Reposted by Louis ZatzmanCraig McCormick @craigmccormick.bsky.social · 02/05/2026@louiszatzman.bsky.social 's unique voice celebrates Scottie Barnes and his gritty, overachieving, try-hard team. "And it was dancing for Barnes. He was skating around the court while the nine blurred background characters around him struggled in the muck..." raptorsrepublic.com/2026/05/02/n...raptorsrepublic.comBarnes manipulates and Barrett miraculizes as Raptors claw to Game 7 - Raptors RepublicA tale of two moments, one celebrated, one not, as the Raptors fell past the finish line. 131
Reposted by Louis ZatzmanBen Dowsett @bendowsett.bsky.social · 28/04/2026The playoff crew chief is the most important and prestigious role in NBA officiating, one only entrusted to a select few refs. And it could be headed toward a crisis. For @defector.com: defector.com/one-of-the-n...defector.comOne Of The NBA's Most Important Jobs May Be Headed Toward A Crisis | DefectorSteve Javie can’t recall much from the actual game itself, but he’ll always remember what happened later that night. It was Javie’s first NBA Finals game in 1995, always a huge deal for an up-and-comi... 3277
Reposted by Louis ZatzmanLouis Zatzman @louiszatzman.bsky.social · 24/04/2026This is the only thing you can experience that's weirder and more feverish than that basketball game:raptorsrepublic.com 082
Louis Zatzman @louiszatzman.bsky.social · 24/04/2026This is the only thing you can experience that's weirder and more feverish than that basketball game:raptorsrepublic.com 082
Louis Zatzman @louiszatzman.bsky.social · 13/04/2026The Raptors are back in the playoffs, which means I'm back pulling all-nighters to get you the earliest, largest, deepest playoff preview out there:raptorsrepublic.comRaptors vs Cavaliers: The deepest 2026 NBA playoff preview you’ve ever read - Raptors RepublicGoing deeeeeper than you can possibly imagine. 290
Louis Zatzman @louiszatzman.bsky.social · 27/03/2026The great @joewolfond.bsky.social is back with, in my mind, the definitive story of the Raptors' season:raptorsrepublic.comWolfond: How Rajakovic and Ingram’s compromise has defined Raptors’ season - Raptors RepublicOn the stylistic compromise between Ingram and Rajakovic that has defined Raptors' floor and ceiling. 032
Reposted by Louis ZatzmanZulfi Sheikh @zulfisheikh.bsky.social · 16/03/2026The Raptors 905 have fostered a "family vibe" in Mississauga for over 10 years. An effort that culminated in a historic new facility, continuing their legacy as a one-of-a-kind G League organization. My latest on the grand opening and what it meant. ⤵️ www.raptorsrepublic.com/2026/03/16/r...raptorsrepublic.comRaptors 905, Mississauga strengthen ‘family vibe’ with historic practice facility - Raptors RepublicThe Raptors 905 unveiled their first-ever practice facility in Mississauga, Ont., and it was a testament to their legacy as a one-of-a-kind organization. 032
Reposted by Louis ZatzmanZulfi Sheikh @zulfisheikh.bsky.social · 27/02/2026From NBA rotation player to G League mainstay, how did Jonathan Mogbo's circumstances change so quickly in Year 2? Dove into his sophomore season and how the Raptors have Tony Stark'd and Dr. Frankenstein'd the situation. For @raptorsrepublic.bsky.social ⤵️ www.raptorsrepublic.com/2026/02/27/w...raptorsrepublic.comWhat to make of Raptors’ Jonathan Mogbo in Year 2 - Raptors RepublicFrom NBA rotation player to G League mainstay, how did the sophomore's circumstances change so quickly? 052
Reposted by Louis ZatzmanDoc Naismith 🇨🇦 @docnaismith.bsky.social · 26/02/2026Last night’s Spurs game gets the chess-match treatment in this piece courtesy of @louiszatzman.bsky.social. Key takeaway? Jakob Poeltl’s importance was on full display. He moved better than he has in weeks, had vicious blocks, and stuck with Fox. When he’s healthy, the Raptors can hang with anyone. 171
Reposted by Louis ZatzmanEric Koreen @ekoreen.bsky.social · 24/02/2026Nurture or nature? It doesn't really matter. I profiled Jamal Shead, the second-year, second-round pick who immediately became a leader of an NBA team. (Gift link)nytimes.comHow Jamal Shead became the Raptors’ leader and life of the party (Gift Article)Whether he's barking instructions or cracking jokes, the second-year guard has become a leader of one of the NBA's most surprising teams. 0287
