Raptors Podtable Podcast

Opening week of the 2021-22 NBA season is in the books and the Toronto Raptors are out to a 1-2 start as things officially get underway.

NBA.com's Gil McGregor and Kyle Irving are back at it to discuss key takeaways from the Raptors' 2021 preseason.

The duo talks about the first look at OG Anunoby's incoming breakout season, how Precious Achiuwa proved to be the key piece of the Kyle Lowry sign-and-trade and our first impressions of Scottie Barnes as a starter, among other trending topics.

They also highlight the Raptors' roster moves on the horizon, making their predictions of which two players out of the group of Yuta Watanabe, Isaac Bonga, Ish Wainright and Sam Dekker make the final cut.

NBA.com's Gil McGregor is back with a recap of the week that was for the Toronto Raptors, who are three games into a five-game preseason schedule.

From preseason impressions made by Precious Achiuwa, OG Anunoby, Dalano Banton, Scottie Barnes and Justin Champagnie to injury updates surrounding Khem Birch, Chris Boucher, Pascal Siakam and Yuta Watanabe, catch up on what you might have missed from Toronto's first week of preseason action.

NBA.com's Gil McGregor and Kyle Irving are back at it to digest the headliner quotes from 2021 Raptors Media Day and things to watch for as preseason approaches.

The tandem speaks on the team's winning expectations, Pascal Siakam's injury status and role as the "go-to guy," Fred VanVleet's leadership and All-Defensive Team aspirations and what a "huge" role will look like for rookie Scottie Barnes.

They also highlight Toronto's five preseason matchups and position battles to watch throughout the exhibition games.

On this edition of the Raptors Podtable Podcast, NBA.com's Carlan Gay and Scott Rafferty discuss all things OG Anunoby. The guys break down his growth last season and preview what this season could or should be like for him. 

All that and more on this edition of the RPP. 

NBA.com's Gil McGregor, Kyle Irving and Scott Rafferty are back running a three-man weave on the Podtable, gearing up for the Toronto Raptors 2021-22 season, which is fast approaching.

After an eventful offseason, the three each came with two different storylines that they're most excited about this upcoming season, from the growth of OG Anunoby to the young roster's ability to re-emerge as a contender in the Eastern Conference's Playoff picture.

Head to NBA.com for more Raptors and NBA coverage.

Ahead of Chris Bosh's induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, NBA.com's Gil McGregor and Kyle Irving reflect upon the 11-time All-Star's career with the Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat.

Bosh won titles with the Heat, but he made a name for himself with the Raptors, leading the team to two playoff appearances while bridging the gap between the Vince Carter and DeMar DeRozan eras. With all that Bosh accomplished in Toronto, will we one day see his No. 4 raised to the banners at Scotiabank Arena? 

Aside from the inevitable Kyle Lowry jersey retirement, who else deserves the honour? The two discuss that and much more.

NBA.com's Kyle Irving, Scott Rafferty and Gilbert McGregor run a three-man weave to discuss all of the pressing questions facing the Toronto Raptors ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. 

From Kyle Lowry's departure, to his fit with the Miami Heat, to the return of Goran Dragic and Precious Achiuwa via the sign-and-trade, the trio discusses what that deal means for both franchises. They also discuss how the Raptors fared elsewhere in free agency and what fans should expect from this team heading into the new season. 

Irving, Rafferty and McGregor each try and predict the Raptors starting lineup on Opening Night and what the lineup might look like once star forward Pascal Siakam recovers from offseason shoulder surgery, capped off by the Raptors' games they're most excited for on the 2021-22 NBA schedule. 

NBA.com's Gil McGregor welcomes Toronto native and Raptors assistant coach Nathaniel Mitchell to the pod.

From early impressions of the young Raptors at the 2021 MGM Resorts NBA Summer league to player development ideologies and philosophies, Mitchell provides plenty of insight from his vantage point as a coach that has been hands-on with player development.

Mitchell, who has also worked with Canada Basketball for the last several years, also discussed the state of basketball in the country and the exciting prospect for basketball in Canada for the years to come.

