In Episode 1495, Sean Woodley goes solo in an attempt to tank the entire Toronto Raptors roster in order of importance to the team's chances of actually winning basketball games in the 2023-24 NBA season. Off the top, Sean sorts through the three most important players on the team: Scottie Barnes, Pascal Siakam and O.G. Anunoby, who feel like the only three guys guaranteed to be on the floor in all of the Raptors' highest-leverage moments this season. Next, Sean runs through five players who could figure into some of the Raptors' closing lineups, and zeroes in on why Gary Trent Jr., while not the 4th-best player on the team, might be the 4th-most important player on the roster in terms of ensuring the team run smoothly on offense. Lastly, where to deeper bench pieces like Gradey Dick, Precious Achiuwa, Chris Boucher, Malachi Flynn and more fit into the team's hierarchy of importance this season? These rankings are unassailable, of course. Tell us how much you agree with them in the comments!

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In Episode 1487, Sean Woodley is joined by Chelsea Leite (Raptors HQ) to react to the news that Toronto will not be getting a WNBA expansion team any time soon as the Toronto Raptors ownership conglomerate MLSE reportedly has balked at the $50 million expansion fee to bring the league north of the border, per Doug Smith of the Toronto Star. Sean and Chelsea chat about how disappointing this news is for a city that is absolutely ready to support a WNBA franchise, and has an ownership group with more than enough resources to invest in the league, even if it might take some time to see the return on that investment. Is something rotten at MLSE? How could it bleed into their stewardship of the Raptors? And what does MLSE's dismissiveness of women's sports mean in the big picture? Plus, a round of What's More Likely with a WNBA lean, as well as some talk about the most likely outcomes for the Pascal Siakam contract situation.

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In Episode 1489, Sean Woodley is joined by Katie Heindl (DIME, Basketball Feelings) to discuss some of the biggest and most interesting questions facing the Toronto Raptors going into the 2023-24 NBA season. Off the top, they examine the chicken-or-egg conundrum of whether a team needs good vibes in order to win, or whether winning is what brings good vibes, and how the coaching staff led by Darko Rajaković plays a role in all of it. Plus, how much can a coaching staff overcome a roster's limitations in order to fully revamp the team's style of play? Next, Sean and Katie discuss whether or not ball movement increasing can alone help turn around the moribund half court offense the Raptors have had over the last couple seasons. And to close, Sean and Katie examine just how much the Pascal Siakam and O.G. Anunoby free agency situations might bleed into the overall health and wellness of the team, and what the impact of another stressful deadline might be on the overall vibes and culture around the squad.

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In Episode 1488, Sean Woodley is joined by Vivek Jacob (Raptors.com, Sportsnet) to talk about the Toronto Raptors' 112-99 win over the Sacramento Kings in Vancouver to open up the preseason on Sunday. Off the top, Sean and Vivek run through their biggest takeaways from the game. Vivek liked the early returns on the Raptors' starting unit and the clear uptick in ball movement. While Sean, while enjoying the increase in ball-movement and intentionality, feels like the core challenge for the Raptors offense this season -- beating switching defenses -- was very much in display. Things could look similar to how they looked last year in terms of offensive process, but that doesn't mean it can't be better and more aesthetically pleasing. Next, Sean and Vivek each share one major overreaction to the preseason opener, both having to do with the Toronto Raptors' starting lineup. Lastly, they run through the Good, the Bad and the Hmmmmmm from the first preseason game. Raptors basketball is back, weeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

Come hang out with all sorts of Raptors sickos just like you in the Locked On Raptors Discord! https://discord.gg/mS8e94kv

Gametime

Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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In Episode 1485, Sean Woodley goes solo to discuss what might need to happen for the Toronto Raptors to overachieve compared to their preseason expectations going into the new NBA season. Building off the argument made by John Hollinger Tuesday at The Athletic about the Raptors being one of the teams he most expects to overachieve compared to their Vegas win projection in 2023-24, Sean details why the pure talent is certainly on hand for the Raptors to do just that, even if the fit between their top players is a major question. How can that poor fit be overcome? Sean gets into how the team's extra depth and added shooting (though it'd still be nice to have more), along with some pet combinations of players could help the Raptors be more versatile in the ways in which they try to win games, and help make the team in something greater than the sum of its parts. Lastly, Sean discusses how a more conservative style of defense that accentuates the individual defensive talent that the roster is loaded with, along with some needed strides from Scottie Barnes and to a lesser extent Gary Trent Jr., could have the Raptors defense sitting among the very best in the league, raising the team's floor substantially.