Louis Zatzman @louiszatzman.bsky.social · 05/02/2026woofraptorsrepublic.comBarnes and Raptors follow the script in textbook loss before trade deadline - Raptors RepublicThe Raptors came from ahead to lose a game in a manner that that looked pretty familiar. 050
Louis Zatzman @louiszatzman.bsky.social · 04/02/2026If it feels like the Raptors are uniquely bad at the entire concept of modern basketball, it's because they, increasingly, have been! What's the deal? Is there a solution? www.raptorsrepublic.com/2026/02/04/w...raptorsrepublic.comWhy are the Raptors so insanely bad at shooting? - Raptors RepublicOn the single biggest issue facing the Toronto Raptors this season. 150
Louis Zatzman @louiszatzman.bsky.social · 29/01/2026On quantum mechanics, and the uncertainty inherent to basketball, and how it all manifests in the relationship between the Raptors and Brandon Ingram:raptorsrepublic.comRaptors’ Ingram Paradox on full display in loss to Knicks - Raptors RepublicOn the pros and cons of stability, and how the Raptors and Ingram navigate them. 030
Reposted by Louis ZatzmanAdam Serwer @adamserwer.bsky.social · 27/01/2026Last week in Minnesota, I watched ordinary people risk their lives to protect their neighbors. In the process, they not only won a significant—though not final—victory against authoritarianism, they proved virtually every MAGA social theory wrong. (gift link) www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0... 261120173987
Reposted by Louis ZatzmanMichael Meir Saltzman @saltzman.bsky.social · 27/01/2026GIFT ARTICLE (no paywall). Masterpiece reporting here from Adam. He deserves awards for this. “This is my first occupation,” Olsen said as I climbed into the truck. “Welcome to the underground, I guess.”theatlantic.comMinnesota Proved MAGA WrongThe pushback against ICE exposed a series of mistaken assumptions. 10505219
Reposted by Louis ZatzmanJason Mittell @jmittell.bsky.social · 27/01/2026Brilliant piece by @adamserwer.bsky.social: 04119
Reposted by Louis ZatzmanRaptorsRepublic.com @raptorsrepublic.bsky.social · 26/01/2026Raptors out-Thunder the Thunder, see their best performance in yearsdlvr.itRaptors out-Thunder the Thunder, see their best performance in yearsThe Raptors play a truly fantastic game, from top to bottom, to beat the defending champs. The post Raptors out-Thunder the Thunder, see their best performance in years first appeared on Raptors Republic. 0153
Louis Zatzman @louiszatzman.bsky.social · 22/01/2026It's time for the Raptors to do something crazyraptorsrepublic.comNow is the chance for the Raptors to trade for Karl-Anthony Towns - Raptors RepublicThe perfect player might be available for the Raptors this trade deadline. 230
Louis Zatzman @louiszatzman.bsky.social · 21/01/2026so, re the Raptors' spacing right now, Shead-Quickley-Dick have played 43 minutes together before tonight and have won those minutes by a wild margin. Only 8 of those minutes have come with Barnes-Ingram on the floor, but the Raps are cooking a little bit with small groups when opp lineups allow 042
Louis Zatzman @louiszatzman.bsky.social · 21/01/2026woah, crazy starting five for the Raps tn, Dick and Shead joining 020
Louis Zatzman @louiszatzman.bsky.social · 20/01/2026On the Raptors' future, and the two prospects who are changing its path:raptorsrepublic.comCollin Murray-Boyles and Jamal Shead revolutionize the Raptors’ future - Raptors RepublicOn the young duo who represent a shift in Toronto's future fortunes. Collin Murray-Boyles and Jamal Shead are team-building wins during the Raptors' Barnes era. 060
Louis Zatzman @louiszatzman.bsky.social · 19/01/2026well, if Shead > Trae Young and CMB > Doncic then the Raptors might just be cooking with gas 020
Louis Zatzman @louiszatzman.bsky.social · 19/01/2026damn Collin Murray-Boyles, if you're just gonna beat Luka Doncic possession after possession after possession I might just stay up all night and watch this game 031
