Locked On Raptors

In Episode 1562, Sean Woodley goes solo to break down the Toronto Raptors' 108-100 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies in which they were completely overmatched size and athleticism-wise. Off the top, Sean digs into why the Raptors, all of a sudden a very small team by modern NBA standards, did not have the beef to hang with a Grizzlies team that, while down Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart, was certainly not lacking for physicality and size in Monday night's matchups. Sean digs into how Jakob Poeltl would have helped in that regard some, but why the team needs to be scouring the pro and amateur ranks for any largie, bouncy wings and centers they can possibly find. Next, Sean highlights the performances of Scottie Barnes (22-12-8 with 6 blocks) and RJ Barrett (29 points on 12/18), who very much brought the beef and met the Grizzlies' where they were head on. Plus, some thoughts on why the high talent of Barnes, Barrett and Immanuel Quickley should start translating into more wins for this group once Jakob P

In Episode 1561, Sean Woodley is joined by Vivek Jacob (Sportsnet) to chat about the Toronto Raptors 126-100 loss to the New York Knicks in Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett's returns to MSG. Off the top, Sean and Vivek chat about why the absence of Jakob Poeltl is really being felt, as the team is now 1-6 without their starting center. Would he have been the difference between winning and losing on Saturday? Probably not. But it is clear that for the Raptors to create an environment conducive to the development of their most important young players, Poeltl's roll gravity, rim protection, screening and passing are absolutely essential. Next, Sean and Vivek chat about the uncertainty hanging over Bruce Brown, who clearly fits the Raptors, but is reportedly going to be sought after by a lot of contending teams before the Feb. 8th NBA Trade Deadline, including the Knicks, who Brown had some interesting comments about after Saturday's game. Plus, will Gary Trent Jr. get moved? And will the deadline finally offer a

In Episode 1560, Sean Woodley opens up with some quick thoughts on the Toronto Raptors' 116-110 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night in a game that saw Scottie Barnes flash superstar promise with some to-be-expected mistakes as he gets accustomed to live as a true. no. 1, as well as a pretty fun debut for the newly acquire Bruce Brown, before welcoming in Tony East of Locked On Pacers for some talk about the Pascal Siakam trade. Off the top, Sean gives a quick Good (Bruce Brown's tidy 15-7-1 debut), Bad (Scottie Barnes' turnover troubles in another outstanding 31-7-6 outing) and Hmmm (reasons why the Raptors should just hang on to Bruce Brown). Then, Sean and Tony talk about Siakam's incredible offensive fit with the Pacers and where he'll figure into their defense before running through some thoughts on the price the Pacers paid to get the deal done, Bruce Brown's additive skills, and whether Jordan Nwora has a shot at carving out a rotation spot with the Raptors.Join us over on the Locked On Raptors

In Episode 1559, Sean Woodley is joined by Jamar Hinds (Raptors Republic) to chat about the Toronto Raptors' 121-97 win over the Miami Heat on Wednesday night just hours after Pascal Siakam was dealt to the Indiana Pacers. Off the top, Sean and Jamar chat about the early returns on Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett as the new vanguard of the new era of Raptors basketball. Next, they chat about Gary Trent Jr. lighting up as a member of the starting lineup, the where Bruce Brown fits and if he's going to stick around at all, the play of Gradey Dick in his return to rotation duty, and Christian Koloko getting waived to make room on the roster to complete the trade. Next, Sean and Jamar run through a Good, Bad & Hmm related entirely to Pascal Siakam's time in Toronto, and the deal to the Indiana Pacers.Join us over on the Locked On Raptors Discord server! https://discord.gg/Tjv3tSt5Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!Jase MedicalEmpower yourself when you purchase a Jase Case, providing you wi

In Episode 1558, Sean Woodley goes live to react to the Toronto Raptors trading franchise icon and 2-time All-NBA player Pascal Siakam to the Indiana Pacers for Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora and three first round picks, while also adding former Pelicans first-rounder Kira Lewis Jr. in the move. Sean digs into why the Raptors have seemingly come up well short of receiving Siakam's true value in return, the series of decisions that led the Raptors here, the fit of Brown, Nwora and Lewis, what this means going forward as the Scottie Barnes era has now truly begun, and what Siakam has meant to the Raptors over his nearly 8 seasons in TorontoCome join us on the Locked On Raptors Discord to talk more about the trade, and to cope: https://discord.gg/WKbW5T3JSupport Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!Jase MedicalEmpower yourself when you purchase a Jase Case, providing you with a personal supply of 5 antibiotics that treat 50+ infections. Get yours today at jasemedical.com and use code LOCKEDON to get $20 off your order.Linke

