Raptors Republic

1 week ago | raptorsrepublic.com | Louis Zatzman

When you try to describe something, to truly understand it, what do you start with? Not its qualities, surely. Not what a thing is, but what it means. And there might be no thing with a bigger gap between constitution and meaning than the 2024-25 season of the Toronto Raptors. This season, defined by injured players and lost games, largely went to plan.

1 week ago | raptorsrepublic.com | Esfandiar Baraheni

The first word out of Masai Ujiri’s mouth to start the 2024-2025 season was rebuild. From the onset, the Raptors, from top down, knew exactly what their 30th anniversary season would entail. It was a whirlwind. The Raptors honoured their legends, celebrated fan favourites, showed why purple should stay, and highlighted local heroes throughout their themed nights. On the court, it was no less scattered.

1 week ago | raptorsrepublic.com | Louis Zatzman

10:00 am EST: Morning! I’m at OVO, surrounded by happy, smiling faces. End of the season. Long season. Long season. Happy to be here. We’re getting a buncha players today to chat, so stay tuned, I’ll have some info here throughout the day. Some injury updates: Scottie Barnes’ contusion on his hand will not affect his offseason. Brandon Ingram should be back in May to start on-court work. Garrett Temple has an MCL sprain on his left knee. Gradey Dick has a bone bruise, which just needs time.

2 weeks ago | raptorsrepublic.com | Louis Zatzman

If you ever went to summer camp, you know the last day is full of tearful goodbyes. Hugs, warm and full-bodied, even with people you hardly even met. Promises to write, to always remember your brief, fiery friendship. And maybe you will. (Remember, not write.) There’s no rhythm to what childhood memories affix themselves in our brains, only to resurface decades later when watching the Toronto Raptors play.

2 weeks ago | raptorsrepublic.com | Louis Zatzman

Close your eyes. Truly. Imagine something with me. Picture the warm sun — wait, open your eyes, you can’t read this with your eyes closed. Okay, imagine something with me. Picture the warm sun gently toasting the top of your head, the tops of your bare arms. A breeze, the air thick, tickling the back of your neck. Maybe the burbling of a stream in the background. Things are good. Picture goodness. And when things are good, the Raptors are back winning games. Picture them winning 45, 50, 55 games.