Reposted by Louis ZatzmanZulfi Sheikh @zulfisheikh.bsky.social · 15/01/2026The Raptors hummed and hawed about defense before the season, but early results weren't there. Once they truly adopted the stylings of their chosen symbol, things improved. My latest on the origins of "cobra mentality" for @raptorsrepublic.bsky.social ⤵️ www.raptorsrepublic.com/2026/01/15/c...raptorsrepublic.com‘Cobra mentality’: Origins and lessons of the Raptors’ defensive ethos - Raptors RepublicFrom humble beginnings, the Toronto Raptors are now bludgeoning opponents with a mindset. 031
Louis Zatzman @louiszatzman.bsky.social · 12/01/2026I do think that one player trying cool dunks does motivate teammates to also try cool dunks, yes 030
Louis Zatzman @louiszatzman.bsky.social · 10/01/2026on moral victories being kiiiind of a breath of fresh air, if you squintraptorsrepublic.comDepleted Raptors score well, lose with honour to Celtics - Raptors RepublicToronto plays great, and loses, to a fantastic team. Without their stars, the Raptors proved that they won't quit. 050
Reposted by Louis ZatzmanMichael Grange @michaelgrangenba.bsky.social · 10/01/2026Ochai Agbaji hasn't been on the floor yet for the Raptors and we're now well into the 3Q. Did some checking and my understanding is it's simply a decision to get more minutes/longer looks at two-ways, Jamison Battle etc. vs. say, a transaction pending or something, lol. 052
Louis Zatzman @louiszatzman.bsky.social · 06/01/2026it's so crazy that all the basketball theory about "the Raptors will be fixed when RJ comes back" was more or less exactly correct 072
Louis Zatzman @louiszatzman.bsky.social · 06/01/2026Toronto's defensive rating with both Barnes and Murray-Boyles on the floor is 107. (Only the Thunder as a team have a defensive rating below that.) 141
Louis Zatzman @louiszatzman.bsky.social · 06/01/2026Collin Murray-Boyles is so fucking good my god i love the way he plays basketball 0132
Louis Zatzman @louiszatzman.bsky.social · 02/01/2026I'm tired of everyone (outside of Toronto fans and media) being loud and wrong about RJ Barrett:raptorsrepublic.comRJ Barrett is the opposite of what you thought - Raptors RepublicRJ Barrett has changed his game dramatically since his time as a Knick. It's time to acknowledge that. 2197
Louis Zatzman @louiszatzman.bsky.social · 30/12/2025On Collin Murray-Boyles, human defibrillator, keeping the team alive until the heart finally started beating:raptorsrepublic.comBehind brilliant bench, Raptors steal game from Magic as Quickley is benched - Raptors RepublicToronto again waited until the end to make its move. 070
Louis Zatzman @louiszatzman.bsky.social · 27/12/2025Another embarrassing loss for the Raptors, who never really showed up against Washington. On professionalism:raptorsrepublic.comThe Raptors look slow, lost, disinterested against Wizards - Raptors RepublicThe Raptors add another contender for their worst loss of the season. An ugly loss to a bad team. 160
Louis Zatzman @louiszatzman.bsky.social · 24/12/2025What is shot making? Asked and answered through the lens of the Raptors' slow offensive start, then torrid (for them) offensive finish against the Heat.raptorsrepublic.comAfter pale start, Raptors’ offence behind Barnes rediscovers vibrancy - Raptors RepublicOn shot making, and the Raptors finding answers to some questions that have plagued the team. The Raptors finally scored the dang basketball. 020
Louis Zatzman @louiszatzman.bsky.social · 24/12/2025If I'm Darko Rajakovic in this one against the Heat, I'm riding with Collin Murray-Boyles for very extended stretches. His being on the court has more or less coincided with the only good looks Toronto has created all game 330
Louis Zatzman @louiszatzman.bsky.social · 19/12/2025Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram are both looking like All Stars at the right time for Toronto. With few teammates showing up for the majority of their game against Milwaukee, the two showed just how symbiotic their partnership can be:raptorsrepublic.comBarnes and Ingram make definitive All-Star cases as they boost Raptors over Bucks - Raptors RepublicThe stars hold up the roof as Toronto takes care of business. The Toronto Raptors have some elite top-end talent, and they showed it. 090