In Episode 1557, Sean Woodley goes solo to react to the latest Shams Charania report suggesting the Toronto Raptors and Indiana Pacers are actively engaged in talks on a Pascal Siakam trade, with Bruce Brown and three first-round picks potentially being part of the return headed back to the Raptors from Indy. Off the top, Sean parses the reporting and digs into why the Pacers have always been the team that's made the most sense as a Siakam destination, and why the reports of a pick-heavy package are a little perplexing considering the priortiy the Raptors have seemingly placed on young, ready-to-contribute players over draft picks in their recent trade dealings. Next, Sean digs into the main feeling he had upon reading the Shams report: relief. The Raptors have been a hard team to invest in emotionally for two seasons due to the constant uncertainty and trade rumours. Trading Pascal for a middling package seems bad, and probably is bad, but maybe it's just time to rip off the band-aid and let the Raptors just

In Episode 1556, Sean Woodley is joined by Asad Alvi (Prose & Claws, @Swarlayzers) to recap the Toronto Raptors' 105-96 loss to the Boston Celtics on Monday night in a game that saw the Raptors turn in one of their best defensive efforts in weeks, only to be undone by one of the worst three-point shooting nights they've ever had. Off the top, Sean and Asad dig into what they noticed from the defense as they did a great job preventing Boston from getting much of anything inside the arc, flashed some strong help-and-recover defense, and cleaned up the defensive glass at an impressive rate. Next, they dig into what went wrong on offense beyond a simple cold shooting night, and examine why zone defenses have given the Raptors some problems in their last two outings against the Jazz and Celtics. Lastly, they run through The Good (Jontay Porter's play in his first start, RJ Barrett's cutting) The Bad (the bricks, Scottie Barnes and Pascal Siakam's wing defense) and The Hmmmm (Jalen McDaniels, Jontay getting ben

In Episode 1555, Sean Woodley is joined by Vivek Jacob (Sportsnet) to chat about the Toronto Raptors as they return home form a 6-game road trip that ended on a tough note in a 145-113 loss to the Utah Jazz. Off the top, Sean and Vivek chat about their biggest takeaways from the road trip and why despite a 2-4 record, the feelings coming out of it are more good than they are bad thanks to the play of the new arrivals in RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, along with the surprise emergence of Jontay Porter as a regular rotation player. Next, Sean and Vivek dig into the latest on the Pascal Siakam front, and examine why the Raptors' management of this whole situation has been a real black mark on the front office's record. Lastly, they take a look at their matchup with the Boston Celtics tonight and what's on deck as the Raptors return home for some important games this week on the heels of a 3-game skid to close their western road trip.Join us over on the Discord server! https://discord.gg/h5xwRsP9Support Us By

In Episode 1554, Sean Woodley is joined by Keerthika Uthayakumar (TSN, Every Good Raptors Stat On Twitter) to dive into some small sample stats from the Toronto Raptors first six games since trading OG Anunoby for Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett, and examine whether or not they are legit, or due for serious regression in the days and weeks to come. Off the top, Sean and Keerthika dig into the Raptor's Top-5 offense in the month of January, whether it has to juice to hang that high for the remainder of the season, and how the new additons have changed the complexion of Toronto's attack before taking a look at RJ Barrett's ridiculous shooting splits and their viability going forward as Barrett continues to shine in a simplified role. Next, they chat about the Raptors' ridiculously high assist totals and whether the team can sustain its extremely high rate of assisting on made buckets, as well as Dennis Schroder's unbelievably good on/off splits in his new sixth man role. Lastly, Keerthika brings forward a stat

In Episode 1552, Sean Woodley goes solo to break down the Toronto Raptors' 126-120 loss to the Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night in a game that despite the result, continued to show off the solid foundation the new-look Raptors are building. Off the top, Sean digs into how the Raptors' offensive principles, instilled throughout this season, were on full display against the Clippers even in a game where the Raptors were missing their most potent offensive player in Pascal Siakam. Next, Sean runs through some stray observations on the play of Jontay Porter, Scottie Barnes and Dennis Schroder and their efforts in the Clippers game. Lastly, Sean closes it out with The Good (Garrett Temple & Thad Young) the Bad (Chris Boucher) and The Hmmm (the burgeoning race for the last two play-in spots in the East, and why it could be extremely fun) to wrap up the show.Join us on Discord! https://discord.gg/QYgJuWjxSupport Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!Jase MedicalEmpower yourself when you purc

