Louis Zatzman

Inside Collin Murray-Boyles’ turnaround with the Raptors - Raptors Republic On Collin Murray-Boyles' progression through his young NBA career.

On 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:

Gradey Dick shows why he’s worth patience in Raptors win - Raptors Republic On Gradey Dick, the Raptors' rotating shooting guard minutes, and winning minutes despite a shooting slump.

On Gradey Dick, who can't stop winning minutes despite some real warts to his game.

He is worthy of patience.

After losing to the Knicks, Barnes and the Raptors face second test of their season - Raptors Republic The 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.

The 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:

The Raptors can’t stop winning as offensive wave crashes over Cavaliers - Raptors Republic Scottie Barnes and the Raptors can't stop winning basketball games.

The 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:

Raptors’ rotations crystalize as defence drives demolition of woeful Wizards - Raptors Republic Scottie Barnes and the Raptors are devouring their opponents right now.

This is the best and most fun Raptors team in years. On two halves, both great in their own ways, and a liminal space for a fourth quarter:

If this result holds, Toronto has now won six in a row, its longest winning streak since February of 2022.

The only player from that team who remains on this one is Scottie Barnes.

How the Raptors are building towards and away from the 2025 playoff zeitgeist - Raptors Republic The Raptors are caught between building towards someone else's future and designing their own.

Incredibly excited that Raptors Republic is the home of a new piece from Joe Wolfond (!)

On how the league has changed this season, how it's due to last year's playoffs, and where the Raptors stand amidst it all:

www.raptorsrepublic.com/2025/11/20/h...

Physicality proves to be Raptors’ advantage against Hornets - Raptors Republic It was an ugly game, but a unique, identity-building win nonetheless.

Three post-ups, two blocks, one win.

On the Toronto Raptors' ugly, physical win over the Charlotte Hornets that perhaps paved a brick in the road of Toronto's new identity:

Fun fact: So excited to say that I'm working with Taylor Rooks as her personal researcher for NBA on Prime broadcasts!

Incredibly grateful for the opportunity. It's been the most fun.

hehe, thanks man. Dug deep into the bag for that one

Love when Louis goes deep on a topic, but I'm always giddy to find out what obscure reference he makes as a lead. And folks...he has outdone himself.

Scottie Barnes is finally being weaponized perfectly on the offensive end - Raptors Republic Scottie Barnes has had a near-perfect season so far for the Raptors.

I went deeeeeeeep on Scottie Barnes' offensive role so far this season

Raptors’ new math adds up to perfection against Hawks - Raptors Republic An impressive season opener from Toronto's new-look roster.

It was an exquisite night for the Raptors, with every player perfecting his role.

On the start of a new era, offensive success, and the defensive gamble that, so far, is paying off:

During Toronto sports misery, Raptors almost record perfect dress rehearsal - Raptors Republic An anxious dress rehearsal in the last game before they start counting.

I wrote about the stress of the evening, in two cities, in two sports, from the strangely anxious confines of the Raptors' final preseason game:

Should the Raptors be worried about Scottie Barnes’ preseason? - Raptors Republic Or should Barnes be worried about his place within the Raptors' offence?

It's time to talk about Scottie Barnes.

3-of-13 against Boston, now 6-of-30 during preseason.

Immanuel Quickley is doing more with less for the Raptors - Raptors Republic Quickley might be improving not by solving his problems but simply by staying away from them.

Of all the returners, to me Immanuel Quickley has had the most interesting preseason.

On him solving his problems not be improving his abilities, but just by changing his habits:

Still just Jalen Johnson, haha. The 1.5 steals is pretty tough to hit, that I think is the big obstacle to more names on the list

Hello. I've decided to be someone who talks to NBA head coaches about basketball.

Here's a sneak peek of what's coming. Full episode about random offense (with a bit of breaking news) drops tomorrow

Who, if anyone, is most likely to emerge as a bench star for the Raptors? - Raptors Republic On the performers off the bench, and whether anyone is ready to seize the moment.

I went deep on the bench to see if there's a steady contributor - or a hidden star - hiding in plain sight.

that's just the good life right there

once in a bar I was at in montreal everyone went out to watch the bartender rip a kick flip

This era of the Raptors depends massively on Brandon Ingram - Raptors Republic The Raptors are bolstering their strengths ... and their weaknesses.

The Raptors are increasingly entrenching their strengths ... and their weaknesses.

In many ways, that means the success of this team, and the future of this era, depends to a huge extent on Brandon Ingram.

Needle in the Hay Elliott Smith · Elliott Smith · Song · 1995

"he's wearing your clothes
head down to toes
a reaction to you
you say you know what he did
but you idiot kid
you don't have a clue
sometimes you just get caught in the eye
you're pulling him through"

30 years, with this record. A few more, I think.

open.spotify.com/track/7I7O0h...

The best thing I can say about CMB so far is that he FITS this identity

score-first guards are made for SL, he always thrives here iirc

damn playing against these SL raptors looks miserable, the Bulls just look really unhappy rn

Eulogizing the Masai Ujiri era with the Raptors - Raptors Republic On the end of an era, and what Ujiri accomplished during his time in Toronto.

Masai Ujiri accomplished the impossible in Toronto. He took a team that was lost and gave it pride, purpose, and a championship.

Now he's gone. Let's remember what he accomplished and where the Raptors stand now.

Eulogizing Ujiri's tenure with the Raptors.

The NBA Playoffs are a different sport. This is how to win Here’s what it takes to win in the NBA Playoffs.

I went deeper on macro trends than I have in a long, long time. What changes in the playoffs? And how does that impact winning?

On how winning in the playoffs requires winning two different categories, and how the league is building towards the zeitgeist of the future:

Who Knew Basketball Needed an Interactive LED Floor? ASB GlassFloor makes a glass playing surface for sports arenas that can show animations, track athletes' performance, and repaint court lines with a tap. Pros in Europe are already playing on it.

LED basketball courts?

LED basketball courts!!

I went to Orlando to demo bball's latest tech revolution. While remarkable visuals are the main draw, the court's future potential in injury prevention and athlete data are what really stuck with me.

For @wired.com: www.wired.com/story/asb-gl...

A Little Blood and Dancing by Tyler Parker: 9780771002090 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books It’s a tale as old as time: doomed romance, bloody revenge, fast food, and the voice of God. Welcome to Tyler Parker’s Oklahoma, and one of the most anticipated debut novels of the year from...

There are way more important things happening but A Little Blood and Dancing turns 2 today. Far as I can tell it’s still the only novel featuring a Mitsubishi Debonair, an epigraph from Rich Boy, & a giraffe named Cleopatra. Appreciate yall who bought the book, told a friend, liked a post, anything.