Title: Isiaha Mike stashed himself in Germany. Now will the Raptors draft the Canadian?
Date: November 13, 2020
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about Canadian draft prospect Isiaha Mike and how the pandemic has forced him to create a new path to the NBA. Read an excerpt!
Title: ‘It means the world:’ Fred VanVleet and James Robinson put Rockford on the map
Date: October 16, 2020
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about the connection between Fred VanVleet and James Robinson, a pair of slept-on undrafted success stories from the same city. Read an excerpt!
Title: How the Raptors ‘scout team’ is adjusting to life inside the NBA’s bubble
Date: September 8, 2020
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about what life is like in the bubble amid a playoff run for the Raptors who aren’t really playing but still have important work to do. Read an excerpt!
Title: ‘Juice’ and chemistry: Behind the scenes of a remote TSN Raptors broadcast
Date: September 1, 2020
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I spent a playoff game in the studio with the Raptors broadcast to see what makes the crew tick and how a pandemic-era remote broadcast works. Read an excerpt!
Title: Why the Raptors and Celtics are considering a walkout ahead of Game 1
Date: August 26, 2020
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about the Raptors considering a strike in Orlando, and why players are feeling it’s a necessary next step. Read an excerpt!
Title: As the Raptors and Grizzlies prepare for a throwback, where is the Naismith Cup?
Date: August 7, 2020
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I explored the history – and mystery – of The Naismith Cup, an old Canadian basketball relic that seems to be missing. Read an excerpt!
Title: Jordan Loyd’s long, pandemic-induced wait for his Raptors championship ring
Date: August 5, 2020
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about Jordan Loyd’s long wait to receive his NBA Championship ring, what lockdown was like alone in Spain, and more. Read an excerpt!
Title: What the new VP of culture and inclusion means for Raptors, 905 and Toronto
Date: July 20, 2020
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about the Raptors hiring a vice president of culture and inclusion, what that means for the organization, and what the Raptors 905 and player development fallout are. Read an excerpt!
Title: Murphy: Raptors’ disappointment with NBA jersey message restrictions justified
Date: July 16, 2020
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about Norman Powell’s frustration with the league limiting jersey messaging, and why he’s right that the league missed an opportunity for a greater statement. Read an excerpt!
Title: ‘It was always basketball’: How the Raptors became family to a superfan couple
Date: June 11, 2020
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about Shahid and Samira, the Raptors season ticket holders and 905 superfans who missed the Raptors championship for the best reason possible. Read an excerpt!
Blake Murphy Sports Writing 