The L.A. Lakers are NBA champions. JD and Donnovan kick things off discussing whether a fourth title for LeBron James impacts the G.O.A.T. debate and his podium comments, offering their insights on some of his choice words he had. The they then look toward next season. Which teams project to challenge for the Larry OB? Where do the Raptors fit into that conversation? And did we just see our last NBA game without fans in attendance? This episode is produced and edited by Michael...

JD and Donnovan preview the NBA Finals, LeBron’s 10th appearance. They kick things off contextualizing LeBron’s legacy and why we may be taking King James for granted before discussing reasons to be impressed by the Miami Heat and how much this team mirrors the 2019 Raptors championship team. The boys finish things off with their Finals predictions — you’re definitely going to want to hear how the debate plays out. This episode is produced and edited by Michael Mayers and hosted...

JD and Donnovan spend start things off discussing why the conference finals have become harder to watch as a Raptors fan and what could have been had Kawhi stayed in Toronto. Then they break down what the future may hold for Masai Ujiri, including why it’s not out of the realm of possibility that he moves on from the Raptors organization or even basketball entirely. This episode is produced and edited by Michael Mayers and hosted by JD Bunkis and Donnovan Bennett. Our video and...

With the Raptors’ season over, JD and Donnovan wrap the campaign and answer some burning questions. First, the elephant in the room: Pascal Siakam’s sub-par playoff run. Will he ever be a No. 1 option on a championship team, and will his struggles actually help him develop into a better player? Then they discuss the salary cap and how Toronto can use its money wisely to retain Fred VanVleet in what should be an interesting free-agency period. This podcast is produced and edited...

Donnovan and JD react to the Raptors’ double-overtime, Game 6 victory over the Celtics. They discuss Kyle Lowry’s heroism, “Playoff Powell” showing up, the two-way play of OG Anunoby and Nick Nurse going small. Then they look ahead to Game 7 and have a fun debate over what Lowry’s Scotiabank Arena statue will look like. This podcast is produced and edited by Michael Mayers and hosted by JD Bunkis and Donnovan Bennett. Our video and social media producer is Mike Tassone. Audio...

Donnovan and JD react to the Raptors’ Game 2 loss to the Celtics, discussing their emotions on the heels of a blistering fourth quarter from Marcus Smart, whose five consecutive three-pointers were reminiscent of Stephen Curry. They then talk about Pascal Siakam’s miscast role in crunch-time, disappearing acts by Norman Powell and Marc Gasol, and how much of a factor Kyle Lowry’s bad ankle truly is. Finally… some positives, namely OG Anunoby’s stellar play and some much-deserved love...

Donnovan is joined by Yasmin Duale of Dishes & Dimes and Raptors in-arena voice Mark “Strizzzy” Strong to discuss the boycotts across sports in support of Black Lives Matter, living as a Black person in 2020 and what they’d like to see from leagues and people to help usher in real societal change. For more from Yasmin, you can also check out her blog, The Neon Playbook. And you can listen to Strizzzy weekday mornings on G98.7 FM. Free Association is produced and sound...

The Raptors are through to Round 2 with their first-ever series sweep after dropping 150 points on the Nets in Game 4. Next up: the Celtics, who are coming off a convincing sweep of the 76ers themselves. Donnovan and JD preview the series. What does a potential Kyle Lowry injury mean to Toronto’s fortunes? Should Serge Ibaka should start over Marc Gasol? Will the Raps floor a jumbo lineup featuring both big men? All of that and more. Plus, looking around the NBA, they also discuss who...

JD is joined by Vivek Jacob — in for the vacationing Donnovan — to react to the Raptors’ Game 1 victory over the Nets. They also discuss Pascal Siaikm’s future as a No. 1 option on offence and Fred VanVleet’s performance in a contract year before potentially jinxing everything by looking ahead to Round 2. This episode is produced and edited by Michael Mayers and hosted by JD Bunkis and Vivek Jacob. Audio Credits: YouTube.com/NBA The views and opinions expressed in this...

With meaningful seeding games in the Raptors’ rear-view mirror, JD and Donnovan grade Toronto’s performance in the bubble to date and discuss how turnover woes contrast with stalwart defensive chemistry. Then it’s question time: Which team in the East poses the biggest threat to the Raps? Not surprisingly, the guys disagree. Then — breaking news! The NBA will hand out awards for the seeding portion of the Orlando restart. Some strong takes ensue. This episode is produced and...

JD and Donnovan break down the Raptors’ stellar performance against the Lakers and grind-it-out win versus Heat, with praise for Kyle Lowry, OG Anunoby and Fred VanVleet. Then they discuss the team’s progressiveness, the professionalism of Chris Paul and why contending teams may end up wishing they had made the move to acquire Paul’s services. Lastly, JD gushes about winning the bet with Donnovan on the NBA’s return date. This episode is produced and edited by Michael Mayers,...

