Jason Poulsen
@jasonperpoul.bsky.social
Social Commentator and Author;
Oregon Sports News Columnist - Portland Trail Blazers & NBA
Oregon Sports News Columnist - Portland Trail Blazers & NBA
Now that someone has reached out to me after having trouble accessing my Introspection (Circling Back to the Table of Brother & Sisterhood), I'm making it available as an image file.
Here's to hoping it's accessible to all now!
Here's to hoping it's accessible to all now!
October 1, 2026 at 10:41 PM
Now that someone has reached out to me after having trouble accessing my Introspection (Circling Back to the Table of Brother & Sisterhood), I'm making it available as an image file.
Here's to hoping it's accessible to all now!
Here's to hoping it's accessible to all now!
If you know someone who has chronic pain &/or mental health challenges or is otherwise struggling or suffering, please share this with them. It may be just what they need to hear, or so is my hope!
Check out my latest article: Circling Back to the Table of Brother & Sisterhood: An Introspection www.linkedin.com/pulse/circli...
October 1, 2026 at 12:09 AM
If you know someone who has chronic pain &/or mental health challenges or is otherwise struggling or suffering, please share this with them. It may be just what they need to hear, or so is my hope!
Check out my latest article: Circling Back to the Table of Brother & Sisterhood: An Introspection www.linkedin.com/pulse/circli...
September 30, 2026 at 6:10 AM
Check out my latest article: Circling Back to the Table of Brother & Sisterhood: An Introspection www.linkedin.com/pulse/circli...
But it is to my best friend I dedicate this article. In his name, through this Introspection, my hope is to inspire & to lift the spirits of anyone who may read it. "I am 'let[ting my] own light shine', but with the express purpose of giving all... 'permission to do the same'"….
The end of August through the beginning of November is usually a more challenging season for me, but especially so this year as it marks 25 years since I lost my best man - Robert Lee Jones, Jr....
September 30, 2026 at 6:09 AM
But it is to my best friend I dedicate this article. In his name, through this Introspection, my hope is to inspire & to lift the spirits of anyone who may read it. "I am 'let[ting my] own light shine', but with the express purpose of giving all... 'permission to do the same'"….
The end of August through the beginning of November is usually a more challenging season for me, but especially so this year as it marks 25 years since I lost my best man - Robert Lee Jones, Jr....
September 30, 2026 at 6:09 AM
The end of August through the beginning of November is usually a more challenging season for me, but especially so this year as it marks 25 years since I lost my best man - Robert Lee Jones, Jr....
...Relative to the cost (the untradeable Jerami Grant & Kris Murray), Joe Cronin hit this one out of the stadium.
Considering Ja Morant's immense talent & short-term contract (just 2 yrs remaining), I see zero downside.
This is the best trade Cronin has made!
Considering Ja Morant's immense talent & short-term contract (just 2 yrs remaining), I see zero downside.
This is the best trade Cronin has made!
...1) play with pace, & 2) reducing turnovers by having more play makers on the floor. Both of which were noted by Nori as areas of needed improvement. So, check & check.
(4) I mean, what is there to not like about this trade?
...
(4) I mean, what is there to not like about this trade?
...
...This length will enable the Blazers to deploy more 3-guard lineups. And they happen to just hire a coach in Micah Nori who is "elite with lineup combinations." (-Chris Finch)
(3) With 3 guards on the floor, the team will be able to check 2 important boxes:
...
(3) With 3 guards on the floor, the team will be able to check 2 important boxes:
...
July 1, 2026 at 9:29 AM
...Relative to the cost (the untradeable Jerami Grant & Kris Murray), Joe Cronin hit this one out of the stadium.
Considering Ja Morant's immense talent & short-term contract (just 2 yrs remaining), I see zero downside.
This is the best trade Cronin has made!
Considering Ja Morant's immense talent & short-term contract (just 2 yrs remaining), I see zero downside.
This is the best trade Cronin has made!
...1) play with pace, & 2) reducing turnovers by having more play makers on the floor. Both of which were noted by Nori as areas of needed improvement. So, check & check.
(4) I mean, what is there to not like about this trade?
...
(4) I mean, what is there to not like about this trade?
...
...This length will enable the Blazers to deploy more 3-guard lineups. And they happen to just hire a coach in Micah Nori who is "elite with lineup combinations." (-Chris Finch)
(3) With 3 guards on the floor, the team will be able to check 2 important boxes:
...
