Category Archives: The Athletic

Norman Powell’s career night, tremendous team defence lift otherwise punchless Raptors in Orlando

Title: Norman Powell’s career night, tremendous team defence lift otherwise punchless Raptors in Orlando
Date: November 29, 2019
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis:  In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about Norman Powell coming through with a career-best scoring night for the Raptors when they needed it most. Read an excerpt!

The Raptors Reasonablists Podcast – Shutting Down Stars: Defensive rating, schedule strength, injury roundup + Carl English joins!

Title: The Raptors Reasonablists Podcast – Shutting Down Stars: Defensive rating, schedule strength, injury roundup + Carl English joins!
Date: November 28, 2019
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In the latest edition of The Raptors Reasonablists Podcast, Eric Koreen and I break down the Raptors’ storybook start, what happens when the team gets healthy, and what Canada Basketball’s outlook is for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in June. Read an excerpt!

Murphy Mailbag: What happens if the team gets healthy, has willingness to trade shifted and more

Title: Murphy Mailbag: What happens if the team gets healthy, has willingness to trade shifted and more
Date: November 27, 2019
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis:  In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I opened up the mailbag to answer questions about the Raptors’ rotation, willingness to trade, and more. Read an excerpt!

RJ Barrett, Jamal Murray and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander commit to Canada and give Olympic hopes early boost

Title: RJ Barrett, Jamal Murray and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander commit to Canada and give Olympic hopes early boost
Date: November 27, 2019
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about a handful of young Canadians making an early public commitment to the Olympic Qualifying Tournament and, potentially, the Olympics.
Read an excerpt!

Marc Gasol’s work in holding Joel Embiid scoreless once again puts Raptors defence in spotlight

Title: Marc Gasol’s work in holding Joel Embiid scoreless once again puts Raptors defence in spotlight
Date: November 26, 2019
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis:  In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about another lock-down defensive performance from Marc Gasol against Joel Embiid. Read an excerpt!

The Raptors Reasonablists Podcast – The 2010s: Raptors All-Decade Team

Title: The Raptors Reasonablists Podcast – The 2010s: Raptors All-Decade Team
Date: November 25, 2019
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In this bonus edition of The Raptors Reasonablists Podcast, Eric Koreen and I offer up our Raptors All-Decade teams. Read an excerpt!

The 2010s: The deepest, most unconventional and yet ultimate Toronto Raptors all-decade team

Title: The 2010s: The deepest, most unconventional and yet ultimate Toronto Raptors all-decade team
Date: November 25, 2019
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I created an extremely on-brand Toronto Raptors All-Decade team.
Read an excerpt!

Can the Raptors pay VanVleet and still take a run at Giannis? Probably, but Siakam’s deal may factor in too

Title: Can the Raptors pay VanVleet and still take a run at Giannis? Probably, but Siakam’s deal may factor in too
Date: November 22, 2019
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about the Raptors’ potential willingness to pay on Fred VanVleet’s next deal, keeping in mind a possible Giannis Antetokounmpo pursuit in 2021.
Read an excerpt!

Chris Boucher paves way for next wave of Raptors 905 doubleheader crew in more ways than one

Title: Chris Boucher paves way for next wave of Raptors 905 doubleheader crew in more ways than one
Date: November 21, 2019
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about three new entries into the Raptors-905 doubleheader club, made possible by a strong night from a club alumni, Chris Boucher..
Read an excerpt!

Murphy: Now that Norman Powell has shown who he is, he must prove he can also be consistent

Title: Murphy: Now that Norman Powell has shown who he is, he must prove he can also be consistent
Date: November 20, 2019
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about Norman Powell’s micro-inconsistency within his macro-stability.
Read an excerpt!