The Walder Sportscast

Host Chris Walder (@WalderSports) is joined by Louis Zatzman (@LouisZatzman), the managing editor of Raptors Republic and a freelance writer for the Milwaukee Bucks.

The two preview the upcoming 2023-24 NBA season for the Toronto Raptors while touching on Scottie Barnes, Dennis Schroder, new head coach Darko Rajakovic, and the team’s final win tally and playoff aspirations. They then get into some NBA topics of discussion, including James Harden’s future in Philadelphia, the Memphis Grizzlies, Victor Wembanyama, and much more.

Louis also dives into his time operating the Raptors Republic site, as well as an upcoming meet-and-greet event in downtown Toronto ahead of the home opener. He then talks about his time as an ESL teacher in Korea, a ghosts/haunted tour guide, and so much more.

Host Chris Walder (@WalderSports) is joined by Kashtin, the owner of the Pascal Propaganda Twitter account (@PascalFanClub) with over 7,000 followers at the time of recording.

The two deep dive into Kashtin’s fandom of the Toronto Raptors franchise and how far back it goes, while also discussing the inception of his account and what inspired it. Kashtin then goes on a memorable rant on Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment before the two discuss Pascal Siakam’s future with the Raptors franchise, the likelihood of the All-Star forward getting traded, what a potential package could look like, and so much more.

Host Chris Walder (@WalderSports) is joined by Chelsea Leite (@ChelseaLeite), the new Editor-in-Chief of Raptors HQ over at SB Nation. 

The two discuss Chelsea’s recent wedding getaway at her cousin’s wedding, and how the transition has been since taking over Raptors HQ, the trouble in hiring a staff of writers and the online discord that followed. They then get into the recent rumors surrounding Portland Trail Blazers All-Star Damian Lillard potentially getting traded to the Toronto Raptors, which pieces Toronto should prioritize keeping, and if the new-look roster could compete for a championship. Chelsea then blindly ranks five random ”Friends” characters, recounts a hilarious encounter with Improv legend Colin Mochrie, as well as an outlandish and crude suggestion she was provided by a drunk audience member during a recent Improv show of her own.

Host Chris Walder (@WalderSports) is joined by Alex Adams (@AlexAdamsBTP), an analyst for Canada’s men’s senior national basketball team and the host of the ”Behind the Play” podcast.

The two discuss Alex’s recent trip to Jakarta to cover the FIBA World Cup, his travel experience, his relationship with Arash Madani, Dillon Brooks’ tournament, Dennis Schroder as the Toronto Raptors’ new starting point guard, an assessment of the franchise’s front office, a blind ranking of current NBA guards, the beef between Senators and Maple Leafs fans, and so much more.

Host Chris Walder (@WalderSports) is joined by Josh Custodio (@J0shC), a co-host of Wrestling Brain (@Wrestling_Brain) on both Twitch and YouTube. 

The two discuss AEW’s big announcement of a new two-hour program called ”Collision,” as well as CM Punk’s inevitable return and connection to the show. Josh also reveals the genesis of Wrestling Brain and how the program got off the ground. They then preview AEW’s Double or Nothing pay-per-view on May 28 before getting into a mega-sized version of Keep it or Kick it (a staple of Wrestling Brain) where Josh offers his thoughts on Roman Reigns’ WrestleMania win over Cody Rhodes, Sanada’s IWGP title run, Sting’s retirement match, the TNT championship, and so much more.

Host Chris Walder (@WalderSports) is joined by Jay Rosales (@Rosalesaurus), a writer for Raptors HQ and the co-host of the ”That’s a Rap” podcast.

The two discuss Jay’s venture into being a regular media member at Toronto Raptors games, the impostor syndrome he’s felt, and his journey being a writer alongside Chris back in the day. They then get into the recent firing of Raptors head coach Nick Nurse, some potential candidates to replace him, Becky Hammon receiving an interview, before getting into some NBA playoffs talk with the upcoming Lakers-Warriors series, and some reaction to the Bucks and Grizzlies being upset in the opening round. They then close out the show with their prediction for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers, eating at the Mandarin, the Netflix series ”Beef,” and much more.

Host Chris Walder is joined by Mike Roach, the co-host of the ”Hustle Play” podcast alongside Toronto Raptors center Chris Boucher for Yahoo Sports Canada, as well as the host of ”The Mike Roach Podcast.”

The two look back at Toronto’s loss to the Chicago Bulls in the play-in tournament, what went wrong, Diar DeRozan’s screams, and who’s to blame for the defeat. They then preview the team’s potential offseason moves, where the 2022-23 campaign went wrong, and which free-agents need to stick around. They culminate the podcast by picking the series winners for the first round of the upcoming NBA playoffs.

Host Chris Walder (@WalderSports) is joined by Will Lou (@William_Lou), the host of ”The Raptors Show” on Sportsnet 590 The Fan.

The two discuss Will’s recent live show with Toronto Raptors GM Bobby Webster, the success of his radio show/podcast, his relationships with Blake Murphy and Alex Wong, the frustrating 2022-23 Raptors campaign, what the team needs to look for in this summer’s draft, having big heads, bubble tea, best-dressed Raptors, and so much more.

Host Chris Walder (@WalderSports) is joined by Crina Mustafa (@CrinaMM), a digital host for Homestand Sports and the host of the ”Court Time with Crina Mustafa” and ”North of the Net” podcasts.

The two discuss Crina’s last two years and how her career path in sports media has drastically changed since the last time they recorded a podcast. They also get into the evolution of women in sports media, finding a work-life balance being in the field, how therapy has helped her maintain a level head, being a part of Homestand Sports and what that brand is trying to achieve, the Toronto Raptors’ offseason plans, the Nikola Jokic vs. Joel Embiid NBA Most Valuable Player race, the WNBA coming to Toronto, and so much more.

Host Chris Walder (@WalderSports) is joined by Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC), a radio host for Sportsnet 590 The Fan covering the Toronto Raptors and Toronto Blue Jays. 

The two discuss Blake’s ongoing battle with long Covid and post-Covid complications, his busy schedule and how he juggles his many roles, as well as his recent stint doing professional wrestling commentary for Smash Wrestling in Toronto. Blake also provides his two cents on Fred VanVleet’s recent pipebomb-esque rant on NBA officiating following the Raptors’ loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, whether or not this season can ultimately be considered a success, and how the franchise can potentially keep all of their big name free agents like VanVleet, Jakob Poeltl, and Gary Trent Jr.