Category Archives: Analysis

Pascal Siakam’s return is refreshing but doesn’t fix everything for Raptors

Title: Pascal Siakam’s return is refreshing but doesn’t fix everything for Raptors
Date: January 12, 2020
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis:  In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about the returns of Pascal Siakam and Norman Powell, enough to spark the Raptors for a half but not fix everything at once. Read an excerpt!

How are the Raptors still an elite defence while surrendering a historic number of corner threes?

Title: How are the Raptors still an elite defence while surrendering a historic number of corner threes?
Date: January 10, 2020
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis:  In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I dove deep into the Raptors’ defensive profile to try to figure out how they can be a top defense while allowing so many threes, and whether that’s sustainable. Read an excerpt!

Terence Davis II responds to Nick Nurse criticism, first start with career night in Raptors’ OT victory

Title: Terence Davis II responds to Nick Nurse criticism, first start with career night in Raptors’ OT victory
Date: January 8, 2020
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis:  In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about Terence Davis bouncing back from Nick Nurse’s criticism and having a career night in his first start. Read an excerpt!

Fred VanVleet bobblehead night, a pair of call-ups and a request for assignment highlight a big night for Raptors 905

Title: Fred VanVleet bobblehead night, a pair of call-ups and a request for assignment highlight a big night for Raptors 905
Date: January 7, 2020
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis:  In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about Fred VanVleet bobblehead night and what it – with some other notable roster moves the same day – means to Raptors 905. Read an excerpt!

Matt Thomas ready to step back into a role for Raptors following rare G League rehab assignment

Title: Matt Thomas ready to step back into a role for Raptors following rare G League rehab assignment
Date: January 6, 2020
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis:  In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about Matt Thomas using the G League for a rehab assignment of sorts, something basketball is beginning to borrow from baseball. Read an excerpt!

Analyzing the Raptors’ historically poor shooting performance against the Heat’s zone coverage

Title: Analyzing the Raptors’ historically poor shooting performance against the Heat’s zone coverage
Date: January 3, 2020
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis:  In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I analyzed the Raptors’ near-historic struggles to shoot against the Heat’s zone defense. Read an excerpt!

OG Anunoby’s move to bench punctuates Raptors’ defining flexibility of 2019, plus Raptors’ year-end mixtape

Title: OG Anunoby’s move to bench punctuates Raptors’ defining flexibility of 2019, plus Raptors’ year-end mixtape
Date: December 31, 2019
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis:  In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about OG Anunoby’s move to the bench as a symbol of the Raptors’ 2019 identity, then provided a mixtape of the Raptors’ favorite albums of 2019. Read an excerpt!

Raptors Tactical: Analyzing Patrick McCaw at the point, Serge Ibaka’s pick-and-roll defence

Title: Raptors Tactical: Analyzing Patrick McCaw at the point, Serge Ibaka’s pick-and-roll defence
Date: December 30, 2019
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis:  In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I broke down the Raptors using Patrick McCaw as more of a point guard and Serge Ibaka as a deep drop-back center. Read an excerpt!

The Patrick McCaw Game (with Oshae Brissett support) helps Raptors bounce back against Celtics

Title: The Patrick McCaw Game (with Oshae Brissett support) helps Raptors bounce back against Celtics
Date: December 28, 2019
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis:  In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about a spirited victory in Boston for the shorthanded Raptors, sparked by unlikely heroes Patrick McCaw and Oshae Brissett. Read an excerpt!

Raptors’ return to Christmas Day slate hampered by injuries, tough Celtics loss

Title: Raptors’ return to Christmas Day slate hampered by injuries, tough Celtics loss
Date: December 25, 2019
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis:  In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about the Raptors’ disappointing, shorthanded return to the NBA’s Christmas Day schedule. Read an excerpt!