(3) With 3 guards on the floor, the team will be able to check 2 important boxes:
...
...Which averages out to 47 gms played/season. So no, the Blazers can't have too many Gs!
(2) The shortest wingspan among this guard contingent is 6'7 (Holiday & Morant), so whatever they lack in height, they make up for with length, especially Sharpe (6'11.5)
...
(2) The shortest wingspan among this guard contingent is 6'7 (Holiday & Morant), so whatever they lack in height, they make up for with length, especially Sharpe (6'11.5)
...
July 1, 2026 at 9:28 AM
...1) play with pace, & 2) reducing turnovers by having more play makers on the floor. Both of which were noted by Nori as areas of needed improvement. So, check & check.
(4) I mean, what is there to not like about this trade?
...
(4) I mean, what is there to not like about this trade?
...
...This length will enable the Blazers to deploy more 3-guard lineups. And they happen to just hire a coach in Micah Nori who is "elite with lineup combinations." (-Chris Finch)
(3) With 3 guards on the floor, the team will be able to check 2 important boxes:
...
(3) With 3 guards on the floor, the team will be able to check 2 important boxes:
...
...Which averages out to 47 gms played/season. So no, the Blazers can't have too many Gs!
(2) The shortest wingspan among this guard contingent is 6'7 (Holiday & Morant), so whatever they lack in height, they make up for with length, especially Sharpe (6'11.5)
...
(2) The shortest wingspan among this guard contingent is 6'7 (Holiday & Morant), so whatever they lack in height, they make up for with length, especially Sharpe (6'11.5)
...
Here's my 4 thoughts on Blazers trading for Ja Morant (5 posts in total):
(1) Too many guards you say? Since Scoot's rookie season (23-24), here are the average gms played for the Blazers' top 5 guards:
- Scoot: 52.7
- Jrue: 61.3
- Dame: 43.7
- Ja: 26.3
- Shaedon: 51.3
...
(1) Too many guards you say? Since Scoot's rookie season (23-24), here are the average gms played for the Blazers' top 5 guards:
- Scoot: 52.7
- Jrue: 61.3
- Dame: 43.7
- Ja: 26.3
- Shaedon: 51.3
...
July 1, 2026 at 9:27 AM
...This length will enable the Blazers to deploy more 3-guard lineups. And they happen to just hire a coach in Micah Nori who is "elite with lineup combinations." (-Chris Finch)
(3) With 3 guards on the floor, the team will be able to check 2 important boxes:
...
(3) With 3 guards on the floor, the team will be able to check 2 important boxes:
...
...Which averages out to 47 gms played/season. So no, the Blazers can't have too many Gs!
(2) The shortest wingspan among this guard contingent is 6'7 (Holiday & Morant), so whatever they lack in height, they make up for with length, especially Sharpe (6'11.5)
...
(2) The shortest wingspan among this guard contingent is 6'7 (Holiday & Morant), so whatever they lack in height, they make up for with length, especially Sharpe (6'11.5)
...
Here's my 4 thoughts on Blazers trading for Ja Morant (5 posts in total):
(1) Too many guards you say? Since Scoot's rookie season (23-24), here are the average gms played for the Blazers' top 5 guards:
- Scoot: 52.7
- Jrue: 61.3
- Dame: 43.7
- Ja: 26.3
- Shaedon: 51.3
...
(1) Too many guards you say? Since Scoot's rookie season (23-24), here are the average gms played for the Blazers' top 5 guards:
- Scoot: 52.7
- Jrue: 61.3
- Dame: 43.7
- Ja: 26.3
- Shaedon: 51.3
...
July 1, 2026 at 9:26 AM
...Which averages out to 47 gms played/season. So no, the Blazers can't have too many Gs!
(2) The shortest wingspan among this guard contingent is 6'7 (Holiday & Morant), so whatever they lack in height, they make up for with length, especially Sharpe (6'11.5)
...
(2) The shortest wingspan among this guard contingent is 6'7 (Holiday & Morant), so whatever they lack in height, they make up for with length, especially Sharpe (6'11.5)
...
Here's my 4 thoughts on Blazers trading for Ja Morant (5 posts in total):
(1) Too many guards you say? Since Scoot's rookie season (23-24), here are the average gms played for the Blazers' top 5 guards:
- Scoot: 52.7
- Jrue: 61.3
- Dame: 43.7
- Ja: 26.3
- Shaedon: 51.3
...