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In Episode 1486, Sean Woodley is joined by Samson Folk (Raptors Republic) to discuss what to expect from the Toronto Raptors on the defensive side of the ball this upcoming NBA season with new head coach Darko Rajakovic taking the reins. Off the top, Sean and Samson discuss the changes they'd like to see, and the changes they'd expect to see as the team transitions out of the Nick Nurse era, and whether or not some of the changes we're likely to see this season already began to creep into the Raptors' defensive stylings after the Jakob Poeltl trade last season. Next, Sean and Samson chat about Scottie Barnes' role in the defense, where his overzealousness has let him down as a defender in the past, and what kind of role might be in store for him on the defensive end this season. Plus, is Gary Trent Jr. going to be a liability? Lastly, Sean and Samson chat about the relationship between the Raptors defense and offense. They likely won't be the steals merchants they've been in recent seasons under Nurse, but could a renewed focus on defensive rebounding and a commitment to running off misses give the Raptors enough transition juice to balance out what still figures to be a bottom-half half court offense?

Join our Discord server and come hang with Locked On Raptors listeners just like you! https://discord.gg/4SSQdpCX

Ibotta

Ibotta gives you cash back on hundreds of grocery items from produce to personal care to pantry goods, so you can make sure you’re beating inflation no matter what you’re purchasing! Go to the App Store or Google Play store and download the FREE Ibotta app and use code locked.

Gametime

Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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In Episode 1490, Sean Woodley is joined by Jamar Hinds (@jamarbh) to make their picks for who they think will lead the Toronto Raptors in points, assists, rebounds, steals, blocks, dunks and made three-pointers in the upcoming 2023-24 NBA season. Off the top, Sean and Jamar discuss whether Pascal Siakam's grip as the team's leading scorer will be challenged this season, or whether a reshaped offense will still result on Siakam leading the way for the Raptors in the points department. Will Gary Trent Jr., OG Anunoby or Scottie Barnes compete for top spot? Plus, who will lead the team in made three pointers? Next, they discuss whether Scottie Barnes is ready to take up the mantle as the Raptors' leading assist man, and whether Jakob Poeltl stands a chance of being among the team's three-most prolific playmakers. Lastly, who will lead the way for the Raptors in steals, blocks and the most important of all stats, dunks?

Be sure to join the Locked On Raptors Discord community ahead of the new season! https://discord.gg/JPZF3kfd

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Gametime

Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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Show Theme Music: Keep Fallin' / The Passion HiFi on SoundCloud

In Episode 1491, Sean Woodley goes solo to outline his predictions for where the Toronto Raptors will finish in the league-wide offensive and defensive rankings in 2023-24. Off the top, Sean details why he is so bullish on the Raptors having an elite defense. Between a change of scheme, a prioritization on allowing a healthier opponent shot diet, and the overall talent in the team's rotation, this defense should have the juice to land within the league's Top-5. Next, Sean examines the offense, which is lacking obvious fallback sets by which they can produce easy offense, but figures to play a more aesthetic pleasing brand of basketball, even if the offense is a little worse on a per-possession basis. Can the transition attack be potent enough to buoy the Raptors to the offensive heights they reached last season, when they finished 13th in the league? Lastly, Sean attempts the impossible and predicts where the Raptors will slot into the league's overall NET Rating charts, and what that will mean for their overall record. This team could certainly add to its 41-win total from last season on the strength of its defense, but how much will they need to add to give the front office the clarity it seems to be searching for when it comes to the future of Pascal Siakam, O.G. Anunoby and more.

Come join our growing listener community in the Locked On Raptors Discord! https://discord.gg/JEUzkCEr

Jase Medical

Get $20 off these lifesaving antibiotics with Jase Medical by using code LOCKEDON at checkout on jasemedical.com.

Gametime

Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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