The Rapcast

#605 - Raptors Reaction Podcast - That was ugly by raptorsrepublic.com

- Things that I liked: Raptors came to end their 5-game skid; making Giannis a non-factor; Thon Maker

- Things that I hated: brutal defensive rotations; 2Pat's shooting is brutal, so is DeMarre's; JV not dominating like he should have; I love Giannis but hate the Bucks

On this week’s episode, host Blake Murphy brings in a guest from the ATL, shawty.

Robby Kalland of CBS Sports

The Hawks came out of the gate so strong, now they've lost seven of eight.

Should they ever have been considered a threat to the Raptors as #2 in the East?

What's at the root of their recent struggles?

Who's the biggest threat to Toronto, if it's not Atlanta?

Dwight Howard's fit on both ends.

And off the court.

Shout out to Hawks-era DeMarre Carroll and #CarrollCuts.

Do the Hawks miss him?

Wanna give us Paul Millsap?

Why the Hawks wouldn't value the Raptors picks much.

Gucci Mane's proposal, 2 Chainz for College Park GM.

Andrew and Zarar check in on what's left of free agency, scope out summer league, peek in on Canada's attempts at qualifying for the Olympics, and discuss the East's top-heavy resurgence. As is customary, we also laugh at the Knicks, plus a lot more.

Some topics:

Free-agency summary

RFAs remaining

Gooden and Dedmon

Patrick Patterson's organic growth

Three-point defense

Summer league so far

Looking back at draft-time player projections

Canada and the Olympics

Most improved teams in the East

Classical human beings

Goodbye to James Johnson

Will, Shyam and Zarar travel across a world where Mike Conley's making more than Michael Jordan, DeRozan gives us a discount and still comes away with $29 million, and Biyombo becomes another free-agent to leave us for the Magic. It's not all bad news, though, since Tyler Hansbrough's still available.

The Extra crew handles the Weekly podcast to recap the draft and preview free agency, kind of. On this week’s episode, hosts Blake Murphy and William Lou discuss the following:

1. The NBA Draft, which saw the Raptors select Jakob Poeltl and Pascal Siakam.

2. What do you need to know about these guys? What kind of floor and ceiling are we talking about?

3. A quick look ahead to free agency. How a youth-heavy roster gives the Raptors additional options. Is Terrence Ross secretly Harrison Barnes? A lack of cap space isn't the same as a lack of flexibility.

4. The Raptors may not get a Kevin Durant visit, but that's OK.

5. What Will would do for a championship. (Spoiler: It's disgusting.)

It's back-to-back-to-back takes from RR's draft crew of Steve Gennaro, Tamberlyn Richardson, and Blake Murphy on the Raptors selection of Jakob Poeltl and Pascal Siakam in the 2016 NBA draft, which saw them pass up big names, and maybe, big opportunities.

PhDsteve is back. In a one time special- it’s the annual World Wide roundtable podcast on ESPN TrueHoop Raptorsrepublic.com and simulcast on Steve’s new channel allinsportstalk.com @allinsportstalk

Be sure to check out Steve @_sgennaro and the WW Roundtable: brother Mike @michaelgennaro, Greg Mason @votaryofhoops and Blair Miller @tfquarter as they breakdown the draft from the viewpoint of the Toronto Raptors. Made by the fans. For the fans.

The Toronto Raptors draft preview.

A real quick solo podcast as we recharge in preparation for next week's draft extravaganza.