Wolstat

torontosun.comRaptors' Kawhi Leonard set to miss weeks due to knee swellingIt's ominous that an injury has already crept up just three games into NBA season for Toronto's returning superstar. Read more.

22h

Raptors got used to Leonard being in and out of lineup without continuity in championship year. Nick Nurse had everyone prepared and it never seemed like a big deal. Gave Siakam, VanVleet, Powell, Anunoby, in particular, the chance to expand roles. Walter/CMB now. torontosun.com/sports/baske...

Wol-stat of the day: Lakers C Walker Kessler has 15 dunks already in 2 games. All of the Raptors have 8 (CMB leads with 3)

torontosun.comHoops icons Steve Nash, Kyle Lowry headline NBA on Prime's Canadian expansionFriday nights in Canada will include exclusive NBA games on Amazon's Prime Video with new tech, lots of familiar faces. Read more.

Wrote on @nbaonprime expansion into Canada with insights on adding Kyle Lowry to the team from Steve Nash, Blake Griffin, Greivis Vasquez and more. Plus a bit on the tech and Raptors expectations: torontosun.com/sports/baske...

Wol-stat of the day: The Bulls only hit 4 three-pointers against the Raptors on opening night. A Raptors opponent only connected on fewer threes once the entire time Kawhi Leonard was with the Los Angeles Clippers, the Knicks on New Year's Eve 2020.

Wol-stat of the day: Allen Graves had 4 offensive rebounds in his first NBA game. The only Raptors rookie to pull down more? Jonas Valanciunas had 6 in his debut 2012. "That's something that I know I can impact right away," Graves told us afterward.

torontosun.comRaptors rookie Allen Graves on first NBA game, rebounding and Drake'I was debating whether I wanted to reach my hand out, try to get a high five or not.'

Wrote on Allen Graves and his NBA debut: torontosun.com/sports/rapto...

torontosun.comKawhi Leonard on his rusty Raptors debut: 'You can't rush greatness'Coming off best offensive season of his career but a strange off-season, Leonard and Raptors know he's a work in progress. Read on.

Kawhi and the Raptors aren't worried about all the rust he showed on Day 1. Nor should they be. torontosun.com/sports/baske...

torontosun.comWhy the NBA will be a lot harder this year especially for RaptorsRaptors took advantage of bad teams a year ago, but anti-tank measures have evened playing field.

The danger of pre-writing something like this is the Bulls might go out and immediately disprove the theory! But it was one game.

Wolstat@wolstat.bsky.social

Wrote about the challenge the Raptors face this season after beating the hell out of the NBA's worst teams last year and stinking against the league's best. The best are still good, but the dogs will now be trying to win due to anti-tank rules: torontosun.com/sports/baske...

Four offensive rebounds in 11 minutes for Allen Graves so far. Barnes and CMB hold franchise record of 9 offensive boards in a game by a Raptors rookie.

I wonder how high Collin Murray-Boyles, Will Riley and Hugo Gonzalez would go in a redraft. It was a stacked draft, but CMB has a great case for 5, 6 at lowest, imo. Riley and Gonzalez would go lottery not in the 20s.

Wol-stat of the day returns for opening day. Raptors just scored 43 points in first quarter of the season. Last season's Raptors scored more in a quarter only 5 times all year!

Rookie Allen Graves gets his first two points off an offensive rebound and putback. Two offensive rebounds for Graves in 2 minutes.

torontosun.comWhy the NBA will be a lot harder this year especially for RaptorsRaptors took advantage of bad teams a year ago, but anti-tank measures have evened playing field.

Since my pal @ekoreen.bsky.social isn't here tonight. #Drakeornodrake answer is ... Drake

Welcome to the NBA moment for Caleb Wilson (who I think is going to be great). Tries to dribble around Kawhi Leonard --- yoink.

Not sure how much analysis can be done from this Raptors game. CMB had his moments. Poeltl didn't look encased in cement. Miami had some trouble with Barrett and Barnes. Giannis dishing to all those shooters is going to be pretty good (but Bam needs to chill).

