Wesley 15:00 Blazers who should do winter Olympic sports 20:00 Tier List of Blazer Cuties (and not Blazer cuties, they know who they are) Tier 1: I will always love you by Dolly Parton Tier 2: I will remember you by Sarah McLachlan Tier 3:Thank u, Next, Ariana Grande Tier 4: Somebody that I used to know by Gotye (featuring Kimbra) Tier 5: Bad Blood by Taylor Swift Make your own tier at https://tiermaker.com/create/we-have-a-take-blazer-cuties-ranked-19143354. Let us know who you added and where you ranked them!Share them with us @wehaveatake on Bluesky, Threads and Instagram! Plus we added the songs to our 2025-26 Playlist https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxOnzthpcdt6OjnRUAhtsMqbtNR4A68m6&si=X4Fnsc2NvlbdVwCj

7:00 Deni Avdija All Star Votes 11:00 Impressions and feelings about two recent articles about Deni https://www.nba.com/news/the-athletic-deni-avdijas-unexpected-rise-to-nbas-new-breakout-star-and-israels-greatest-player-ever https://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026/01/the-cost-of-deni-avdijas-new-stardom-he-can-no-longer-avoid-questions-about-israel-and-gaza-bill-oram.html 36:00 Rip City United Season ticket holder event 56:00 Question from Jason 1:03:00 Taker Take about weddings (congrats!) 1:07:00 Our takes

Not gonna lie, the vibes are high! Thanks for the skeets @linssenp.bsky.social‬⁠, @jamesgameboy.bsky.social‬⁠, @madoccassia.bsky.social‬⁠, @hecubus01.bsky.social !! :30 Post laker win glow 3:15 Atlanta game and Jrue Holiday’s return 6:45 What is the “end of the bench” anymore anyway?  8:30 We think about Scoot Henderson’s return at least once a day 15:00 Shaedon is consistent even under increased pressure 20:50 Shaedon is also starting offense with defense 26:00 Caleb Love love 31:00 Blazer parent feel good Instagram accounts 34:00 Shot Attempts 38:00 How far the team has come as measured by Jrue’s return 42:00 Is Jerami Grant taking a fiber arts class?  45:00 ‪@linssenp.bsky.social‬ Injured players return to the lineup 48:00 ‪Keanu_reevebooks‬ ‪uptempo ballhandlers!  57:30  ‪madoccassia ❌ 👑‬ ‪How the vets and the young bloods reintegrate 1:04:00 ‪Jason‬ Turnovers.  1:11:11 What is behind Jerami Grant’s frowny face? 1:14:00 Takes

Friend of the pod, Rip City Remix correspondent and anchor of the group chat, catrenzer joined us today to talk about if what we are seeing from the Blazers is real, then she talks to us about what she is watching about the Remix this season. :30 WHAT about the friends we made along the way 5:00 The blazers are on a winning streak(s!) 11:00 Is this real? Donovan Clingan, Deni Avdija, defense, (and rebounds and communication) 24:00 Rob Williams/Yang Hansen minutes 28:00 RipCity Remix - Yang Hansen observations 40:00 What changes might occur when/if Sidy Cissoko and Caleb Love get full contracts 47:00 Experimenting in the G League  51:00 People and player watching at a G League game  1:10:00 Takes! Cat: Correct spelling of Sidy Cissoko Tara: Enjoy this now, we don’t know what new ownership might change Rose: Popcorn makes games even better