NBA.com's Gil McGregor and Kyle Irving are back to react to the 2021 NBA Draft, beginning with the Toronto Raptors' selection of Florida State forward Scottie Barnes.

From Barnes' versatility and potential in the league to his fit within Toronto's current roster and system, the two break down how he fits the bill of the prototypical Raptor and provides the team with flexibility ahead of the free agency period.

Additionally, the two speak on Toronto's two second-round picks, Dalano Banton and David Johnson, as well as the team's developing Summer League roster and Canadians to keep an eye on this offseason.

NBA.com's Gil McGregor, Kyle Irving and Scott Rafferty are back to run a three-man weave in preparation for the 2021 NBA Draft and the start of free agency.

As each major date looms, the Toronto Raptors find themselves entrenched in a number of rumours, from draft-related trades to potential trades involving some of the top talents in the NBA.

Will the Raptors move up or down from the No. 4 pick? Is Jalen Suggs the guy? Has Kyle Lowry played his last game in a Raptors uniform? Is Pascal Siakam really available in trade talks? Can Toronto make a play for an All-Star calibre talent that's on the move this offseason?

The three delve into that in more to gear up for the draft, which is set for Thursday, July 29 at 8:00 p.m. ET, while free agency begins on Monday, Aug. 2 at 6:00 p.m. ET.

NBA.com draft experts Kyle Irving and Eric Fawcett have their first discussion on the 2021 NBA Draft and the key names to know outside of the projected top five picks.

By now, you've likely heard all about prospects like Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, Jalen Green and Jalen Suggs. But what about other promising talents like Arkansas' Moses Moody, Texas' Kai Jones or International star Alperen Sengun?

The two take a deep dive into the thick of the lottery, covering players they believe should fall in the Nos. 6-through-14 range. Who is being over-hyped? Who isn't being talked about enough? Which prospects could sneak into the lottery come draft night?

NBA.com's Gil McGregor and Kyle Irving are here to discuss the Toronto Raptors' options with the No. 4 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.

Should the Raptors stand pat and make a selection or trade the pick? Who are the prospects they could target if they select at No. 4?

The duo dissects which players would fit best with this current Raptors roster at pick No. 4, highlighted by Jalen Suggs, Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga and an outside chance at Evan Mobley.

In case Toronto elects to move back in the lottery, they also break down potential players that could be available beyond their current pick.

NBA.com's Gil McGregor is back with a next-day reaction to the Toronto Raptors moving up in the NBA Draft Lottery to win the No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.

As the dust settles, even more questions arise. Who might they select? What will it mean for the short- and long-term future? Will it have an impact on Kyle Lowry? McGregor briefly discusses that and much more.

NBA.com's Gil McGregor and Kyle Irving are back to discuss the next order of business for the Toronto Raptors: The 2021 NBA Draft Lottery.

With a 31.9 percent chance to land a top-four pick, McGregor and Irving dissect the ideal scenario for the Raptors at each potential landing spot in the lottery.

The two break down what each NBA Draft prospect could bring to Toronto's current roster, from projected No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham to top-10 selections like March Madness superstar Davion Mitchell.

The tandem also reacts to the recent breaking news around the NBA, as well as Pascal Siakam's shoulder surgery and some moves around the Raptors' coaching staff.

Head to NBA.com for more coverage on the Raptors and, the 2021 NBA Playoffs and the upcoming NBA Draft.

After a brief hiatus, NBA.com's Gil McGregor and Scott Rafferty are back with the first offseason edition of the Raptors Podtable.

In what could be a transformative few months for the franchise, the two discuss the future of franchise cornerstone Kyle Lowry and team President Masai Ujiri while discussing how the upcoming NBA Draft Lottery plays a role in the decisions that are to come.

Head to NBA.com for more coverage on the Raptors and, the 2021 NBA Playoffs and the upcoming NBA Draft.

