The Toronto Raptors aren't going to be any great shakes this year, but they'll surely be better than the depressing Chicago Bulls, right? In Episode 1720, Sean Woodley is joined by basketball internet writing legend Kelly Dwyer to talk about the Raptors' place among the East's bottom feeders, why this season has a chance to be pretty joyful, being better the Bulls, Vince Carter getting his number retired by the Raptors and Nets and Scottie Barnes before playing a round of the revamped 'I Remember That Game!' Off the top, they get into why the Raptors are gonna be both better and less sad than a Bulls team that has no shot, before getting into the Raptors building towards something interesting as Scottie Barnes matures. Next, we get the outside opinion on the Raptors retiring Vince Carter's jersey, and the Nets doing it as well, before some more Scottie talk as he looks to become the next Raptors superstar. Lastly, Sean tests Kelly's knowledge of the mid-2000s Raptors and Bulls with a round of the newly revamped 'I Remember That Game!'.

Join us over on the Locked On Raptors Discord server! https://discord.gg/x9uGJ2Hy

Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.

FanDuel
You can start the season with a big return on FanDuel. Place your first FIVE DOLLAR bet and you’ll get started with TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS - guaranteed ! Visit FANDUEL.COM to get started.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Show Theme Music: Keep Fallin' / The Passion HiFi on SoundCloud

The Toronto Raptors are making defensive improvement a focus of this season, but do they have the ingredients on hand to put together a good NBA defense? In Episode 1719, Sean Woodley goes solo to take a look at the defensive building blocks the Raptors have on hand, the schemes they can run to optimize their strength and mitigate their weaknesses, and the role internal developement and ratcheted up effort will play in the Raptors' attempt to build a passable defense this season. Off the top, Sean dives into why Jakob Poeltl gives the Raptors a strong baseline for a competent defense, and how guys like Scottie Barnes and Davion Mitchell bring some much neede defensive talent to the table. Next, Sean digs into the statisical profiles of last year's Top-10 defensive teams to try and identify what makes a great defense. Apart from talent and size, having "A Thing" to hang your hat on seems to be a solid way to make your defensive metrics pop. Lastly, Sean takes a look at the role internal development for guys like Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley will play in the Raptors attempt to improve upon last year's 27th-ranked defense, and why buy-in and effort -- something Darko Rajakovic already has some history of getting out of his team -- are huge parts of the equation as well.

Join us over on the Locked On Raptors Discord server! https://discord.gg/x9uGJ2Hy

Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.

FanDuel
You can start the season with a big return on FanDuel. Place your first FIVE DOLLAR bet and you’ll get started with TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS - guaranteed ! Visit FANDUEL.COM to get started.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Show Theme Music: Keep Fallin' / The Passion HiFi on SoundCloud

The Toronto Raptors probably aren't going to be a very good team in 2024-25, but they absolutely have the capacity to be a Fun Bad team. In Episode 1718, Sean Woodley and Katie Heindl (Basketball Feelings) link up to talk about the almost unprecedented circumstances Toronto Raptors fans finding themselves facing this season, as they team for the first time since arguably the late-90s comes into the year expected to be bad, but with plenty of hope for what lies ahead in the years to come. Sean and Katie chat about the freedom of lowered expectations, and the joy of feeling like you're in on the ground floor with a group of guys who should mostly be around the team for the long haul. Next, they discuss what they thing makes a team either Fun Bad or Sad Bad, and try to figure out where this year's Raptors slot in on that continuum. The threat of a nasty late season tank is there, but for the most part, this has the makings of the fun kind of losing team. Lastly, Sean and Katie talk about some of the things they're hoping to derive joy from this season, including the newly announced purple throwback jerseys, nostalgia, youthful exuberance and more!

Join us over on the Locked On Raptors Discord server! https://discord.gg/e6xSvW8m

Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.

FanDuel
You can start the season with a big return on FanDuel. Place your first FIVE DOLLAR bet and you’ll get started with TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS - guaranteed ! Visit FANDUEL.COM to get started.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Show Theme Music: Keep Fallin' / The Passion HiFi on SoundCloud

Is Immanuel Quickley, Gradey Dick or Scottie Barnes the most interest Toronto Raptors player to watch in the NBA preseason? Or is it someone less established? In Episode 1717, Sean Woodley is joined by Vivek Jacob (Raptors in 7, Sportsnet) to draft the most interesting Raptors guys to keep tabs on once the exhibition schedule gets rolling on Sunday in Montreal against the Wednesday. Will Immanuel Quickley or Scottie Barnes be the first guy off the board in the exercise, with so much riding on their growth? Will any of the rookies find themselves on one of Sean or Vivek's Interestingness Big Board? How do players like Gradey Dick, RJ Barrett, Davion Mitchell or Jakob Poeltl factor into the mix, if at all? And why did Vivek come out of media day with soccer tactics on the mind?

Join us over on the Locked On Raptors Discord server! https://discord.gg/e6xSvW8m

Check out Vivek's Raptors in 7 Newsletter: https://raptorsinseven.substack.com/

Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.