JD and Donnovan kick things off discussing the look, feel and sounds of NBA scrimmage broadcasts and how the Raptors have looked in their first two exhibition games, including fitness levels and some praise for the marked improvements made by X-factor OG Anunoby. Then they revisit the importance of the No. 2 seed in the East. The show ends with hot takes on chicken wings, including bringing Producer Michael in to help end the debate between drummies and flats. This episode is...

JD and Donnovan begin talking about candles. (Yes, you read that correctly.) thanks the gifts Drake left for the Raptors in the NBA bubble, and — to the surprise of no one — Donnovan reveals he has a candle guy. The boys then fan a different flame featuring some fun Raptors talk around a Nick Nurse box-and-one shirt and Norman Powell’s fishy fishing photo. After that, they get serious discussing why Toronto’s organizational culture is second to none and their opinions about the 2020...

JD and Donnovan open the pod asking: Would the 2019 Duke Blue Devils beat the bubble iteration of the Brooklyn Nets? Then they discuss early complaints from players in Orlando before detailing reports of players not taking the bubble seriously enough and why in Florida — the current hottest of hot spots in the U.S. — that rigor is paramount if the NBA is going to be able to crown a 2020 champion. Then, it’s Raptors time. Does Marc Gasol determine the team’s ceiling, and how does his...

The NBA has announced approved social-justice messaging on the back of jerseys and JD and Donnovan begin with a discussion of whether the idea truly captures the meaning of the protest movement. They also speak to limitations and debate where the various lines will be drawn concerning the approval of custom messaging. The protocols in place surrounding reporter quarantine in the bubble are stringent, would either JD or Donnovan participate? What’s the biggest non-Raptors story heading...

The NBA has finalized its return-to-play schedule and JD and Donnovan begin with a discussion of the long road travelled, praising the role LeBron James played in the process and his off-court impact. Then they debate whether the extended break helps or hurts the Raptors’ chances. Donnovan outlines why Toronto will benefit from the AAU-style tournament before he and JD discuss seeding and matchups, and the social-justice demonstrations they’d like to see when play resumes. The...

JD and Donnovan discuss the latest concerning the NBA’s return with thousands of new COVID-19 cases on the books in Florida. Players have to report by June 24, so should so many teams have been included or would jumping right into the playoffs have been better? They also debate which personnel should actually be in the bubble, and what the fallout will be if big-name players choose to sit out altogether. Then they shift gears, diving into the merits of two symbols of protest: Playing...

JD and Donnovan talk about the weekend’s developments in which Kyrie Irving and others voiced their concerns over the NBA returning during the current socio-political climate and how a healthy league can empower player voices for years to come. The also discuss the precedent that a return-to-play decision will set and debate the fate of teams that may have individual players who refuse to report. This episode is produced by Michael Mayers and hosted by Donnovan Bennett and JD...

It’s official… the NBA is back! JD and Donnovan offer up their opinions on the format to end the 2020 season and the level of play they expect to see in Orlando when games resume July 31. They also talk about the fountain of youth Marc Gasol seems to have fallen into, and why the Raptors may be best suited to benefit from the hiatus. Finally, they discuss how the games will sound and feel without fans in the stands and why they don’t like the proposed home-court advantage...

This episode, JD and Donnovan focus on something much more important than sports — social justice. They discuss marginalized communities being mistreated in the U.S. and Canada, and protests that have erupted in cities across North America in recent days. They then offer their perspectives on what it truly means to be an ally during a time screaming for change and what they believe society can do to make true equality a reality. This episode is produced and sound designed by...

JD and Donnovan kick things off discussing options on the table around the NBA’s return as reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charania. They play armchair commissioner, addressing how a single-site — say, Orlando/Disney World — would eliminate home-court advantage and offer some rather creative solutions. They close things out debating whether there will be an asterisk next to whichever team is crowned the 2020 NBA champion. This episode is recorded and sound designed by Michael...

The last episode of “The Last Dance” is out and Donnovan and JD are all over it. Where do Reggie Miller and Karl Malone stand in the pantheon of NBA greats? Could the Bulls could have won a seventh title in nine years had the roster been kept together? JD’s got a take on Dennis Rodman’s surprise WCW appearance the day after Chicago’s Game 3 blowout of Utah in the 1998 Finals and Donnovan drops the term “edutainmentary” on us. All of that plus much more. Audio Credits: ESPN, The Last...

JD and Donnovan kick things off discussing what they learned from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s weekend conference call and place a bet on the league’s return date as (some) teams slowly ease back into holding practices. Then they dive into Episodes 7 and 8 of The Last Dance, including Gary Payton guarding Michael Jordan, MJ’s sojourn into professional baseball and more. Audio Credits: ESPN, The Last Dance. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of...

JD and Donnovan unravel Episodes 5 and 6 of “The Last Dance,” dissecting the relationship between Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan, media coverage of Jordan’s gambling, his stance on social justice, his Nike deal and more. This episode is recorded and sound designed by Michael Mayers and hosted Donnovan Bennett and JD Bunkis.  Audio Credits: NBA, 1987 Draft; NBA, 1989 Playoffs; and ESPN, The Last Dance trailer. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those...