NBA.com's Gil McGregor is back with the second-to-last Next Day Rap of the 2020-21 NBA season. Friday night, the Toronto Raptors clawed from 19 down to suffer a 114-110 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

In his hometown, Jalen Harris set a new career-high with 31 points while his fellow rookie and backcourt mate Malachi Flynn added 26 points as Toronto was limited to a seven-man rotation. Go through some of the biggest takeaways from the game.

NBA.com's Gil McGregor is back with a next-day recap of the Toronto Raptors' loss to the Chicago Bulls on Thursday, May 13.

From the career-best performances of Stanley Johnson and Jalen Harris to the meaning of the Raptors having the No. 7 lottery odds in 2021, catch up on what you might have missed on Thursday before gearing up for the first of Toronto's final two games of the 2020-21 regular season.

NBA.com's Gil McGregor and Kyle Irving are back with a next-day recap following the Toronto Raptors' 19-point loss to the LA Clippers on Thursday night.

From the performance of a familiar face in Kawhi Leonard to the Raptors missing the postseason for the first time since 2013 and what the future holds – both immediate and distant – the two touch on a number of pressing topics.

NBA.com's Gil McGregor and Kyle Irving are back with a next-day recap of the Toronto Raptors' loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, placing them one loss – or one Indiana Pacers win – away from being eliminated from Play-In Tournament contention.

The tandem discusses the injuries to Pascal Siakam and Rodney Hood, Jalen Harris' career night and what Raptors fans can get excited about when watching the final four games of the season.

NBA.com's Gil McGregor is back with a next-day recap of the Toronto Raptors' two-point overtime loss to the Washington Wizards in a game with crucial bearing on the Play-In Tournament picture in the Eastern Conference.

From the injury report, to Pascal Siakam's 44 points and Fred VanVleet's clutch moment and the history-making performance of Russell Westbrook, go through the biggest stories from a wild game.

NBA.com's Gil McGregor and Kyle Irving are back with another Next Day Rap, but the two take a look at more than Toronto's 105-100 loss to the LA Clippers on Tuesday, May 4.

From Malachi Flynn earning the honour of Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month, to the big performances from Fred VanVleet and Kyle Lowry and the impressive performances from Khem Birch, the two touch on major points from the last week of action.

They also take stock of the Raptors shot at the Play-In Tournament with six games remaining.

Lenny Wilkens, the second-winningest head coach in NBA history, joins NBA.com's Gil McGregor in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Toronto Raptors' first-ever postseason series win.

From Wilkens' coaching beginnings to his appreciation for the city of Toronto and its fans, to some of the best memories of the Raptors' 2000-01 season, re-live one of the biggest moments in the early years of the franchise's history.

NBA.com's Gil McGregor and Kyle Irving are back with a next-day recap of the Toronto Raptors' seven-point victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, May 2.

Kyle Lowry (37 PTS, 11 AST) and Pascal Siakam (39 PTS, 13 REB) delivered early and often, combining to score 76 points as Toronto led by as many as 21 points on the night. From the performance of the duo to what the outcome means for the Play-In Tournament outlook for both the Raptors and Lakers, go through some of the biggest takeaways from Sunday night. 

NBA.com's Gil McGregor and Kyle Irving are back to recap another nail-biting loss for the Toronto Raptors, falling to the Utah Jazz on Saturday night.

In a game without Kyle Lowry, Gary Trent Jr. or Chris Boucher, the Raptors still brought plenty of energy and defensive toughness, but didn't have enough firepower to come away with a win over a Jazz team missing Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley Jr. The two discuss the scoring battle Fred VanVleet and Bojan Bogdanovic and the Raptors chances of making the postseason, which hinges on the result of Sunday's contest against the Los Angeles Lakers.

NBA.com's Gil McGregor and Scott Rafferty are back to recap the Toronto Raptors' 10-point loss to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night.

From the weird fourth quarter that was, to the continuous improvement of OG Anunoby, who extended a career-best streak of consecutive games with 20-plus points, the two go through the biggest takeaways from Thursday night as the road to the Play-In Tournament gets rockier for the Raps.