First Raptors starting lineup of the year is: Immanuel Quickley Ja'Kobe Walter RJ Barrett Scottie Barnes Jakob Poeltl Heat Mr. 83 Freak Wiggz Splash Brother Off Night

Wolstat reposted

Josh Lewenberg

@jlewenberg.bsky.social

Scottie with the sweet reverse, HIGH off the glass

torontosun.comConfident, cool Darko Rajakovic brings the jokes to start Year 4 coaching the RaptorsToronto return of Kawhi Leonard not only reason head coach Darko Rajakovic seemed different when he kicked off 2026-27 media day. Read on.

Wrote about Darko Rajakovic seeming like a different man today ahead of Year 4 as Raptors head coach. Confident, funny, ready to compete. Only 12 current coaches hired before him! Wild. torontosun.com/sports/baske...

Oof

Law Murray 📘@lawmurraythenu.bsky.social

Trent Redden said that Brandon Ingram had a partially torn Achilles' tendon, along with heel surgery He will not be ready to begin the regular season.

Wolstat reposted

Josh Lewenberg

@jlewenberg.bsky.social

Jakob Poeltl: "I thought it was a really good summer. Focused on the back a lot. I've modified my strength and conditioning training quite a bit to try to get ahead of it and get my body in the best position for a long season."

Kawhi Leonard says hello. "Excited to be here." Says he's. not going to talk about the scandal. "Talking with the PA, I think the best decision is to move forward. I already was a distraction for the last 70 days. Moving forward just want to talk about the Toronto Raptors today."

View full thread

Kawhi was asked if he thinks back about leaving and what ifs: Said he made the decision for his family. Notes older family have since passed away and he got to go home to see them in that time. Also babies born. "It doesn't make me think about the basketball aspect too much."

RJ Barrett said he told Kawhi Leonard how he was "jumping up and down" as a Raptors fan when Leonard hit the shot against the Sixers. RJ was preparing for the NBA draft. How did Kawhi react: "He's cool about it. You know how he is."

I asked Kawhi about his health. He said he's feeling good, hoping to play 60+ games "and a lot more in the playoffs." Notes All-NBA 2 of last 3 seasons, excited to get going.

Kawhi is glad everyone likes his laugh. "Whatever brings joy to you guys. I'm not going to stop laughing just because people think it's funny."

Wolstat reposted

Josh Lewenberg

@jlewenberg.bsky.social

Leonard on his pairing with Barnes: "I think it's going to work great because we're coming in to play defence first... I think the offensive end is going to take care of itself... Scottie's a great passer."

Raptors media day has arrived. Believe it's Season 18 for me on the Raptors beat, give or take some part time draft stuff early and some years where I was only around a bit. Darko Rajakovic will speak first.

torontosun.comHow good can Barnes get, Barrett's future and more Raptors burning questionsPlus was Kawhi Leonard extension a gamble? How much better is he than Brandon Ingram? Ryan Wolstat has the details.

Recent Raptors stuff: torontosun.com/sports/baske... torontosun.com/sports/baske... torontosun.com/sports/baske... torontosun.com/sports/baske... torontosun.com/sports/baske...

torontosun.comCan Raptors stay healthy, who will break out and more burning questionsToronto will have far higher expectations with Kawhi Leonard back in the fold.

My first Raptors burning questions of the season: torontosun.com/sports/baske...

More Raptors burning questions from Woz ahead of Monday’s media day; torontosun.com/sports/baske...

torontosun.comWhat Raptors GM Bobby Webster said about bringing Kawhi Leonard back to TorontoToronto's GM spent much of his season-opening media conference speaking about return of two-time NBA Finals MVP's return. Read more.

Here's what Bobby Webster had to say about all things Kawhi Leonard. Tomorrow more on what else he said: torontosun.com/sports/baske...

torontosun.comHow RJ Barrett, Jakob Poeltl can fit into Raptors' future plansToronto GM Bobby Webster says centre Poeltl looks refreshed heading into training camp. Big man will be a big key this season. Read more.

