Author Archives: Blake Murphy

What fuelled Pascal Siakam’s breakout season and why it’s bigger than basketball

Title: What fuelled Pascal Siakam’s breakout season and why it’s bigger than basketball
Date: January 22, 2019
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about Pascal Siakam’s breakout year and the impact he can have at home in Cameroon that drives him. Read an excerpt!

Raptors’ recent roster shuffling reveals clearer picture of player’s roles down the stretch

Title: Raptors’ recent roster shuffling reveals clearer picture of player’s roles down the stretch
Date: January 22, 2019
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about the Raptors playing shorthanded so often and what they might be able to learn from it for once they’re healthy. Read an excerpt!

What can the Raptors do at the trade deadline? A primer on their assets, tax bill and more

Title: What can the Raptors do at the trade deadline? A primer on their assets, tax bill and more
Date: January 21, 2019
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote a Raptors trade deadline primer covering all the rules and wrinkles that govern trades under the CBA. Read an excerpt!

Two the Hard Way: A trio of Raptors join the exclusive G League-NBA doubleheader club

Title: Two the Hard Way: A trio of Raptors join the exclusive G League-NBA doubleheader club
Date: January 20, 2019
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about a trio of Raptors joining the NBA’s weird double-header club by playing for Raptors 905 and the Raptors in the same day. Read an excerpt!

There is no Go Daddy Curse, but Danny Green might have freed C.J. Miles from it anyway

Title: There is no Go Daddy Curse, but Danny Green might have freed C.J. Miles from it anyway
Date: January 19, 2019
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about the potential end of The Go Daddy Curse. Read an excerpt!

Raptors may not be watching the East standings just yet. But we can

Title:Raptors may not be watching the East standings just yet. But we can
Date: January 16, 2019
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about a key stretch ahead for the Raptors where several Eastern Conference tiebreakers will be determined. Read an excerpt!

Crunch-time minutes again a concern for Raptors in matchup with Celtics

Title: Crunch-time minutes again a concern for Raptors in matchup with Celtics
Date: January 16, 2019
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about the Raptors letting another close one slip away in Boston. Read an excerpt!

Pace is the key for Raptors after tenuous victory over Wizards

Title:Pace is the key for Raptors after tenuous victory over Wizards
Date: January 15, 2019
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about the Raptors being at their best offensively when they’re pushing the pace. Read an excerpt!

Raptors grateful to have found chemistry, not buying that Boston has lost theirs

Title: Raptors grateful to have found chemistry, not buying that Boston has lost theirs
Date: January 15, 2019
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about the Raptors being at their best offensively when they’re pushing the pace. Read an excerpt!

Late-game decisions and how they helped the Raptors hang on in an ‘exciting’ game

Title: Late-game decisions and how they helped the Raptors hang on in an ‘exciting’ game
Date: January 14, 2019
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about the Raptors’ late-game decision making in an ugly-fun double overtime against the Wizards. Read an excerpt!