NBA.com's Gil McGregor and Kyle Irving are back with a next-day recap after the Toronto Raptors' 116-103 loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night.

From the struggles of Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet to the play of the Nets' supporting cast, Toronto's impending Western Conference road trip and Freddie Gillespie's new contract, the two explore some of the most pressing stories off of the game.

After the Toronto Raptors took care of business to earn a 16-point win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA.com's Gil McGregor is back with a brief recap of everything you need to know.

From Kyle Lowry's developing chemistry with Khem Birch to the Play-In picture in the Eastern Conference and the gruelling stretch that lies ahead of the Raptors, go through some of the biggest storylines of the last days.

NBA.com's Gil McGregor is back with a next-day recap of the Toronto Raptors' 17-point loss to the New York Knicks, owners of the league's longest win streak at nine in a row.

Go through some of the biggest storylines from a game that saw Toronto's big three of OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet combine for nearly 80 percent of the team's scoring offence.

NBA.com's Gil McGregor and Kyle Irving bring you a next-day recap of the Toronto Raptors' 114-103 win over the Brooklyn Nets as Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam shared the floor for the first time in the month of April.

From the Raptors' impressive win to the impact on the standings as it relates to the 2021 NBA Play-In Tournament, go through some big points off of an entertaining win for Toronto.

NBA.com's Gil McGregor and Kyle Irving are back with a next-day recap of the Toronto Raptors' third straight win, a six-point victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

After a night where three Montrealers took the spotlight as starters for their respective teams, the two take a closer look at the performance of Khem Birch, Chris Boucher and Luguentz Dort before delving into the new contract signed by Raptors reserve forward Yuta Watanabe.

NBA.com's Kyle Irving and Gil McGregor are back with a next-day recap of the Toronto Raptors' 113-102 win over the Orlando Magic, highlighting the breakout performance of 26-year-old forward Paul Watson Jr.

The tandem breaks down Watson's career-high 30-point performance and shines some light on the Raptors' role players that are stepping up in a big way when the opportunity presents itself.

Irving and McGregor also take a temperature check on the updated Eastern Conference playoff picture, how Raptors fans should feel if the team qualifies for the Play-In Tournament and what that would mean for their NBA Draft Lottery odds.

NBA.com's Kyle Irving and Gil McGregor are back with a next-day recap of the Toronto Raptors' 117-112 win over DeMar DeRozan and the San Antonio Spurs.

The duo covers the big takeaways from Wednesday night, including Toronto's jumbo starting lineup, the continuous evolution of OG Anunoby and, of course, an updated snapshot at the Eastern Conference standings.

NBA.com's Gil McGregor is back with a next-day recap of the Toronto Raptors' 108-103 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.

Despite a furious late-game rally engineered by rookie Malachi Flynn, Toronto was unable to get over the hump as it ran out of time. From Flynn's play to the big night from Pascal Siakam and the seamless fit of Khem Birch, go through some of the biggest takeaways from the night.

NBA.com's Gil McGregor is back with a next-day recap of the Toronto Raptors' six-point loss to the New York Knicks on Sunday.

From the return of Kyle Lowry to the debut of Khem Birch and the star potential of Canada's RJ Barrett, go through some of the key points from an exciting game between divisional foes.

NBA.com's Gil McGregor and Kyle Irving are back with a next-day recap of the Toronto Raptors' 135-115 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in which Gary Trent Jr. erupted for a career-best 44 points.

The two delve into the numbers behind Trent's performance and also took a look at the impressive play of Malachi Flynn, the debut of Freddie Gillespie and the imminent debut of Canadian Khem Birch.

Head to NBA.com for more NBA and Raptors coverage.

NBA.com's Gil McGregor and Kyle Irving discuss the playoff implications of the Toronto Raptors' crucial loss to the Chicago Bulls despite the best game of Montreal, QC product Chris Boucher's career.

Dropping a career-high 38 points and 19 rebounds, Boucher did something that has not been seen by a Raptor since Hall of Fame-nominee Chris Bosh back in 2010.