In Episode 1552, Sean Woodley goes solo to rant and rave following the Toronto Raptors' 132-131 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night in a game that saw an inspiring effort by Scottie Barnes, Pascal Siakam, RJ Barrett and the rest of the squad undercut by a strongly tilted whistle in the fourth quarter, to the tune of a 23-2 free-throw disparity. Off the top, Sean digs into some of the baffling calls and non-calls down the stretch, any single one of which would have probably given the Raptors' a win if the outcome was flipped, on account of how incredible the Raptors played down the stretch, specifically on the offensive end. Darko Rajakovic is in for a huge fine after his incredible post-game rant, but it sure seems like it was worth it. Meanwhile, despite the loss, the Raptors might have themselves a real squad. Next, Sean digs into the absence of Jakob Poeltl, how the Raptors navigated the Anthony Davis without their starting center with some throwback Thad Young magic and Scottie Barnes at the f

In Episode 1551, Sean Woodley is joined by Joe Wolfond (The Score, Pound the Rock) for a deep dive in the Toronto Raptors' looming decision on two-time All-NBA franchise icon Pascal Siakam, and whether it would be more prudent for them to trade him before the NBA Trade Deadline, or extend him to have him continue as a core piece within the Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley-led version of the team. Off the top, Sean and Joe lay out the situation as it stands based on the most recent reporting, and discuss why it's been so disappointing to see the Raptors handle the potential departure of one of the greatest Raptors off all time in such a haphazard way. Next, they take a look at the case for trading him before the Febraury 8th deadline, the financial implications of maxing him out, whether a max deal is out there for him from any team, and the issue of timelines. Lastly, they discuss the not-very-good trade market for Siakam, and why barring a godfather offer that doesn't seem to be out there, the move shoul

In Episode 1550, Sean Woodley is joined by Vivek Jacob (Sportsnet) to break down a 1-1 weekend for the Toronto Raptors in which they nearly pulled a miraculous comeback against the Sacramento Kings before totally pasting the Golden State Warriors on Sunday. Off the top, Sean and Vivek discuss RJ Barrett's enormous 37-6-6 night on red hot shooting against Steph Curry and the Warriors, and discuss how he's fit in so well with the Raptors in the first four games since the trade. Next, Sean and Vivek discuss whether or not the Toronto Raptors have a "good" offense now. They've been the no. 2 offense in basketball since the trade, but surely the wave of regression to the mean is coming, right? Or, is it? Lastly, Sean and Vivek run through The Good (Barrett, Jontay Porter) the Bad (TSN's halftime show on Sunday, The Transaction Industrial Complex) and The Hmmm (the Raptors defense since the trade, Immanuel Quickley's playmaking) to round out the show.Join us over on the Locked On Raptors Discord! https://discord.gg

In Episode 1549, Sean Woodley goes solo to field some listener questions about the Toronto Raptors to wrap off an exciting and transformative week for the franchise on the heels of the O.G. Anunoby trade and the debuts of Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett. Off the top, Sean digs into the elements of Quickley and Barrett's games that have most surprised him early on in their Raptors tenure, from Quickley instantly transforming the shape of the Raptors' offense, to Barrett's sturdier-than-expected defense, to their pretty easy fit next to Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes. Next, Sean digs into what RJ Barrett's ceiling might be, and some player comps for the type of guy he could become within the context of his new team -- could a Harrison Barnes-like arc be on the table for the Canadian former 3rd-overall pick? Plus, what's the outlook for Gradey Dick over the next year or so, and can Jontay Porter find his way into the regular rotation as a backup big? Lastly, Sean fields a wild hypothetical question about pote

In Episode 1548, Sean Woodley is joined by Jamar Hinds (Raptors Republic) to break down the Toronto Raptors' 116-111 win over the Memphis Grizzlies that will forever be known as the first Immanuel Quickley Game. Off the top, Sean and Jamar chat about Quickley's 26-point, 5-assist effort in his second game with the Raptors and discuss the element of fun and joy he's already infused into the team, and dig into some of the promising interplay he had with Scottie Barnes, Jakob Poeltl and more. Next, they dig into some positive progress on the defense end of the floor, with Quickley, RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl serving as the notable standouts in a night that could have looked even better without some unseasonably warm shooting by Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ziaire Williams. Lastly, Sean and Jamar run through The Good (RJ Barrett's driving, Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes not needing to do everything), The Bad (Dennis Schroder & Barrett's decision-making) and The Hmmm (Jontay Porter's debut, just how far might the