And here's what Bobby Webster had to say about future Raptors moves, Jakob Poeltl's health and more: torontosun.com/sports/baske...

Made my TV list. Some tough calls to leave out.

torontosun.comWhy the Raptors won't extort Clippers to trade less for Kawhi LeonardSome have wondered if the Toronto Raptors can alter the terms of their trade agreement with the LA Clippers for Kawhi Leonard. Read more.

Webster said changing parameters of deal (like holding Clippers hostage) was never a thought. I wrote why that would be the case a few weeks ago. Bobby said the same. Just not how things are done. A deal is a deal if you want to make more.: torontosun.com/sports/baske...

My only take on Vladdy Guerrero's insane comments was Kobe Bryant got the contract he seems to be talking about. Kobe helped lead the Lakers to a bunch of titles and signed for a swan song not 15 years, partly of prime like Jays hoping with Vladdy.

Wolstat reposted

torontosun.comCan Raptors stay healthy, who will break out and more burning questionsToronto will have far higher expectations with Kawhi Leonard back in the fold.

My first Raptors burning questions of the season: torontosun.com/sports/baske...

Any Raptors burning questions ahead of training camp? Bobby Webster will give his state of the union tomorrow.

17 Sept

The vibes are quite different from 2018, when not even the Raptors knew if Kawhi would show up happy, healthy and motivated.

torontosun.com/sports/baske...

17 Sept

torontosun.comKawhi Leonard opens up about son pushing for Toronto return, deferring to Scottie Barnes and moreWith trade from LA Clippers finally completed, Leonard spoke about his son's influence plus his relationship with Scottie Barnes. Read more.

17 Sept

Jeremy Castleberry returns with Kawhi to Toronto as an assistant coach, as expected. He, Kyle Anderson and Alex McKechnie are all of course Kawhi whisperers, to some degree.

torontosun.comRaptors, Kawhi can finally move forward after Clippers accept penaltiesNow everyone can move on, with the Clippers recouping some desperately needed draft capital from the Raptors. Read on.

Wrote on Kawhi’s imminent Raptors return this morning: torontosun.com/sports/baske...

Kawhi Leonard MVP finishes: 2 3 5 7 (last season) 9 10 13 2 NBA Finals MVPs 2 DPOY 3 All-NBA 1 4 All-NBA 2 1 ASG MVP Few better when on the court.

torontosun.comWait is over: Kawhi Leonard returning to Toronto as blockbuster deal set to become officialTrade for draft picks, Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick finally completed, pending a trade call, after months of waiting. Read more.

And the newest Kawhi Raptors piece: torontosun.com/sports/baske...

Wrote on Kawhi’s imminent Raptors return this morning: torontosun.com/sports/baske...

torontosun.comWOLSTAT: Meet Kawhi Leonard, the NBA's quietest superstarKawhi Leonard needs no introduction to basketball die-hards, but to casual fans, he remains a bit of a mystery.

And eight years ago I wrote this Kawhi Leonard primer. Canadian basketball fans are a lot more familiar with Leonard than they were back then that's for sure, but still arguably a good read (I'm biased): torontosun.com/sports/baske...

13 Sept

Saw two legends at Taste of the Kingsway today, Shayne Corson and @torontomike.com

8 Sept

Eric has long been the best writer on the Raptors beat, but is an even better dude. Our time covering the Raptors has nearly completely coincided (I did some part-time stuff earlier but he was full-time before me). Thanks for a lot of classic moments over the years. Best in the new role EKor!

Eric Koreen@ekoreen.bsky.social

Ahem.

Wolstat reposted

torontosun.comWho, what, when and Kawhi? The big questions as Raptors season approachesMost of the important questions surround the return of superstar Leonard after Clippers scandal and how everything will work. Read more.

7 Sept

Raptors questions: torontosun.com/sports/baske...

7 Sept

Raptors questions: torontosun.com/sports/baske...