The duo also discusses Toronto's latest roster moves such as waiving former NBA champion Patrick McCaw and the reported signing of another Montreal, QC big man in Khem Birch.

On the 100th episode of the Raptors Podtable Podcast, NBA.com's Gil McGregor and Kyle Irving are back with three quick takeaways from the Toronto Raptors' nine-point loss to the Los Angeles Lakers Monday night.

From there, the two reflect back on a year's worth of Raptors Podtable episodes, commemorating the 100th episode with a look back to some of the biggest moments and what's to come moving forward for the pod and the Raptors, including their most recent signing.

NBA.com's Gil McGregor is back with a next-day recap of the Toronto Raptors' thrilling last-second victory over the Washington Wizards.

From Gary Trent Jr.'s buzzer-beating game-winner to the excellent play of rookie guard Malachi Flynn, unpack some of the biggest storylines from a candidate for the Raptors game of the year.

NBA.com's Gil McGregor is back with a next-day recap of the Toronto Raptors' 130-77 rout of the Golden State Warriors.

Head to NBA.com for more Raptors and NBA coverage.

At long last, NBA.com's Gil McGregor and Scott Rafferty are back with a next-day recap of the Toronto Raptors' 10-point loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

From Gary Trent Jr.'s career night to the Raptors' troubling rebounding issues and still-standing playoff chances, the duo touch on the biggest takeaways from Toronto's fourth-straight loss.

Head to NBA.com for more Raptors and NBA coverage.

NBA.com's Carlan Gay talks to the "Woj" of NBA Top Shot Luc Doucet of the First Mint Podcast.

The First Mint has become the de facto home for NBA Top Shot fans, and Doucet lends his expertise to the Raptors Podtable.

NBA.com's Gil McGregor and Kyle Irving are back discussing the Toronto Raptors' most recent loss at the hands of the Detroit Pistons, who sweep the season series over Toronto for the second time in three seasons.

The two discuss the issues that have become evident in the Raptors' recent performances, quotes from Nick Nurse following the game and what it all means moving forward as the team is still within striking distance of the East's playoff picture.

NBA.com's Gil McGregor has got you covered with a next-day recap of the Toronto Raptors' three-point loss at the hands of the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night.

From Norman Powell's first time playing against his former team to a lowly third-quarter showing from the Raptors and Pascal Siakam's recent stretch of impressive play, go through some of the biggest takeaways from Sunday and spin things forward to the team's meeting with the Detroit Pistons on Monday.

NBA.com's Gil McGregor is back with a recap of the Toronto Raptors' four-point loss to the Phoenix Suns Friday night.

From Gary Trent's debut to Phoenix's paint dominance to the defensive excellence of OG Anunoby, go back through some of the biggest points and takeaways from the Raptors' tight loss.

NBA.com's Gil McGregor and Kyle Irving react to a historically busy trade deadline that saw the Toronto Raptors involved in three separate deals.

The two take time out to appreciate Norman Powell's time with the Raptors and shift focus to what new additions Gary Trent Jr. and Rodney Hood can bring to the team. Also, they touch on what the team retaining Kyle Lowry means as a few other playoff contenders in the Eastern Conference made big moves at the deadline.

NBA.com's Gil McGregor is back with a next-day recap as the Toronto Raptors knocked down a franchise-record 24 triples in a night where history was made, records were broken and the nine-game losing streak came to an end with a dominant win over the Denver Nuggets.

From a recap of the game to what the future may hold for Kyle Lowry and Norman Powell, McGregor goes through some of the biggest stories ahead of Thursday's trade deadline.

NBA.com's Gil McGregor is back with a quick recap of the Toronto Raptors' ninth straight loss, which came at the hands of the Houston Rockets, who hadn't won in nearly two months.

From a lacklustre offensive performance to Fred VanVleet's minutes and trade chatter surrounding Kyle Lowry and Norman Powell, go through some of the biggest stories facing the Raptors as the trade deadline for the 2020-21 NBA season quickly approaches.