Episodes
**Incoming* The latest Raptors Queens pod has dropped. After RJ Barrett's triple double performance and his 39-piece, we look at the nitty gritty of his transformation from "toxic asset" to offensive centerpiece, how he has developed, how the eventual return of Scottie and IQ will affect RJ and his ceiling. And a simmering debate breaks out between Sarah and Alison about Jakob Poeltl's role in the Raptors eventual ascendance. The only agreement is that time will tell. As always, our Kin...
Published 11/21/24
Published 11/21/24
Never in a million years did we imagine the team would start 2-6 and we'd be talking about this team in positive terms, but this young Raptors team is a fresh, energized group playing competitive developmental basketball that is FUN to watch! Let us introduce you to our new players: Jamal Shead, Jonathon Mogbo Davion Mitchell and Ja'Kobe Walter! A look at trends and early returns. Our feature segment--King of the North and Joker of the Week where we roast or toast our players, plus a fe...
Published 11/06/24
THE ANNUAL PAUL JONES EPISODE! We're joined by legendary Raptors play-by-play broadcaster Paul Jones. Paul has been with the team from its inception and knows a thing or two about franchise history. Who better than Paul than to provide some perspective on the way forward?  On the ferris wheel of the NBA, where are the Raptors now? Lowlights of the season. Highlights of the season. Sports fandom is a weird thing!
Published 04/07/24
****Special Guest Tre Heath @Pullup_Tre**** Join us for our post deadline episode and our wide ranging discussion about who's in, who's out and what the rest of the year will look like. Why isn't Chris Boucher getting playing time? Why is RJ thriving with the Raptors where he struggled with the Knicks? Will Darko be the Raptors Coach next year? How will the new CBA impact the league and the Raptors moves going forward?  Are the Raptors even worth watching anymore?  (ABSOLUTELY YES AND WE...
Published 02/11/24
**Special Guest Zulfi Sheikh @zulfi_sheikh** After 2 years of rumours, Pascal Siakam was traded to the Indiana Pacers. Emotions are high: sadness, betrayal, anticipation, relief...all post-break-up emotions are valid and possible in the biggest Raptors break-up since Demar Derozan. How did it all go wrong? Did the Raptors receive fair returns for an All-NBA player? How are the Raptors positioned? We look at the highlights of Masai's presser...lots of tea leaves to read.  A discussion of our...
Published 01/23/24
****Special Guest Jamar Hinds****  When all appeared most gloomy, a NY (New Years) miracle happened...a trade. Now the Raptors have a winning streak along with fresh optimism and dare we say it - a balanced roster??  We analyze initial impressions of the trade, impact on the floor and which players will benefit...how we see this roster come together and who might be on the outside looking in. Our feature segment King of the North/Joker where Jamar tells a great story about a fan who will go...
Published 01/04/24
The quarter mark the seasons, and the Raptors are decidedly mediocre. The Front Office is evaluating but what questions are they asking? What questions should they be asking? And what answers are they finding? The Raptors Queens discuss what is ailing the team, the lack of identity, primary issues and where the organization goes from here. Some frustration, some hope, and some musings. This is a sport we love and a team we love and we ride or die with our guys!
Published 12/11/23
We back!  In our 5th year of covering the Toronto Raptors! We've got analysis. We've got fun AND we've got love for the game. First up, our observations as credentialed media for a Raptors home game, behind the scenes. Then a detailed breakdown of early season trends and issues, some worrisome and some positive. Our King of the North and Joker of the Week, where in an unlikely turn of events, the Raptors medical staff gets called out. And the latest from the James Harden saga - how far away...
Published 11/02/23
Parting is such sweet sorrow. Nick Nurse fired - where did it all go wrong? How to fix it? We discuss roster construction, chemistry, short leashes and long goodbyes. And what's to be gleaned from Masai's post season comments? We've got that too,  along with a look back at Nick's best moments and we give tribute to a bold creative coach.  Thanks to our listeners for all your support and thanks to @jamarbh @Imman_Adan @AdonMoss for joining us as VERY special guests. A special thanks to...
Published 04/27/23
It's here! End of the season awards for the Raptors and the NBA as handed out by the Raptor Queens. Hard to believe 82 games have been played but now we're focused on the play-in. The 3 keys to a Raptors W and we expect our analysis will age well. Feeling melancholy about what could have been for our team this year? Well, do we have some snarky perspective from around the league for you! And the gambling problem...it's big and it's getting bigger and we don't like it. Join us--Canada's first...
Published 04/12/23
Play-in with our special guest Adon Moss aka "37-year-old Kyle Lowry" from Raptors Republic! We examine potential play-in matchups - which teams are more favorable/less favorable for the Raptors to get into the play-offs? Are season series records with IND, CHI, BKN ATL viable indicators of post-season success? What is the ONE thing the Raptors must do to improve their D.  And of course of feature segment--King of the North/Joker of the week. Then a look at the down and dirty of technical...
Published 03/28/23
Incoming! New episode with special guest Imman Adan from Yahoo Sports/Dishes and Dimes. We look at the recent 5 game road trip and what went wrong....some fixable, some roster driven and some intangible. Fair criticism with a dash of hope for the future. If you're in a funk over the Raptors season, this segment will lighten the burden of a losing record. Our feature segment, King of the North/Jester...odds of 3 different people making the same choice? And a fun look at under and overrated...