FanDuel
You can start the season with a big return on FanDuel. Place your first FIVE DOLLAR bet and you’ll get started with TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS - guaranteed ! Visit FANDUEL.COM to get started.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Show Theme Music: Keep Fallin' / The Passion HiFi on SoundCloud

The Toronto Raptors seem to have no illusions of grandure about their outlook for the 2024-25 season, but everyone seems to be on the same page regarding building towards a better outlook down the line. In Episode 1716, Sean Woodley goes solo to react to Toronto Raptors Media Day and share his biggest takeaways from the day full of press conferences at Scotiabank Arena. Off the top, Sean digs into why it seems like everyone from the top down seems to be on the same page about this season being less about wins and losses, and more about laying the foundation for the next era of Toronto Raptors basketball. What's most encouraging, is that everyone seems to be excited about it. Next, Sean digs into defense, which was the talk of the day from basketball perspective, and why it seems like Darko Rajakovic is going to treat defense similarly to how he did offense last year. But will the talent level be there to help sound process translate into good results? Lastly, Sean digs into some rapid fire takeaways on the Raptors being big believers in Immanuel Quickley, no full jersey redesign or rebrand in sight (boooo) and Masai Ujiri's touching tribute to Dikembe Mutumbo, who passed away today at the age of 58 after a battle with brain cancer.

Today is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Please consider a donation to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society at the following link. Every Child Matters: https://www.irsss.ca/donate

Join us over on the Locked On Raptors Discord server! https://discord.gg/e6xSvW8m

Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.

FanDuel
You can start the season with a big return on FanDuel. Place your first FIVE DOLLAR bet and you’ll get started with TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS - guaranteed ! Visit FANDUEL.COM to get started.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Show Theme Music: Keep Fallin' / The Passion HiFi on SoundCloud

The Toronto Raptors will open up training camp next week, with media day being hosted on Monday; what are the key burning questions for the team going into the year? In Episode 1715, Sean Woodley goes solo to lay out the three questions he's most interested in finding some answers for as the Raptors front office, coaches and players face the media to kick off the 2024-25 NBA season. Will we get a look at what the team's intentions are for this season, and whether they're trying to be competitive or setting up for a year of angling for lottery position? Are we any closer to know what Darko Rajakovic wants his team to do on defense? Sean has some ideas. And lastly, what are the Raptors cooking up with Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley? We should hopefully get closer to finding out on Monday!

Join the Locked On Raptors Discord. It's fun: https://discord.gg/e6xSvW8m

For your next listen, check out the Locked On NBA podcast, where the season never ends providing national expertise with a local perspective. Click HERE to listen now. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your Team. Every Day.

Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.

PrizePicks
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FanDuel
You can start the season with a big return on FanDuel. Place your first FIVE DOLLAR bet and you’ll get started with TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS - guaranteed !Visit FANDUEL.COM to get started.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Show Theme Music: Keep Fallin' / The Passion HiFi on SoundCloud

Are the Toronto Raptors more likely to be worse than the Detroit Pistons this season, or better than the Miami Heat? In Episode 1714, Sean Woodley and Jamar Hinds (Raptors Republic) play a round of What's More Likely? Off the top, they dig into whether there's a better chance of the Detroit Pistons overachieving and finishing in front of the Raptors in the Eastern Conference standings than there is of the Miami Heat having a backslide and finishing behind Toronto. Next, they talk about the two guys who will likely see the most opportunity with Bruce Brown out of the lineup, and discuss whether Ja'Kobe Walter or Ochai Agbaji is more likely to earn a season-long rotation gig while the Raptors' top trade candidate is on the sidelines. Lastly, Sean and Jamar discuss whether it's more likely we see the Raptors execute a full firesale and trade away three or more veterans before the trade deadline, or to see them trade future assets to add to the roster now. Moses Moody Hive stand up!

Join us over on the Locked On Raptors Discord server! https://discord.gg/e6xSvW8m

Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.

PrizePicks
Download the PrizePicks app today and use code LOCKEDONNBA and get $50 instantly when you play $5! You don't even need to win to receive the $50 bonus, it's guaranteed! Prizepicks. Run Your Game.
https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONNBA

FanDuel
You can start the season with a big return on FanDuel. Place your first FIVE DOLLAR bet and you’ll get started with TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS - guaranteed !Visit FANDUEL.COM to get started.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Show Theme Music: Keep Fallin' / The Passion HiFi on SoundCloud

If only one of Scottie Barnes or Immanuel Quickley can take a gigantic leap for the Toronto Raptors this season, who would you prefer be the one to take it? In Episode 1713, Sean Woodley is joined by Katie Heindl (Basketball Feelings) to play a round of Raptors-themed Would You Rather! Off the top, they get into whether the Raptors would be better served by having Scottie Barnes make the leap to All-NBA caliber with Immanuel Quickley staying at the same level he was at last year, or by Quickley making a jump to being an All-Star while Barnes merely maintains last season's All-Star form. Next, after some tough news regarding Kawhi Leonard, Sean and Katie discuss whether it's better to have been a Raptors fan over the last five seasons, or a Clippers fan? Lastly, would it be better for the Raptors to have a Top-10 offense and a Bottom-5 defense or a Top-15 defense and Bottom-10 offense this coming year?

Join us on the Locked On Raptors Discord server! https://discord.gg/N3RwbTAs

Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.

PrizePicks
Download the PrizePicks app today and use code LOCKEDONNBA and get $50 instantly when you play $5! You don't even need to win to receive the $50 bonus, it's guaranteed! Prizepicks. Run Your Game.

FanDuel
You can start the season with a big return on FanDuel. Place your first FIVE DOLLAR bet and you’ll get started with TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS - guaranteed !Visit FANDUEL.COM to get started.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Show Theme Music: Keep Fallin' / The Passion HiFi on SoundCloud