JD and Donnovan deconstruct Episodes 3 and 4 of The Last Dance, breaking down the narrative focussing on Dennis Rodman and Phil Jackson. JD also rattles off some rapid-fire questions and takeaways, spurring a spirited discussion comparing player animosity today to that of the ’90s. Plus, how the doc is inspiring current players to get back on the court sooner than later. Then Donnovan speaks with the documentary’s director, Jason Hehir, about the process of working with Michael Jordan,...

Warning: This episode includes some kinda, sorta spoilers. If you’re in Canada, you probably haven’t seen any of The Last Dance yet, but basketball fans in the U.S. have, and so have Donnovan and Faizal Khamisa. They’ve got you covered with a discussion of the first two episodes. They also spend some time on the Michael Jordan Bulls. How GM Jerry Krause played a role in breaking up the dynasty, Chicago was transformed into a city synonymous with hoops, and more. This...

Donnovan steers the ship solo, kicking things off by breaking down the Chinese Basketball Association’s attempts to get back on the court. He details its timeline of events, and what lessons the NBA can take while it looks to get its own season back on track. He then sits down with Raptors alumni Jerome “Junk Yard Dog” Williams and Charlie Villanueva to discuss financial literacy. They highlight their own experiences with money both as athletes and in life after...

Listen to Sports On Pause at https://sprtsnt.ca/3e7nTAZ or search and subscribe in your podcatcher. COVID-19 is impacting the world unlike anything we’ve seen in 100 years, and sports has not escaped its effects. The newest podcast from Sportsnet features hosts Richard Deitsch and Donnovan Bennett in conversation with athletes and executives, health professionals and journalists discussing how individuals and the industry are dealing with the pandemic.

On the day Vince Carter was scheduled to play his final game in Toronto, JD and Donnovan are joined by Bleacher Report’s Howard Beck, who breaks down Carter’s legacy in Toronto and the NBA as a whole. They also discuss how Howard’s life has been impacted on both a personal and professional level during these uncertain times. This episode is recorded and sound designed by Michael Mayers, and hosted JD Bunkis and Donnovan Bennett. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast...

Good news loyal Associates… after three weeks, JD and Donnovan are reunited. They explore how the traditional sports-entertainment landscape may experience a permanent shift, debate Donnovan’s Top-5 all-time NBA players and share their thoughts on re-watching the 2019 Raptors playoffs run. They also catch up with speaker, author, illustrator and WNBA and Canada Basketball player Kayla Alexander. She discusses her experience as an Olympian without a Games to attend and staying...

Donnovan is joined by Faizal Khamisa and Danielle Michaud. They discuss the world’s current reality, what they’ve been doing while physically distancing and their favourite basketball movies. This episode was recorded by Amil Delic, sound designed by Michael Mayers, and hosted and produced by Donnovan Bennett. Audio Credits: MTV Films, Paramount Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox and Warner Brothers. Looking for some great sports documentaries you can stream? Check out this...

Michael Grange joins Donnovan Bennett to discuss possibilities for the NBA’s return, what a world without sports means for society and what this pause means for the Raptors.  Plus, Ryan Ruocco of the YES Network, ESPN, DAZN and the R2C2 podcast chats with Donnovan about calling the last NBA game before the NBA shut down, shifting from play-by-play to reporting news during the broadcast, how the NBA led the charge in cancelling major events in North America and the intersection of...

JD and Donnovan assess the impact of losing Norman Powell to injury for the third time this season. The boys then discuss Nick Nurse’s affection for Patrick McCaw, wondering if he is the right guy to have soaked up Powell’s minutes. Finally, they analyze the pros and cons of Atlanta Hawks CEO Steve Koonin’s idea to push the NBA season back two months to avoid competing with the NFL for viewership.  We outro the podcast with a portion of Donnovan’s interviews with Toronto Raptors...

JD and Donnovan discuss the Raptors’ fortunes since the All-Star break, breaking down Pascal Siakam’s recent struggles and OG Anunoby regaining his early season form as the team’s X-Factor. They then debate whether Toronto should look to the buyout market for more three-point shooting ahead of a hoped-for playoffs showdown with the Milwaukee Bucks. All of that plus more. This episode is recorded and sound designed by Michael Mayers, and hosted by Donnovan Bennett and JD...

JD and Donnovan deconstruct Tuesday’s loss to Milwaukee and the brewing rivalry between the Eastern Conference contenders. They also break down Toronto’s key contributors this season and what their performances to date could mean for the team’s playoff fortunes. That and more, including a special feature by Maria St. Aubin on Kyle Lowry, whose jersey is being retired by Villanova. This episode is produced and sound designed by Michael Mayers, and hosted by Donnovan Bennett and...

JD and guest co-host Vivek Jacob discus the reformatted “Elam Ending” to the NBA All-Star Game. Did it breathe new life into the contest? And what else did they like (or not) about the weekend? They also forecast the second half of the Raptors’ season — reminding everyone that the schedule is anything but easy. This episode is produced and mixed by Amil Delic, edited by Michael Mayers, and hosted by JD Bunkis and Vivek Jacob. Free Association is also on YouTube. Watch the...

JD and Donnovan kick things off with a 100-foot view of the Raptors. They discuss the organizational makeup and culture, the long road going from a have-not to a have and how Kyle Lowry has been the team’s “perfect leader.” Then they get granular, talking about the win streak, how Terence Davis impacted the trade deadline, the buyout market and more. This episode is recorded by Michael Mayers, sound designed and produced by Shoaib Alli and hosted by Donnovan Bennett and JD...

