Author Archives: Blake Murphy

Raptors Weekly Podcast – Tying up loose ends

Title: Raptors Weekly Podcast – Tying up loose ends
Date: September 24, 2018
Original Source: Raptors Republic
Synopsis: I joined the latest edition of Raptors Weekly Extra to recalibrate ahead of training camp following a long and dramatic offseason.
Read the full article!

Raptors Reporter at The Athletic

Title: Raptors Reporter at The Athletic
Date: September 24, 2018 (but really October 18, 2016)
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: After two years of freelancing for The Athletic regularly, I joined them full-time and exclusively for the 2018-19 season. I’ll be primarily covering the Toronto Raptors, filling in any coverage gaps with the Blue Jays, Wolfpack, or Canada Basketball as well. You can find my archive from The Athletic here.

Sharpshooters: Bret Hart tweet sparks childhood memories for Borucki brothers

Title: Sharpshooters: Bret Hart tweet sparks childhood memories for Borucki brothers
Date: September 21, 2018
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about Blue Jays’ starter Ryan Borucki, a tweet of support he received from Bret Hart, and a brotherly bond over wrestling.
Read an excerpt!

World Cup medal for women could be perfect bridge for Canada Basketball

Title: World Cup medal for women could be perfect bridge for Canada Basketball
Date: September 21, 2018
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about Canada’s chances in the FIBA Women’s World Cup and why a place on the podium could mean so much to the entire program. Read an excerpt!

Money moves: Analysing the Raptors’ camp roster, cap sheet and tax bill

Title: Money moves: Analysing the Raptors’ camp roster, cap sheet and tax bill
Date: September 20, 2018
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I explained the different contract types on the Raptors’ training camp roster and provided a pre-camp update of their salary cap and luxury tax situations. Read an excerpt!

How Will A 14-Second Shot Clock After Offensive Rebounds Impact The NBA?

Title: How Will A 14-Second Shot Clock After Offensive Rebounds Impact The NBA?
Date: September 20, 2018
Original Source: Dime Magazine (Uproxx Sports)
Synopsis: In my latest for Dime Magazine at Uproxx Sports, I did a data dive to see what impact the NBA’s proposal to change the shot clock to 14 seconds after offensive rebounds might look like.
Read an excerpt!

Experimental Raptors may leave big camp questions unanswered into season

Title:Experimental Raptors may leave big camp questions unanswered into season
Date: September 19, 2018
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about why the Raptors will enter the season with some open questions they’re happy taking their time to answer, based on a July conversation with Nick Nurse. Read an excerpt!

The big time bet: Inside Fred VanVleet’s restricted free agency

Title: The big time bet: Inside Fred VanVleet’s restricted free agency
Date: September 18, 2018
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I went deep with Fred VanVleet on his free agent decision, his first “ignorant” purchase with a new deal, and his “movie storyline” career to this point. Read an excerpt!

Toronto Wolfpack return home for pair of pivotal games, seeking Super League promotion

Title: Toronto Wolfpack return home for pair of pivotal games, seeking Super League promotion
Date: September 13, 2018
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about the ascendant Toronto Wolfpack’s quest for promotion to Super League, which could hinge on two huge upcoming home games. Read an excerpt!

Podcast Appearance: The 5 x 5 Podcast

Title: Podcast Appearance: The 5 x 5 Podcast
Date: August 25, 2018
Original Source: The 5×5 Podcast
Synopsis: I joined the latest edition of The 5 x 5 Podcast to help preview the NBA’s Atlantic Division for the 2018-19 season.
Check out the audio!