(1) Too many guards you say? Since Scoot's rookie season (23-24), here are the average gms played for the Blazers' top 5 guards:
- Scoot: 52.7
- Jrue: 61.3
- Dame: 43.7
- Ja: 26.3
- Shaedon: 51.3
...
July 1, 2026 at 9:26 AM
Here's my 4 thoughts on Blazers trading for Ja Morant (5 posts in total):
(1) Too many guards you say? Since Scoot's rookie season (23-24), here are the average gms played for the Blazers' top 5 guards:
- Scoot: 52.7
- Jrue: 61.3
- Dame: 43.7
- Ja: 26.3
- Shaedon: 51.3
...
(1) Too many guards you say? Since Scoot's rookie season (23-24), here are the average gms played for the Blazers' top 5 guards:
- Scoot: 52.7
- Jrue: 61.3
- Dame: 43.7
- Ja: 26.3
- Shaedon: 51.3
...
...health permitting, Victor Wembanyama is about to go on a Michael Jordan-esque run of championship dominance.
It may not be this year, but soon, as I haven’t seen a singular player better suited to impose their will on the game of basketball since MJ.
It may not be this year, but soon, as I haven’t seen a singular player better suited to impose their will on the game of basketball since MJ.
From the thrill of victory, to the agony of defeat.
The Blazers would go on to win only 1 playoff game after beating the Suns, but there is no shame in losing a playoff series to the Wemby-led Spurs…
The Blazers would go on to win only 1 playoff game after beating the Suns, but there is no shame in losing a playoff series to the Wemby-led Spurs…
…but he & his teammates were put in the best position to win the game by Coach Splitter. Phoenix only scored 5 more points, while Portland ran off 15.
Not enough people are talking about this!
Not enough people are talking about this!
May 4, 2026 at 7:39 AM
...health permitting, Victor Wembanyama is about to go on a Michael Jordan-esque run of championship dominance.
It may not be this year, but soon, as I haven’t seen a singular player better suited to impose their will on the game of basketball since MJ.
It may not be this year, but soon, as I haven’t seen a singular player better suited to impose their will on the game of basketball since MJ.
From the thrill of victory, to the agony of defeat.
The Blazers would go on to win only 1 playoff game after beating the Suns, but there is no shame in losing a playoff series to the Wemby-led Spurs…
The Blazers would go on to win only 1 playoff game after beating the Suns, but there is no shame in losing a playoff series to the Wemby-led Spurs…
…but he & his teammates were put in the best position to win the game by Coach Splitter. Phoenix only scored 5 more points, while Portland ran off 15.
Not enough people are talking about this!
Not enough people are talking about this!
…at the 3:17 mark in the 4th quarter, Jerami Grant checked in for Donovan Clingan, making Deni Avdija the Blazers’ small-ball center, they were trailing 99-105. From hereon the ball moved & the defense tightened. And yes, Avdija took over…
May 4, 2026 at 7:38 AM
From the thrill of victory, to the agony of defeat.
The Blazers would go on to win only 1 playoff game after beating the Suns, but there is no shame in losing a playoff series to the Wemby-led Spurs…
The Blazers would go on to win only 1 playoff game after beating the Suns, but there is no shame in losing a playoff series to the Wemby-led Spurs…
…but he & his teammates were put in the best position to win the game by Coach Splitter. Phoenix only scored 5 more points, while Portland ran off 15.
Not enough people are talking about this!
Not enough people are talking about this!
…at the 3:17 mark in the 4th quarter, Jerami Grant checked in for Donovan Clingan, making Deni Avdija the Blazers’ small-ball center, they were trailing 99-105. From hereon the ball moved & the defense tightened. And yes, Avdija took over…
The Blazers’ luck with Billups ran out after the 1st game of this season, but in their most recent (the Play-In win over the Suns), I bore witness to the difference an actual good coach can make. The game was won on Tiago Splitter's decision to go small...
April 16, 2026 at 4:55 AM
…but he & his teammates were put in the best position to win the game by Coach Splitter. Phoenix only scored 5 more points, while Portland ran off 15.
Not enough people are talking about this!
Not enough people are talking about this!
