Eric Koreen

Scottie Barnes is away from today's practice for personal reasons. No word on if that will affect his availability Sunday.

Raptors face 3 big questions: Jakob Poeltl’s impact and more Will the Raptors' offence benefit from a true 7-footer?

From Chicago, the three questions that will determine whether the rest of the Raptors regular season is a success.

C'EST NE PAS BON

I am interested in fans' thinking this, because I'm sure many fans are perfectly content to punt on months or even seasons at a time for the chance at a superstar.

BUT, if 25-33% of the league isn't trying to win for a third of the season, that is DEFINITELY a league problem.

Team Homan has just been inconsistent all week, especially Fleury. Some great moments, but never looked like they were at peak level.

You know the answer!

I have rubbed up against the same issue as you.

I do think a huge barrier to entry would be the vast majority of fans fundamentally not being able to follow along. But it's definitely a fascinating effort.

How can the NBA fix tanking? Here are some ideas, including one from Europe I’ve heard a lot of bad ideas to limit or stop tanking where the cure is far worse than the disease. But these have some potential.

I had spoken with the anti-tanking economists @johnhollinger.bsky.social mentioned here during the Raptors' year last year, and I am glad he wrote about it, because I'm not sure I would have been able to clearly. I still don't fully understand it, but it's interesting.

Raptors face 3 big questions: Jakob Poeltl’s impact and more Will the Raptors' offence benefit from a true 7-footer?

From Chicago, the three questions that will determine whether the rest of the Raptors regular season is a success.

BI mentioned that Ja'Kobe was "in his shit in practice" the other day, which he admires, and wants him shooting 3s confidently. Thinks he's gonna be a good pro.

Darko said Jak came off bench to match up against Nick Richards, whereas Yabu/Smith call for more switching. Bonus was seeing him with different players.

'Topes win! 110-101.

Ingram with 31/8/6. Scottie with 14/9/5. WALTER with 14 off bench. Ghastly shooting night, but enough over the 23-turnover Bulls.

Ingram saves Raps from a potentially embarrassing one with a nice feed to CMB for an and-1 and then a middy. No style points tonight.

Spotted in the wild: a Raptors fan wearing a Hedo jersey. Pretty sure it wasn't @tasmelas.bsky.social

And a bigger share of RJ's minutes if he doesn't find his rhythm soon.

Well, if CMB's thumb was doing better, it's not anymore after he is fouled on a dunk attempt and introduces it to some iron. Lots of grimmacing.

It is the world's largest cliché, but Jamal Shead can't help but make winning plays.

Well, the Raps' lead is down to four. Scottie has had no touch on his jumper tonight.

Pistons might be good.

Raps lead 87-78 after 3. Ingram has 29, Simons has 17.

"There's still plenty of time left..." - sports announcer when there either is or is not plenty of time left

They are the bad good team then.

He's actually signed to a standard NBA contract.

If someone could explain the difference between "the good bad team" and "the bad good team," I could tell you which one the Raptors were.

Poeltl getting in earlier in second half so he gets some minutes with the starters. That must have been why Unseld challenged that foul.

Raps lead 53-45 at the half. The Bulls went like eight minutes without a turnover. Good stuff.

Ingram has 17, Simons has 10, and this hasn't been great.

There is a leather-lunged fan who has it out for Patrick Williams, and while I can't abide it, I do understand.

I've found a new way to judge the tanktasticness of games, and it's by counting how many players are on the court whose first names I don't know. There are currently 4 on the floor in Wizards-Pacers.

The Bulls appear to hate the ball, and the Raps don't seem crazy about it either. This is ... a rough watch. Nice spurt from Scottie, minus a few bad turnovers.