Published 03/14/23
New episode alert: with special guest Jamar Hinds. 20 games left and we've got analysis on the Raptors D and O since the trade deadline.  We diverge into analysis of other favorite teams around the league and revisit our preseason predictions: what we got right, wrong and which predictions we are waiting to play out! Some Philly slander - can't help it - and our King of the North segment. Then reflections on the hot mess in Atlanta--who's to blame? We had so much fun with this episode that we...
Published 02/28/23
Incoming Post Trade Deadline Special. We assess the impact of Jakob Poeltl on  the Raptors offence, what he brings and how the schemes might change. How does this trade stack up against the expectations of the fanbase? Is there a grand plan? Did the trades of KD and Kyrie diminish opportunities available for the Raptors to make further moves? We have thoughts. A deep dive into the highlights of Masai's post deadline presser. He may speak like a diplomat but the future is clear as Masai lays...
Published 02/15/23
The Raptor Queens latest episode, unscripted as we weigh in on the topic everyone's talking about - The Raptors...Slump. We look at the reasons and yes, we had a lot to choose from, but our answers may surprise you. Trade talk is heating up - Do Bobby and Masai jump on roster moves? History may be the teacher here. Of course, our King of the North segment; disclaimer: Our Court Jester segment veers into the human hierarchy of needs and hygiene products. And finally, who among is doesn't like...
Published 12/17/22
Raptor Queens coming your way to kick-off a slower Raptors schedule for the next 2 weeks. Think the Raptors have been bitten bad by the injury bug? Some surprising context...as bad as you imagined or better than you thought? What happens with OG when Pascal returns? Does his usage return to "normal" or will OG be a featured option in the offence? King of The North and Court Jester of the Week--nobody is wrong here. Around the league, who is likely to be worse than their record would indicate?...
Published 11/21/22
Raptors Queens incoming with early-seasons trends and analysis. Some positive surprises, and some glaring weaknesses. Who is the Raptors most-impactful player to start the season? There are at least 2 right answers. How has the Raptors offence changed from last season? How is Scottie's role shifting? Also, the first in a periodic series of player tributes - a heartfelt shout-out to Canada's own Chris Boucher. Finally, some props to Milwaukee showing the league how it's done, and well...then...
Published 11/07/22
Holla! Celebrating our 4th season of Toronto Raptors coverage, ad-free. No lawn care or mattress sales, just good vibe coverage of your favorite team.  We kick off the season with an in-depth look at the Raptors first week in action, with a special focus on the young guys - Scottie, Dalano, Precious, Malachi, and rookie Christian Koloko. What do we like and what on earth does Malachi gotta do to get minutes? Return of our regular King of the North and Court Jester segments. Then we cast our...
Published 10/23/22
What a week!  From 3-0 to 3-2 and a fighting chance. We look at games 3-5, the broad strokes and the standouts, who is winning the battle of the coaches, and of course give kudos to the freshly minted ROTY. Yes, we are all up in our feels. Raptors fans may need therapy, but what about the Philly fans booing their own team and leaving before the end of a playoff game? We got thoughts. And no self-respecting podcast would be complete without acknowledging Boston's sweep of the Nets so we...
Published 04/27/22
It's here! The Annual Paul Jones Episode just in time for the playoffs. Paul has been there with broadcast calls and analysis since the Raptors inaugural season and believe us, he's seen it all. Wanna know how the Raptors stand in their first round matchup with the Sixers? We look at both sides of the ball, where the advantage lies on O and on D. Who's got the edge behind the bench?  Big picture--how much pressure is on Philly leadership? Need some slander and defamation? Then you'll love our...
Published 04/13/22
New episode today with very special guest, THE Samson Folk, beloved #RaptorsRepublic writer and podcaster. A run down of the Raptors record over the past two weeks then we hit the ROTY conversation hard. Samson brings his meticulous attention to detail, brilliant analysis of what makes Scottie Barnes great. One of the Raptor Queens throws in a provocative comparison. But WILL Scottie be ROTY? Then a dive into Precious Achiuwa. What is his ceiling? One of the Queens is taking the cautious...
Published 03/24/22
All Star Week! Our Raptors aren't back in action until Friday night but there's still a lot of ball to talk. A look at where we stand 57 games in, the expectations and the reality. A retrospective with some of our preseason predictions and some of those takes were bang on.  Then we examine the shifting Eastern Conference dynamics and premature playoff predictions following the trade deadline. Who won? Who lost? Who stood pat? Will the elusive "Team Chemistry" give one team an edge. Listener...
Published 02/22/22
Need an excellent pairing with your morning coffee? Check out the @RaptorQueens for analysis of the 6-game win streak, emerging trends in the half-court, on D, and in the clutch, and standout individual performances. What a streak it has been! The team is coalescing in front of our eyes and we have your coverage along with some pre-trade deadline rumours swirling around both the Raptors and the NBA at large. Our feature segment--King of the North/Court Jester--always fun. Finally we end with...
Published 02/08/22
Holla! Raptor Queens have your week of coverage and what a week it was! 6-0 winning streak comes to a halt with a loss against the Suns but we have your coverage of the games vs Jazz, Bucks and Pels too. Let us tell you, there was lots to talk about, not the least of which is your #NBAAllStar #FredVanVleet. Could he even be in the **gasp** MVP conversation? Should he? Our fun King of the North/Court Jester segment where the obvious isn't always obvious. Then a look at the current trade talk....
Published 01/12/22