JD and Donnovan discuss the news out of New York and the Knicks’ apparent pursuit of Masai Ujiri, why the current iteration of the team is the best it can be and what to expect ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline. That and much more. (This episode was recorded Tuesday, prior to the release of the New York Times’ “On Basketball” newsletter by Marc Stein addressing the Knicks’ pursuit of Ujiri.) This episode is produced and sound designed by Shoaib Alli and Michael Mayers, and...

JD and Donnovan discuss the news out of New York and the Knicks’ apparent pursuit of Masai Ujiri, why the current iteration of the team is the best it can be and what to expect ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline. That and much more. (This episode was recorded Tuesday, prior to the release of the New York Times’ “On Basketball” newsletter by Marc Stein addressing the Knicks’ pursuit of Ujiri.) This episode is produced and sound designed by Shoaib Alli and Michael Mayers, and...

A day after the basketball world was shaken to its core, JD and Donnovan discuss what Kobe meant to them, the chapters of his career, the generation he inspired, his impact off the court and more. This episode is produced and sound designed by Amil Delic, and hosted by Donnovan Bennett and JD Bunkis. Audio Credits: ABC, ESPN, KCAL 9, Fox Sports, NBC Sports, NIKE, PRISM, Spectrum, Sportsnet, Sportsnet 590 The FAN and Turner Sports. Free Association is also on...

Is this the norm for Norm? Donnovan and JD dial down on the new level Powell has reached and highlight other top Raptors storylines from the first half of the season. They also run down their All-Star picks and discuss the importance of finishing No. 2 in the East. This episode is produced and sound designed by Amil Delic, and hosted by Donnovan Bennett and JD Bunkis.    Audio Credits: NBA TV, Sportsnet 590 The FAN and YES Network. Free Association is also on...

Vivek Jacob of Raptors Republic subs in for Donnovan this episode. He and JD discuss how Fred VanVleet should be used when he returns and whether he’ll be back in Toronto next season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s rise to stardom and what it means for Canada this summer, and how Norm Powell has changed the conversation about his game. This episode is produced and sound designed by Amil Delic, and hosted by JD Bunkis and Vivek Jacob.  Free Association is also on YouTube. Check it out...

Donnovan and JD discuss what the absence of Pascal Siakam means most to the Raptors, the off-season market at the centre position and why Toronto should re-sign Serge Ibaka. Plus, some 2020 Raptors resolutions (JD is looking at you, Nick Nurse) and how they’ll remember former NBA Commissioner David Stern.   This episode is produced and sound designed by Amil Delic, and hosted by Donnovan Bennett and JD Bunkis. You can also watch Free Association on YouTube. Check it out...

Donnovan and JD are joined by Raptors 2019 second-rounder Dewan Hernandez to talk about his relationship with Kyle Lowry, patterning his game after Pascal Siakam, adjusting to winter weather and picking up Canadian slang. Donnovan then chats with the host and senior producer of 30 for 30 Podcasts, Jody Avirgan. They discuss the latest season, the surprising story of Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi’s pro ball experience in Russia, getting access to Dwyane Wade and LeBron James for their...

Donnovan and JD share their most memorable moment from the past 10 years in basketball, debate their Raptors all-decade team and discuss what is most important in maintaining a positive perception when a superstar leaves your franchise after winning a title. This episode is produced and edited by Amil Delic, and hosted by Donnovan Bennett and JD Bunkis. Audio Credits: Breakfast Television and NBC Sports California. Free Association is also on YouTube. Anthony Caminiti...

Donnovan and JD discuss Kawhi’s return to Toronto, his ring ceremony and a couple of other side presentations for Lou Williams and Mfiondu Kabengele (but not Patrick Patterson). This episode is produced and sound designed by Amil Delic, and hosted by Donnovan Bennett and JD Bunkis.  Audio Credits: ESPN and Sportsnet.  Free Association is also on YouTube. This episode is produced by Drew Livingstone. Check it out here. The views and opinions expressed in this...

Kawhi Leonard returns to Toronto Wednesday with the Clippers. Donnovan and JD debate the reception he’ll receive, whether he made the right basketball decision and their favourite Kawhi moments with the Raptors. They also discuss the Knicks’ apparent wooing of Masai Ujiri and an impressive run of games by Norman Powell. This episode is produced and sound designed by Amil Delic, and hosted by Donnovan Bennett and JD Bunkis. Free Association is also on YouTube. This week, our...

Where would Pascal Siakam be picked in a 2016 NBA Draft do-over? Is he the best bet a team has made since Giannis Antetokounmpo? And where does he rank overall in the NBA? Donnovan and JD talk Spicy P (4:00), Fred VanVleet as one of the top undrafted free agents ever (15:00) and what the rotation will look like in the long run with Kyle Lowry back (27:30). They also discuss whether DeMar DeRozan would be a good fit on the current squad (37:20) and Donnovan breaks some Canada Basketball...

JD and Donnovan discuss the Raptor-76ers game, how it was bigger for Toronto than the Lakers win and Pascal Siakam’s growth this season. Then they hypothesize on what would have happened if “The Shot” hadn’t gone down last spring and weigh in on the proposed schedule and playoff format changes. This episode is produced and sound engineered by Amil Delic, and hosted by Donnovan and JD Bunkis. You can also watch the show on YouTube. This week, our video producer is Bill...