…at the 3:17 mark in the 4th quarter, Jerami Grant checked in for Donovan Clingan, making Deni Avdija the Blazers’ small-ball center, they were trailing 99-105. From hereon the ball moved & the defense tightened. And yes, Avdija took over…
The Blazers’ luck with Billups ran out after the 1st game of this season, but in their most recent (the Play-In win over the Suns), I bore witness to the difference an actual good coach can make. The game was won on Tiago Splitter's decision to go small...
April 16, 2026 at 4:54 AM
…at the 3:17 mark in the 4th quarter, Jerami Grant checked in for Donovan Clingan, making Deni Avdija the Blazers’ small-ball center, they were trailing 99-105. From hereon the ball moved & the defense tightened. And yes, Avdija took over…
The Blazers’ luck with Billups ran out after the 1st game of this season, but in their most recent (the Play-In win over the Suns), I bore witness to the difference an actual good coach can make. The game was won on Tiago Splitter's decision to go small...
April 16, 2026 at 4:54 AM
The Blazers’ luck with Billups ran out after the 1st game of this season, but in their most recent (the Play-In win over the Suns), I bore witness to the difference an actual good coach can make. The game was won on Tiago Splitter's decision to go small...
Think the Oklahoma City Thunder, circa 2023-24 (59 wins) or better yet their championship season (2024-25), with their two stars (SGA & Jalen Williams) leading the charge, all while being supported by a stellar supporting cast. OKC has depth for days too!
Avdija is officially an All-Star, so now let's talk about Shaedon Sharpe. If he can make the same leap next season as Deni did this year (Breakout to even cusp of All-Stardom), the Blazers championship window will be blown open, especially with Dame being added back to the mix.
With the Blazers finally getting healthy, they are playing their best basketball of the season. And leading the charge is Deni Avdija, who's All-Star campaign actually began last year.
See linked article below: A[n All]-Star is Born – Building Block #2
See linked article below: A[n All]-Star is Born – Building Block #2
February 7, 2026 at 4:10 AM
Think the Oklahoma City Thunder, circa 2023-24 (59 wins) or better yet their championship season (2024-25), with their two stars (SGA & Jalen Williams) leading the charge, all while being supported by a stellar supporting cast. OKC has depth for days too!
Avdija is officially an All-Star, so now let's talk about Shaedon Sharpe. If he can make the same leap next season as Deni did this year (Breakout to even cusp of All-Stardom), the Blazers championship window will be blown open, especially with Dame being added back to the mix.
With the Blazers finally getting healthy, they are playing their best basketball of the season. And leading the charge is Deni Avdija, who's All-Star campaign actually began last year.
See linked article below: A[n All]-Star is Born – Building Block #2
See linked article below: A[n All]-Star is Born – Building Block #2
The Portland Trail Blazers Aced Their Final Exam, thereby passing the class they were failing at Mid-Terms (Just as before, the Oklahoma City Thunder remain the measuring stick):
oregonsportsnews.com/portland-tra...
oregonsportsnews.com/portland-tra...
February 7, 2026 at 4:10 AM
Avdija is officially an All-Star, so now let's talk about Shaedon Sharpe. If he can make the same leap next season as Deni did this year (Breakout to even cusp of All-Stardom), the Blazers championship window will be blown open, especially with Dame being added back to the mix.
And for those keeping score at home, to keep pace with the current Gold Standard in the NBA - the OKC Thunder - the Blazers, in the 5th year of their rebuild, would need to finish with 59 wins.
With the Blazers finally getting healthy, they are playing their best basketball of the season. And leading the charge is Deni Avdija, who's All-Star campaign actually began last year.
See linked article below: A[n All]-Star is Born – Building Block #2
See linked article below: A[n All]-Star is Born – Building Block #2
The Portland Trail Blazers Aced Their Final Exam, thereby passing the class they were failing at Mid-Terms (Just as before, the Oklahoma City Thunder remain the measuring stick):
oregonsportsnews.com/portland-tra...
oregonsportsnews.com/portland-tra...
January 24, 2026 at 8:59 PM
And for those keeping score at home, to keep pace with the current Gold Standard in the NBA - the OKC Thunder - the Blazers, in the 5th year of their rebuild, would need to finish with 59 wins.
With the Blazers finally getting healthy, they are playing their best basketball of the season. And leading the charge is Deni Avdija, who's All-Star campaign actually began last year.