In Episode 1547, Sean Woodley is joined by Katie Heindl (DIME, Basketball Feelings) to reflect upon the Toronto Raptors career of the recently traded O.G. Anunoby with a draft of his best moments from his seven-plus seasons in Toronto. Off the top, Sean gets Katie's first blush takeaways on the trade that sent O.G. to the New York Knicks along with Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn in exchange for Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett and a second-round pick. Next, they dive head first into the draft. It's a pretty loaded board, with O.G.'s incredible game-winning miracle buzzer-beater in Game 3 against the Boston Celtics in The Bubble, "What About Scarves," some incredible individual efforts from his time throughout his career with the Raptors, a scuffle with a future teammate, and so much more from a player who was extremely cool, very funny, and uniquely devastating on the defensive end of the floor. Plus, some honorable mentions!Join us over on the Locked On Raptors Discord to become part of our listener communi

In Episode 1546, Sean Woodley is joined by Gavin Schall of Locked On Knicks for a crossover episode to dive deeper in to the Toronto Raptors trading O.G. Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn to the New York Knicks for RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and the second-round pick. Off the top, Sean and Gavin discuss why the timing was right on both sides for this deal to go down, and dig into what Raptors fans are going to miss most about having Anunoby in Toronto. Next, they chat about what makes Anunoby such a special defensive player, and whether his offense stands a chance of leveling up with the Knicks. Lastly, Sean grills Gavin about what the experience of watching RJ Barrett play basketball is like, as well as Immanuel Quickley's early career post-season struggles and whether there are any concerns about that being a long-term issue for the Raptors' new lead guard.Join us over on the Discord server! https://discord.gg/EPfZBpaaSupport Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!HungryrootHungryroot is the easiest way

In Episode 1545, Sean Woodley is joined by Vivek Jacob (Sportsnet) to break down the Toronto Raptors 124-121 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers as Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett made their Raptors debuts, while Pascal Siakam scored an efficient 36 points and Scottie Barnes closed things out with a pair of big time plays. Off the top, Sean and Vivek chat about their first impressions of Quickely and Barrett, and why each of them brings a needed element to a team that had grown a little too stale and samey in the lead up to the O.G. Anunoby trade over the weekend. Next, they chat about how Quickley and Barretty figure to interact with other Raptors on the floor, and why the move makes them both think it would be foolish for the Raptors to not extend Pascal Siakam at this point. Lastly, they run through The Good (Siakam's 36, Barnes' massive late game bucket and rebound) The Bad (free-throw shooting, the backup center rotation) and The Hmmmm (Jakob Poeltl looking refreshed, who carves out the 8th and 9th rotatio

Sean Woodley goes live to react to the Toronto Raptors reportedly trading O.G. Anunoby, Malachi Flynn and Precious Achiuwa to the New York Knicks for Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett and a second-round pick. What does it mean for the Raptors in the present, short and long term? Why is Quickley such a perfect running mate for Scottie Barnes? What's next for Pascal Siakam? And how will the team's rotation break down? We discuss it all, while bidding farewell to an all-time Raptor in Anunoby.Come talk about the trade more in the Locked On Raptors Discord server! https://discord.gg/PmAD4FCuSupport Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!eBay MotorsFor parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit at eBayMotos.com. Let’s ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply.PrizePicksGo to PrizePicks.com/lockedonnba and use code lockedonnba for a first deposit match up to $100!GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an acc

In Episode 1543, Sean Woodley goes solo to break down the Toronto Raptors' 120-118 loss to the Boston Celtics on Friday night in Boston. Off the top, Sean digs into the Raptors' ongoing defensive struggles, and why Jakob Poeltl's role in them is coming into clearer focus now that the Raptors' have shifted their starting lineup and rotation. He's by no means the only culprit on the defensive end, but his issues and surprising level of matchup dependence are having cascading effects on the Raptors' defensive structure. And regrettably, it's an issue without an obvious fix right now. Next, Sean digs into Scottie Barnes' 7/15 night from downtown, his unprecedented shooting leap, and why it's bringing him to a level as a player where it probably doesn't make sense for Toronto to trade talent for futures, even though that may be their only way out of the corner they've painted themselves into, team-building wise. Lastly, Sean runs through The Good (Jalen McDaniels lives!), The Bad (the rapid decline of a formerly e