Louis Zatzman @louiszatzman.bsky.social · 16/12/2025The Raptors never let go of the rope and never quit despite adversity. No one was perfect, but everyone contributed. It seems they won't be able to access their top-end speed without RJ Barrett. But, as they just showed us, they can still win games.raptorsrepublic.comRaptors’ defence, bench shot-making return to throttle Heat - Raptors RepublicScottie Barnes and the Raptors right the ship. The Raptors win ugly, but they never quit despite hard stretches. That is the most beautiful sight of all. 070
Louis Zatzman @louiszatzman.bsky.social · 14/12/2025The Raptors were one of the teams pioneering what the modern point guard would do, what he would offer, how he would play. So why hasn't the team had a guard who could play modern offence since Kyle Lowry?raptorsrepublic.comDid the Raptors learn nothing from employing Kyle Lowry? - Raptors RepublicThe Raptors are lacking a key player archetype that most teams around the league possess. You'd think Toronto would have learned a lesson or two from Lowry. 260
Reposted by Louis ZatzmanDoc Naismith 🇨🇦 @docnaismith.bsky.social · 10/12/2025Louis nails the brutal reality this morning: Raptors went from flying to drowning against the Knicks. One quarter of precision, then complete collapse. Season’s lurching toward a cliff. Heavy but necessary read—things are pretty bleak. Can the Raptors right the ship? 331
Louis Zatzman @louiszatzman.bsky.social · 10/12/2025The Raptors are watching their season circle the drain. It was a pathetic performance in a game that, finally, for the first time in years, mattered. Which means I got to bring back the Autopsy Report. On the cause of death, getting to call something Kmart chucklefuckery, and why it all matters:raptorsrepublic.comThe Autopsy Report: It’s the hope that kills you in the NBA Cup - Raptors RepublicThe Toronto Raptors' season is hanging on by a thread. The Raptors lose a pathetic game to the Knicks and are now facing a split in the road of their season. 131
Louis Zatzman @louiszatzman.bsky.social · 10/12/2025Unbelievable offensive start for Toronto. Intentional possessions with pace, much cleaner timing on cuts, screens, and actions, and good north-south passing. Toronto's offence doesn't just happen through skill, it requires really focused intent. So far it has that tonight. 020
Louis Zatzman @louiszatzman.bsky.social · 09/12/2025Deep diving into Toronto's most important basketball game in years. The NBA Cup!raptorsrepublic.comXs and Os: Prepping Toronto’s pseudo-playoff game against the Knicks - Raptors RepublicDiving deeeeeply for the most important game this Raptors franchise has seen in years. On the opposing styles, strengths, and weaknesses of the two teams. 020
Louis Zatzman @louiszatzman.bsky.social · 04/12/2025On Toronto's dynamic rookie Collin Murray-Boyles, his slow start to the season papered over by hot shooting, and how he's finally finding himself these last weeks:raptorsrepublic.comInside Collin Murray-Boyles’ turnaround with the Raptors - Raptors RepublicOn Collin Murray-Boyles' progression through his young NBA career. 030
Louis Zatzman @louiszatzman.bsky.social · 03/12/2025On Gradey Dick, who can't stop winning minutes despite some real warts to his game. He is worthy of patience.raptorsrepublic.comGradey Dick shows why he’s worth patience in Raptors win - Raptors RepublicOn Gradey Dick, the Raptors' rotating shooting guard minutes, and winning minutes despite a shooting slump. 2113
Louis Zatzman @louiszatzman.bsky.social · 01/12/2025The Raptors have been free and easy for a month. Finally, a loss last night. So how would Toronto respond? Not well. On Toronto's loss to the Knicks, and the questions that now face the team:raptorsrepublic.comAfter losing to the Knicks, Barnes and the Raptors face second test of their season - Raptors RepublicThe Raptors couldn't overcome a disastrous first quarter against the Knicks. After an ideal month of basketball, Barnes and the Raptors again have to roll the boulder up the hill. 130
Louis Zatzman @louiszatzman.bsky.social · 25/11/2025The Raptors are one of the hottest teams in the NBA. They will always have a run, and teams are not ready for the constant pressure of guarding, and being guarded by, this team. On the wave that these Raptors represent, and what eight wins in a row mean:raptorsrepublic.comThe Raptors can’t stop winning as offensive wave crashes over Cavaliers - Raptors RepublicScottie Barnes and the Raptors can't stop winning basketball games. 0173
