Nick Crain

PartnerNC95@RoundtableIO

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Sports Journalist

Nick has been credentialed media across several sports covering multiple teams during his decade in the industry.

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Lillard is BACK in Full Force

He's looked so good early on.Oct 25, 2026

BlazersRoundtable

Trail Blazers Start Season 2-0 After Win Over Kings

Trail Blazers Start Season 2-0 After Win Over Kings

Oct 24, 2026

BlazersRoundtable

Damian Lillard is Officially Underrated

Damian Lillard is Officially Underrated

Oct 18, 2026

BlazersRoundtable

Trail Blazers Show Offensive Promise Despite Preseason Finale Loss

Trail Blazers Show Offensive Promise Despite Preseason Finale Loss

Oct 17, 2026

BlazersRoundtable

Blazers Showcase Upside in Dominant Win Over Kings on Tuesday Night

Blazers Showcase Upside in Dominant Win Over Kings on Tuesday Night

Oct 14, 2026

BlazersRoundtable

Portland Trail Blazers Dominate London Lions in Preseason Blowout

Portland Trail Blazers Dominate London Lions in Preseason Blowout

Oct 13, 2026

BlazersRoundtable

Believe in Ja?

He's looked really good early on..Oct 9, 2026

BlazersRoundtable

Preseason Expectations?

What do you hope to see in Portland's preseason contests?Oct 7, 2026

BlazersRoundtable

PODCAST: What Ja Morant Unlocks in Portland

On this episode, the focus is on what it would actually take for Portland to make a major leap this season. There are plenty of players on the roster who could contribute to a more competitive team, but the Blazers are unlikely to get where they want to go because of one small improvement or one young player taking a step. It is going to require progress across the rotation. That said, there is one player whose upside could dramatically change the ceiling of the entire team: Ja Morant. Portland does not need Morant to suddenly return to being a full-fledged superstar for the move to have a major impact. The fact that he has already played at that level, though, shows just how much talent is still there if he can get himself back on track. The episode breaks down why Morant is such a unique X-factor for the Blazers. Even a strong version of Morant, without expecting the absolute peak version of his game, could give Portland a level of explosiveness and offensive creation that changes how the entire roster fits together. Few players on the team have the ability to swing Portland’s upside as dramatically as he does. There will still need to be growth around him. Young players have to continue developing, veterans have to fill their roles, and the roster as a whole has to become more consistent if Portland wants to turn into a legitimate threat in the Western Conference. But if there is one individual player who could accelerate that process, it is Morant. Expectations should remain reasonable, but his ceiling remains higher than almost anyone else on the roster. If Portland can help him rediscover even a significant portion of the player he has been before, the Blazers’ outlook could change in a hurry.Oct 5, 2026

BlazersRoundtable

Preseason Expectations?

What do you need to see?Oct 5, 2026

BlazersRoundtable

Best Reserve?

Who do you think ends up being the Blazers' best bench player this season?Oct 3, 2026

BlazersRoundtable

Starters or Bench?

Which unit are you more confident in against opposing starters and reserves?Oct 1, 2026

BlazersRoundtable

O/U 42.5 Wins?

Are you taking the over or under for the Blazers?Sep 30, 2026

BlazersRoundtable

Trail Blazers Have Every Reason to Be Better Than Last Season

Trail Blazers Have Every Reason to Be Better Than Last Season

Sep 30, 2026

BlazersRoundtable

Dame First Home Game

What will the emotions be during Lillard's first home game back on the court in Portland?Sep 28, 2026

BlazersRoundtable

Blazers Should Ease Damian Lillard Back Into Action

Blazers Should Ease Damian Lillard Back Into Action

Sep 27, 2026

BlazersRoundtable

Ja or Scoot?

Which has a better season for Portland?Sep 26, 2026

BlazersRoundtable

Deni Avdija’s Next Leap Could Define the Blazers’ Ceiling

Deni Avdija’s Next Leap Could Define the Blazers’ Ceiling

Sep 25, 2026

BlazersRoundtable

Breakout Pick?

If you had to pick one player who you think could break out this season for the Blazers, who do you think it would be?Sep 24, 2026

BlazersRoundtable

PODCAST: Which Single Player Could Make Biggest Impact on Blazers Leap This Season

The Portland Trail Blazers have plenty of ways to get better this season, but if they want to make a legitimate leap in a loaded Western Conference, marginal improvement probably won’t be enough. Ja Morant should give Portland another dynamic offensive engine, while Scoot Henderson has a chance to take another major step forward in his development. There are several other players on the roster who could become catalysts as well, and collectively, that growth should make the Blazers a better team than they were a year ago. The bigger question is whether they can improve enough to separate themselves from the pack. The West continues to get deeper, and simply being a little better offensively or winning a few more close games doesn’t necessarily guarantee a playoff spot. Portland needs someone to become a true difference-maker, and Donovan Clingan may be the player with the best chance to do it. Clingan has the potential to emerge as a legitimate top-15 center in the NBA this season if he takes another step forward. His defensive impact, rim protection, rebounding and ability to anchor the paint already give him an incredibly valuable foundation. If his offensive game continues to develop on top of that, his two-way impact could completely change Portland’s ceiling. There are plenty of important players on this roster, but Clingan may ultimately be the X-factor. If he makes the leap the Blazers are hoping for, Portland could go from simply improving to becoming a real playoff threat in the Western Conference.Sep 22, 2026

BlazersRoundtable