2:03 Recapping the night honoring the 1999-2000 team. 19:00 Dunk update Then, We had a talk about YOUR takes. What's on your mind, Takers? 28:25 Dave’s not here man‬ ‪@pacnwce.bsky.social‬ Take:  finding out Deni can produce like a star is the most important thing to happen to the Trail Blazers future since Cronin took over.  It’s Deni’s world, we’re just living in it 32:35 Octdesertlover‬ ‪@octdesertlover.bsky.social‬ You've probably seen this one from me before but......they should sell peppermint bark year round.  I know there are other peppermint chocolate stuff the rest of the year but peppermint bark > York peppermint patties. 35:30 Jason‬ ‪@hecubus01.bsky.social‬ Ok, I’ve thought of one. Robert Williams won’t be traded & will be signed to a team friendly deal in the off season. 38:00  Jason ‪@hecubus01.bsky.social‬ Also the Golden Globes need to figure out some of their categories like what constitutes a comedy/musical nominee. Cinematic & Box office Achievement?! C’mon! You have the new Avatar nominated in that category & it hasn’t even come out yet! 41:30  ‪Pedro‬ ‪@linssenp.bsky.social‬ I wish the Blazers (and other sports teams) would be more forthcoming with information on players injuries and their progress/rehab. What’s your take? Catherine‬ ‪@catrenzer.bsky.social‬ Sneak-attack cheering is not cool. What is that? When GS & Lakers fans flood Moda and don’t cheer for their team until they gain a good lead in the 3rd or 4th Q, and come to life only when they are winning. If you are going to cheer for your team, do it (respectfully), winning or losing. ‪53:29 Keanu_reevebooks‬ ‪@jamesgameboy.bsky.social‬ Here's a crazy one: I don't care if the Blazers ever win another championship. We currently have a roster full of guys that I like watching/hearing about. As long as they're competitive/progressing, that's what I want. (Obviously I don't want the players or front office to feel that way haha) 58:00 ‪Mr. 503 Gavi HaCohen‬ ‪@gavihacohen.bsky.social‬ My take is that whatever Meredith Marks did on the airplane can’t be that bad because the air marshals didn’t get involved and im tired of hearing Heather talk about it like she's Jen Shah 1:06 Rose’s friend Chelsea: I feel like many people have this take, but it’s honestly just refreshing to watch these guys play. Win or lose. The entire team seems to have a fight in them and I don’t think that’s something we’ve really seen in a long time. Even when Dame was on the team way back when it often felt like he was the only one holding us up. It feels like we have a team who plays together and not just a whole bunch of guys supporting one or two others. 1:10:00 Die Mad (@playest.bsky.social ) Deni is our best player but the secret MVP is actually Sidy! Our best lineup for the season was when Sidy started. Deni is 6.1 points per 100 possessions better with Sidy on the floor than without Sharpe is 7.1 points better Toumani is 6.3 points better Jerami is 14.6 points better Good things happen when he is on the floor. 1:13: 30 Rose’s daughter:  Ollie is going to win MVP season  1:16 Rose’s husband: my year-end take in honor of the late Rob Reiner: The Princess Bride is the greatest movie of all time and 2nd place isn't close 1:20 Tara and Rose’s takes

First we talk about how we’re feeling after a rough stretch of games for the Portland Trail Blazers. Injuries suck, waiting sucks, but watching a team lean into its identity, and watching young players make the most of their unexpected opportunities always warms our hearts. We talk about how Deni Avdija, Jeremi Grant, Duop Reath and Toumani Camara are keeping the team afloat while carefully falling down and quickly getting back up.   Then, We Have A Talk about Sidy Cissoko and what a surprisingly hard time getting pretty basic information about his journey to the NBA. From France to Spain to the G League to San Antonio, Sidy made a lot of stops but we still don’t know how many brothers he has or what he wore on draft night! Local media has a great opportunity here to give us a profile about Sidy (hint hint hint) 0:00 Vibe Check  5:00 Smart Falls 10:00 Missing games 18:50 Injury slide 22:00 That team ugh 27:00 Article about Communication by Joe Freeman The silence is deafening: A look at 1 of the Trail Blazers’ quietest problems 30:00 We have a talk about Sidy Cissoko 37:30 Relative ages of Blazer players  40:00 Early life and family 45:00 Languages in the locker room 52:30 Basketball connections 1:01:00 Time with the Ignite 1:15:00 Can’t wait to see Scoot and Sidy play together on the Blazers Plea for media to do an English language profile of Sidi Cissoko 1:25:00 Takes Sources Film Sesh with the G-League Ignite's Sidy Cissoko | The Draftdaq  Sidy Cissoko 2023 NBA Draft Scouting Report | Prospect Profile | 2023 NBA Mock Draft Sidy Cissoko | Meet The Rookies Interview with Michelle Beadle How Sidy Cissoko turned depression into productivity | Pounding The Rock Sidy Cissoko Was Destined to Land With the Trail Blazers: 'It's a Small World'

One of two players on two-way contracts who are getting lots of playing time time season, Caleb Love was a polarizing figure throughout his college career. We did a deep dive to find out who he is, where did he come from and what was his path to the NBA? Of course, we love Love, and hope that you will too!

