Film Room

Your home for in-depth explanations and explorations of game tape from the Portland Trail Blazers and their opponents.

The Biggest Takeaways From Greg Brown's Trail Blazers Debut

Greg Brown's tantalizing athleticism and two-way rough spots were on display in his Summer League debut. Let's go to the film.

Analysis

Greg Brown's tantalizing athleticism and two-way rough spots were on display in his Summer League debut. Let's go to the film.

Recent Articles

Team USA Falls to France as Damian Lillard Struggles Late

Analysis

Team USA lost its Olympic opener to France after some major struggles from Damian Lillard and others down the stretch.

Six Keys for Blazers in Do-Or-Die Game 6

Game Day

Portland's season is on the line Thursday night. These six keys will help the Blazers beat the Nuggets and force a Game 7.

Damian Lillard's Game 5 Defense Just Wasn't Good Enough

Analysis

Damian Lillard's Game 5 is one of the best playoff performances in NBA history. His defense was still a major problem.

Portland's Stout Game 4 Defense Wasn't All Jusuf Nurkic

Analysis

Team-wide intensity and subtle adjustments played a big role in the Blazers' improved Game 4 defense, too.

Benching Enes Kanter for Rondae Hollis-Jefferson? 'It's Kind of Obvious'

Analysis

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson made a strong case for regular minutes after replacing Enes Kanter in Game 3.

The Simple Adjustment That Could Help Portland Slow Nikola Jokic

Analysis

The Blazers need to turn the Nuggets' ball handlers into shooters in ball screen and dribble hand-offs with Nikola Jokic.

How Damian Lillard Preyed on Michael Porter Jr. in Game 1

Analysis

Damian Lillard led the Blazers' second-half comeback by targeting Michael Porter Jr. over and over and over.

Blazers-Nuggets Preview: Can Nikola Jokic Keep Pace With Portland?

Analysis

The numbers, analysis, film and more that will help decide Portland's matchup with Denver – plus a final series prediction.

Does Robert Covington Have A Legitimate Case For All-Defense?

Analysis

Robert Covington has been one of the most disruptive defenders in all of basketball this season. Is that enough for All-Defense?

How Portland Can Beat Denver In the Biggest Game of the Season

Analysis

The play-in tournament might be on the line for Portland in the season finale. These strategic factors will help the Blazers beat the Nuggets.

Jusuf Nurkic's Progress Finishing Around The Rim Is Real

Analysis

Spearheading Portland's 8-1 surge with his defense, Jusuf Nurkic has also made major strides as a finisher at the rim.

Beat LA! How Blazers Can Defeat Depleted Lakers

Game Day

Four keys for Portland to knock off short-handed Los Angeles in the biggest game of the season.

Three Strategic Keys To Taming The Grizzlies

Game Day

Portland faces its biggest game of the season on Wednesday. Here's how the Blazers can tame the Grizzlies.

There's No Excuse For Portland's Awful Transition Defense Against Memphis

Analysis

Despite knowing full well what makes Memphis most dangerous, the Trail Blazers were helpless against the Grizzlies' transition attack.

How Portland's Defensive Execution Is Slowly, Subtly Coming Around

Analysis

The Blazers' defense is still a problem, but these specific concepts show meaningful improvement.

Anfernee Simons Played the Best Defense of his Career Against the Spurs

Analysis

The third-year guard stepped up offensively in the absence of Damian Lillard, but was just as crucial to Portland's success on the other end.

How Portland Embraced Movement To Rack Up 31 Assists Against Boston

Analysis

The Blazers were a different team offensively against the Celtics, no accident given their pre-game plan of attack. Here's how they did it.

How Does Norman Powell Fit With The Trail Blazers?

Analysis

The veteran guard isn't a panacea, but plugs holes on both sides of the ball for Portland. Let's dig into the film and numbers.

The Trail Blazers' Defensive Execution Is Still Very Much A Work In Progress

Analysis

The Blazers had a plan in place defensively against the Mavericks, but all too often fell victim to the slim margins between good and bad execution.

C.J. McCollum's Return Reminds Of Trail Blazers' Problems To Come Defensively

Analysis

C.J. McCollum struggled on defense in his return, a reminder that re-integrating he and Jusuf Nurkic will be a whole new challenge.

The Trail Blazers' Longtime Problem On The Wing Is Reappearing

Analysis

The Timberwolves barely guarded Derrick Jones Jr. over the weekend, a reminder of what's to come for he and the Blazers' wings come the playoffs.

Anfernee Simons' Peaks and Valleys Were On Full Display Against the Suns

Analysis

The third-year guard played some of the best basketball of his career against Phoenix, progress marred by a series of fourth-quarter mistakes.

Terry Stotts Explains Why Blazers Remain So Reliant on Damian Lillard Ball Screens

Analysis

As frustration mounts in Rip City, Terry Stotts explains why the Blazers are so reliant on Damian Lillard ball screens – talking points the film and numbers support.

What Is Gary Trent Jr.'s Real Value On Defense?

Analysis

Gary Trent Jr. has the reputation of a plus defender, but the numbers, eye test and his current role with the Blazers suggest it may not be earned.