Eric Koreen

Toronto

THIS ACCOUNT IS DORMANT Basketball dude @TheAthleticNBA. Invented #hottake. Member of @prohoopswriters. [email protected] https://t.co/HbNOms0DbQ

Articles

Raptors trade tiers: From RJ Barrett and cost cutting to adding an NBA star

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Eric Koreen

The Orlando Magic, seemingly waiting forever to push their chips in, officially started transaction season over the weekend. Masai Ujiri’s old lieutenant, Jeff Weltman, acquired Desmond Bane from the Memphis Grizzlies, giving up Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four first-round picks and a pick swap. It was a hefty price, albeit for a player whose theoretical fit around Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs is stellar.
What do we want from NBA coaches?

3 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Eric Koreen

The New York City Democratic mayoral candidates have entered the Tom Thibodeau discourse. During Wednesday's debate, each candidate had to pick a side on the thumbs up/thumbs down binary about the New York Knicks' decision to fire Thibodeau following their Eastern Conference finals defeat to the Indiana Pacers. Seven candidates did not agree with the Knicks' move, while Michael Blake had the backs of James Dolan and Leon Rose.
Raptors could make a run at Giannis Antetokounmpo, but does it make sense?

3 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Eric Koreen

The Indiana Pacers finished 11th in the Eastern Conference in 2022-23, winning 35 games. They appeared to be on an upward trajectory with Tyrese Haliburton looking like a potential superstar, Bennedict Mathurin coming off a nice rookie year and another lottery pick coming their way. Optimists might have predicted the Pacers could squeeze into the playoffs the next year. Instead, they made the conference finals in 2023-24 before advancing to the NBA Finals this season.
How his NBA journey focused his drive

3 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Eric Koreen

There has always been more to Pascal Siakam than just his long, graceful strides. Getting out in transition is what stood out about Siakam as a rookie, when an injury to Jared Sullinger made him an unlikely starter for the first half of the season for the Toronto Raptors. It is what stands out about him now, as he finishes so many sublime Tyrese Haliburton-orchestrated fast breaks for the Indiana Pacers.
Why the middle is fine and optimism is optional

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Eric Koreen

It turns out a 53rd loss of the season wasn't enough to sap the energy out of Raptors fans. Despite the team falling from seventh to ninth in last week's draft lottery, you were still very generous with your questions in my call for a mailbag. As a result, we're breaking this up into two pieces. With this missive, I answered some broader questions in a lengthier fashion. Next week, I'll hit you with my version of a lightning round. As always, I appreciate your participation. Let's get to it.
Submit your Raptors questions for Eric Koreen's offseason mailbag

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Eric Koreen

The Toronto Raptors did not get lucky in the NBA Draft lottery, falling from their seventh slot to No. 9. That will help them as they play footsie with the luxury tax threshold. However, they will still be limited in their spending power this offseason, likely only able to use their own Bird rights and minimum salaries to fill out their roster.
Do the Jayson Tatum injury and draft lottery put Eastern Conference at a new low?

1 month ago | ourcommunitynow.com | Eric Koreen |Josh Robbins

Don’t throw away those “Leastern Conference” jokes. They are likely to have utility for a while.The events of the past few days have only emphasized how wobbly things are in the NBA’s Eastern Conference, which has been the demonstrably weaker half of the league for the better part of a quarter-century. The 64-win, top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers were eliminated in Game 5 by the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday.
Do the Jayson Tatum injury and draft lottery put Eastern Conference at a new low?

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Eric Koreen |Josh Robbins

Don't throw away those "Leastern Conference" jokes. They are likely to have utility for a while. The events of the past few days have only emphasized how wobbly things are in the NBA's Eastern Conference, which has been the demonstrably weaker half of the league for the better part of a quarter-century. The 64-win, top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers were eliminated in Game 5 by the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday.
Four mock scenarios

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Eric Koreen

It is a sad state of affairs, but it is more true than not: The 82 games the Toronto Raptors played between late-October and early-April were a prelude to Monday's NBA Draft Lottery. With expectations low and winning largely incidental, those games were mostly about evaluating the Raptors' young players. Barring a massive surprise season, it was clear before the year that the Raptors needed an infusion of top-end talent to reach a higher standing in the Eastern Conference.
Canada Basketball names Gord Hebert as next men's coach

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Eric Koreen

Canada Basketball has named Gord Herbert head coach of its senior men's basketball team, the organization announced Thursday. He will officially take over the role next summer. Herbert led Germany to a gold medal in the World Cup in 2023, followed by a fourth-place performance at the Paris Olympics in 2024. From Penticton, B.C., Herbert is the head coach of Bayern Munich.