Title: ‘We ain’t finished’: 24 years in the making, here are 24 thoughts from the Raptors making the NBA Finals
Date: May 26, 2019
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about the Raptors making the NBA Finals, going through a mess of moments and thoughts still in my head the next morning. Read an excerpt!
Title: Eighteen years after Vince Carter’s miss, my 18 favorite things about The Kawhi Leonard Shot
Date: May 13, 2019
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about Kawhi Leonard’s historic game-winner in Game 7 against the 76ers, reflecting on its parallels to Vince Carter’s 2001 miss in the same situation and laying out my favorite moments within The Moment. Read an excerpt!
Title: How the Raptors’ scout team helps in a playoff series and benefits players in the long run
Date: April 19, 2019
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic, I wrote about how the Raptors’ depth players help prepare the team for a playoff series by playing the role of the Magic on a “scout team.” Read an excerpt!
Title: How an injury, then boredom led Fred VanVleet to dig into his analytics and improve his game
Date: March 26, 2019
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic, I wrote about how Fred VanVleet used analytics to improve his game while injured. Read an excerpt!
Title: A Wingspan and A Prayer: Bruno Caboclo’s long and winding road leads to a real chance in Memphis
Date: March 20, 2019
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic, I wrote about Bruno Caboclo’s strange and unique path to finally getting an opportunity in the NBA. Read an excerpt!
Title: His suitcases always ready, Eric Moreland returns for another stint with Raptors
Date: March 15, 2019
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about Eric Moreland’s return to the Raptors, his strange season to date, and why all the pieces matter for an NBA team, even when it seems like they don’t. Read an excerpt!
Title: ‘20 and 10 sleepwalking’: Jonas Valanciunas has been unleashed in Memphis
Date: March 12, 2019
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about Jonas Valanciunas, who is enjoying a post-trade surge in usage and responsibility in Memphis and rewarding that increased trust. Read an excerpt!
Title: Rowan Barrett’s big task is to lead Canada Basketball back success on the international level
Date: March 11, 2019
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about Canada Basketball naming Rowan Barrett teir new general manager, why it makes sense, and what comes next Read an excerpt!
Title: Wade Baldwin hopes Raptors 905 puts him back on NBA path after career detours
Date: March 4, 2019
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about the up-and-down start to Wade Baldwin’s NBA career and what a new beginning with Raptors 905 means for him. Read an excerpt!
Title: Vulnerability and advocacy as much a part of DeMar DeRozan’s Raptors legacy as any on-court accomplishment
Date: February 22, 2019
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about DeMar DeRozan’s return to Toronto and how the legacy he’s creating off the court is as important as the one he’s established on it. Read an excerpt!
Blake Murphy Sports Writing 