After catching up on the week that was the perfect trajectory for a developing team, we have a talk about Blazer Cuties in the league - guys who once played with the Blazers who made a positive impression in RipCity. We found Blazer cuties all over the league, in the G League and playing around the world. If you're wondering what happened to players from Blazers circa 2020-24 we've probably got you covered! Plus, a few remarks about guys who definitely are NOT Blazer cuties! Plus - Donvan Clingan, Deni Avdija, Robert Williams III, Caleb Love, Sidy Cissoko and Ryan Rupert all get mentioned in our weekly recap . . . .

Its that best time of year, Awards Season! We're announcing the categories for the only awards that count in Rip City, the prestigious WHAT Awards. Find out what Blazer players (and former players) have to do to get an award this season, the tweaks we've made, and old favorites that have returned. All this plus we answered Takers' questions and got to talk about tattoos, pizza, Rob Williams' ally oops, Kris Murray's steady presence, Orcas gathering in Puget Sound, Amazon Bond Girls and so much more! 2:00 Most Valuable Pet (MVP) 6:30 Most Valuable Blazer (MVB) 7:15 Most Improved Blazer (MIB) 8:00 Celebrator Man of the Year (CMotY) 13:00 As yet non-specific fashion award 18:00 Blazer Cutie Award (and potentially a Blazer Legend award) Taker questions 25:00 Tattoo for the season 29:00 Thanksgiving tables 35:30 Blowout losses, Kris Murray and missing Matisse Thybulle 46:00 8 pm games and Scoot’s celebrations 50:30 Ranch Pizza ideas 57:00 Dunks dunks dunks!(and a side trip on Coaches Challenges) 1:12:00 We hate to admit it but the Houston Rockets are fun  1:19:00 Takes The Orcas Are Gathering in Puget Sound. Orcas vs Yachts 1:22:00 Amazon Bond Girls Thanks to our friends who sent in questions :@hecubus01.bsky.social‬, @hecubus01.bsky.social‬, @jamesgameboy.bsky.social‬, @octdesertlover.bsky.social‬, @athoughtbytim.bsky.social‬ Cutest intro/outro music ever by @shoozumoops.bsky.social

After checking in on the latest news with the team, we go back in time to reminisce about Blazer Road Trips. Thomas Robinson finds a snake in a locker, half the team gets stuck in an elevator, Carmelo Anthony joins the team in New Orleans, Gary Tent Jr makes everyone hold it while staging a photo shoot in the bathroom . . . these memories and more! Tell us what Blazer Road Trip stories you remember! 1:00 Checking in on the last week of Trail Blazer Basketball 15:00 Blazer Cutie Alert! Trendon Watford with his first career triple double 19:00 Memorable Blazer Road Trips 23:00 May 2014 Snake in the Locker Trail Blazers Greeted By Snake In San Antonio Locker Room 2029 January 11 2017 Diversion due to snow https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/18456746/portland-snowstorm-leaves-trail-blazers-cleveland-cavaliers-scrambling-play-scheduled-game 36:00 Feb 2019 Blazers get Stuck in an Elevator Stuck in the Elevator | Rip City Stories  https://www.blazersedge.com/2019/2/26/18241860/portland-trail-blazers-stuck-elevator-meyers-leonard-evan-turner-enes-kanter https://www.nba.com/blazers/forwardcenter/team-recounts-harrowing-elevator-experience-boston 47:00 November 2019 - Carmelo Anthony joins the Blazers on road trip https://andscape.com/features/carmelo-anthony-this-is-a-second-chance-portland-trail-blazers/ 51:00 July 10 2020 Gary Trent Jr Fashion Shoot Trail Blazers' Gary Trent Jr. has photoshoot in airplane bathroom - Sports Illustrated  57:00 December 19 2022 Damian Lillard becomes all time leading scorer https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/35289184/damian-lillard-becomes-trail-blazers-all-leading-scorer Damian Lillard passes Clyde Drexler to become Portland Trail Blazers' all-time leading scorer  1:03 February 2023 - Stuck on the Tarmac/Where the Bleep is Tristan? https://www.instagram.com/reel/Co_f3KiAeE0/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY%3D