Blake Murphy Sports Writing

Title: Raptors Report: Year-end play-in, draft lottery scenarios and what Gary Trent Jr.’s qualifying offer means
Date: May 7, 2021
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about the Raptors’ play-in and lottery scenarios over their final five games, as well as what might happen with Gary Trent Jr.’s qualifying offer in free agency. Read an excerpt!

Title: Murphy and Koreen: Raptors could be legends of the fall at Last Chance Saloon
Date: May 6, 2021
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, Eric Koreen and I discussed what’s gone wrong for the Raptors in what will likely be their first non-playoff season in almost a decade. Read an excerpt!

Title: Yuta Watanabe, Jalen Harris and unlikely groups keep Raptors close with Clippers, show growth on 1-3 trip
Date: May 4, 2021
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about a spirited losing effort with a few young contributors chipping in, which is about all you can hope for right now. Read an excerpt!

Title: Raptors Report: Another clutch loss to Jazz, lottery and playoff odds, Malachi Flynn’s play and more
Date: May 1, 2021
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about another close Raptors loss to the Jazz, with some notebook-style points on playoff and lottery odds, and more. Read an excerpt!

Title: OG Anunoby’s growth as a scorer has been bright spot in season of despair for Raptors
Date: April 29, 2021
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about the very important growth OG Anunoby is showing in his offensive game. Read an excerpt!

Title: Is Freddie Gillespie the best 10-day signing in Raptors history? We rank to find out
Date: April 26, 2021
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I ranked the 31 players to play on 10-day contracts for the Raptors. Read an excerpt!

Title: Lowry-to-Birch, Anunoby offense, a bench trio; The Raptors might finally have a bit of rotation stability
Date: April 26, 2021
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about the Raptors getting a rare semblance of stability in their rotation at a very necessary juncture. Read an excerpt!

Title: Murphy and Koreen: Who will join Luguentz Dort and RJ Barrett in Victoria this summer?
Date: April 21, 2021
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, Eric Koreen and I worked through what Canada Basketball’s roster could look like for Olympic qualifiers this summer. Read an excerpt!

Title: Sometimes it snows in April — maybe one day we’ll see the Raptors again
Date: April 21, 2021
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about the return of the real Raptors, a fourth win in a row, and Prince. Read an excerpt!

Title: Tank or not to tank? Raptors are in purgatory when it comes to losing for lottery
Date: April 19, 2021
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote whether or not the Raptors are tanking and why that is not a decision they get to make unilaterally. Read an excerpt!