Gym Ratz & Jointz

With the CEBL season set to tip off, DG welcomes the CBC broadcast crew of Peter Ruttgaizer and Joe Raso to preview the season and re-live the dramatic Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals. How far will Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton take the Suns? The Eastern Finals between Milwaukee and Atlanta are previewed as well.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a 12-hour stretch the NBA Playoffs become more dramatic than ever. Dan Gladman is joined by his University of Virginia classmate Billy Ravenell and producer Dan Wong to discuss Kevin Durant's historic performance in Game 5 against Milwaukee and Joel Embiid's meniscus injury. Then the news breaks about Chris Paul entering Covid protocol and his likely absence from the Western Conference Finals, and Kawhi Leonard's knee injury preventing him from playing Game 5 against Utah. What to make of the rapidly changing storylines of a postseason suddenly becoming unforgettable!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dan and Mark look at last night's NBA games, including Damian Lillard's incredible 55-point performance, the dominance of Durant, Harden and Irving and huge injury issues in the Suns-Lakers series. Hebsy drops knowledge on basketball's history in Toronto and talks about his favourite Canadian players of all-time - George Rautins. Not surprisingly, the guys end the show with some memories about the 2019 NBA Finals, and long for the days when they can return to venues to watch live sports, and live music.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Season 2 kicks off with Dan Gladman's interview with Nav Bhatia, original Superfan of the Toronto Raptors, and now a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame. They talk about the championship season, the Damon Stoudamire years and Nav's relationship with Vince Carter and the Carter family. DG recaps last night's games in the NBA Playoffs and introduces The Game I'll Never Forget, reminiscing about the day Toronto won the Eastern Conference championship.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After 40 episodes of Season 1, Jevohn Shepherd and Andy Rautins say their goodbyes to Dan Gladman and producer Dan Wong in the Break Up episode. The podcast originally started in Wonger's living room, moved to Eggplant Studios, and then to Zoom calls and covered the NBA Bubble, the recent regular season and the rise of Canadian basketball. Today, the guys talk about the Play-In format and preview the Eastern Conference Playoffs. Thank you to Shep and AR, you will be missed. Season 2 starts fresh next week!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Toronto Raptors legend and current-day broadcaster Alvin Williams joins DG, Shep and AR to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the team's first Playoff series win in 2001. Alvin reminisces on the trade from Portland, going to the Eaton Centre with Vince Carter and playing with teammates like Charles Oakley, Antonio Davis, Dell Curry and others. He candidly talks about being a Philly basketball player from Villanova, and how the similarities end there with his good friend Kyle Lowry. He discusses his career transition from basketball and early day encounters at the arena with AR and DG.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DG, AR and Shep look at the topics trending in the NBA this week, starting with injury issues that have the Brooklyn Nets back to square one. Are the injuries to Kevin Durant and James Harden cause for concern, or not? Is 1st in the East the Philadelphia 76ers best path to the NBA Finals? Is Ben Simmons a top flight superstar? The guys then look at Steph Curry's recent torrid play and wonder out loud if he's at yet another career peak. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The guys get to the heart of this week's top basketball stories, assessing how both the Denver Nuggets and the Canadian national team are affected by Jamal Murray's season-ending ACL injury. Is a compressed NBA schedule to blame? On the heels of questioning the Play-in games, Luka Doncic reminds the sport of a certain Legend of old with his miraculous game-winning three-pointer. Jevohn Shepherd and Andy Rautins - the brain trust of the CEBL's Ottawa Blackjacks - recap their first Draft and speak about their new players. Dan Gladman steps back into history with a look back at the start of the Toronto Raptors 2019 championship run. Then the three decide what direction the Raptors should go in now. @gymratzpodcast #TDITRH

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The guys are joined by Amy Audibert to break down Baylor's national championship. The conversation veers into Final Four and March Madness, with the legendary Jalen Suggs winning shot against UCLA put into historical context. A memorable women's Tournament is discussed. Was Stanford the best team? In NBA banter, Jevohn Shepherd excoriates Paul Pierce's Instagram behaviour, Andy Rautins dismisses the New York Knicks' narrow loss to the Brooklyn Nets, and Dan Gladman goes back in Toronto Raptors history. #TDITRH @gymratzpodcast  

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michigan gets beat in the Elite Eight and Shep mourns the team's exit from March Madness. Andy assesses Gonzaga's chances of finishing the Tournament and the season undefeated. With Paige Bueckers emerging as UConn's latest superstar, the guys reflect on the intellectual and fundamental nature of the women's game. The NBA chat highlights what Noman Powell meant to the Toronto Raptors, and if his presence on the Portland Trail Blazers roster can help lead them to the NBA Finals. DG remembers an epic April Fool's Day game in Toronto. It's jam-packed basketball discussion heading into Final Four Weekend. @gymratzpodcast #TDITRH

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.