See linked article below: A[n All]-Star is Born – Building Block #2
See linked article below: A[n All]-Star is Born – Building Block #2
The Portland Trail Blazers Aced Their Final Exam, thereby passing the class they were failing at Mid-Terms (Just as before, the Oklahoma City Thunder remain the measuring stick):
oregonsportsnews.com/portland-tra...
oregonsportsnews.com/portland-tra...
Portland Trail Blazers Pass The Test They Were Failing—Thunder Still The Standard
The rebuild is back on track, which is saying an awful lot considering just how ugly it got. Your, mine, and our Trail Blazers were bottom feeders, until they weren’t. Winning time looked really goo...
oregonsportsnews.com
January 24, 2026 at 8:59 PM
With the Blazers finally getting healthy, they are playing their best basketball of the season. And leading the charge is Deni Avdija, who's All-Star campaign actually began last year.
See linked article below: A[n All]-Star is Born – Building Block #2
See linked article below: A[n All]-Star is Born – Building Block #2
Didn't intend for this to be ominous, just went with a less is more approach. My youngest with special needs graduated high school and now is always home.
On a more personal note, due to a life change, I have considerably less space and time to devote to writing, hence it having been so long (6+ months) since my last article.
Portland Trail Blazers 2025 Offseason Recap & Early Season Looksee: “What a long, strange trip it’s been”! (Grateful Dead lyric is an homage to Big Red - William Theodore Walton III)
oregonsportsnews.com/from-chaos-t...
oregonsportsnews.com/from-chaos-t...
December 2, 2025 at 4:52 AM
Didn't intend for this to be ominous, just went with a less is more approach. My youngest with special needs graduated high school and now is always home.
On a more personal note, due to a life change, I have considerably less space and time to devote to writing, hence it having been so long (6+ months) since my last article.
Portland Trail Blazers 2025 Offseason Recap & Early Season Looksee: “What a long, strange trip it’s been”! (Grateful Dead lyric is an homage to Big Red - William Theodore Walton III)
oregonsportsnews.com/from-chaos-t...
oregonsportsnews.com/from-chaos-t...
oregonsportsnews.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:05 PM
On a more personal note, due to a life change, I have considerably less space and time to devote to writing, hence it having been so long (6+ months) since my last article.
Portland Trail Blazers 2025 Offseason Recap & Early Season Looksee: “What a long, strange trip it’s been”! (Grateful Dead lyric is an homage to Big Red - William Theodore Walton III)
oregonsportsnews.com/from-chaos-t...
oregonsportsnews.com/from-chaos-t...
oregonsportsnews.com
December 1, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Portland Trail Blazers 2025 Offseason Recap & Early Season Looksee: “What a long, strange trip it’s been”! (Grateful Dead lyric is an homage to Big Red - William Theodore Walton III)
oregonsportsnews.com/from-chaos-t...
oregonsportsnews.com/from-chaos-t...
I'll be shocked if Ayton doesn't end up on the Lakers. He just makes too much sense for them:
oregonsportsnews.com/a-most-excel...
oregonsportsnews.com/a-most-excel...
June 30, 2025 at 6:48 AM
I'll be shocked if Ayton doesn't end up on the Lakers. He just makes too much sense for them:
oregonsportsnews.com/a-most-excel...
oregonsportsnews.com/a-most-excel...
After LeBron opted into the final year of his contract, thereby making a trade between the Blazers & Lakers even more complex, maybe this is a "creative" way for the Blazers to reroute Ayton to the Lakers!?
"It's a great day to be a Blazer!"
FROM SHAMS:
Sources: Deandre Ayton to become free agent after Trail Blazers buyout - via ESPN
Sources: Deandre Ayton to become free agent after Trail Blazers buyout - via ESPN
June 30, 2025 at 6:47 AM
After LeBron opted into the final year of his contract, thereby making a trade between the Blazers & Lakers even more complex, maybe this is a "creative" way for the Blazers to reroute Ayton to the Lakers!?
"It's a great day to be a Blazer!"
FROM SHAMS:
Sources: Deandre Ayton to become free agent after Trail Blazers buyout - via ESPN
Sources: Deandre Ayton to become free agent after Trail Blazers buyout - via ESPN
Sources: Ayton to become free agent after buyout
Deandre Ayton is finalizing a contract buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers to become a free agent, sources told ESPN.
www.espn.com
June 30, 2025 at 6:46 AM
"It's a great day to be a Blazer!"